Alternatives to Android Open Source Project
Google's open source Android code base, which you can download, build and flash yourself. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Android Open Source Project
Google's open source Android code base, which you can download, build and flash yourself.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Android Open Source Project.
LineageOS
A community Android distribution for a wide range of phones and tablets, shipped without Google apps.
LineageOS is a ready community distribution of Android for 739 official devices with monthly security updates, so you install it rather than building Android from source yourself.
GrapheneOS
A privacy- and security-hardened Android operating system for supported Google Pixel phones.
GrapheneOS gives you a finished, security-hardened Android with a web installer, but official production support covers only Google Pixel devices rather than any hardware you build for.
CalyxOS
A privacy-focused Android operating system from the Calyx Institute with microG and a built-in firewall.
CalyxOS is a finished privacy-focused Android with optional microG, F-Droid Basic and automatic updates, limited to selected Pixel, Fairphone, Motorola and SHIFT devices.
OmniROM
A long-running community custom Android ROM built on AOSP with added features.
OmniROM is a long-running community ROM built on AOSP with extra features added, installed on supported devices instead of being compiled from Google's source yourself.
PixelOS
AOSP-based ROM delivering a clean Pixel experience with monthly patches.
PixelOS is an AOSP-based ROM with a clean Pixel experience and monthly patches, but it includes Google apps, unlike the Android Open Source Project.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Seedvault
An open-source encrypted backup application for Android, built into custom ROMs based on AOSP.
microG
A free software reimplementation of Google Play Services for Android ROMs without Google apps.
crDroid
LineageOS-based ROM with extensive built-in customisation.
LineageOS for microG
Unofficial LineageOS builds with microG and F-Droid included, for Android without Google Apps.
Evolution X
Pixel-style Android ROM with extra customisation for other devices.
postmarketOS
A Linux distribution for phones and other devices, built to keep hardware useful for years.
