We’ve once again overhauled our picks for the best Android apps, whittling our robust selection down to a paltry 100. Some are new, and others have been standbys on this list for years. Regardless, we’re certain that any and all of these apps will make your life easier, and help you get the most out of your Android device. The apps are listed by categories like Music, Travel, and so on. Just try to keep in mind that, like the best venue in town, space is limited. After all, 32GB will only get you so far …
In case you’re on iOS, check out our list of the best iOS apps, and if you’re more into gaming you can take a look at our list of the 25 best Android games.
Five new apps you need to try (March)
SmartThings (Samsung Connect)
Samsung’s SmartThings smart home platform is among the most popular out there, and the company has finally launched a redesign of its already-great app. The app gives better control over home automation, and looks a whole lot better too. Plus, it’s very easy to add and remove “things” from your list of devices.
Gudak Cam
Modern cameras are great, but sometimes we miss old-style cameras too. Gudak Cam is aimed at bringing back those nostalgic feelings. You take photos the same way you normally would, but you have to take a total of 24 to finish a roll, after which you need to wait three days for the photos to “develop.”
Messenger Kids
Facebook Messenger Kids might seem like it’s built for kids, but it’s really built for parents. With the app, parents have control over their kids’ contact list, and messages can’t be deleted — meaning that parents can check in to take a look whenever they want. Of course, there are some pretty sweet features for kids, like kid-appropriate stickers, GIFs, emojis, and so on.
Nwsty
Ever feel like there’s just too much news to keep up with? Nwsty might well be the app for you. It’s aimed at those that don’t often read the news, and makes it easy for you to keep up with the daily headlines without spending too much time on them. Each day, you get six to 10 headlines in your digest that you can quickly and easily read in a matter of only a few minutes.
Thrive
Ever feel like you spend too much time using your phone? Thrive is here to help stop that. Through the app, you can set other apps on lock-down for certain amounts of time, or even block all notifications, calls, and texts. That’s perfect for those that need to get something done, for example, or for those that simply can’t put their phone down.
Best Android Apps: Movies and videos
Netflix
Netflix is one of the best video streaming services. There’s a huge selection of movies and TV shows for subscribers and the performance is silky smooth. This is as entertained as you can get starting at $8 a month.
Hulu
Hulu offers thousands of Movies and TV shows — many which are updated with the latest episodes after they air. Hulu offers various subscription models, including one that opens up the entire streaming library for $8 a month, and another that removes mid-stream ads for $12 a month.
YouTube
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 Red, you’ll have access to all the premium content, as well as special features like audio playback while the screen if off.
Acorn TV
Tired of American television? With Acorn TV, you can watch some of the best new and classic British television on your Android phone. At $5 a month, Acorn TV is one of the most inexpensive streaming options available.
HBO Now/HBO GO
Both HBO Now (HBO’s standalone service for $15/month) and HBO Go (a streaming app available to HBO cable subscribers) have apps that allow you to watch all of HBO’s streaming content directly on your phone.
Best Android Apps: Music and audio
Spotify
Spotify is the best full-featured streaming service. With this app, you can stream any music from any type of device, make your own playlists, follow artists, and sync tracks for offline listening.
Soundcloud
If you’re looking for an all-you-can-eat buffet of sound with no ads and no subscription fees, you’ve found it. Discover new music and stream it from the cloud. But this is no Spotify replacement.
Bandcamp
Bandcamp’s mobile apps allows you to stream music from your collection, as well as the music offered by the thousands of artists who sell and stream their music on Bandcamp. It’s one of the easiest and fastest ways to buy music directly from the artists and labels you follow.
Google Play Music
Google’s official streaming service is a worthy competitor to Spotify. Not only does the app provide a vast library of content, but it also allows users to upload up to 50,000 songs for online storage. This means you can download and stream your music on any Android device, at any time.
Apple Music
If you use a Mac or iPad on top of your Android phone, you may be better served with Apple Music over Google Play Music or Spotify. Apple Music offers access to Apple’s massive library of music, as well as Apple’s Beats 1 radio station, which plays both current hits and up-and-coming music. The celebrity DJs and exclusive album streams are just a plus.