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40 Best Apps for Android: The Must-Have Android Apps for 2023

Posted on November 09 2022

Key Points:

  • Android is a hugely versatile platform with many apps to suit every need. However, the quality of the apps often varies wildly, meaning users often need guidance.
  • Some of the top games on Android include Cut the Rope, Monument Valley, and Fruit Ninja.
  • When it comes to apps, the best ones for Android include Google Drive, Canva, and Pzizz.

If you own an Android device, you'll know there are a vast amount of apps you can download. But with so many choices, how do you know which ones are the best?

Well, that's where we come in! We've sifted through the masse and selected only the cream of the crop-the best Android apps! From games like Monument Valley and Cut the Rope to essential apps like Evernote and Canva, you'll find only the must-have Android apps here.

This article will guide you through some of the best Android apps available, listing the top 10 android apps across four different areas. So, without further ado, let's get started!

40 Essential Android Apps

So what are the best apps for Android? We've divided 40 of our favorites into four categories: best games, best Android apps for productivity, best Android apps for creativity, and best Android apps to help you sleep. Trust us; you'll want all of these on your phone!

Best Android Apps: Games

Monument Valley

In Monument Valley, you explore a surreal world of fantastical architecture and impossible geometry. You guide the silent princess Ida through mysterious monuments, uncovering hidden paths, unfolding optical illusions, and outsmarting the enigmatic Crow People. This puzzle game is best experienced on a tablet or Android TV and is one of the must-have Android apps.

Cut the Rope

Cut the Rope is a classic puzzle game in which you must cut ropes to feed candy to a little green creature called Om Nom. This physics-based game features over 600 levels, leaderboards, and achievements. Cut the Rope is one of the true classics of mobile gaming and one of the essential Android apps.

Clash Royale

Clash Royale is a real-time, multiplayer game set in the Clash of Clans universe. In this strategy game, you collect cards, build decks, and then battle other players online. The goal is to take down your opponent's towers and win Crowns. Clash Royale is one of the must-have Android apps.

Candy Crush Saga

Candy Crush Saga is a match-three puzzle game in which you must match three or more candies to clear them from the board. You can also earn extra points by matching more than three candies. The game features over 350 levels, leaderboards, and achievements.

Minecraft: Pocket Edition

Minecraft: Pocket Edition is the mobile version of the popular construction game Minecraft. In this game, you can build anything you can imagine with blocks. You can also explore randomly generated worlds and make amazing things. The game features survival and creative modes, multiplayer over a local Wi-Fi network, infinite worlds, caves, new biomes, mobs, and more. Minecraft is one of the top 10 android apps when it comes to gaming.

Plants vs. Zombies

In Plants vs. Zombies, you must defend your home from zombies by planting different plants in your yard. The plants will then protect you from the zombies. The game features over 50 levels, five game modes, and three difficulty settings. Plants vs. Zombies has crossed over from mobile gaming and is available on consoles, with a whole range of merchandise in stores. It remains one of the best apps for Android.

Fruit Ninja

In Fruit Ninja, you must slice through fruits as they fly across the screen. The game features three modes: Classic, Zen, and Arcade. Classic mode is the standard game mode in which you must slice through as many fruits as possible. Zen mode is an endless mode in which you must try to get the highest score possible. And in Arcade mode, you must slice through as many fruits as possible before the time runs out. 

Jetpack Joyride

In Jetpack Joyride, you must help the main character, Barry Steakfries, escape a laboratory. To do this, you will use a jetpack to avoid obstacles and enemies. The game features over 200 missions, five Jetpacks, and more. 

Temple Run 2

In Temple Run 2, you must run, jump, and slide through an obstacle-filled environment to try and escape from a temple. The game features different settings, new obstacles, and more. 

Subway Surfers

In Subway Surfers, you must help the main characters, Jake and Tricky, escape from the police. Like Temple Run, you need to try and survive an obstacle-filled environment, this time involving train tracks. 

Must-Have Android Apps: Productivity

Evernote

Evernote is a cross-platform app that allows you to take notes and sync them across your devices. It's great for students who need to keep track of their studies or professionals who need to jot down ideas on the go. The app also allows you to take pictures and attach them to your notes, which is handy for visual learners.

Google Calendar

Google Calendar is one of the must-have Android apps for anyone who wants to stay on their schedule. The app syncs with your Google account and makes it easy to view your upcoming events and appointments. You can also set up reminders so you never forget an important date or meeting.

