What are some best free and useful Android apps in 2024

Android phones and tablets are marvelous handheld devices that are capable of so much more than just taking selfies and posting social media updates. Android smartphones are one of the greatest next-gen devices in this era. With the right app, you can transform your Android devices into a movie theater, graphic design canvas, mobile workstation, or nearly anything else designed for work or play. Downloading the apps is easy; but With almost 2.87 million apps available in the PlayStore, it’s tough choosing which ones to install on your Android smartphone. We help you decide with our top app picks in a dozen key categories. We have some of the best Android apps recommended for you that are organized into 9 categories, including music, productivity, security, and utilities, so it’s easy to find ones that suit your mood. In this list, we have some of the most popular apps for Android too.

“We didn’t forget about iPhone users. For the iOS faithful, check out our Best iOS Apps.”

Essential apps for Android users

Every Android device comes preloaded with a few different sets of apps, some chosen by the OEM (An original equipment manufacturer is a company that produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.), some by the cell carrier, and usually a set of Google apps. We’ve now learned precisely which apps Google has mandated inclusion on Android devices and Android Go phones with Google services, which includes some of the most popular apps in Android.

Google Search

The Google app is the fastest, easiest way for users to find what they need on the web and on their Android devices. This official Google app has a bunch of downloads in the billions. Google search is among the most popular apps on Android. It is the most useful app on all smartphones. And One must have it.

Google Play Store

With more than 2 million apps, the world’s largest collection of eBooks, millions of songs and thousands of movies, Google Play has something for everyone. As we all know PlayStore is the main app for Android users. For downloading any app you have PlayStore! So it makes Google PlayStore one of the most popular apps in Android smartphones.

Chrome Browser

Of course, we give the obligatory nod to the most popular Android browser. Many people have this pre-installed on their devices and opt to just keep using it. That’s a perfectly reasonable thing to do. It features syncing with Google Chrome on desktop along with the latest Material Design, unlimited browsing tabs, deeper integration with Android, and plenty of other features for both basic browsing and power users. There are four total Chrome browsers. In descending order of stability, you have the regular Google Chrome, Chrome Beta, Chrome Dev, and Chrome Canary. Google Chrome almost always has the latest Android features before other browsers. These all features make Google Chrome a useful app for Android users in the browsing area.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. If you want to store anything the drive is here! With a Google Account, you get 15 GB of storage for free. Storage is used by Google Drive, so you can store files, save your email attachments, and back up photos and videos. By taking this one step further Google drive offers much more things to do such as Scanning all your paper documents with Drive for Android. Just snap a photo of documents – and Drive will store them instantly as PDFs. It is one of the best apps for Android users for backup purposes and much more.

Gmail

Who doesn’t know about Gmail? Google’s very popular, free Web-based email service, which is supported by advertising similar to Google’s Web search. Launched in 2004, there are more than a billion users today. Gmail offers 15GB of mailbox storage, allowing users to keep their mail on Google servers indefinitely for future reference. For almost every Android user Gmail act as a key app for sending mail or for email services. So it is one of the important app for Android users.

WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messengers in the world, Whatsapp is used on almost every device whether it’s iOS or Android it is famous not for just its way willing feature of end-to-end encrypted messages but also for video call, and group call, for business purpose in the name of WhatsApp business, and a drop-dead setup. We liked WhatsApp more before it got bought by Facebook, but the service itself is still decent, widely used, and in many places is more reliable than SMS, so it’s still well worth its spot as our top recommendation in essential apps.

Facebook

It’s a must-download app because a bunch of other apps like to use Facebook as a login option. Giving you a simple option for registering — which offers a good alternative to -Sign in with almost all the apps and especially games too. And of course, pretty much everyone you know is on there, making it a must-download for almost everyone. It is a very popular app for Android users as well as iOS users.

Google Maps

Google Maps has been your guide for years, and this excellent app just keeps getting better. With just a few taps, Google Maps tells you exactly how to get to your destination. It even supports walking, bicycle, and mass-transit directions, as well as Uber. The app’s road knowledge is so keen that it can tell you which lane to be in while using turn-by-turn directions. And because this is Google, you can easily search for locations nearby. While true that this app can’t be uninstalled, it’s still the best map app for Android you’ll find.

