If you’re looking for a roundup of the best apps on Android, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re interested in the top finance apps or looking for a few tools to make work easier, each app in today’s list was hand-picked to ensure they work on every device, whether that’s a mid-range or one of the best phones on Android.
Whether you’re new to Android or have been here for years, today’s roundup has you covered with a wide selection of beneficial apps worthy of your time. If you’re looking for the best Android games to go with your apps, we have you covered.
Jump to category:
Art and design
Sketchbook
There are many apps out there if you’d like to paint and draw on your Android device. Sketchbook stands above the rest thanks to its ease of use and thought-out design. Nothing is too cluttered, yet all your tools are typically a tap away. The app supports layers, and thanks to a wide range of brush, pen, and pencil tips, you’re never left in the lurch wanting more.
So if you’re big into sketching, like black books for graffiti designs, Sketchbook is a beautiful tool that throws out the need for paper. Plus, the app is free, something the competition doesn’t offer.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
Krita
If you’re unfamiliar with Krita, it’s an open source painting and drawing app that originated on Linux. It was developed by the Krita Foundation and KDE, hence the odd name with a K. Despite the quirky name, this is an excellent painting app with years of development behind it. The port to Android is 1:1. There’s no loss of features. It’s the same app that you’ll find on the desktop, making it a great choice for those on tablets and Chromebooks.
If you’re on the hunt for a desktop-quality painting and drawing app, Krita is an awesome choice that’s free. However, it’s built for large screens, hence the lack of phone support.
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=480&dpr=1.5)
If you’re looking for more, check out our list of the best drawing apps on Android.
Books and reference
Amazon Kindle
The Kindle app is Amazon’s e-reading app. While losing the option to purchase e-books in the app is a big blow on Android, there’s no denying Kindle is still the top e-reading app on the platform. The Amazon e-book store houses a huge collection of e-books, and it offers the best formatting out there. Sure, you’ll have to deal with a proprietary format connected to your Amazon account, but it’s worth it when you see how much better Kindle’s e-books look over the ePub options.
If you’re super nitpicky about formatting, prefer to keep your purchases in one place, and often look for niche e-books that can’t be found at other stores, Kindle is your best bet.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
Moon+ Reader Pro
If you’re not hip with Amazon or prefer to control your e-book library built from a selection of e-books purchased from an assortment of stores, Moon Reader should be on your radar. There’s no store built in, and you choose the formatting for uniformity between e-books. Still, that’s the draw; the control is in your hands, not the publishers.
When you’ve built up an ePub library and prefer to use offline reading apps that put the control in your hands, Moon+ Reader Pro should be at the top of your list.
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
If you’re looking for more, check out our list of the best e-reader apps on Android.
Business
Slack
Business communication is big nowadays, especially if you work remotely. Slack has built an empire that will be hard to topple now that we’ve entered the age of working from home. Slack is the go-to communication service for many companies.
While there are plenty of competitors, Slack is established and reliable. The few times Slack does go down, it’s a mini vacation for a slew of people across the web, all commiserating on social media, which can build comradery as everyone experiences a brief reprieve from work. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of that?
ZOOM Cloud Meetings
Thanks to COVID-19, many of us are familiar with the video conferencing service ZOOM. The app is free and supports up to 100 participants in its free tier meetings, which is precisely why the service is so hot. There are paid plans ranging from $16 a month to $20. These plans bump up how many participants are allowed to 1,000 and extend the time limit for these streams.
No matter how you slice it, ZOOM is one of the best video conferencing apps. It’s easy to set up, and unless you run a large business, you can easily use it for free with friends and family, even on Chromebooks.
OfficeSuite Pro + PDF
When performing work on an Android device, like a tablet or Chromebook, you may find that a local suite of office apps is handy for your business needs. This is the Pro version, so it is expensive. Still, $30 is cheaper than many desktop office suites. Plus, you get plenty of useful features for that money, including a range of file support for easy importing of documents, along with a way to easily exchange documents with other users, which is handy when cooperating with coworkers.
If you’re looking for more, check out our list of the best business apps on Android.
Communication
Samsung Internet Browser
You may find that the Chrome browser doesn’t quite do it for you. Samsung created a worthwhile browser that stays out of your way. The Samsung Internet Browser is based on Chromium for a familiar feel, but without the Google junk that comes with Chrome. It’s a clean browser that loads content fast, making for an excellent backup browser, but it also shines with regular use since browsing without bloat is the core focus.
