shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Apkpure?

APKPure - A multi-platform Android app store for downloading APKs - apkpure.com

Depends. Use it only as a free last resort when an app isn't on Google Play, and verify what you install. Skip it as a daily store or on work, kids', or security-sensitive devices — the 2021 malware incident and two CVEs justify the doubt.

Confidence

Medium. Based on 40+ public sources: security research (Securelist, NVD, CVE), Reddit threads, Trustpilot, and company profiles.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of useNo direct usability evidence found
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support evidence found
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
PremiumNot listed in reviewed sources

Best for

  • Region-locked app downloads
  • Grabbing older app versions
  • Devices without Google Play (Huawei, de-Googled)
  • One-off sideloading

Not for

  • Security-conscious users
  • Work or managed device fleets
  • Kids' or shared family phones
  • Anyone expecting Play-level app vetting

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

In 2021 the APKPure app itself was trojanized to serve adware; verify signatures before installing.

high

CVE-2023-27192 and CVE-2023-27193 affect the APKPure app itself.

medium

Free tier is ad-supported; ads steer you toward the Premium subscription.

medium

Guess: sideloaded apps skip Play updates; you manage version security yourself.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free access to APKs and older app versions
  • Works on devices without Google Play, like Huawei phones
  • Premium tier removes ads and speeds downloads
  • Listed in roundups of leading alternative app stores

Cons

  • Its own app served malware in 2021, researchers found
  • Two CVEs disclosed against the APKPure app
  • Users report it distributing a malicious Telegram copy
  • Endless 'is it safe?' threads signal weak community trust
  • Google Play shows warnings about APKPure-sideloaded apps

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/27/2026 - 12 sources - Checkered: a 2021 trojanized-app incident plus two 2023 CVEs against its own Android app.

official x1review x6security x3news x2
  • Trojanized APKPure app distributed malware (2021), Kaspersky researchers found malicious code injected into APKPure app updates serving adware/trojan payloads.
  • CVE-2023-27192, Vulnerability in the APKPure Android app, published in NVD.
  • CVE-2023-27193, Second 2023 vulnerability disclosed against the APKPure app.
  • Reported malicious Telegram copy, A Reddit report claims APKPure distributed a tampered Telegram build.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Free core; ads pay for it
  • Ease of use. No direct usability evidence found
  • Feature depth: 3/5. Old versions available; architecture filtering gaps
  • Support quality. No support evidence found
  • Security posture: 1/5. Trojanized app in 2021; two CVEs
  • $4M Revenue Owler estimate
  • 2 Known CVEs Against its own Android app, 2023
  • Yes Free tier Ad-supported; Premium removes ads
  • 1 Major malware incident Trojanized app, 2021 (Securelist)

Pricing

Free

$0

  • Ad-supported APK downloads
  • App library and versions

Premium

Not listed in reviewed sources

  • Ad-free
  • Faster downloads

Security

Checkered: a 2021 trojanized-app incident plus two 2023 CVEs against its own Android app.

  • Trojanized APKPure app distributed malware (2021)Kaspersky researchers found malicious code injected into APKPure app updates serving adware/trojan payloads.¹
  • CVE-2023-27192Vulnerability in the APKPure Android app, published in NVD.²
  • CVE-2023-27193Second 2023 vulnerability disclosed against the APKPure app.³
  • Reported malicious Telegram copyA Reddit report claims APKPure distributed a tampered Telegram build.⁷

What users say

Safety dominates the conversation; users treat APKPure as a workaround store, not a Play replacement.

“APKPure is distributing a malicious copy of Telegram.”
Reddit, r/Piracy

Alternatives

Compare Apkpure with each alternative.

  • Google Play Store

    Default store with real vetting; try it first.

  • F-Droid

    Guess: open-source catalog, safer bet for sideloading.

  • Uptodown

    Sources rank it the closest third-party alternative.

    Apkpure vs Uptodown

Companies that use it

  • Honor of Kings11
Full analysis

Based on 40+ public sources: security research (Securelist, NVD, CVE), Reddit threads, Trustpilot, and company profiles.

Free third-party APK store: useful last resort, but a 2021 malware incident and 2 CVEs make it risky as a daily driver.

Methodology

Based on 40+ public sources: security research (Securelist, NVD, CVE), Reddit threads, Trustpilot, and company profiles.

Sources

  1. Malicious code in APKPure app — Securelistsecurelist.com
    security
  2. CVE-2023-27192 — NVDnvd.nist.gov
    security
  3. CVE-2023-27193 — CVE Recordcve.mitre.org
    security
  4. A Guide to APKPure: Is It Legal and Is It Safe? — Avastavast.com
    review
  5. Is APKPure safe? All you need to know — Aviraavira.com
    review
  6. APKPure: safe or not? — Reddit r/androidappsreddit.com
    review
  7. APKPure is distributing a malicious copy of Telegram — Reddit r/Piracyreddit.com
    review
  8. Play Store warning about APKPure — Reddit r/androidappsreddit.com
    review
  9. Trustpilot reviews of apkpure.comtrustpilot.com
    review
  10. APKPure Premium Subscriptionapkpure.com
    official
  11. APKPure Partners with Honor of Kings — Yahoo Financefinance.yahoo.com
    news
  12. APKPure revenue & competitors — Owlerowler.com
    news

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