YouTube

Alright, so you probably have YouTube, and anyone who doesn’t is seriously missing out. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less essential, and if you don’t have YouTube on your Android smartphone, well, do yourself a favor and download it now. As far now YouTube is one of the most popular video streaming apps available in the market, with almost a billion plus downloads and with 4+ ratings in PlayStore.

So far we have covered some of the default or essential apps for Android users. Now come to the best Android apps for categories wise.

Best photo editing apps for Android

“A photo editing app is a software application designed to edit pictures on a mobile device. For a business, this means you can create a great visual strategy, displaying your products in a professional manner by simply using your mobile phone”. These photo editing apps come under the best free apps for Android users.

Snapseed

Snapseed is definitely among the best photo editor app for Android users. Google bought this a few years ago. The app has grown into quite a powerful photo editor in this space. It has support for RAW photos which will please photographers greatly. You can also tune the image using a variety of sliders and one-touch enhancement tools. There are also some filters as well if you’re into that. It’s deceptively light and simple for how powerful it is. The app is also one of the rare free photo editor app for Android with no ads or in-app purchases. This is the one we’d recommend first. However, this app also hasn’t had an update since 2018 so we’re not sure if this is in active development anymore.

Adobe apps

Adobe has released a plethora of editing tools over the last couple of years. Included are some of the best photo editor apps available. Some of the options include Adobe Photoshop Express, Adobe Photoshop Mix, and Adobe Lightroom. Each one has a variety of features to help you do things. You’ll be able to do simple stuff like removing the red eye to editing RAW files taken by your smartphone or DSLR camera. Adobe Lightroom especially gets updated rather frequently with new features. We did recommend you to use the Adobe Lightroom app. It has more than 100M downloads and also has a 4+ rating.

AirBrush

AirBrush is an excellent option for editing photos of people. It features a lot of people-focused features such as pimple removal, skin smoothing, red eye removal, and teeth and eye brightener function. There is also a bokeh mode to turn any photo into one with a blurry background. In addition, the app comes with a separate camera function that lets you edit the photo before you take it. Thus, you can get your selfie framed up in the camera and then apply edits before taking the final product. There is a subscription for some of the more advanced features. Although you can enjoy the free version of the app too.

VSCO

VSCO is best and famous for classic look filters. Like Instagram, VSCO combines a camera, editing tools, and an online community. But it’s all about the filters. This free photo app for Android provides a set of stunning filters that make your photos look like they were taken on an analog film camera. And the rating is also 4+ which makes the app fall under the most popular Android apps as far the photo editing is concerned.

Best Facetime apps for Android

FaceTime is a solid video chatting application and everyone on iOS uses the service. There are a ton of video chatting apps on Android but only a few of them can compete with FaceTime in the video chat space. Here is our list of the best alternatives to FaceTime on Android.

Zoom Meeting

One of the best video chat apps lots of people are turning to these days is Zoom. Screen sharing, live annotations and encryption all come standard with Zoom, whether you use the free version of the app or decide to pay. If you’re simply video chatting with one other friend, the free app doesn’t lock anything away from you. That changes, however, when you decide to invite three or more people into your meeting, at which point you have a 40-minute time limit. A $15-per-month Pro tier lifts that restriction so you can have up to 100 people on the same call, while the Business tier raises that cap even higher for enterprise customers.

Skype

Skype’s been a name on the list of best video chat apps for a very long time. Microsoft’s Skype offers an impressive 50-person limit, and it costs you nothing. If you have specific needs, like screen sharing on mobile, or live transcription and translation, Skype covers those bases, too. It is one of the best facetime apps for Android users.

Google Meet

For the longest time, Android lacked its own answer for FaceTime apps on iOS devices — a built-in video chatting app that users could easily turn to the right on their device, without having to search around for something on the Play Store. Thankfully, Google finally addressed that problem with Google meet — video chat software that is remarkably easy to use and actually accessible within the standard Phone app on many Android phones. Google meet also supports a range of fun features and allows you to record and send video messages, so you can connect to friends and family, even when they’re not available at the same moment in time.