Wunderlist

Wunderlist is a great productivity app for those who like to keep things organized. The app lets you create lists and tasks, set due dates and reminders, and share your lists with others. You can also use the app to keep track of groceries or any other items you need to buy.

Pocket

Pocket is one of the essential Android apps for anyone who wants to save articles, videos, or other web content for later. The app syncs with your devices and lets you view your saved content offline. Pocket is great for students who need to research a paper or professionals who want to save articles for future reference.

1Password

1Password is a must-have app for anyone who wants to keep their passwords and other sensitive information safe. The app stores your data in a secure vault and encrypts it with a master password. You can also use 1Password to generate strong passwords for new accounts.

Slack

Slack is a great productivity app for teams who need to communicate and collaborate on projects. The app lets you create channels for different topics, send direct messages, and share files. You can also use Slack to make video calls or join group chat rooms. Slack is essential for teams and one of the top 10 android apps for productivity.

Evernote Scannable

Evernote Scannable is a handy app that allows you to scan documents and save them to your Evernote account. The app easily scans receipts, business cards, and other paper documents. You can also use Scannable to capture images of whiteboards or chalkboards quickly.

Google Drive

Google Drive is a must-have app for anyone who uses Google's suite of productivity apps. The app gives you access to any device's Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files. You can also use Drive to store other files, such as PDFs and images.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud gives you access to Adobe's creative apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. You can also use Creative Cloud to sync your files across different devices.

LastPass

LastPass is a great password manager for those who need to keep track of multiple passwords. The app stores your passwords in a secure vault and encrypts them with a master password. You can also use LastPass to generate strong passwords for new accounts.

Best Apps for Android: Creativity

Canva

Graphic design is made simple and easy with Canva. Canva is a free online photo editor, video editor, and logo maker capable of producing stunning visuals for social media posts, videos, cards, flyers & more. The app has a handy drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to use even for those without design experience. Canva is easily one of the top 10 android apps and comes highly recommended.

Adobe Photoshop Express

With Photoshop Express, you can access your creativity anywhere. It's a fast and easy picture editor that anyone can use to transform their photos with just a few taps. With Photoshop Express, you can quickly fix common photo problems such as red-eye, blemishes, and exposure. You can also add filters, frames, and borders.

Sketchbook

No matter your level of skill, Sketchbook can help you bring your creative vision to life, making it among the most essential Android apps. Whether you want to do quick sketches or create fully finished artwork, Sketchbook has the tools and features you need. With its intuitive interface and tools, Sketchbook Express is perfect for both beginners and experienced artists.

ArtRage

ArtRage is an app that simulates realistic painting and drawing, giving you tools that behave like the real thing. Smear and blend thick oils, sketch with pencils or smudge the strokes; you can work like you would on canvas or paper. Each tool includes settings that mirror real-world properties.

PicsArt

PicsArt is a great all-in-one creative app boasting over 150 million users. With its easy-to-use photo and video editors, you can bring your imagination to life with professional-level collages, designs, stickers, background removal, and swaps. PicsArt features hundreds of top-grade filters like our favorites: retro VHS and Y2K.

Adobe Illustrator Draw

Adobe Illustrator Draw is a powerful vector drawing app with images and drawing layers. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily create sketches, illustrations, and comics. With its advanced drawing tools, you can create detailed vector artwork. You can also add text, effects, and filters.

Inker

Inker is another vector graphics editor that is easy and fun to use. The app can be utilized for inking sketches, comics, logos, or any other type of digital drawing. Images created with Inker can be exported as SVG or EPS files or imported into desktop graphic editors like AI or CDR. To get the best experience using Inker, the creators recommend using a stylus and tablet with a screen size comfortable for drawing.

Painter Mobile

With Painter Mobile, you can paint whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. To get started, choose from "photo paint," "trace," or "start from scratch." You can use an array of brushes, colors, and other tools to create your masterpiece. Don't forget to layer blend modes to achieve your desired look!

Tayasui Sketches

Sketches is the go-to app for anyone who wants beautiful and imaginative drawings. The app is the ultimate drawing application, featuring realistic tools and a host of advanced functions, all packaged in a minimalist and intuitive interface. 

