Free and open source
You can read, modify, and redistribute the source code for every App Fair app under its free software license.
The App Fair Project
The free and open-source app store for the iPhone and Android
The App Fair Project is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the creation of mobile software applications for the public good. The project was founded in 2022 as a worldwide nexus for free apps to be built, distributed, and maintained.
The App Fair reviews each release before publishing it to the App Store and Google Play. Distribution through F-Droid and AltStore is planned.
App rules
What to expect from our apps
App Fair apps are free to download and use. They contain no advertising or tracking software. Donations and grants pay for development and distribution.
Advertising
App Fair apps contain no ads or advertising SDKs.
App stores
Install apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play. F-Droid and AltStore distribution is planned.
Free to use
All app features are available without payment. Apps cannot charge for subscriptions, in-app purchases, or upgrades.
Funding
Donations and grants fund the apps and their distribution. The App Fair is a nonprofit.
Privacy
Apps cannot collect analytics or tracking data. Permissions and network access must serve a stated app feature.
Development
How we build apps
We publish the code, support iOS and Android, and build translation and accessibility support into the apps.
Public source
The source code, build configuration, and dependencies are available under free and open-source licenses.
iOS and Android
Each app uses a shared codebase to provide the same features in native iOS and Android apps.
Translation
App text is stored in translation files. Translations cover the app and its store listing.
Accessibility
Apps must support screen readers, large text sizes, and switch control, with sufficient color contrast.
How it works
From source code to the app stores
The App Fair builds each release and compares it with the developer's published build before accepting it.
Develop the app
Developers maintain their apps in public repositories. The app and all its dependencies must use licenses that meet the Debian Free Software Guidelines.
Submit a release
The developer submits each release to the App Fair for review against the inclusion criteria.
Publish to the stores
The App Fair submits approved releases to the App Store and Google Play. Each store also reviews the app before publication.
From the blog
Recent posts
A Gatekeeper's Paradise: the App Fair response to the first review of the Digital Markets Act
The European Commission has published its first review of the Digital Markets Act, the landmark regulation that was supposed to break the stranglehold of Big Tech gatekeepers on…
Read more →Fear and Loathing in the App Stores
I presented a talk on the FOSDEM main track in Brussels last weekend titled "Fear and Loathing in the App Stores" (abstract). It was amazing to see so much interest in the topic,…
Read more →App Fair Retrospective, 2025
As 2025 draws to a close, it's a good moment to pause and reflect on a year that proved to be both challenging and energizing for the App Fair Project. Building on the momentum of…
Read more →Support the project
Help fund the apps
Your donation pays for app development, release review, and the servers that host the catalog.