Top Free Apps for Android for Productivity and Fun!
The top free apps for Android consolidate a variety of use cases. So to create the list, I reviewed and listed the most popular apps in multiple niches pre-selected by us.
Android has stayed as a prominent operating system in the smartphone industry for more than a decade. However, this happened because of the many incredible features it offers, including many free apps for Android users. Read More
List of the Best Free Android Apps
Pocket Casts
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 7.76 | NA |
| Size: | 23.42 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 7.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
VN Video Editor
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 2.3.0 | NA |
| Size: | 167 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 7.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Truecaller
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 14.31.7 | NA |
| Size: | 8.05 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 8.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Hiya
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 14.7.4-11609 | NA |
| Size: | 19.44 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 6.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
MyFitnessPal
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 24.45.1 | NA |
| Size: | 44.68 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 9.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Microsoft Onenote
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 16.0.18025.200060 | NA |
| Size: | 58.65 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Varies with Device | NA |
| Subscription: | Free | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Crackle
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 7.1.2 | NA |
| Size: | 17.5 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 6.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | Free | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Tubi
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | Varies with Device | NA |
| Size: | Varies with Device | NA |
| Device Supported: | Varies with Device | NA |
| Subscription: | Free | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Signal
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 7.14.2 | NA |
| Size: | 35.29 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 5.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Candy Crush Saga
Tech Specifications
| Metrics | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Latest Version: | 1.291.0.1 | NA |
| Size: | 83.45 MB | NA |
| Device Supported: | Android 6.0 or later | NA |
| Subscription: | In-App Purchases | NA |
About
Why we picked it?
Factors That Determine the Best Free Android Android Apps
The best free Android phone app should help you accomplish the intended objectives that you thought of before installing the app. It should offer a first-rate user experience. It should also be simple to use, providing users with something extra that a typical website wouldn't.
1. Well-Designed UI
Making a strong initial impression is essential to maintaining user engagement with an app. An engaging and straightforward user interface (UI) sets the tone for this first impression and is an important consideration when developing an app.
The actual functionality of an Android app is one component of a well-designed user interface, while its appearance and feel are another.
2. Fast Loading Time
One of the most important qualities of an app is its quick and responsive loading speed. This feature improves user experiences, increases user retention, and boosts conversions.
A well-designed app for Android should load in two seconds or less but no more than five. Users will simply uninstall programs that take too long to launch or break frequently because they demand stability, dependability, and speed from their free smartphone apps.
3. Strong Data Protection
A good Android app should focus on data protection for users. It is important because the majority of Android apps collect personal information like name, address, location, etc., through forms and sensors available on the device.
However, certain apps can masquerade their intention and collect your personal data to sell it on the dark web or for other malicious purposes. Therefore, it becomes important that the app developers provide secure data storage and authentication capabilities. This helps in protecting your personal data from the majority of attacks.
Also, they need to get permission before collecting any information. In fact, a good Android development company would have a strong focus on delivering a secure app.
4. Excellent User Support
It's critical that the best free Android phone apps offer the appropriate degree of user assistance.
Preferably, these apps should have an in-app communication mechanism for support, such as a direct chat function. With it, users can easily ask questions from the support team, share their problems, and solve them with ease.
What Went into Creating the List of Free Apps for Android
Creating this list of the best free apps for Android phones was definitely a tedious process. It required my team and I to sit together and come up with options that necessarily don’t stand out but can aid in different walks of life. So, these are the steps we took to create this list, elaborated below:
1. Defining the Scope and Purpose of the List
To begin with, I was determined to create a list that focused on different areas of requirements and interests. So, I defined certain categories like music streaming, podcast, on-demand video, photo/video editing apps, etc.
After that, I began by identifying the ideal target audience for these offerings, which could involve students, casual users, and even professionals seeking aid.
2. Researching the App List
The second and obvious step was to reach the right source, i.e., Google Play Store, to pick entries. To pick these entries, I went through different applications personally and checked tech blogs, forums, and even YouTube Channels.
Once this was done, I began filtering the best free Android apps. I only excluded applications that required payment from the start to access and use each and every feature. Other criteria included checking the number of ratings and downloads of a particular app.
