The Google Play Store is home to a massive number of apps and continues to grow every day, so how are you to know which are the best? We've done the research for you, and we've narrowed it down to the three best apps in each of the following categories.
No matter what your need is, you'll find it here. Here are the best Android apps you can get in the Google Play Store right now.
Jump Ahead: Automation | Browsers | Customization | File Management | Health | Keyboards | Launchers | Media | Messaging | Music | Navigation | Phone/Contacts | Photography | Photo/Video Editing | Productivity | Reading | Root-Required | Security | Social | Texting | Utilities | VPNs
Automation Apps
Tasker
For the power to automate everything on your phone, you need Tasker. It costs 2ドル.99, but it's worth every penny. You can automate virtually every task on your phone based on a long list of variables, from time of day to location to everything in between. Never manually turn on your WiFi or Bluetooth again.
Tasker combined with IFTTT (another incredible automation app that nearly made this list) makes for a killer automation duo on Android.
Download: Tasker (2ドル.99)
MacroDroid
MacroDroid is like a simplified version of Tasker. If Tasker seems too intimidating, give MacroDroid a shot.
Visually, it's a lot more appealing, but it has many of the same functions. You can automate all sorts of things with just a few taps!
Download: MacroDroid (Free, premium version available)
Automate
Similar to Tasker, Automate brings device level automation to your Android device, but with a visual twist. You create what are called flows, built up of blocks (actions). And then, just like a flow chart, you connect one action to another to build a workflow. If you want to get into powerful automation, Automate is the best way to begin. You’ll find more than 300 blocks with actions related to Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi, NFC, Google Drive, FTP, location, time of the day, and apps.
You can keep things simple with a flow of blocks, or you can use features like loops, conditions, and action triggers to create complex workflows. A workflow can start in multiple ways. It can be triggered automatically when it matches one of the conditions that you’ve set up. Or you can manually trigger a workflow using a home screen shortcut.
Download: Automate (Free, premium version available)
Browser Apps
Chrome
As Google's own browser, Chrome is an obvious choice. If you use Chrome on the desktop, your tabs and bookmarks will always stay synced. It's quick and easy to switch through tabs either by tapping the button in the top right or by swiping along the top bar.
Aside from that, it's just super fast and easy to use. You can't go wrong with Chrome.
Download: Chrome (Free)
Firefox
If you use Firefox on the desktop, you might as well use it on Android too. All the features of a great browser are here---incognito mode, intuitive tab switching, bookmark syncing.
But Firefox goes a step further by allowing for add-ons, with which you can tailor your browser to your personal demands. For a customizable browser, go for Firefox.
Download: Firefox (Free)
Kiwi Browser
Kiwi Browser is a faster, simplified version of Chrome. It’s an open-source browser, built on Chromium. What does this mean in real life? That it’s blazing fast.
Plus, the app is filled with pro features. You can listen to YouTube videos in the background, switch the address bar to the bottom of the page, and the app blocks all ads and trackers by default. The best part though is the Night Mode. When configured, not only will it switch the UI to dark, but the websites will flip colors too. The background will be black and the text will be white. On OLED screens, this makes reading much better on the eyes.
Download: Kiwi Browser (Free)
Customization Apps
Tapet
Tapet mathematically generates a pattern based wallpaper for you. Every wallpaper is generated on the device, which makes it unique to you.
You can swipe left in the preview to switch colors, and swipe right to switch the pattern. Swipe up to generate a new wallpaper. When you find something you like, just tap on the big checkmark button to make it your wallpaper.
Download: Tapet (Free, premium version available)
CandyCons
CandyCons has an extensive collection of icons that works with any third party launcher. You’ll find many icon packs on Play Store but CandyCons strikes the right balance between playfulness and simplicity.
You’ll find stylized, minimal versions of app icons you use every day. With more than a thousand icons in the gallery, you won’t have trouble finding a CandyCons icon for your favorite apps.
Download: CandyCons (Free)
KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker
KLWP’s app name is a bit confusing. It calls itself a live wallpaper maker, but in reality, it’s a full fledged home screen designer. You can load up widgets, create your own widget, customize presets, and create a home screen setup that’s unique to you. And when it’s applied, it just functions as a wallpaper, not widget.
All elements are still interactive but as a wallpaper. The only downside is the app’s user interface. It’s not very intuitive and it has a steep learning curve. But you can spend some time learning the tools and editing the presets to get a hang of it.
Download: KLWP Live Wallpaper Maker (Free, premium version available)
File Management Apps
Files by Google
Replace your ad-fueled cleaner app and your older file manager with this all-in-one file management app straight from Google. You can use it to quickly clear up some storage space by reviewing files you’re no longer using.
Switch to the Browse tab and you can access, copy or move any file on your Android device.
Download: Files by Google (Free)
AirDroid
Want to move files from your Android to your computer or vice-versa without a cable? AirDroid is your app.
On top of that, AirDroid has tons of other amazing features like texting from your computer, sharing a clipboard between your phone and computer, the ability to backup everything on your device, and more. AirDroid is a necessity for those who like to live the wire-free life.
Download: AirDroid (Free)
Google Drive
With 15GB of free storage, you wouldn't want to miss out on Google Drive. Backup all your important files to the very modern-looking app, share them with others for easy collaboration, and save them offline for those long plane rides.
If you're on Android, you're already using the necessary Google account, so why not?
Download: Google Drive (Free)
Health Apps
Google Fit
As the best all-purpose fitness-tracking app for Android, Google Fit should be an instant download for anyone focused on fitness and health.
It allows you to track your exercise using the sensors in your smartphone, make goals, and it integrates with all the fantastic Android Wear devices currently available.
Download: Google Fit (Free)
7 Minute Workout
"I just don't have the time to workout." It's a common excuse, but it doesn't hold water. Do you have 7 minutes? Great, then you have time to exercise.