Facebook Messenger

The beauty of using Facebook Messenger for video chat is that you’re probably already signed up to use it. As long as you have a Facebook account and the Facebook Messenger app on your phone (or are logged into the Facebook Messenger web app on your computer), you can start video chatting with your Facebook friends right now. Even if you had a Facebook account at one time and have since deactivated it, you can still use Messenger.

Best Weather Apps for Android

It’s important to have an accurate, easy-to-read weather app that quickly and effortlessly tells you just what you want to know. The built-in Android Weather apps are fine for really basic stuff, but it doesn’t offer the variety of data, sources, or visualization that many users crave. There are lots of weather apps on the PlayStore, but these are some of the best and worth trying out.

Today Weather

The data-rich UI for Today Weather succeeds where other weather apps fail. It’s the design of the illustrations that make all the difference when delivering lots of data. In only a few seconds you’ll be able to get all the information that you’ll need about your weather and forecast. The colorful icons and data visuals are set against a black background which makes everything very easy to read at a glance. It is one of the best weather app for Android.

AccuWeather

AccuWeather is one of the most well-known names in the weather game. The app has more features than you can shake a stick at. Everything from extended forecasts to live radar. The most unique feature is called “MinuteCast,” which shows precipitation on a minute-by-minute basis. You’ll know exactly how long until the rain starts. AccuWeather uses its own forecasts based on a variety of data, and it’s stuff you’ll probably be familiar with because it’s licensed to thousands of websites, TV and radio stations, newspapers, and more. AccuWeather has a lot of features for a free app, but be aware that it’s loaded with ads and tracking (which you can disable).

Windy

If you’re all about weather maps and visualization, you have got to check out the Windy app. It’s basically a shrunk-down version of the fabulous windy.com site, and it fills your Android smartphone screen with big, beautiful maps with dozens of attractive data layers to choose from. And it’s totally free, too! There are in-app purchases to make a donation, but they don’t enable any new features or remove ads (there aren’t any ads to remove!).

1Weather

1Weather has been around for a long time and it’s still a favorite among many Android users. The design utilizes easy to read icons and weather backgrounds so you can quickly get an idea of the conditions. All of the traditional features, such as a wide variety of forecasts, live radar, severe weather alerts, and more.

Best spy apps for Android users

There are a lot of legitimate reasons to use a spy app on other people. There are usually three use cases for spy apps. You use them to track your phone, use them to track your kid’s phone or use them to track your employee’s phone. We don’t condone the use of such apps in a malicious way and you should never use spy apps unless you have the consent of the other individual. Anyway, here are the best spy apps for Android!

Google Family Link

Google Family Link is an app for parents. It keeps track of kids through your Google account. The app lets you view activity on the child’s device, manage apps, and even recommend apps. You can also set device limits and lock the device if necessary. Some people ran into connectivity issues and bugs, but by and large, the experience should work fine for most people. It’s a decent free option.

mSpy

mSpy is one of the most popular options in this space. It works with both iOS and Android. The parent device can view the child’s device’s chat messages in almost any app, view call logs, track GPS location, monitor web browsing, and see the thumbnails of every photo or video sent or received on the child’s device. There is also a keylogger, geo-fencing, and even support for apps like Snapchat. It’s quite expensive (Free trial / $29.99-$69.99 per month), but it works rather well as a spy app or as a parental control app. Everything is available in a nifty dashboard as well.

XNSPY

XNSPY is a bit of a weird case. It has all of those frightening features like monitoring call logs, GPS tracking, monitoring web browsing, access chats, and all kinds of other tracking stuff. However, it goes for less than most of its bigger competitors like FlexiSpy and Spyera. The basic version lets you look at some stuff while the premium version lets you look at everything. This is a good option for businesses or families with some money to spend, but families may want to try Google Family Link or Kiddie Parental Controls before something more powerful like this.

