10 Banned Chinese Apps Substitutes ft. Beauty Plus, UC Browser, Shein, Xender

1) YouCam Makeup Selfie Camera, Beauty Plus, Selfie City, Meitu, Wonder Camera, Photo Wonder, Sweet Selfie

Alternative: B612

Ratings in Google Store: 4.3 (6.6M Reviews)

Description: B612 is one of the best freely available alternatives for Wonder Camera on the Play Store with a rating of 4.3 based on reviews from over 60 million people worldwide.

Pros

1. Easy to use
2. Offers more than 40 filters
3. Supports auto-focus

Cons

1. No photo import from camera roll
2. Bugs leading to performance lags

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Beautify, Candy Camera, FotoRus

2) UC Browser, CM Browsers, APUS Browser, DU Browser

Alternative: Google Chrome

Ratings in Google Store: 4.2 (22M Reviews)

Description: Google Chrome is one of the best possible substitutes for the banned browsing app, from the open source Chromium project with a focus on speed and minimalism.

Pros

1. Tabs open and switch very swiftly offering a fast performance overall.
2. It is an open source browser, offering other browsers to learn from it.
3. Offers a feature where you can save your passwords and usernames.

Cons

1. Takes up most of the RAM of your device.

1. Privacy issues persist due to Google tracking.
2. Limited customisation options compared to other browsers.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Kiwi Browser

3) Shein, Club Factory, ROMWE

Alternative: Myntra

Ratings in Google Store: 4.4 (2.8M Reviews)

Description: With a user base of 100 million and an average rating of 4.4, Myntra is an Indian fashion e-commerce company, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Pros

1. Mobile friendly interface offering quick access to services.
2. Availability of “Try and Buy” service in metros.
3. Faster delivery along with easier return options, as compared to international clothing apps.
4. Wide variety of goods to select from.
5. Frequent discounts on expensive/branded items.
6. Provides easy return options.

Cons

1. Without high speed internet, browsing catalogues becomes difficult.
2. Increases the chances of splurge purchasing.
3. Lacks hands-on experience before making the purchase
4. Like any other online shopping app, you don’t get an option to bargain.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Ajio, Koovs, H&M, Limeroad

4) Baidu Maps

Alternative: Google Maps

Ratings in Google Store: 4.1 (11M Reviews)

Description: Google Maps is a real-time GPS navigation app that provides us with local suggestions for foods, events as well as activities. With over 5 billion users, the app is helping over 500 crore people reach their destinations with ease.

Pros

1. Can share maps and location with family.
2. Provides multiple transportation modes.
3. Detailed layout of locations.

Cons

1. Occasional ambiguities and flaws in data.
2. Street View can be used by criminals for burglary.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: MapQuest, Waze

5) Xender, Shareit

Alternative: SHAREall

Ratings in Google Store: 3.8 (44K Reviews)

Description: SHAREall is a file sharing app that allows transfer of pictures, videos, files, apps and movies without an internet connection. It is helping over 10 million users with frictionless transfer of files.

Pros

1. Allows you to transfer large files.
2. Makes it easier to collaborate with other people.
3. Doesn’t require internet access.

Cons

1. Increased chances of viruses and malwares.
2. Difficult to trace the original source of certain files.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Smartshare, JIOSwitch

6) Virus Cleaner, QQ Security Center

Alternative: Bitdefender Mobile Security and Antivirus

Ratings in Google Store: 4.7 (243K reviews)

Description: Bitdefender Mobile Security and Antivirus provides a high level of digital security with the guarantee that there will be no impact on the device’s performance. The app is currently providing over 10 million people with mobile security. 

Pros

1. Decent anti-malware protection
2. Below average system impact.
3. Offers reliable VPN.

Cons

1. The entry-level packages only protect the Win OS.
2. Not as impressive in third-party lab tests as the leaders.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Phone master, Safe Security

7) Virus Cleaner, QQ Security Center

Ratings in Google Store: 4.6 (1M Reviews)

Description: Nova launcher is a powerful, customizable and versatile home screen replacement. It provides over 50 Million users with advanced features to enhance their home screens.

Pros

1. Easy to use.
2. Endless customization possibilities.
3. Works well for large screens

Cons

1. Not entirely free.
2. Might result in slowing down the device.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Evie Launcher, Niagara Launcher

8) NewsDog, UC News, QQ News Feed

Alternative: DailyHunt

Ratings in Google Store: 4.2 (1.2M Reviews)

Description: The best available substitute is DailyHunt. Based in Bengaluru, it provides local language content in 14 Indian languages from over 3000+ content providers. 

Pros

1. Access to various regional languages.
2. Easily accessible on mobiles and PCs.

Cons

1. Reliability of sources can be questioned.
2. People don’t appreciate the new layout.

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Rozzbuzz,  NewsPen, Inshorts

9) Clash of Kings

Alternative: Clash of Clans

Ratings in Google Store: 4.5 (53M Reviews)

Description: Clash of Clans is a freemium mobile strategy video game developed and published by Finnish game developer Supercell. The game is set in a fantasy-themed persistent world where the player is a chief of a village. Clash of Clans tasks players to build their own village using the resources gained from attacking other players through the game’s fighting features.

Pros

1. Development of foreseeing and anticipating skills
2. Convergent and divergent thinking
3. Very Popular 

Cons

1. Addictive
2. Contact with Strangers

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Boom Beach, Empire and Allies

10) Mobile Legends

Alternative: VainGlory

Ratings in Google Store: 3.7 (824K Reviews)

Description: Vainglory is a free-to-play video game with in-game purchases, developed and published by Super Evil Megacorp for iOS and Android. The game is a version of the MOBA wherein two opposing teams of three or five players fight to destroy the enemy by controlling the path between the bases, which is lined by turrets and guarded by AI-controlled enemy creatures.

Pros

1. Has really unique heroes over others
2. You can play on the go

Cons

1. Controls takes a while to get used to
2. Not fond of 3v3 maps

Price: Free

Other Substitutes: Arena of Valor, Marvel Superwar