“Is Uptodown safe?”
To answer your question – yes, Uptodown is a safe and legitimate app store. It scans every file with VirusTotal before publishing it and also shares only the original APK files. There’s no risk of getting modified or repackaged apps, unlike some other alternatives.
That being said, don’t switch your brain off just because a website is generally trustworthy. For example, before downloading an app, check:
- Who published it?
- Do you recognize the developer of the application?
This isn’t a knock on Uptodown specifically, but a great practice when you are using any third-party store. Also, while Uptodown is usually a safe bet, there are still some caveats that you have to keep in mind if you’re considering using it.
Let’s find out more about it.
What is Uptodown?
Uptodown is a third-party app store where you can download Android apps (APK files) and Windows software. Unlike the Microsoft Store or Google Play, you can get:
- Older version of some apps
- Tools that might be blocked in your region
- Software that has been pulled from other stores entirely
Uptodown originated as an organization on December 20, 2002, and runs out of Málaga, Spain. Since then, it’s turned into one of the biggest alternative app stores around. It has also been translated into several languages and used by people all over the world.
Most people use Uptodown for a simple reason: it doesn’t require any Google account. Add in the archived app versions and support for both Android and Windows into that – and it covers everything that official stores don’t.
| Quick Facts | |
| Founded | December 20, 2002 |
| Headquarters | Málaga, Spain |
| Type | Third-party app store |
| Platforms | Windows and Android |
| App types | Apps, games, multimedia, utilities, productivity, education, and much more |
| Supported devices | Android smartphones and tablets, Windows PCs |
| Stage | Unfunded |
| Employee Count | 11-50 |
| Current focus | Android app distribution and alternative marketplace |
Should You Use Uptodown?
Yes, you can use Uptodown, as it’s generally a safe and legitimate third-party app store. It’s been running since 2002 and claims that it uses several security measures, including VirusTotal malware scanning. We have downloaded a few apps from here, and found nothing of risk during our testing as well.
However, as we’ve been saying for a while now, no third-party store can promise that every single app is risk-free. So, please check the publisher and install from developers you know for a while and trust with conviction.
1: Why Many Users Consider Uptodown Safe?
During our testing, we found five reasons to consider Uptodown to be safe and secure. Here is what you need to know:
A: VirusTotal Scanning
According to Uptodown, they use VirusTotal to scan the publisher-uploaded files before they go live. So, if there’s any malware available in an APK, it will catch the same and delete it. While we cannot give our word that Uptodown doesn’t have any “infected” app, the tools we downloaded were completely malware-free.
B: Original APK Files
The platform distributes APKs without altering the app’s code. So, you are not going to get some kind of repackaged version with who-knows-what added in.
C: Developer Verification
Apps are usually published by the original developers of the same. So, for example, if you were to download Clash of Clans from here, it’d be the same version as Supercell’s last update. There’s also a section where you can check who made the app. Thus, even if you’re downloading an unknown app, you can do some research on the developer first.
D: Track Record
Uptodown has been around for more than twenty years. They have a lot of people using their service all over the world. Uptodown has a track record and that is something that works in their favor.
E: Clear App Info
The app pages usually come with information related to:
- Their version history
- In-app screenshots
- Changelogs of the app
- Reviews from users like you
So, you won’t have to download anything blindly.
2: What are the Risks Then?
While Uptodown is generally safe, there are still some risks associated with it, such as:
- It’s still a third-party app store. So, apps shared here don’t get Google’s full distribution and vetting process.
- Although rare, impersonated or fake apps do exist here. So, it’s best to double-check the developer’s name before you download anything popular.
- Older APKs are available on Uptodown, which can be quite handy at times. However, some of those versions carry bugs or security holes that got patched in the later updates or releases.
- After installation, keep an eye on what permissions the app is requesting. If a flashlight app wants to access your contacts, that’s a red flag. Skip it.
Is Uptodown Safe for Every Type of App?
It depends on what you are downloading. Uptodown is a great third-party store as a whole, but some categories do carry more risk than others.
So, for anything touching your money or personal data, stick to the official stores. However, for lower-stakes apps. Uptodown would be fine to work with.
| App Type | Recommendation | Why |
| Banking and financial apps | Avoid at all costs | These apps handle your sensitive financial data. So, it’s best to get it only from the bank’s website or the official stores. |
| Password managers | Go for official stores | They protect your sensitive information. So, a compromised or outdated version can be a bigger deal here than elsewhere. |
| Messaging apps | Verify the publisher | Only download WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and other similar apps if they’re published by the actual developer. |
| Games | Usually fine | Lower risk overall, but it’s best to confirm who the developer is. |
| Emulators | Good choice | Most emulators aren’t available on Google Play due to policy restrictions. So, you can go to Uptodown with these. |
| Productivity apps | Verify the publishers | Office tools, note apps, and other utilities often want access to your files and storage. So, check the developers and permissions before making any installation. |
| Open-source apps | Usually fine | Often distributed through trusted third-party platforms anyway, and you can’t find them in most official stores too! |
When Should You Use Uptodown?
