Are you thinking of buying a new cell phone, tablet, or laptop?
When it comes to technology, Apple is one of the most popular companies in the world. The multinational tech company was founded in 1976 and has led the industry ever since.
While the company offers innovative products, it’s no secret that they come with a high price tag. Many people also have an issue with the way these products operate and the fact that they are incompatible with other brands.
So, instead of entering the Apple ecosystem, let’s take a look at the top 20 Apple competitors and alternatives and discover what they have to offer.
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Samsung
This Korean company is perhaps the leading Apple competitor in terms of market share and comparative products. Samsung was founded in 1938 and is the largest producer of smartphones in the world. The company boasts assembly plants in eighty countries around the world and has a 31% share of the global smartphone market.
One of the main reasons that Samsung has the edge is that the company’s products are significantly cheaper. However, technology lovers can enjoy almost identical features and functionality in many respects. Some of the most popular Samsung products include the Galaxy Tab, the Samsung Galaxy Note series, and the Galaxy Watch.
Huawei
This Chinese technology company specializes in telecom and equipment as well as consumer electronics. Huawei was founded in 1987, and the company’s products are particularly popular across Asia. Huawei employs more than 194,000 people and reported a revenue of $99.9 billion in 2021.
The Huawei Matebook laptop is one of the company’s most popular consumer products. The company has a 10% share of the smartphone market, and there are several popular models. The MediaPad Pro is in direct competition with the iPad, while the Huawei Band A2 is a very popular smartwatch.
Xiaomi
This is another Chinese electronics company that has risen to prominence in recent years. Xiaomi was founded in 2010 and is best known for its range of smartphones. The sale of these products accounts for around 60% of the company’s total revenue.
Xiaomi has strong connections with the Chinese government, which has helped to make the company particularly competitive in China. The company operates in around ninety different countries and employs more than 17,000 people. In 2021, Xiaomi reported a total revenue of $209 RMB billion.
Oppo
This prominent Chinese company also specializes in smartphones and was founded in 2004. The company also creates a range of other products, including power banks, MP3 players, 5G-enabled devices, and Blu-ray players. The company employs around 40,000 people and has an annual revenue of more than $137 million.
Oppo is currently the fifth largest smartphone vendor in the world and commands 11% of the market in India. The company is also one of the most popular smartphone vendors in Africa due to its affordable prices. Oppo ships more than 115 million smartphones each year to numerous countries around the world.
Sony
If you are a PlayStation fan, this Japanese company is likely to need no introduction. Sony was founded in 1946 and offers a huge range of technology products. The company specializes in video gaming, and PlayStation products dominate more than 40% of the market.
Not only do Sony products come packed with innovative features, but they also look sleek and stylish. The company has evolved over the years to embrace the latest trends in technology and offer competitive products. The Sony Xperia XZ is in direct competition with the iPhone, while the Sony Vaio is the company’s most popular laptop.
Microsoft
This multinational tech corporation creates and markets consumer electronics and software. Microsoft was founded in 1975 and is the 15th largest public company in the world. The company employs more than 181,000 people globally and reported $168 billion in revenue in 2021.
Microsoft directly competes with Apple in a large number of sectors, and the Microsoft Surface is a popular MacBook alternative. The Microsoft Edge browser is in direct competition with Safari, while Cortana competes with Siri. Although FaceTime is very popular these days, Microsoft offers Skype as a viable alternative. 
Dell
This computer technology giant is best known for its extensive range of laptops and desktop computers. Dell has been around since 1984 and employs around 165,000 people. The company’s reported revenue in 2022 was a little over $101 billion.
The company’s range of XPS laptops are in direct competition with the MacBook Pro series. The Dell DJ Digital Jukebox is also in direct competition with the iPod. Dell currently commands around 16% of the global desktop computer market.
Hewlett Packard
Commonly known as HP, Hewlett Packard has been around since 1939. While the company was once best known for its printers, it has expanded to offer numerous consumer electronics. This includes desktop and laptop computers, which are sold in bulk to government agencies and numerous companies in different sectors.
Hewlett Packard currently commands around a 20% share of the global PC market. Part of the secret behind the company’s success is that it cross-sells laptops and desktops along with its printers. The company reported an annual revenue of $27 billion in 2021, and it employs 60,400 people around the world.
Lenovo
This Chinese tech company was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. Lenovo manufactures a wide range of smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, workstations, management software, and apps. The company is one of the world’s leading desktop computer vendors and commands 24% of the market share.
Lenovo’s desktop computers are in direct competition with the Mac series. The company employs more than 66,000 people around the world and recently reported record sales. The company’s annual revenue jumped significantly from $46 billion to over $60 billion.
Asus
Asus is headquartered in the city of Taipei in Taiwan and was founded in 1989. This multinational consumer electronics company develops a range of personal computers and smartphones. The Asus product range also includes netbooks, Wi-Fi routers, networking equipment, and wearables.
The sale of desktop computers accounts for around 67% of the company’s revenue and 6% of the global market. The company has a significant presence throughout Asia, Europe, and both North and South America. In 2021, Asus reported an annual revenue of 535TW billion.
This iconic tech company has been around since 1996, and its headquarters are famously in Mountain View, California. While Google is the most popular search engine in the world, the company offers a huge range of other services. These include cloud computing, online ads, marketing, software, and hardware.
