What's the best Android app for Minecraft-style building without the premium price?

Craftarena is a solid alternative for players seeking Minecraft-style building and exploration without the premium price tag. The app delivers familiar block-based construction mechanics with both creative and survival modes, allowing users to build elaborate structures or test their survival skills against environmental challenges. One notable advantage is the completely offline functionality - users can play without internet connectivity, and the absence of forced advertisements creates an uninterrupted gaming session. The interface includes quality-of-life improvements like playtime tracking and refreshed button designs that some users find more intuitive than Minecraft's original layout. Reviews indicate the texture pack resembles older Minecraft versions with smoother animations, providing a nostalgic yet polished visual experience. While the app lacks some advanced features like command blocks and extensive mod support, it includes all essential building blocks and items found in similar sandbox games. The 32x default texture pack performs well on mid-range Android devices without significant performance drops. Some users note the world generation isn't as varied as Minecraft's, and the survival mode difficulty curve feels more forgiving. However, for free access to core sandbox building mechanics with zero financial commitment, Craftarena delivers substantial value.