10-13-2020 , 05:29 AM
Quote:https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2020/06/06...ernatives/ [ Remove China Apps ] 15 Popular Chinese Apps and Their Indian and US Alternatives
By Ritik Singh -June 6, 2020 Chinese apps have a massive predominance in India and other parts of the world. There are numerous made in China apps that are widely popular in the country, with millions of downloads on Google Play Store and App Store. However, with rising anti-China sentiments, people are now looking for alternatives to the popular Chinese apps in the market.
Also Read: Remove China Apps: Truth Behind This Viral App; How it works
Now, any app that offers similar functionality and isn’t made in China could be an ideal choice for many. However, it’s not easy as it seems given the hundreds of thousands of apps available online. Therefore, we are here with top apps in each category, either made in India or other regions, which can replace infamous Chinese apps on your phone.
Top Alternatives to Popular Chinese Apps
1. Alternatives to ShareIt, Xender
We have several powerful options for Chinese offline file sharing apps like Xender and Shareit. This includes Files by Google (American), followed by Indian apps like Jio Switch and ShareAll. The first two apps are ad-free.
Share Files through Files by Google-
Alternatives to Popular Chinese Apps
Install Files by Google on both phones.
Launch the app and grant the necessary permissions.
Click Share and tap Send on the first phone. On the other device, click on Receive.
Wait for the devices to connect. After that, you can select pictures, videos, apps, and files to share over WiFi.
Must Read: 5 Non-Chinese Alternatives to SHAREit App
Share Files through Jio Switch-
Install the Jio Switch app on both the phones.
Launch the app and grant the necessary permissions.
On the first phone, click on Send and select the videos, photos, apps, or other files that you want to share.
On the other device, click on Receive.
Once the phone detects the other device, tap the name to begin the transfer.
Files by Google Jio Switch ShareAll
Must Read: Beware: This UC Browser Ad Scam Can Dupe You of Thousands of Rupees
2. Alternative to CamScanner
If you want to scan your documents into PDF, we’ll suggest using Adobe Scan and Microsoft Office Lens over CamScanner. Both the apps are free-to-use, ad-free, and come from reputable companies.
Microsoft Office Lens is simple to use, can scan whiteboards & business cards, and offers seamless integration with OneDrive and other Microsoft products. On the other hand, Adobe Scan features automatic detection, integrated OCR, and the ability to make annotations.
Adobe Scan Microsoft Office Lens
3. Alternative to Zoom Video Calls
While Zoom is headquartered in California, its product development is largely based in China. Now, China does not enforce strict data privacy laws, exposing the company to pressure and influence from the Chinese government. Also, recently, Zoom was found routing non-Chinese calls through China servers. Hence, some of you may want to avoid using Zoom for video calling.
We have tons of non-Chinese apps for video calling, including Google Meet, Skype Meet Now, and Microsoft Teams. It is followed by Indian services like Cisco Webex, Jio Meet, and Say Namaste.
Out of all, Skype Meet Now would be an ideal replacement for Zoom for most people. Whereas, for casual video calls, you can stick to WhatsApp and Google Duo.
Make Video Calls through Skype Meet Now-
Alternatives to Popular Chinese Apps
Head to the Meet Now page on Skype’s website.
Here, click on Create a free meeting.
Share the meeting link with your contacts.
Click on Start Call, and log in or join as a guest.
Once you make sure that everyone has joined, click on Start Call again to begin the video chat.
You can also directly initiate a Meet Now conference through the Skype app.
Here’s our mega comparison between Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Duo, and Messenger Rooms.
4. Alternative to Tiktok, Likee, Kwai, Vigo Video
Dubsmash- TikTok Alternative
Instead of Chinese short video entertainment platforms like TikTok, Likee, Vigo Video, and Kwai, you can use YouTube, Dubsmash, and Triller from the US. Furthermore, there are some Indian apps in this category, such as Roposo and Bolo Indya, which can be downloaded for free from Google Play Store.
All of these apps not only let you watch short videos from around the globe but also allow creating your videos. Hence, they can be powerful alternatives to Chinese apps like TikTok.
Dubsmash Triller Roposo Bolo Indya
5. Alternative to UC Browser
Alternatives to Popular Chinese Apps
Jio Browser
Alternatives to Popular Chinese Apps
UC Browser, the Chinese browser by Alibaba-owned UCWeb, flaunts fast speed and enhanced browsing speeds to garner downloads. However, there have been endless stories of the app having vulnerabilities and stealing private data to an unknown server in China.
There are better browsers than UC, counting in Google Chrome, which offers stable experience, followed by Firefox and Microsoft Edge. We do also have some Indian web browsers such as Jio Browser and Epic Web Browser. The latter comes from Hidden Reflex, a Bangalore based software startup.
Most of the UC Browser features can be replaced with other services. For instance, if to download a YouTube video or music, you use websites like Savefromnet, Y2Mate, and Clipconvertor on any of the browsers. Whereas, for faster downloads, you can install ADM (Advanced Download Manager), which comes from a Russian developer.
If you’re using a Xiaomi phone, here’s how to replace the default Mi Browser with Chrome or any other browser.
Chrome Microsoft Edge Firefox Jio Browser Epic Browser
6. Alternative to WPS Office
Microsoft Office
Developed by Chinese company Kingsoft, WPS Office is an infamous office suite for Android and other platforms. Now, while many users may find it hard to replace, there are several powerful tools available in the market.
One of them includes Microsoft Office, which combines Word, Excel, and PowerPoint alongside useful editing tools and templates. You can also transform documents into pictures, capture notes, and create PDFs.
