--- title: "5 Best Open Source Android Apps to Help Boost your Development Skills" description: "App development is a progressing field and in need of more skilled developers as numerous companies seek to join the race to design a creative app tha" author: "Sarah Cameron" published: 2020-02-19 updated: 2020-02-19 canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/311439/5-best-open-source-android-apps-to-help-boost-your-development-skills category: "android" tags: ["android application development"] reading_time: 2 minutes --- # 5 Best Open Source Android Apps to Help Boost your Development Skills App development is a progressing field and in need of more skilled developers as numerous companies seek to join the race to design a creative app that their users enjoy. The career path is filled with tremendous growth opportunities for developers. So, it is a great time to decide on your profession. Books, [blogs](https://www.mindstick.com/developersection/blog), forums, and other sources are best when it comes to [improving your](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/36267/what-are-some-tips-for-improving-your-garden-if-you-have-limited-skills-and-money) skills. Still, there are different ways to [enhance your](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/84452/10-ppc-automation-tools-to-enhance-your-ad-campaigns) abilities. Open-source apps are fully-functional, exhaustive applications where you can understand the depth of coding directly.\ It is a way to improve your knowledge of programming and gain new insights if you aim to join an iOS or Android [app development](https://www.mindstick.com/services/mobile-app-development) company or freelance. Here are five best open source apps, as an alternative to regular development textbooks: ## 1. Amaze File Manager It is written in Java [programming language](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/156801/write-a-program-for-reverse-a-word-in-sentence-in-any-programming-language), and one of the most lightweight android applications on [Google Play Store](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2161/for-the-google-play-store-google-has-given-the-nod-to-truth-social). Few of the attributes of the app are as follows: · Access to all features, ad-free.\ · [Essential tools](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/101940/what-are-some-essential-tools-for-everyday-life) like cut, copy, compress, delete, and extract.\ · [Navigation bar](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/158251/create-a-sticky-navigation-bar-that-is-fixed-at-the-top-of-the-page-when-scrolling-using-jquery)/drawer\ · Several themes option\ · Save bookmarks\ It is an intermediate level application that will teach you different aspects of coding, particularly proper file holding on SD card. Find the source code on GitHub!\ **2. K-9 Mail**\ K-9 is an email application on the Google Play Store with its source code on GitHub. The app is written in Java. It uses CRAM-MD5 encryption, plus client-side TLS certificates for server authentication.\ STARTTLS and TLS are also available, and currently, the app supports OpenPGP.\ **3. LeafPic**\ It is a photo and gallery app and suitable for even a beginner developer. You can find a few additional features than your traditional gallery application. It is ad-free and a great source to leverage [material design](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/102632/what-is-the-significance-of-google-s-material-design-for-user-interfaces).\ **4. NextCloud**\ It is a [cloud storage](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/108325/explain-the-concept-of-cloud-storage) app with easy-to-understand UI, provides auto uploads of photos and videos, and file sharing.\ **5. Open Camera**\ The app offers more functionality than the regular camera app, with full manual control, configurable hotkeys, HDR support, and more.\ **Boost Your Skills**\ These five apps will give you hands-on experience in programming and developing the field. Textbooks, blogs, and so on can only provide you with knowledge. Open-source apps will help you understand how to apply it.\ I hope the article helps you in deciding your journey!\ --- Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/articles/311439/5-best-open-source-android-apps-to-help-boost-your-development-skills Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.