Help Difference between Google Play and installing direct from Developer website

[pentel]

I noticed an app can be either installed from Google Play or by going to the developer's website and download/install from the developer's website. (for the developer's website, I think this is downloading a APK file and installing the APK file)

Is there any difference between the 2 methods? Any advantage going to the developer's website instead of Google Play?

 

[scary alien]

The only difference I can think of is that unless the app itself checks for updates, getting it from a non-Play Store source will leave you without notification of future updates.

 

[pentel]

Thanks for the info. Still learning...

 

[psionandy]

And the fact that Google will do some sort of checking to make sure that there are no 'nasty surprises' in there.

Now most developers are wonderful people who would never do something dodgy.. but there always that risk... and so if you are using apps that aren't on the Play store, then be careful where you get them from.