Find My Device by Google

Google’s Find My Device app is probably the best lost or stolen phone app. You can quickly see your phone on a map for its exact location. Additionally, you can wipe the phone, ring it, or secure (lock) the device at will. You can’t take pictures or anything like you can with Cerberus. However, it’s a straightforward and simple method for keeping track of where your phone is at all times.

Best camera app for Android users

CAMERA is one of the very important things of your smartphone. Companies are chomping at the bit to make their cameras more reliable, work better in low light, and add features that people want. Still, a third-party app may be useful in some scenarios. Here are the best camera apps for Android!

A Better Camera

A Better Camera is a surprisingly robust camera app. It features support for HDR images, up to 360-degree panoramas, various multi-shot modes, a night mode, and, of course, video recording features as well. The photo quality is actually quite good and it has some extra features like object removal in case you get a car or something in your shot on accident. The pro version unlocks some extra features as well. This one is a little old and hasn’t seen an update since 2018. However, if the developer is actively supporting it, this one deserves to be on this list.

Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop Camera

Adobe Lightroom is technically a photo editor and not a camera app. However, it also comes with a camera app built-in. The camera is reasonably decent and includes big keyword features like HDR, RAW support, and various modes and presets. Adobe also launched Adobe Photoshop Camera in 2020 with a variety of features, including various filters, real-time Photoshop effects, auto-tone, portrait mode controls, and more. It’s mostly a camera for social media types, but it’s still a decent option overall.

Pixtica

Pixtica is one of the newer camera apps on the list. It features a bunch of neat little tricks and some decent post-processing. Some of the features include live filters, manual controls, exposure control, a GIF recorder, a slow-motion mode, RAW file support, a QR code scanner and more. It even comes with a very basic gallery and photo editor. We like its wide range of features and its all-in-one style. However, it does require a subscription for some of the features

Cymera

Cymera is one of the older and more popular camera apps. It focuses more on mainstream features. That means you’ll get a bunch of filters, stickers, special effects, and similar features. It also has a beauty camera mode. It can add or take away features from your face and body. We’re not big fans of such dramatic alterations but to each their own. It also includes a photo editor for minor edits. It’s free to download, You can buy additional stuff as in-app purchases.

Best music app for Android users

Music is not just an important part of our smartphones but also an important thing in our life. Music means relaxation said by many users. So here is the top music app for Android users who loved to listen to music.

Spotify

Spotify has been just great for music streaming and it’s among the most popular free music apps ever. It boasts a generous library, curated stations and playlists, and the ability to create your own stations and playlists if you so choose. The free version of the service isn’t as robust as the paid version ($9.99-$14.99 per month), but there are still plenty of things to like about Spotify’s free service. The app also comes with some light Material Design, and Chromecast support and the tablet version actually has more features than the mobile version. Spotify also has a dedicated free music app, Spotify Stations, available on Google Play as well.

HeartRadio

HeartRadio is one of the most popular free music apps out there. It’s a radio app where you can listen to a variety of stations based on your individual tastes and it also comes with seasonal radio stations and things like podcasts, talk radio, and comedy shows. It also includes AM and FM radio stations that support data streaming and you can even listen to news and sports. It’s a versatile application with a modern, Material Design UI and it comes with little stuff like Chromecast support, Android Wear support and Android Auto support.

Pandora Music

Pandora Radio is another one of the most popular free music apps for android. Its key feature is its simplicity and cross-platform support. You can easily jump right in and listen to music you enjoy on virtually any platform you can think of and your stations sync across all of them. Their content library has grown a lot over the last few years. The experience overall is extremely positive. They also have a full, on-demand streaming service for those who want a Spotify-style experience without leaving Pandora. The free stuff still works fine, though.

SoundCloud

SoundCloud is one of the more unique free music apps because it doesn’t just focus on what’s popular right now. In fact, literally, any artist can upload to SoundCloud and that content can be played back by anyone. The service currently boasts 125 million tracks which is more than anyone will ever listen to, ever. It also has a variety of shows, podcasts, and other content to enjoy. The free version is mostly independent artists with the paid version ($9.99 per month) getting you the more popular music by bigger names.

