Here it is ladies and gentlemen. The crème de la crème. These are the Android apps that stand alone at the top of the pantheon. These apps have become ubiquitous with Android and if you’re looking for good stuff it’s assumed that you’ve used some of these apps already. There are a ton of amazing Android apps out there. However, there are a few that stand out above the rest. These apps are useful to just about everyone no matter what their use case may be. Without further delay, here are the best Android apps currently available.
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Over the years, we’ve seen many quality apps released on the Play Store, and so we here at Android Police have decided to round up our favorites, the best of the best, the absolute standouts that are clutch for everyday use. So much like our best Android games roundup, today’s app list covers everything you’d need to hit the ground running as a new user, and we haven’t forgotten our longtime readers either, as we’ve also included a few lesser-known apps too.
Let’s start off easy with Google Maps. It’s an app that I’m sure most of us have used and are familiar with, but that doesn’t discount the usefulness of this listing. Google Maps is a staple, not to mention the go-to map software for mobile devices, and for a good reason, this is still one of the best maps and navigation software currently available.
Google Maps is an excellent app for hunting down food to eat, gas stations to stop at, and you can even review the places you’ve visited. Plus, the navigation aspect is sublime. While I know people love Waze, there’s no denying that Google Maps is used by more people, allowing its crowd-sourced content to continually grow at a much faster clip than any other mapping software out there. So whether you’re looking for a rideshare, the closest biking path, or simply want to know how long of a walk it is to the grocery store, Google Maps is more than likely the place you’ll be looking for this info.
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is a premium app worth checking out if you listen to podcasts and want to discover great podcasts and easily manage the ones you want to listen to. Browse podcasts by charts, networks, and categories, then add the ones you like to play episodes on the fly and create your own playback queue.
The app constantly checks for new episodes, so you always have access to the latest from your favorite shows, with automatic downloading and custom filters to keep them organized. You can also personalize your listening experience with powerful features, including an up next option, a silence trimmer, chapters, playback skipper, and more.
Thinking of giving meditation a try? Calm is a free app geared toward beginners. It offers short, guided meditation sessions ranging from three to 25 minutes. Sessions focus on various topics, including anxiety reduction, stress management, improved sleep, breaking bad habits, cultivating gratitude, and more.
In addition to individual sessions, hundreds of programs are available if you’re interested in a long-term meditation challenge. There’s also an option for unguided meditation sessions with a timer and more than 30 soothing nature sounds.
YouTube and YouTube Music
We don’t typically recommend streaming services to people. After all, everybody has their own preferences and there are plenty of great options out there. However, we really like the combination of YouTube Music and YouTube. For one price, you get unlimited music from YouTube Music with more than enough tracks to compete with Spotify and Apple Music. However, you also get ad-free YouTube along with background video play and offline downloads..
That one-two punch is right up there with the Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ bundle for $12.99 per month as one of the best deals for video and audio streaming. Other music streaming services are usually better, but ad-free YouTube without the need for sideloading is excellent. Audiophiles may want to check out Hi-Fi options like Tidal or Deezer even if those services come at a premium or one of these music streaming apps as well.
Zedge
Last, but certainly not least on our list is Zedge. This is a wallpaper, ringtones, notification tones, and alarm tones app that gives you an unbelievable number of options to customize the most basic parts of your device. On top of having an exhaustive collection of things, Zedge also promotes various items during holiday seasons making it easy to theme your phone up for Christmas, Halloween, and other holidays.
It’s not 100% perfect. It does have the occasional bug and some of the worst advertising practices of any mobile app. Zedge Premium is a new initiative to provide premium content at a reasonable price. You watch ads or fill out surveys to earn Zedge credits as well. There are other great ringtone apps and great wallpaper apps. However, Zedge is the only one that reliably does both well and its library is massive.
ExpressVPN is one of the most trusted, secure brands in the virtual private network industry, and that’s for good reason. It’s super fast and extremely safe, boasting an SSL-secured network with 256-bit encryption and, get this, unlimited bandwidth and speed. ExpressVPN has servers in 94 countries (including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and others) in over 145 locations around the world, so there will always be a location near you to give you the best experience possible. What’s more, the service even has stealth servers in Hong Kong. They are to evade the GFW specifically. It doesn’t even look like you’re using a VPN!
Sources:
https://www.androidpolice.com/best-android-apps/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-mobile-apps-4157439
https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-312570/
Best apps
Podcasting platform Castbox combines a clean and navigable interface, a good selection of podcasts, and powerful podcast audio searching to deliver an excellent mobile podcatcher and one of the best free Android apps.
Best free Android apps in 2022
And if you do buy the latest and greatest Android phones these days, you’re paying more for your device. Some devices easily blow past the four-figure mark. Throw in a monthly data plan, and it’s easy to understand why you’d want to slash spending from your mobile budget.