Infinite Painter

Infinite Painter is a feature-packed painting app with everything you need to create beautiful sketches or drawings. With its wide variety of brushes, colors, and other tools, you can make any painting you can imagine. The app is available for tablets, phones, and Chromebooks.

Top 10 Android Apps: Sleep and Relaxation

Pzizz

Looking for a way to sleep better at night or take powerful naps during the day? Look no further than our own Pzizz! Our app offers "dreamscapes" to quickly help you fall asleep and stay asleep, so you can wake feeling refreshed. Dreamscapes are sleep-optimized mixes of music, voiceover, and sound effects that change each night. They are based on the latest clinical research and have proven to be effective, making Pzizz among the most essential Android apps if you're looking to relax.

Relax and Sleep Well Hypnosis

This app features a collection of hypnosis and meditation from Glenn Harrold, a professional hypnotherapist and meditation teacher. The sessions are designed to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety, and stress to get a good night's sleep.

Sleep Cycle: Sleep Recorder

The Sleep Cycle app is an intelligent alarm clock that tracks your sleep and wakes you up at the best time. It uses your phone's accelerometer to sense your movement in bed. It also analyzes your sleep cycles to wake you up in a light sleep phase. This way, you'll wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

White Noise Lite

There are numerous benefits to using White Noise for relaxation, including helping you sleep, relying on you to relax and destress, and improving focus. White Noise Lite will generate whole noise across a range of frequencies, with 40 sounds included as part of the app. This includes white, brown, and pink noise and sounds such as fans, rain, and ocean waves.

Sleep Sounds: Relax Melodies

Relax Melodies is the perfect app for people who have trouble sleeping. It features a collection of high-quality sleep sounds you can mix and match to create your personalized soundtrack for falling asleep. You can also set a timer, so the app gradually stops playing the sounds after falling asleep.

Mesmerize-Visual Meditation

Mesmerize is an app that helps you relax and meditate with the help of visualizations and psychoacoustic music. These visualizations are designed to entrance, while the clinically validated soothing sounds are guaranteed to relax your body. In addition, the app features guided meditations expertly crafted by professionals to assist in your relaxation, plus many other features. Mesmerize is amongst the best apps for Android When it comes to sleep and relaxation.

Doze-Sleep Sounds & Stories

Doze is an app that offers sleep sounds and stories to help you relax and fall asleep. The app features high-quality sleep sounds, including psychoacoustic music alongside rain, thunder, wind, waves, fans, and more. Mix and match the sounds to create your perfect soundtrack for sleeping. In addition, the app also features a selection of bedtime stories to help you relax and drift off to sleep.

Calm-Sleep, Meditate, Relax

Calm is an app that helps you meditate, sleep, and relax. The app features a library of guided meditations, including body scans, breathing exercises, and more. You can also choose from a selection of bedtime stories to listen to as you drift off to sleep. In addition, the app also features a selection of nature sounds and white noise to help you relax and fall asleep.

Bliss-Visual Breathing

Bliss is a "revolutionary new way to practice breathwork" The app uses science-backed visual breathing aides to help you relax and improve your health. The app is based on "resonant frequency breathing"-breathing at a particular rate for extended periods. Visual Breathing exercises guide you through these breathwork sessions, making them more enjoyable and effective.

Breathing Zone

Breathing Zone is a guided breathing exercise app recommended by doctors. In as little as 5 minutes, you can feel deep relaxation and other wellness benefits of slower therapeutic breathing. Breathing Zone uses scientifically based techniques that decrease your heart rate and lowers high blood pressure over time.

Best Apps for Android: Conclusion

There you have it – the 40 best apps for Android, including the best games, productivity apps, creative apps, and something to help you relax. Android is a fantastic platform with a wide range of apps to suit every need. So, whatever you're looking for, you're sure to find an app perfect for you!

FAQs

What is the number one game on Android?

This is a difficult question, as so many great games are available on Android. However, some of our favorites include the likes of Cut The Rope, Candy Crush Saga, and Clash of Clans.

What are the most popular Android apps?

Again, this is a tricky question, as popularity can vary from person to person. However, some of the most popular apps on Android include WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. These were not included in our article as they didn't fall into one of our categories.

Why include sleep and relaxation in this article?

We believe that sleep and relaxation are essential to leading a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, we wanted to include apps that could help people with these things. Plus, we made Pzizz, so we have a vested interest!