Best messaging app for Android

If you enjoy communicating via text messages, the default app on your device can’t give you the quality of service you deserve. For Android users, there are plenty of third-party messaging apps that allow you to keep in touch with anyone, anywhere. Here are some of the best messaging app for Android users.

Chomp SMS

Chomp SMS has been around since the good old days of Android and was one of the very first, really good third-party texting apps. It has since evolved into an app that embraces Material Design while still having plenty of features. Some of them include emojis, SMS blocking, quick replies in notifications, MMS, and group messaging. You can even stop a text mid-send if needed. It also comes with Android Wear and Pushbullet support.

Google Messages

Google Messages (formerly Android Messages) is a free texting app by Google. In terms of features, Android Messages keeps it light. You’ll have some light theming options, some organization and backup features, and a decent search function. The design is entirely Material Design. That means it looks good and it’s easy to use. Google also has big plans for this app, including RCS support along with other neat features. This also has a web version for texting on your computer.

Handcent Next SMS

Handcent, along with Chomp SMS, were the first two really good, really popular third-party texting apps available on Android. Much like Chomp SMS, Handcent is a powerful and heavy texting application with a ton of features. Some of them include themes, a privacy box to store private conversations, SMS backup, eCards, emojis, and plenty more. One of the more interesting features is Handcent Anywhere, which lets you text on your computer and tablet if you want.

Signal Private Messenger

Signal Private Messenger is actually a messaging app much like Hangouts, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and others. The difference is that this one features end-to-end encryption and it’s been a favorite of many people who value security. It also works on a phone number system and if your contact doesn’t have the app then it simply sends a text message. We really liked how seamless that feature is. It’s simple to use, looks great with Material Design, and it is entirely free to use with no in-app purchases. It’s also open-source, supports group chats, and it’ll even make phone calls. Day to day this app becoming more popular.

Best Free movie apps for Android users

Do you love watching movies? With just your smartphone and internet connection you can do so. There are thousands of movies and TV shows that you could find on the web but most of them will give you the wrong links, fake advertisements, and even a paid subscription. So, the best thing you can do is download free movie apps where you can take all your favorite movies whenever and wherever you are. here is the list of that,

Crackle

Sony’s Crackle is one of the most popular free movie apps on mobile. It boasts a bunch of hit titles, various TV shows, and a bunch of genres to choose from. It even has Nielson tracking software so you can be a part of the stats when it comes to popularity. The streaming quality itself definitely needs a lot of work. However, we expect it to improve over time.

Crunchyroll, VRV, Funimation

Crunchyroll and Funimation are two of the most popular anime streaming services. VRV offers a wide range of content from anime to independent content, and even some old Nickelodeon shows. They are riddled with ads like most free movie apps and you don’t always get the latest content at the same time as paying subscribers. However, they do provide free anime content along with some other types of content. Crunchyroll mostly deals in subtitled anime shows while Funimation generally deals mostly in anime with English dubs. VRV has both anime subs and dubs along with some extra, indie content as well. You can go with the one you like most.

Hoopla Digital

Hoopla Digital is an all-in-one free content medium. It uses local library access along with your library card to show you a bunch of stuff for free. That includes movies, TV shows, ebooks, music, and even comic books. The app also comes with Android TV and Chromecast support. Your local library has to be a part of the Hoopla network in order for it to work with your library card. However, aside from that, it works pretty well

Hotstar

Hotstar is one of the most popular free movie apps in India and similar places. It offers movies, TV shows, and live sports, although you may not get access to everything through the free membership. The streams seem to work okay and there are advertisements as you would expect. However, aside from the limited availability, it’s a serviceable free streaming platform

“We had seen all the best apps for Android users and also some of the most popular Android apps, which fall under almost all categories.”

Be sure to revisit this page from time to time. Useful and cool new apps arrive on the PlayStore all the time, so we update this list as we make new discoveries. If we forget to add some of the apps that are better on Android? We’d love to hear about it from your side. Leave a comment, and we might add your suggestion during our next update.

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