Android apps run the gamut of niches from photo editors to health trackers. Right now, there are about 2.9 million apps on the Google Play Store, according to Statistica. It can feel nearly impossible to find the best ones with such a wide variety, and app reviews aren’t always reliable.
Creating a comprehensive list of all the best Android apps would be a massive feat in itself, especially since there are so many boxes to tick niche-wise. So instead, here’s a look at the top 7 essential Android apps that should be instant downloads whenever people get a new smartphone.
1. Snapseed – Free
Naturally, this list starts off with a photo editor because they are some of the most popular apps out there. Plus the photo editing options on vanilla Android leaves a lot to be desired.
Snapseed is hands-down one of the best photo editing options out there for Android users and least of all because it’s free. With Snapseed, users are able to perform a whole list of editing wizardry on their phones, from something simple like a filter to more advanced detail editing. It’s even possible to remove unwanted objects.
2. Health Sync – Free Trial / $2.99
Fitness trackers and health apps are all the rage right now, but there is a degree of disconnection between them. People aren’t necessarily using just one device or app for all their health tips and tracking needs, which means their data is spread out. That’s not necessarily bad, but it would be great to get more comprehensive insights, and that’s where Health Sync comes in.
Health Sync combines a user’s data between all their health apps and devices, including Samsung Health, Google Fit, Fitbit, and Garmin. It doesn’t work for everything, and sometimes only works for syncing specific data points, like daily steps, from certain apps or devices. But it is still better than having to go through multiple apps to get the full picture.
The app has a free trial but costs $2.99 once-off after that.
3. YouTube Kids – Free
This one is for the parents whose kids love to watch videos on their smartphones. While regular YouTube is a melting pot of different content that’s not all geared toward kids, YouTube Kids is just full of safe, family-friendly content.
It’s still important to keep an eye on what the little ones are watching. With this app, however, parents can let them do their thing with some peace of mind. Not only is it packed full of both fun and educational content, but it also lets parents select the age of the viewer. On top of that, the app has additional filters that parents can turn on as well as an adjustable timer to limit viewing time.
4. Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard – Free
The premise of Microsoft SwiftKey is pretty simple but very appealing to those who hate the standard keyboard on Android. Instead of typing out words, users can swipe to letters instead, though it also supports the normal typing input. What really makes Microsoft SwiftKey great is the advanced autocorrect that feels much more intelligent than the Android version.
5. A VPN – Mixed
Adding more security features to Android isn’t just a good idea these days — it’s essential. People store and share intimate details of their lives through these devices every day, and no one wants a hacker spying on them through their smartphone camera. VPN apps have become a popular way to ensure anonymity, fight cyberattacks, and stay safe from stalkers.
VPNs come in a variety of shapes, and no one VPN will be perfect for everyone. So it’s better to do some exploring to find one that clicks. Use the free trial option of various VPNs and check out what other users think of them. For example, here’s a NordVPN review thread with testimonials from their users.
6. CamScanner – Free / $5 Premium
There are plenty of document scanner apps out there, but CamScanner really stands out for its quality and features. Easily scan any document and make it look professional, even with a fairly poor smartphone camera. Crop, align, and enhance scanned documents and then export them as JPG or PDF files.
7. Nova Launcher – Free / $5 Premium
One of the biggest selling points of Android phones is how customizable they are — at least compared to iPhones. But those who want even more control over the look and feel of their Android phones choose such apps like Nova Launcher.
This app gives Android users almost full control over the look and layout of their theme, home screen, apps, and app drawer. From a complete reskin to tweaking app icons and text, it’s all possible. The free version is already great, and the Premium version – at $5 – tacks on even more design features.
Conclusion
Smartphones are amazing tools, and, thanks to apps, they just keep on getting better. There are many more fantastic apps to discover that haven’t been mentioned here, but these are some of the top ones currently available. They provide essential benefits that people can make use of every day, or at least regularly.
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Featured-Image: AndroidPIT