This app can kickstart a healthier routine by interrupting your long periods of sitting with short, intense workouts. Give it a try; you'll be glad you did.
Download: 7 Minute Workout (Free, subscription available)
Strava
Strava is a clean, community-based health tracking app. It’s great for tracking runs, hikes and bike rides. The app provides a category-best analysis of your activity.
Plus, you can follow other Strava users, share your rides, and take part in some healthy competition in your area and across the globe.
Download: Strava (Free, subscription available)
Keyboard Apps
Gboard
Gboard is currently the best keyboard for Android. And it’s probably built into your phone. If not, you can download it from the Play Store. The app has gesture-based input, smart autocorrect, GIF search, emoji suggestions, and themes.
The best part is the built-in Google search. Just tap on the G button, start searching ,and you can paste in the search in the text box. No need to open a browser.
Download: Gboard (Free)
SwiftKey
If you don’t like Gboard, try SwiftKey. SwiftKey was the pioneer of intelligent autocorrect suggestions and it’s still the king. If you’re looking for a customizable, fast typing experience which won’t result in typos, use SwiftKey.
Download: SwiftKey (Free)
Fleksy
Feksky is the best keyboard for a certain kind of Android user. If you can get used to the fast, gesture-based interface, you’ll fly through the app.
With killer text prediction and a customizable toolbar, Fleksy becomes the fastest keyboard app on Android. You can use modules to add extra functionality to the app. Features like web search, video search and GIF library are just the cherry on top.
Download: Fleksy
Launcher Apps
Nova Launcher
The all-around best launcher for Android is easily Nova Launcher. With an insane amount of customization options as well as blazing fast speed, there's no reason to keep your stock launcher.
Best of all, it's free, though you can unlock some extra features with the paid Prime version.
Download: Nova Launcher (Free) | Nova Launcher Prime (4ドル.99)
Evie Launcher
Evie is a simple, lightning-fast launcher for Android. You’ll find the standard home screen customization features. But search is where Evie shines. Android doesn’t have good on-device search.
Once Evie is installed, you can just swipe down on the Home screen and start typing. Evie will instantly show the relevant results for an app, contact, file, and later, web search results as well.
Download: Evie Launcher (Free)
Smart Launcher 5
Smart Launcher bridges the gap between a simple and a feature-rich browser. When you first set it up, you’ll find it similar to Evie, with universal search, automatic smart categorization of apps, a preset home screen with folders, and so on. But if dive deeper and unlock the pro version, you’ll find home screen customization options similar to that of Nova Launcher.
You’ll find dozens of themes, customizable gestures, and a Black mode for OLED screens.
Download: Smart Launcher 5 (Free, premium version available)
Media Apps
Google Photos
There's a good chance this app came pre-loaded on your Android device, but it's well worth downloading even if it didn't. At it's most basic, it's just an attractive gallery app, but it actually offers so much more.
Google offers free unlimited storage of photos under 16MP---which is amazing. Just setup automatic backup and never worry about losing photos again!
Download: Google Photos (Free)
Piktures
If you're not a fan of Google's offering, go for Piktures. It's an intuitive gallery app that makes viewing all your pictures a breeze.
You can even protect photos with a PIN or sort by a calendar view! It's way more useful than your phone's built-in gallery app.
Download: Piktures (Free, premium version available)
VLC
Do you ever watch videos on your Android device? If so, VLC should be your default media player. It has way more features---like swiping to change the volume---than your default media player app, and it can handle all kinds of file types.
VLC already dominates the desktop market, and this mobile app firmly positions it as the best in the mobile sector too.
Download: VLC (Free)
For more media entertainment, you might also check out these 4chan apps for your smartphone.
Messaging Apps
Google Voice
Google Voice for Android existed in a weird wasteland for years while Google left it neglected and not updated---but it's back with a vengeance thanks to an awesome Google Voice update.
The new Google Voice is revamped, revitalized, and still the best way to get a free US number that you can use from anywhere.
Download: Google Voice (Free)
Telegram
For the privacy conscious, Telegram is one of the best encrypted messaging services. It's free, ad-free, open-source, and Telegram cares about your privacy.
You'll only be sending text messages here, but you can set them to self destruct and be confident that no one else is peeking in on your conversation.
Download: Telegram (Free)
WhatsApp is the notorious leader of the messaging world, even after being bought by Facebook. With over a billion monthly active users, Whatsapp has done well establishing itself as the go-to messaging app.
If you want to keep in touch with friends around the world, WhatsApp is probably the best option you have. Check out our list of the best WhatsApp features to get the most out of the messenger.
Download: WhatsApp (Free)
Music Apps
Google Play Music
Simply put, Google Play Music is the best music player on Android. You can upload your own songs to Google's servers, listen to free music with ads, or pay 9ドル.99 a month for ad-free music. Plus, it has a gorgeous and easy-to-use interface.
It's simple, quick, and everything you need to play music.
Download: Google Play Music (Free, premium version available)
Spotify
Spotify is a powerful streaming music service, and its Android app is no exception. Listen to radio, shuffle songs from any artist, and do it all for free.
Spotify premium can get rid of the ads for 9ドル.99 and allows you to play music offline. For listening to specific kinds of music without buying it, Spotify is the way to go.
Download: Spotify (Free, premium version available)
Pandora
This streaming radio service is unique in that it utilizes the Music Genome Project to alter the songs it plays to better suit your preferences. It's got a nice tablet interface, tons of content, the ability to look up lyrics and artist info, and it's free.
Pandora Premium, like the other paid music subscriptions in this list, costs 9ドル.99 a month. Give it a shot if you just want to listen to radio designed for you.
Download: Pandora (Free, premium version available)