While Uptodown works well for some situations, you probably don’t have to make it your go-to option. After all, it really comes down to what you are downloading and how comfortable you are with managing an APK install yourself.
| Use Uptodown If… | Avoid Uptodown If… |
| You need an app or game that’s unavailable in your region. | You’re downloading banking, financial, or other security-sensitive apps. |
| You want to download the older version of an app or a tool. | You only trust official stores like Google Play or the App Store (of Apple). |
| You are trying to download an app from a verified, trusted developer. | You are not sure how to check a developer or review permissions. |
| You know how to install APKs safely and manage the permission requests. | Maximum security matters more than anything else to you. |
| You need software that’s disappeared from the official stores. | The app is already available through an official store. |
| Our recommendation: Uptodown is a place to find apps that are not available in your area or older versions of apps that you need. Sometimes you can even find software on Uptodown that you cannot find else. But if an app is sitting right there on Google Play, the App Store, or the developer’s own website, we’d suggest you go there first. Those channels come with extra verification that a third-party store just cannot match. But if you use Uptodown, stick to developers you actually trust. |
Best Uptodown Alternatives
If you’re still not into Uptodown, let us share some other app stores with somewhat similar features. Some of these focus on security, while others are all about privacy and open-source apps. The choice here would depend on what you are looking for.
| Best Uptodown Alternatives | ||||
| App Store | Best for | Official Store | Android | Windows |
| Google Play Store | Maximum convenience and security | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| APKPure | APK downloads and older app versions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Aurora Store | Privacy-conscious users | No | Yes | No |
| F-Droid | Open-source Android apps | No | Yes | No |
| Amazon Appstore | Trusted alternative for Android apps | Yes | Yes | Limited |
1: Google Play
This is Google’s official Android marketplace. It comes with Google Play Protect, developer verification, ongoing malware monitoring, and automatic updates. This is why most people consider it as their default choice.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⦿ Official Android app store | ⦿ Google sometimes pulls apps for policy reasons |
| ⦿ Strong security and malware protection | ⦿ Older versions are usually impossible to find |
| ⦿ Huge app library and automatic app updates | ⦿ Some apps are locked to certain regions |
| Best for: Users who are looking for a safe and convenient way to download Android apps. |
2: APKPure
APKPure is one of the biggest third-party app stores in the world, like Uptodown. It offers APK downloads, keeps all the archived versions of the tools around, and carries software that’s missing in some regions.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⦿ Large APK library but everything is easier to find due to the simple interface | ⦿ You need to check the developer yourself |
| ⦿ No Google account needed | ⦿ Manual APK installation needed, which is not really easy to do |
| ⦿ Older app versions are available here | ⦿ Not an official store |
| Best for: Users who are looking for a safe and convenient way to download Android apps. |
3: Aurora Store
Aurora Store, in essence, is an open-source client that allows you to pull apps from Google Play. There is no need to sign with a personal Google account, and you’re also getting the best versions of apps you need.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⦿ Open source and no personal Google account is needed for it | ⦿ Some apps break with Google services running |
| ⦿ Clean, lightweight interface | ⦿ Does not support every Play Store feature |
| ⦿ Access to a lot of Google Play’s catalog | ⦿ Only available on Android devices |
| Best for: Android users who are all about keeping their privacy intact. |
4: F-Droid
F-Droid’s rule is quite simple and straight-forward: everything is free and open-source for everyone. This is what made it popular with developers, privacy advocates, and anyone who wants to actually know what their software is doing.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⦿ Fully open-source catalog and no account needed as well | ⦿ Most commercial apps aren’t available here |
| ⦿ Privacy-focused | ⦿ Updates can lag behind official stores |
| ⦿ No proprietary tracking baked into the store | ⦿ Smaller selection of apps available |
| Best for: Anyone who’s looking for free, open-source Android apps and nothing else. |
5: Amazon Appstore
Amazon runs this as the official store for Fire tablets, though it’s also available on some Android devices and Windows setups. Thousands of apps and games also live here, however they’re more curated than being wide open.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⦿ Run by Amazon and has a curated selection | ⦿ Availability depends on your device and the region you’re staying in |
| ⦿ Much easier to install | ⦿ You cannot find some Android apps aren’t even there |
| ⦿ Works well on Fire tablets and compatible devices | ⦿ Smaller than Google Play |
| Best for: Anyone who’s looking for free, open-source Android apps and nothing else. |
The Bottom Line
Uptodown is one of the (if not the) best third-party stores available out there. It has a huge library of Android apps, APK files, and Windows software while offering excellent security and safety options. However, if you want to be even safer, it’s always best to go for official stores like Google Play or download the app from its official website.
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