this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2025
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Is it true that the VPN apps distributed via Play Store are worse than those from F-droid with respect to security?

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[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 9 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

No, not true.

  1. If you're gonna make a scam app you probably want the largest install base, and that's going to be on Play.
  2. All FDroid apps are open source so it's going to be very easy to see if there is shitfuckery afoot. Most scams are trying to avoid transparency as much as possible.
[–] forrgott@lemm.ee 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I think you misread OP's question...? Both your arguments support Play apps being potentially worse, after all...

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Op didn't make an argument. They asked a question...?

[–] IndianaJones@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But they ask if vpns on the play store are worse than the ones on fdroid, and you reply 'no' even though your points lean more towards yes

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

My point is neither is inherently better or worse. Many apps are available on both.

[–] CrayonRosary@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

You said "No, not true", then argued precisely in favor of OPs ideas with both of your numbered points. That doesn't seem a little weird to you?

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Once again OP didn't have any ideas. They asked a question.

[–] CrayonRosary@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)
[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Please read my comments before replying to them.

[–] CrayonRosary@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I did, and you failed to explain, so I reiterated the question. My conclusion, now, is you're either just to dense to understand this conversation, or two prideful to admit a mistake. Either way you're not worth talking to.

[–] Ulrich@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago

It's right here, brother:

Is it true that the VPN apps distributed via Play Store are worse than those from F-droid with respect to security?

No, not true

neither is inherently better or worse. Many apps are available on both.

[–] sygnius@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If it's free, then it's 100% a security risk. If it's from a reputable company like Nord VPN or Windscribe, you will be fine.

[–] matron1049@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 2 months ago

I don't trust NordVPN. There was a lot of shady behavior by that company.

E.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeNetworking/comments/wnpmln/i_think_nordvpn_is_creating_fake_accounts_and/

[–] Neoinvin@lemm.ee 6 points 2 months ago (2 children)

if an app is available both on fdroid and the play store, and you already have google services installed, then it is almost always better to use the play store version. unless fdroid has changed recently, the way apps are signed is more robust and the chain of trust more resistant to manipulation for apps on the play store.

if you are asking if the selection of apps on each distributor are on the whole more secure in the way they provide their service, that's a more complicated question i can't answer.

[–] user224@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 months ago

F-Droid (default repo) offers old versions. Good luck downgrading apps from Play Store.

It also makes it easy to find open-source apps. Generally they also provide more info useful to me as a regular user - manuals and changelogs. Open-source app changelogs often show far more info, even library version changes. Meanwhile the average Play Store app changelog is "small improvements, better ad experience"

Play Store needs to implement version archive and license filters. Oh, and easier beta access. Currently the registration takes extra time, and can only be done with the original account the app was installed with.

[–] hunt4peas@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 months ago

I was asking for Windscribe and Proton VPN.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 5 points 2 months ago

Distribution method doesn't really make a difference. If you're concerned about compromise, you should be validating it regardless.