When the user wants a package, they can use the client to search for sources where the application is stored. The concept is inspired by the APT packaging manager, which can work with multiple sources (repositories).
The communication between the client and servers is done using an open protocol based on XML. The Android application used to access the stores is open source, and there are several forks such as F-Droid. There are several versions of the Aptoide app: Aptoide for smartphones and tablets, Aptoide TV – an edition for smart TVs and STBs, Aptoide VR and Aptoide Kids – developed for children's devices. The software package is published by Aptoide S.A., a for-profit company incorporated in 2011, and headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. In Aptoide, unlike the Android-default Play Store, there is not a unique and centralized store instead, each user manages their own store. Aptoide is an online marketplace for mobile applications which runs on the Android operating system.