Google is the owner of Android, which is in direct competition with the iOS platform. Android boasts 84% of the world internet services market compared to just 11% for iOS. In terms of app revenues alone, Google makes around $1.1 million each and every day. Google also boasts numerous competing products, including Google Chrome, Google Maps, Google Home, Google Pay, and Pixel 2.
Amazon
This popular eCommerce retailer offers a wide range of popular technology products and streaming services. This includes the AI assistant Alexa, which is in direct competition with Siri. Amazon Fire TV is also a very popular service that is in direct competition with Apple TV.
Although Amazon Fire TV is relatively new, it already boasts more than 40 million subscribers. Amazon services are available in most countries around the world, and the company employs more than 1,600,000 people. In 2021, Amazon reported a total annual revenue of $469 billion.
Mozilla
Next, on my rundown of the Top 20 Apple Competitors and Alternatives, this software company was founded in 1998 and has its headquarters in Mountain View, California. One of the most popular products is the Firefox web browser, which is in direct competition with Safari. Mozilla also offers a wide range of apps, bug tracking systems, and other open-source software products.
Firefox commands around 6% of the web browser market in the United States, compared to 9% for Safari. After Chrome, Firefox is the second most popular web browser throughout Europe. In the European web browser market, Firefox commands 12% of the market share and outperforms Safari.
Adobe
This leading creative software developer was founded in 1982 and is based in San Jose, California. Adobe boasts a huge portfolio of software, including Adobe Audition, Premiere Pro, and Illustrator Draw. The company’s reported revenue in 2021 was $15.79 billion.
Adobe Premiere Pro is in direct competition with iMovie, while Illustrator Draw is in competition with Notes. For music lovers and creators, Audition is a popular alternative to GarageBand. Adobe launched Speech to Text for Illustrator Draw in 2021, which has proven to be very popular.
Spotify
This Swedish company operates the largest music streaming service in the world. Spotify was founded in 2006 and has become particularly popular in the last five years. The company also offers video and podcast services and had a reported annual revenue of $9.7 billion in 2021.
Spotify is in direct competition with Apple Music and boasts 365 million active monthly users. Of this number, around 165 million are paying subscribers. While the free Basic version is popular, Spotify Premium is packed with additional features.
Roku
This Californian company was founded in 2002 and is a major player in the entertainment sector. Roku operates a particularly popular streaming platform and creates smart TV operating systems, set boxes, and different types of players. The company employs around 3,000 people and reported an annual revenue of $2.76 billion in 2021.
Roku is the largest pay-tv operator in America and currently manages more than 51.2 million active accounts. The Roku Channel boasts more than 63 million regular viewers. The company also boasts one of the most popular smart TV operating systems in the United States.
Fitbit
This company is best known for its health and fitness products and has become very popular in recent years. Fitbit was founded in 2007 and offers a huge range of fitness bands. While these fitness bands are packed with innovative features, they are available at a very competitive price point.
The company’s most popular fitness tracker is the Fitbit Charge 3, which closely monitors sleep, steps, and strides. The Fitbit Charge 5 was launched in 2021 and is much lighter. This newer model also comes with a number of additional features and is proving to be very popular.
Logitech International
When it comes to tech-related accessories, Logitech International is the industry leader. The company was founded in 1981, and its headquarters are in the city of Lausanne in Switzerland. Among the company’s most popular products are Bluetooth speakers, webcams, and computer keyboards.
Logitech’s range of innovative Bluetooth speakers are in direct competition with the Homepod. The company employs more than seven thousand people around the world and is particularly popular in Europe. In 2021, Logitech’s revenue increased by an impressive 76% and was a reported $5.25 billion.
Garmin
This high-end wearable manufacturer offers an extensive range of stylish and innovative products. Garmin was founded in 1989, and the company’s headquarters are in Olathe, Kansas. The company also designs and sells a range of avionics and GPS receivers.
One of Garmin’s most competitive products with Apple is the Vivosmart 4. This impressive wearable delivers innovative tracking features and seven full days of battery life. This makes the Vivosmart 4 particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts who want to keep track of their performance.
Cambridge Audio
This British audio equipment manufacturer was founded back in 1968. Cambridge Audio provides a range of hi-fi systems as well as other types of home audio products. One of the company’s most popular products is the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus, which is a direct competitor of Airpods.
Not only is the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 Plus cheaper than Airpods, but it also offers enhanced sound quality. The product is available for just $99, and the wireless earbud delivers an impressive battery life. The company’s hi-fi audio systems also command a high percentage of the global market share.
Thinking of Working for Apple?
One sure way to save money on Apple products is to work for the tech giant, so check out our in-depth guide to the Apple Store Application, the most frequently asked Apple Interview Questions, and the Brain Teaser Interview Questions from Google, Apple, and Facebook in 2023.
Or, maybe you’re more interested in Microsoft? If so, take a look at our comprehensive guide to the Microsoft Mission and Vision Statement Analysis, Who Owns Microsoft, and the Microsoft Interview Questions.
Final Thoughts
Before heading out and dropping a stack of cash on an iPhone or iPad, it’s well worth checking out the main Apple alternatives. Apple covers a huge range of the technology industry, from high-performance products to the service sector. However, there is a large number of other brands to choose from if you are on a budget.
When searching for your new technology brand, it’s important to keep your needs firmly in mind. You should make a list of the features your new product needs to have as well as your preferences. This will help prevent you from getting swayed by the look of a product rather than its performance and features.
Happy tech buying!