Directories for Mobile Apps
Where mobile applications can be listed according to the verified dataset, and the limits of that coverage.
Introduction
Mobile distribution is dominated by two stores that are not in this dataset, because neither could be verified to the standard applied here. What remains is the alternative and open-source distribution layer, plus general catalogues that accept apps alongside other software.
That is a genuine limitation of this list rather than a claim about the market, and it is worth stating before the table rather than after it.
Evidence base
Evidence base: 10 of 64 verified directories in the PetroHrys dataset accept mobile applications. Every figure and table on this page is generated from those records at build time. Fields that were never established are shown as Unknown rather than filled in.
Decision framework
- Decide whether you need alternative distribution at all. For most commercial apps the answer is no.
- If your app is open source, a catalogue that builds from source offers a materially stronger trust signal than a store listing.
- Use general catalogues for discovery, not distribution. They send readers to your own download route.
Comparison
| Directory | Country | Category | Scope | Submission | Verification required | Review system | PetroHrys Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopify App Store | global | app-directories | global | Unknown | Yes | Yes | 88 |
| WordPress Plugin Directory | global | developer | global | Free | Yes | Yes | 87 |
| GitHub Marketplace | global | developer | global | Unknown | Yes | Unknown | 86 |
| Salesforce AppExchange (AgentExchange) | global | app-directories | global | Unknown | Yes | Unknown | 85 |
| Add-ons for Firefox | global | app-directories | global | Unknown | Yes | Yes | 83 |
| pub.dev | global | developer | global | Unknown | Yes | No | 80 |
| F-Droid | global | app-directories | global | Free | Yes | Unknown | 77 |
| HubSpot App Marketplace | global | app-directories | global | Unknown | Yes | Unknown | 77 |
| Product Hunt | global | startup | global | Unknown | Yes | Yes | 74 |
| AlternativeTo | global | software | global | Free | No | Yes | 69 |
Advantages recorded across these directories
- Over 16,000 apps with merchant reviews
- Direct distribution to Shopify merchants
- Free hosting and submission for plugins
- Ratings and install counts are public
- Direct reach into developer workflows
- Covers both Apps and Actions
Disadvantages recorded across these directories
- Restricted to the Shopify ecosystem
- App review process is gated by platform policy
- Plugins must be GPL-compatible
- Manual review can delay publication
- No rating or review mechanism visible on the index
- Storefront is mid-rebrand, so naming is currently ambiguous
Recommendations
Treat this list as complementary to the mainstream stores rather than a substitute for them. The entries here are most valuable for open-source, privacy-focused and developer-facing applications.
When not to use this
- Consumer apps whose entire audience is on the mainstream stores.
- Anyone expecting these listings to replace store optimisation.
Frequently asked questions
Why are the two main app stores missing?
Neither could be verified against an official page under the standard used here; automated verification was blocked. They are recorded as pending manual verification rather than added on assumption.
Related guides
Editorial references
Every directory named here has its own page recording what was verified, when, by whom and from which source. Scoring is documented in How the PetroHrys Score Works, and the verification standard in How Directories Are Verified.