Why not start to save money by opting for some of the best free Android apps? After all, not every app available at Google Play comes with a fee. The true challenge is sorting the must-downloads from the ones that will just waste space on your phone.
Whether you’ve got a new Android device to load up with apps or you’re just looking for new additions to your old phone, here are some of the best free Android apps we’ve found on our trips through Google Play.
Android essentials
YouTube
It’s probably the Android app, so it’s likely you have YouTube already — but that doesn’t make it any less essential. YouTube’s mobile app is sleek and intuitive, bringing the entirety of the video-sharing site to the palm of your hand. For those subscribed to YouTube Premium, you’ll have access to all the premium content, as well as special features like audio playback while the screen is off. But even when used as a free app, YouTube is essential.
Sometimes unfairly viewed as the lesser version of Facebook, Twitter is the place where everything seems to happen instantly. Birthplace of the now now-ubiquitous internet facet, the hashtag, Twitter is the best place to be if you like to be on top of the latest breaking news as it happens. Follow your favorite content creators, actors, or crazes, and follow all the news, impressions, and opinions as they roll in.
Google Home
If you’re spending more time at home than usual, you might finally have the time to get to that connected-home project you always swore you’d do. If you are the proud owner of a Google Home device, then you already know the ins and outs of a digital assistant. The Google Home app takes this one step further, allowing you to control a plethora of connected smart home devices. It also serves as a command central for any native Google-connected device and your Google-connected accounts, like maps, contacts, calendars, and more.
Movies and videos
Netflix
Netflix isn’t just one of the best video-streaming services; it’s the video-streaming service. There’s a huge selection of Netflix movies and TV shows for subscribers and the performance is silky smooth. It’s not just restricted to old favorites either, as Netflix has produced a huge amount of excellent exclusive content — though if you’re anything like us, you’ll just put The Office on again. This is as entertained as you can get from just $9 a month, or $16 a month if you want access to 4K content.
Disney+
Disney holds possibly the largest library of film and television properties in the world and they are all on Disney+. From Hamilton to The Mandalorian you’ll find something for every member of the family. As theatergoers are slow to return all around the globe, Disney has begun using Disney+ for major blockbusters like Mulan and Soul. You’ll also have access to original television shows like Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. There’s a seven-day free trial, and it’ll cost you $6.99 a month after that — though you can pay $80 for a year in advance to save $14.
HBO Max
With the streaming wars hotter than ever before AT&T wasn’t about to let Warner Media go without a fight. HBO Max launched in the summer of 2020 and brings with it all the HBO content audiences are already familiar with, with the added benefit of original content produced exclusively for the streaming platform. In 2021 HBO Max announced that all Warner property films will launch in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously as studios clamor for return on investments in this new theater-less world, so you can catch blockbusters like Mortal Kombat from the comfort of your living room.
LightX Photo Editor
You can merge photos, add effects and filters, selectively apply colors to regions of an image, adjust the color balance, smooth and sharpen images, crop them, rotate them, draw on them, add frames and stickers, add text, create collages and a whole lot more.
That’s all handled through the Android app’s intuitive interface; bring up the main menu with a tap, select the category of edits you want to make (filters or frames, for example) and you’ll be taken to a menu with all the relevant options.
Most of it is fairly self-explanatory, but there are also tutorial videos for if you get stuck, and for a one-off $3.69/£3.49 IAP you can get rid of adverts, unlock additional stickers and frames, and add the ability to save images in PNG format.
Sources:
https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-free-android-apps
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-android-apps/
https://www.techradar.com/best/the-best-android-apps-of-2022
Best apps
Clips is Apple’s app that allows you to easily splice together a polished video without a lot of effort. Apple already offers several video creation tools, from the high-end Final Cut Pro to iMovies. Clips is an alternative, free option.
24 Instagram Apps to Take Your Posts to the Next Level
1. VSCO (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
There are 10 free preset filters that make your phone-shot photos appear as though they were captured on film. VSCO also offers a range of photo-editing tools available to help elevate your photo quality, like contrast, saturation, grain, crop, and skew tools.
2. Avatan Photo Editor (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
As well as offering effects and filters to lay over your original photo, Avatan Photo Editor makes it easy to retouch photos and create your own customized effects. The basic version of this photo-editing app is free, although there’s the option for additional features or advanced tools by making in-app purchases.
3. Snapseed (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
Beyond filtering your photos using its presets, you can perform serious photo-editing tasks in Snapseed. There are 29 tools and features that allow you to edit photos by removing elements (or even people) from the photo. You can also adjust the geometry of buildings, use curves to control the brightness of your image, and enhance images with incredible precision.
4. Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
Adobe products are known for their powerful photo editing capabilities, and the Adobe Lightroom Photo Editor app is no exception. Capture and edit raw images using the app’s editing tools and elevate photos to a professional quality by adjusting their hue, saturation, exposure, shadows and more.
5. A Color Story (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
This photo editing app is all about making the colors in your photos pop. There are 20 free editing tools, as well as filters, effects and presets designed by professional photographers and influencers.
Why you can trust Bankrate
Why you can trust Bankrate
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.
Our investing reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — how to get started, the best brokers, types of investment accounts, how to choose investments and more — so you can feel confident when investing your money.
The investment information provided in this table is for informational and general educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment or financial advice. Bankrate does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it provide individualized recommendations or personalized investment advice. Investment decisions should be based on an evaluation of your own personal financial situation, needs, risk tolerance and investment objectives. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal.
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ON THIS PAGE
Looking for the best investing apps to get your financial life back on track? A solid finance app can handle routine financial tasks, shuffle money into investing accounts, and track spending. But the best investment apps can also let you quickly trade stocks, follow your account in real time, help you learn about the markets and more. Because they can do so much, investment apps have become increasingly popular.
Productivity
Apple Mail
Apple Pages
Apple Numbers
Apple Keynote
Next up is Apple’s version of Microsoft PowerPoint. It’s a free app built from the ground up for mobile. And it makes creating a professional presentation – complete with animated charts and cinematic transitions – very simple.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Slides
Google Calendar
Google is a powerhouse in the productivity and collaboration space, and Calendar is a prime example. It lets you view, edit, sync your schedule across platforms and devices. You can also create a team Calendar to share with others.
Google Chrome
Evernote
Evernote is a popular note app. You can input typed notes or scan handwritten notes. You can also add to-do’s, photos, images, web pages, or audio, and it syncs across your devices, so your information is always with you.
Spark
If you don’t want to use Apple Mail, consider Spark. It lets you discuss emails privately with teams in a thread, schedule emails, access integrations like Dropbox, use a built-in calendar, and create links to a specific email or thread.
Todoist
Todoist is like a reminder app that helps you to keep track of everything, anywhere. Even when you’re offline. It also offers access to over 60 app integrations, including Dropbox, Amazon Alexa, Zapier, IFTTT, and Slack.
Social media
Facebook almost needs no introduction. It’s probably the most popular social network in the world. Use it to connect with friends, old and new. Or, use it to view hidden ads and memes from meddlers spreading propaganda.
This is the mecca for DIYers. Want to make a lip scrub? Check. Need Halloween party ideas? Check. You can explore over 100 billion pins for every part of your life, and create mood boards to look back on for inspiration.
Snapchat
Snapchat is similar to Instagram in that it has a stories feature, but it’s meant for sending quick snaps to friends that delete forever once they’re viewed, though the sender can always save them to their locker for later viewing.
TikTok
The basic function of TikTok is that users can film videos of themselves lip-syncing or acting out sketches. Their videos can be up to 15 seconds long, and they can pick from a library of songs, effects, and sound bites to add to their videos.
Ah, the toxic armpit of the internet. Want to see what the US President is tweeting? How about Kim K or your favourite CNN anchor? It’s all here, in real-time, with basically no filters in place. Bring on the alt-right trolls!
Sources:
https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-apps-for-business/
https://www.bankrate.com/investing/best-investment-apps/
https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/apple/146090-best-iphone-apps
Best apps
The best Android apps in 2022
Over the years, we’ve seen many quality apps released on the Play Store, and so we here at Android Police have decided to round up our favorites, the best of the best, the absolute standouts that are clutch for everyday use. So much like our best Android games roundup, today’s app list covers everything you’d need to hit the ground running as a new user, and we haven’t forgotten our longtime readers either, as we’ve also included a few lesser-known apps too.
Let’s start off easy with Google Maps. It’s an app that I’m sure most of us have used and are familiar with, but that doesn’t discount the usefulness of this listing. Google Maps is a staple, not to mention the go-to map software for mobile devices, and for a good reason, this is still one of the best maps and navigation software currently available.
Google Maps is an excellent app for hunting down food to eat, gas stations to stop at, and you can even review the places you’ve visited. Plus, the navigation aspect is sublime. While I know people love Waze, there’s no denying that Google Maps is used by more people, allowing its crowd-sourced content to continually grow at a much faster clip than any other mapping software out there. So whether you’re looking for a rideshare, the closest biking path, or simply want to know how long of a walk it is to the grocery store, Google Maps is more than likely the place you’ll be looking for this info.
Duolingo: language lessons
Learning a new language is challenging, but there are plenty of apps that can help with this, with Duolingo as a standout that covers 35+ languages through easily-digestible bite-sized lessons. Essentially, the company gamified learning new languages, and unsurprisingly this method helps to keep users motivated. You can even track your own progress to ensure you are hitting your goals.
