Free Android apps that can replace paid subscriptions

A writer at Android Police says he cut his app bills by replacing six paid Android apps with free open source ones. His picks cover files, photos, budgeting, tasks, notes and email. He also says they collect less of his data. Open source means the app's code is public, so anyone can inspect it.

What he switched to

The big move was dropping Google Drive for Nextcloud, which he runs on a NAS. That is a storage device kept at home. Nextcloud handles his files and photos, with automatic photo uploads, offline access, favorites and shared editing. He says its Media tab rivals Google Photos. He still uses Google Drive for WhatsApp backups and Gmail.

For file management he chose Fossify File Manager. He says it is fast and has no subscription prompts. It asks only for access to files, not his location or contacts. For money, he uses Cashew, a budget app with goals, scheduled payments, custom categories and subscription tracking. He had tried finance apps that charged $10 a month to show a spending chart.

Tasks, notes and email

Super Productivity replaced a mix of Todoist, TickTick and Toggl. It offers sub-tasks, attachments and time tracking, so he can start a timer when he begins writing and review his day later. For notes, he moved from Notion and Obsidian to Anytype, which stores data on the device first and runs quickly on his Pixel 8. The list also includes Thunderbird for email.

What to watch out for

• Anytype has a learning curve. Workspaces, objects and its editor take time to get used to.
• Nextcloud in his setup depends on a NAS. The material does not say what one costs.
• He still keeps Google Drive for WhatsApp backups and Gmail, so a full break is not required.

Why it matters

Small monthly fees add up, and many apps ask for more access to your phone than they need. His main argument is that free tools can do the same jobs with fewer prompts and less tracking. These are one writer's experiences, not lab tests. Trying one app at a time is an easy way to see whether it fits your habits.