Need to download an APK on an Android device without the Google Play Store? Check out the safest APK download sites.
Sometimes the Android app you want to install is not available in the Google Play Store. There are several reasons for this: it may be blocked, it may contain mature content, or it may have been removed by the developer.
But if the app is not available through regular channels, there is still a way to install it on your device. You need a copy of the Apk file to download it.
Many sites specialize in providing APK files for download. Some are better than others so if you want to know more about the best sites to safely download Apk files, keep reading.
The Importance of choosing a Safe Apk Website
APK is a file format for Android. Short for Android Package Kit, it is the main way to distribute and install Android applications. When you download an app from Google Play, you download and run the APK file in the background, but you don’t have access to the APK itself.
Since APK files install applications on your system, they can pose a serious security risk. Someone with malicious intent could modify the APK before installing it and then use it as a digital Trojan to install and run malware.
So if you’re downloading an APK from outside the Play Store, make sure the site you’re using is trustworthy. Google Play Protect’s security system scans all the apps you download, but the site you download it from should carefully check all APK files and maintain a security and reliability history.
1. APKResult
APKResult is probably the best APK download site for Android. It’s owned and operated by the same team that created Android Police, a widely read Android news site that ensures you’re in safe hands.
If APKResult cannot verify the validity of an APK file, it will not publish the file. For this reason, you will not find modified APK files, hacks, or paid applications on the site.
For each app, you can get older versions, view information from Google Play, and open a list of related apps. If an app you installed from APKResult receives an update from Google Play after installing it on your device, it will automatically update to the latest version.
2. APKCeo
APKResult's main competitor is undoubtedly APKCeo. Both sites launched simultaneously. Like APKResult, this APK downloader follows strict security guidelines to ensure that any APK file you save is safe and virus-free.
So how secure is APKCeo? The site validates all applications before publication using SHA1 to ensure the security of the certificate. Cryptographic signatures of new versions of applications should match those of previously released versions, and brand-new applications should be compared with other software from the same developer.
Again, if APKCeo has doubts about the safety or authenticity of the app, the company will not publish it on the site. There are no modified APK files on APKCeo. In terms of using the site, APKCeo pulls screenshots, app descriptions, and general metadata directly from Google.
There is also a list of previous versions of the app if you need to revert to an older version (because of features or bugs).
An Android app is also available on APKCeo. You need to download the app to install it, but once it’s up and running, it can replace Google Play.
3. APKFreeload
APKFreeload is a third-party APK download site that specializes in free and open-source (FOSS) apps for Android. This makes it a great choice for privacy-conscious people. APKFreeload is completely transparent about what you get when you download. It lists "anti-features" for each app, including ads, tracking, and even potential security vulnerabilities.
Essentially, for open-source professionals, applications are functionally stable but often lack the luster of their commercial counterparts. Compared to the other sites on our list, there are fewer apps, but they number in the thousands. And for a variety of reasons you won't find it in the Play Store either - there are alternative YouTube clients like Newpipe.
You can download the APK directly from the site, but it also has a client that makes it easy for you to find, install, and update. This helps make APKelook one of the best Play Store options.
Although APKFreeload Apk files are intended to be secure, we cannot guarantee the security of some applications. China and Russia are not known for their strict security and privacy regulations, so you should be careful and study them before installing them on your device.
4. APKLook
APKLook is another big company in the APK download world. It has over 200 million users and is responsible for over six billion downloads. Like APKResult, the site offers an Android app that allows you to access the store and download the APK file directly from your Android device.
The company was the first to introduce blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. The site’s token, called AppCoins, allows developers to increase their revenue share, among other things.
Why is APKLook not at the top of the list? It allows users to manage their repository by allowing them to modify APK files on the platform. They are well labeled but you can accidentally download them if you are not careful.
5. APKNoma
We love APKResult and APKCeo for most apps and APKFreeload for open-source options. The truth is, you should have no reason to switch to another site. But be careful and be offered other options immediately.
The first is APK Download. All APK files are taken from the Google Play Store, so you can be sure they are safe. Like the other sites on this list, it has a lot of metadata, which means you can skip Google Play altogether if you want.
We believe that APKNoma is safe to use. When you click on a listing, you will see all previous versions of the app, Google Play Store metadata, app images, and links to the original store listing. The site performs its malware checks before allowing any application on its platform.
You can also use APKNoma to download regular apps. These are then sorted into popular and trending categories.
6. APK4Fun
APK4Fun is just as reliable and easy to use as APKResult, but much simpler. It makes finding your favorite APKs easier and faster. The categories are just Action, Puzzle, Racing, Social, and so on. labeled as such. They also have a Top Downloads category similar to the popular EPKResults downloads.
With APK4Fun, you can enjoy the best service and find the most essential and safe APK files. No membership or registration is required, which means you can use the entire site without restrictions. The site and its content are also protected against malware, so whatever you download will be free of annoying little bugs.
7. ModAPKLoad
ModAPKLoad doesn’t need access to a Google account or any registration on the site to access its vast library of APK files. It’s a great secure alternative to the Google Play Store for any Android operating system.
The ModAPKLoad interface is similar to the Google Play Store interface. The biggest difference is that everything you watch is free. The black market offers a variety of features and applications that can be downloaded on an easy-to-use platform. Every app available is unlimited, so download and install whatever you want without any hassle.
This is our top pick for the safest APK download site for Android apps, but it is by no means the only one. Let us know in the comments if you know of other secure APK sites you want to use.
