shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Accrescent?

Accrescent is an Android app store focused on security, privacy, and usability. - accrescent.app

Depends. Good fit if you run GrapheneOS or a degoogled Android phone and want developer-verified apps from a security-hardened store. Skip it if you need a broad mainstream catalog or confidence the project will still be maintained next year.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~9 usable public sources; many review snippets were truncated.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of useNo usable user evidence on day-to-day usability
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support evidence in sources
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free

ModelDonations only
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • GrapheneOS and degoogled Android users
  • Privacy-first FOSS app users
  • Users wanting developer-verified signed apps

Not for

  • Anyone needing mainstream apps (banking, rideshare, streaming)
  • Older Android devices below its minimum version
  • Teams wanting managed enterprise app distribution
  • People who want set-and-forget Play Store convenience

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Donation-funded with no revenue cushion; blog explicitly says advancement stops without money

medium

Slow release cadence; community threads openly question project viability

medium

Minimum Android version requirement silently excludes older phones

medium

Strict rules block some legitimate apps (accessibility, VPNs), shrinking the catalog further

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Completely free; funded by donations, no ads or paid tiers
  • Strict publishing rules ban invasive accessibility services, restrict VPN apps
  • Security model praised as stronger than F-Droid's after its cert-pinning bypass
  • Strict quality control measures on app submissions
  • Open source and actively discussed in the GrapheneOS community

Cons

  • Self-described work-in-progress; catalog far smaller than Play Store or F-Droid
  • Funding insecurity: roadmap says progress stops without donations
  • Development pace slow enough that users ask 'Is Accrescent dying?'
  • Targets newer Android versions; older devices excluded

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 9 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x5review x3security x1

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 9

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Free; funded purely by donations
  • Ease of use. No usable user evidence on day-to-day usability
  • Feature depth: 2/5. Called work-in-progress; catalog clearly smaller than rivals
  • Support quality. No support evidence in sources
  • Security posture: 5/5. Strict publishing rules; praised over F-Droid's model
  • $0 Price Free, donation-funded
  • Yes Free tier Entire app store is free
  • Donations only Funding model No paid tiers named in sources

Pricing

Free

$0

  • Full app store, all features
  • Funded purely by donations

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Privacy-community users praise the security model but worry about slow development, a small catalog, and long-term funding.

“I'm up to FIVE with GOS app store, Aurora, Accresce…”
Reddit, r/GrapheneOS
“It's a pity that Accrescent is taking so long to…”
GrapheneOS discussion forum
“Accrescent is a work-in-progress project to offer…”
GrapheneOS discussion forum
Full analysis

Based on ~9 usable public sources; many review snippets were truncated.

Free security-first Android app store for privacy users. Small catalog, slow pace, funding worries — skip if you need mainstream apps.

Methodology

Based on ~9 usable public sources; many review snippets were truncated.

Sources

  1. Accrescent | Homeaccrescent.app
    official
  2. Accrescent | FAQaccrescent.app
    official
  3. Publishing requirements - Accrescent Documentationaccrescent.app
    official
  4. The Future of Accrescentaccrescent.app
    official
  5. Accrescent on GitHubgithub.com
    official
  6. Do you guys think Accrescent will take off as a popular app store?reddit.com
    review
  7. Is Accrescent dying?discuss.grapheneos.org
    review
  8. What do you think of Accrescent app store?discuss.grapheneos.org
    review
  9. F-Droid vulnerability allows bypassing certificate pinningdiscuss.grapheneos.org
    security

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