Most people just accept their phones as sealed boxes, stuffed with whatever apps came preinstalled or happen to be trending on the Play Store. I decided to go another way. Every part of my daily productivity setup runs on open-source software, which means I actually know what’s happening behind the curtain, I can move my data wherever I want, and I’m not stuck hoping some random cloud service doesn’t vanish overnight.
I’m not chasing perfection or trying to make a point. These apps simply work—beautifully, in fact—and in many cases, they outperform the polished, corporate versions people assume are the only good options.
Tasks.org
A powerhouse to-do list that talks to everything
Tasks.org is a fully open-source, privacy-focused task manager and reminders app. It builds upon the open-source Astrid codebase (Astrid was discontinued in 2013) and is released under the GPLv3 license.
Tasks.org supports powerful task structuring with infinite-depth subtasks, manual drag-and-drop ordering, filters, tags, and custom lists. Synchronization is flexible: you can run it entirely offline, or sync over CalDAV, DAVx⁵, EteSync, DecSync CC, or Tasks.org’s own sync service. You can pair end-to-end encryption with EteSync. List sharing is supported (for CalDAV / EteSync setups).
The app deliberately eschews ads, tracking, or forced telemetry (opt-outs are available). Some features (themes, Launcher icons, custom colors, Tasks.org sync) are behind a “pay what you want” subscription (e.g. $0.99/year) to support development—but the core remains free and open.
Download: Tasks.org (free; in-app subscription)
Kiwix
The entire internet in your pocket (well, the useful parts)
Kiwix is an open-source, offline web browser designed specifically for accessing vast educational content without an internet connection. Launched to make Wikipedia usable in offline settings, it now supports not only Wikipedia but also many Wikimedia projects, public domain texts (e.g., Project Gutenberg), Stack Exchange sites, TED Talks, and more.
On Android, Kiwix lets you download “ZIM” archive files (a highly compressed, metadata-rich open format) to browse content locally. The app automatically detects ZIM files stored on your device and supports full-text search, bookmarking, and article export. Because content is downloaded ahead of time, you can browse it entirely offline, which is great for travel, low-connectivity environments, or when you want to conserve data.
Download: Kiwix (free)
Markor
Markdown notes and todo.txt, no strings attached
Markor is an open-source, local-first note editor and to-do manager. At its core, Markor works entirely offline. Your files are plaintext (Markdown, todo.txt, Zim wiki, and others), stored where you choose on the filesystem. This means that no cloud account is required; syncing is up to you, using whichever sync tool you prefer (Syncthing, Nextcloud, Dropbox via FolderSync, etc.).
Features include syntax-highlighted editing, previewing, and exporting as HTML or PDF, auto-save, undo/redo, a QuickNote mode, notebooks (folders of notes), to-do support, and flexible markup format support. It also offers added support for formats such as CSV, Org-Mode, and AsciiDoc. Markor also offers optional AES-256 encryption for text files, though attachments/images are not fully encrypted.
Download: Markor (free)
Joplin
A full-blown note app with structure and sync
Joplin is a powerful open-source note-taking and to-do application available on Android (as well as Windows, macOS, Linux, and iOS). It uses Markdown for notes and supports attachments, tags, notebooks, and rich text rendering.
Syncing is refreshingly flexible, too. You can connect it to Nextcloud, Dropbox, OneDrive, WebDAV, Joplin Cloud, or even just your local storage if you prefer keeping things offline. And because it supports end-to-end encryption, your notes stay encrypted before they ever leave your device and remain protected wherever they are stored.
Download: Joplin (Free)
AnySoftKeyboard
A strong Gboard and Siftkey contender
AnySoftKeyboard is one of the best free, open-source on-screen keyboard for Android. It is built with a strong emphasis on privacy and customizability.
One of its core privacy features is incognito mode. When enabled, the keyboard won’t learn new words or keep a history of typed content, helping ensure that sensitive data is never stored. Crucially, AnySoftKeyboard does not require network permissions, meaning it cannot send your typing data to external servers.
Functionally, it offers robust features, including multi-language support (via external layout/dictionary packs), customizable themes, gesture typing (in beta), next-word suggestions, voice input, and power-saving mode. It also supports physical keyboards, per-app tinting, custom shortcuts, and user dictionary editing.
Download: AnySoftKeyboard (Free)
AntennaPod
Podcasts without ads or tracking
Podcasts have become a core part of how I learn and unwind, and AntennaPod is my app of choice among several free options for listening to my favorite podcasts. Unlike commercial podcast apps that bombard you with ads, recommendations, and paywalls, AntennaPod keeps things refreshingly straightforward. You can subscribe to any RSS feed, import or export your library (in OPML format), and optionally sync your subscriptions and listening progress across devices using gPodder or a Nextcloud setup.
It offers all the essentials—variable playback speed, sleep timers, chapter navigation, and offline downloads—without trying to turn listening into a walled garden. What makes it especially appealing is the way it puts me in charge of my feed. There’s no algorithm pushing me toward “trending” shows, just the ones I actually want to hear. The interface is simple but polished, and because it’s open-source, you know it won’t suddenly pivot into an ad-driven nightmare.
Download: AntennaPod (Free)
Loop Habit Tracker
Building routines the gentle way
Habits are where productivity either sticks or collapses. Loop Habit Tracker is a minimalist, open-source tool designed to make habit-building approachable and accessible. Rather than punishing you with streak resets, it calculates a strength score using an algorithm that rewards consistency over time and gradually decays when you slip.
Its interface is clean and simple. You tap to mark habits done, glance at charts and stats, and get reminders at the right time. There’s no over-the-top gamification or paywalled features begging for attention. It’s a calm method to visualize your consistency.
The only catch is that everything stays on your device. There’s no automatic cloud sync, so you’ll have to manually export your data if you’re switching phones or want a backup.
Download: Loop Habit Tracker (Free)
This stack covers all bases
Going fully open-source on Android doesn’t feel like a compromise anymore. With apps like these, I’ve built a setup that’s lean, reliable, and refreshingly transparent. Each app covers a different slice of productivity, from task management to habit tracking, yet they all share one thing in common: they give me control without strings attached. And the best part is that I own my workflow—not some faceless company’s server farm.