Then there’s OfficeSuite by MobiSystems, which again is an American company. Anyway, if you just want a simple tool for viewing documents and presentations, we’d suggest using Google Drive.
Microsoft Office OfficeSuite Google Drive
7. Alternatives to VivaVideo (Video Editor)
InShot
Used by millions of people across the globe, VivaVideo is a video editing app that comes from Chinese developer QuVideo. However, it poses certain privacy risks and may not be preferred by everyone.
Now, the closest non-Chinese alternative to VivaVideo would be InShot. It comes with a similar vertical interface with similar tools on offer, including trim, split, merge, add music, filter & effects, sticker, etc.
Furthermore, you can go for full-fledged video editing apps like KineMaster and PowerDirector. The former is South Korean, while the latter is developed by Cyberlink corp based in Taiwan.
KineMaster InShot PowerDirector
8. Alternatives to Helo (Chinese social networking app)
ShareChat is an Indian app, much like the Chinese social networking app Helo. It lets you create and watch videos from different categories. The same comprises wishes & quotes, entertainment, funny videos, WhatsApp status & Instagram story videos, etc.
Besides, you can also interact with other people on the platform through chatrooms. Video creation features several AI beauty and style Filters, magic music filters, 3D camera stickers, and dubbing & lip-syncing in about 15 Indian languages. Besides Helo, one can also use it as an alternative to TikTok.
ShareChat
9. Alternatives to Beauty Plus, YouCam Perfect
Beauty Plus and YouCam Perfect are two infamous photo editing apps from Chinese developers. Anyway, giving them access to your camera and photos may not be the best idea.
Now, if you want to switch to non-Chinese photo editors, apps like Picsart, Candy Camera, and B612 should be your best bet. These apps offer similar features for the most part, including beauty filters, makeup effects, stickers, and more, amongst others.
For selfie makeover, one can also go for FaceTune 2, which comes from an Israeli developer. That said, Snapseed by Google and Adobe Lightroom mobile would be the preferred choice for mainstream photo editing.
Picsart B612 FaceTune 2 Snapseed Adobe Lightroom
10. Alternatives to TurboVPN
Non-Chinese VPN- ProtonVPN
Non-Chinese VPN- ProtonVPN
With over a hundred million installs on Play Store, TurboVPN stands as one of the widely used virtual private network apps. While the app is developed by Singapore-based Innovative Connecting, it has links with China, reading concerns over the security & privacy of user data.
Instead, you can use ProtonVPN, developed by a Switzerland-based company. It complies with the EU’s strict privacy laws and neither records browsing history nor sells user’s data to other parties.
More importantly, it’s free and offers good speeds without any data logging or bandwidth. I’ve been using it for quite a while now.
ProtonVPN
11. Alternatives to App Lock
The App Lock by DoMobile is the top-rated app locking tool on Google Play Store. It is registered in Hong Kong, which has its own limited autonomy, compared to mainland China.
However, as per the app’s privacy policy, it may read your photos, media, and other files, and use the mobile camera and microphone if required. This makes it quite fishy for an app locker.
In comparison, Norton App Lock comes from a reputable American company. It lets you lock applications with either PIN, pattern, or fingerprint scanner. You also get parental control and sneak peek feature. Moreover, it is entirely free to use and doesn’t have annoying ads on offer.
To lock apps using Norton App Lock-
Alternatives to Chinese Apps
Download and open the app on your phone, grant it necessary permissions.
Set a pattern or passcode.
Then, choose the Google Account for recovery if you forget your passcode.
Select all the apps you want to from the list of apps installed on the phone.
Norton App Lock
12. Alternatives to Clean Master, DU Speed Booster
Are you using Clean Master or Du Speed Booster on your phone? Well, apps like these are not-required on modern versions of Android. In fact, they usually slow down your phone and collect user data.
However, if you want an application to keep a tab on your phone’s storage or clean unnecessary junk, we’d advise using CCleaner, Files by Google, and Norton Clean, all of which come from trustworthy companies.
CCleaner Norton Clean Files by Google
13. Alternatives to PUBG, Call of Duty
PUBG Alternative
Fortnite
For starters, PUBG for PC and console was developed by PUBG Corporation- a subsidiary of Korean game developer, Bluehole. However, the mobile version is produced by the Chinese gaming company as Chinese games.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to substitute them with other games, given the immense popularity. However, FreeFire and Fortnite are the closest alternatives one can opt for. FreeFire is developed by 111 Dots Studio and published by Singapore-based Garena. Whereas, Fortnite has comes from Epic Games, US. One must note that Tencent owns a 40% stake in Epic Games.
Fortnite FreeFire by Garena
14. Alternatives to AliExpress, Shein, ClubFactory
India already has several e-commerce giants in the business, including Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, PaytmMall, Limeroad, and Ajio. People who are looking forward to wholesale orders can further look upon platforms like IndiaMart and Udaan as an alternative to AlieExpress.
Note that PaytmMall, Quikr, Flipkart, Udaan, and Snapdeal have significant investments from Chinese companies.
15. Alternatives to WeChat
WeChat is a Chinese all-in-one messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent. Millions of people in China use it. The app inspects messages, photos, and content shared on the platform and stores them with user info. It’s easily accessible to the Chinese government, making it no less than spyware.
You can uninstall the app and switch to WhatsApp, which offers end-to-end encryption and has all features you would want, including file sharing, location sharing, voice, and video calls, etc.
Other options include Telegram, followed by Signal Messenger, which is open-source and uses end-to-end encryption like WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Telegram Signal
Wrapping Up
So these were the best alternatives to the popular Chinese apps in the market for both Android and iOS. If you feel that we’ve missed out on any app, let us know in the comments below.