Keep in mind if you choose to use the app for free, the content is limited. There is an optional subscription that’s $6.99 a month, and the first 14-days with full access are free, so you can check everything out before going out of pocket. So if you have the urge to learn a new language or simply want to pick up a few helpful phrases for your next trip, Duolingo is certainly handy in a pinch, thanks to its accessible lessons.
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is a premium app worth checking out if you listen to podcasts and want to discover great podcasts and easily manage the ones you want to listen to. Browse podcasts by charts, networks, and categories, then add the ones you like to play episodes on the fly and create your own playback queue.
The app constantly checks for new episodes, so you always have access to the latest from your favorite shows, with automatic downloading and custom filters to keep them organized. You can also personalize your listening experience with powerful features, including an up next option, a silence trimmer, chapters, playback skipper, and more.
Thinking of giving meditation a try? Calm is a free app geared toward beginners. It offers short, guided meditation sessions ranging from three to 25 minutes. Sessions focus on various topics, including anxiety reduction, stress management, improved sleep, breaking bad habits, cultivating gratitude, and more.
In addition to individual sessions, hundreds of programs are available if you’re interested in a long-term meditation challenge. There’s also an option for unguided meditation sessions with a timer and more than 30 soothing nature sounds.
Canva
Whether you need to design a new Facebook header photo or create a cover to publish your Kindle e-book, Canva is the free and intuitive graphic design app that can help you get it done in minutes. Upload your images or choose from premium stock photos and illustrations before customizing your design using the app’s easy drag and drop feature.
Canva offers a variety of layouts, free photos, fonts, shapes, icons, charts, lines, illustrations, grids, and background options you can use to design your graphic exactly the way you want. When you’re done, save it as a high-quality image to your camera roll or photo folder or share it directly using your favorite social app.
Instagram video editing apps
11. InShot — Video Editor (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
This is one of the best Instagram apps out there for video editing, mainly because it’s so comprehensive. You can trim, cut, split, merge, and crop video clips. And it’s easy to adjust settings like brightness and saturation.
12. Go Pro (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
While capturing footage, use your phone to adjust the video or time-lapse settings and get a clear preview of your shot. Once your video is recorded, make edits–like freezing your favourite frames, movie-like transitions or playing with speed, perspective and color—right in the GoPro app.
13. Magisto Video Editor (iOS and Android)
Why you should try it
This Instagram app is an artificial intelligence-powered video tool. Magisto uses AI to find the best, most eye-catching parts of your footage to create a video that resonates with an audience. It also uses its algorithm to incorporate edits, effects and transitions to take your clip to the next level.
14. Clips (iOS)
Why you should try it
Clips is an Instagram app made by Apple that lets you bring your Reels to life with quirky and eye-catching features. Add built-in captions to your videos, or bring your videos to life with stickers, emojis, and music. Plus, you can share directly from Clips to Instagram.
15. FilmoraGo (iOS)
Why you should try it
FilmoraGo gives you professional-grade video editing tools that are simple enough for even the most novice editor. Take advantage of its Curve Shifting features to mix acceleration and deceleration within a single clip. Plus, new AR camera features let you create a memoji/animoji within the app, which can be added to your next Instagram Reel or Story.
Nova Launcher
Initially, we weren’t going to put any launchers on this list. Nova Launcher seems to be extending beyond what normal launchers are. It’s been around for years, it’s been consistently updated, and thus it’s never not been a great option for a launcher replacement. It comes with a host of features, including the ability to backup and restore your home screen set-ups, icon theming for all of your Android apps, tons of customization elements for the home screen and app drawer, and more.
You can even make it look like the Pixel Launcher if you want to. If you go premium, you can tack on gesture controls, unread count badges for apps, and icon swipe actions. Those looking for something simpler may want to try Lawnchair Launcher, Hyperion Launcher, and Rootless Launcher. Of course, we have a list of the best Android launchers with even more options as well. We also have a tutorial specifically for Nova Launcher if you want to learn more.
Podcast Addict
Podcast Addict is an excellent podcast app for podcast fans. It features almost every podcast you can think of. In addition, it has a simple and effective UI, plenty of organizational features, plenty of playback and download features, and a single-cost premium version. You can browse podcasts by category or search for them individually.
You can also set download rules, create playlists easily, and it supports both Chromecast and SONOS along with Android Auto and Wear OS. The UI and settings aren’t the most elegant things we’ve seen. However, the app makes up for it by hitting literally every other box we could think of. Pocket Casts and CastBox are other excellent options in this space, and we have a list of even more great podcast apps here.
Resources:
https://www.androidpolice.com/best-android-apps/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-mobile-apps-4157439
https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-apps-for-business/
https://www.androidauthority.com/best-android-apps-312570/