I always imagined that the companies using the service at checkout would give the BNPL company a percentage of the sale if the customer used the service. Even if the price is the same for the consumer, BNPL companies could argue that they generated sales that might've backed out had they not been available.
It was DMCA'd, yes... but there's still a way. When I last needed to install it the method involved using the wayback machine. If I needed it today I'd start by looking at the subreddit AfterVanced
Auto Text : Can schedule texts, including reoccurring ones. Also great for reminders in the notification bar. Use it every day.
Joplin : Notes
Macrodroid : mostly to keep my files tidy. Way back in the day of SD cards in phones it helped transfer things over nightly in preparation for my sync job with...
Syncthing : Magical and finicky software
Loop Habit Tracker : Notification pops up, "Did you exercise today?" You answer yes or no and it logs it. I have several questions throughout my day, one of which being how I felt for the day. It's interesting to go back and see which habits improve my day.
Tasks.org (app) : simple to-do app
RaspController : manage local raspberry pis
Wireguard : Selfhost a VPN to "remote" into my home network
Quickimgur : this one is hard to find now. Adds a simple option to the "Share" button on photos. It uploads to imgur and copies the link to my clipboard. No account required.
Aurora Droid : A nice skin for F Droid
YouTube Vanced : Removes YT ads and enables background play. Also restores dislikes and works with Sponsorblock
Privacy.com (app) : Let's you spin up temporary credit card numbers when purchasing things online.
Zone Launcher : shortcut launcher. I swipe from the bottom right of my screen from anywhere on my phone and release over the app I want to launch.
Probably others but I don't even know if these are "special". Just some of my first downloads on a new phone.