The app is free to use, even if you don’t own a Samsung device. So there’s no harm in checking it out. Samsung might not have the best reputation when bloat is a topic of discussion, but in this case, the Samsung Internet Browser is a purpose-built release from the company that delivers.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
Telegram
Out of all the messaging apps on the Play Store, why choose Telegram? First and foremost, Telegram offers numerous apps, even for Linux, covering desktop messenger needs for the big three desktop operating systems. After all, when you’re using a messenger, you want to receive messages on the devices you’re using at the time. Plus, encrypted chats are available, though you’ll have to enter these chats manually, unlike Signal. Themes are available for customization, and messages tend to be delivered at break-neck speed (especially compared to SMS).
Telegram straddles the middle of the road. It has enough features to compete with the big boys and offers more security than many. And you can’t discount those desktop apps since they are extremely handy. The only downside is convincing your friends and family to make the switch.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
Tor Browser: Official, Private, & Secure
The Tor Browser is a privacy tool, a browser that blocks trackers and fingerprinting while also offering encryption. It’s also a handy tool to get around any sites your ISP or country blocks, much like a VPN. Best of all, it’s open source, which means it’s free to use and always will be.
Whether you’re a security-conscious user or want to cruise banned sites or onion sites, install the Android version of the Tor Browser app to ensure it’s there when you need it.
If you’re looking for more, check out our list of the best communication apps on Android.
Education
Khan Academy
Like many apps, Khan Academy offers a tailored experience, which is a good thing as everyone learns at different rates. This way, users can find the areas they want to brush up on without getting clogged up by needless lessons. What’s great is that the app offers a plethora of subjects, perfect for teachers as well as students, and best of all, the whole thing is free.
There’s no added cost, no secret hook. Anyone can use this learning app as much as they want, which is what education should be about, breaking down false walls to ensure everyone can compete on even footing.
Duolingo: language lessons
Learning a new language is challenging, and you’ll find plenty of apps that help with this. Duolingo is a standout that covers 35+ languages through easily-digestible bite-sized lessons. The company gamified learning new languages, and this method keeps you motivated. When you have the urge to learn a new language or want to pick up a few helpful phrases for your next trip, Duolingo is handy in a pinch, thanks to its accessible lessons. You can also track your progress to ensure you reach your goals.
If you use the app for free, the content is limited. An optional subscription is $6.99 a month. The first 14 days of full access are free, so you can check everything out before going out of pocket.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
If you’re looking for more, check out our list of the best education apps on Android.
Entertainment
Netflix
What would an all-time best-of Android app roundup be without Netflix on the list? Out of all the video streaming services, Netflix is at the top, along with YouTube. Since Netflix is more focused on Hollywood-like content and Netflix’s original and exclusive series, this is the place to go for the top movies and TV shows.
The basic plan starts at $8.88, Standard is $13.99, and Premium is $17.99. If you want to watch 4K content, the Premium plan is what you’re looking for. All in all, Netflix is available about everywhere. And since many TVs are Android TVs, there’s a good chance you’ll use the Android app. If you’re a subscriber, you now get access to a handful of Android games, with more to come.
Twitch: Live Game Streaming
If you play video games, you’ve probably heard of Twitch. It’s a game streaming platform that’s owned by Amazon. It’s the go-to place to view and stream gaming videos. Whether you want to check out the mechanics of a fresh release or see how older games are tackled, Twitch more than likely contains that content. And if there’s something you feel is missing, you can spin up your own stream to fill that hole in the market.
You can watch for free as the service is ad-supported. If you like a streamer, you can subscribe to its channel for $4.99 while earning a few perks. Two more subscription tiers are also available for $9.99 and $24.99.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
SeriesGuide
If you’re an avid TV viewer or an avid TV pirate, you know it’s tough to keep track of every show, especially now that many are separated by networks and also by streaming sites. So having a handy app to keep track of what you’re watching across sites and services, as well as a place to organize what comes next in your viewing schedule, is handy.
You can track your favorite shows, see when the next episode or season airs, and save your account to the cloud to ensure your hard work remains accessible no matter what Android device you use. Plus, the app is open source, which means it’s free, sans ads and in-app purchases. It’s a clean and readable app that’s free to use. So if you want to track your TV shows, SeriesGuide is an excellent choice.
.png?q=50&fit=crop&dpr=1.5)