3. Hands-On Testing
This was the time when I started to test the remaining applications to create a list with personalized effects. So, I began installing and exploring these applications. We looked at hidden costs and assessed user experience in terms of app responsiveness, design, and performance.
4. Categorization
Now, I began categorizing the remaining free apps for Android on the basis of their functionalities. Once the initial stage categorization was done, I further began creating subcategories if required for a particular category and the number of required listings.
5. Evaluation of Privacy and Permissions
At this step, I started analyzing the necessary requests required by these apps to access your data. It is necessary because I wanted the best free Android apps to be as secure as possible. Another thing I did to ensure quality was to assess the privacy policies associated with ethical usage and user safety.
7. Curate the Final List
At this final step, I wanted our list of top free Android apps to be a mix of everything so that it is for everyone. So, I again looked for redundant apps in the list and provided descriptions of the remaining ones. To identify redundant applications, we compared ratings in the niche’s present, feature limitations in the free version, ease of usage provided by UI/UX, etc. With all the essential details, I ensured that the user got a decent idea of the application before downloading it.
Comparing the Best Free Android Apps
Even after creating this list, the answer to the question “What are the best free Android apps?” remained unanswered. So, by carefully analyzing all the entries provided by me, I shortlisted the top five apps. Each of these apps has made its own presence in the market so I have briefly compared them for the services they provide.
| App Name | Primary Function | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotify | Music Streaming | Vast music library, personalized playlists, high-quality audio, podcast support | Easy to use, diverse content | Free tier has limitations, subscription cost |
| Amazon Music | Music Streaming | Large music library, high-quality audio, integration with Amazon Prime | Competitive pricing, good sound quality | Less intuitive interface compared to Spotify |
| Adobe Lightroom | Photo Editing | Powerful photo editing tools, professional-grade features, cloud storage integration | Advanced editing capabilities, non-destructive editing | Steep learning curve, subscription-based |
| MyFitnessPal | Fitness Tracking | Calorie tracking, macronutrient tracking, exercise logging, community features | Comprehensive tracking, user-friendly interface | Can be overwhelming for beginners |
| Pocket Casts | Podcast Player | Customizable interface, powerful organization tools, background playback, sleep timer | Flexible and feature-rich, excellent audio quality | Can be complex for new users |
Tips to Ensure Safety While Using the Best Free Android Apps
It is vital to ensure safety while utilizing free Android apps, as downloading and utilizing apps from different sources may pose certain risks. So, to keep you secure while using these apps, consider the following advice:
1. Use Trusted Sources
You should mostly rely on the official Google Play Store when downloading apps. When it comes to security and strict standards, Google Play Store is the one and only supplier, the rest are third-party. In fact, before releasing an app into the store, Google checks it for malware and other security risks to ensure your safety.
2. Check App Permissions
When installing an app, be mindful of the kind of permissions it asks for. Android apps frequently request access to the camera, microphone, and location of the device. So, it is important to verify that the permissions being asked for are appropriate for the intended use of the app.
3. Read User Reviews and Ratings
Check customer reviews and ratings on the Google Play Store before you download any app. This may shed light on the app's usability, security risks, and general quality. If an app has a poor rating or a number of bad reviews, always proceed with caution.
4. Verify Developer Information
Visit the app's Google Play Store page to view the developer's details, which include their name and contact information. The ones that are positively credited usually come from well-established developers and are typically more reliable. Further on, the best free apps for Android phones with little or no developer information should be avoided.
5. Keep Your Device Updated
Update the operating system and apps on your Android device on a regular basis. These updates are released by manufacturers to address security flaws and enhance functionality.
6. Install Antivirus Software
On your Android device, think about installing trustworthy security or antivirus apps. These programs offer an additional degree of security with the capability to detect and eliminate malware.
7. Review App Privacy Policies
Investigate an app's privacy policy, if available. It should describe how a particular app gathers, uses, and shares your data. If an app doesn't have a privacy policy or its methods seem intrusive, proceed cautiously.
8. Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi
Ensure that your internet connection is encrypted end-to-end when utilizing free Android apps on public Wi-Fi networks by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This exponentially decreases the possibility of cyberattacks and eavesdropping on your data over unprotected networks.
9. Keep App Permissions in Check
Simply check and adjust app permissions on a regular basis in your device's settings after installing an app. Remove pointless permissions to improve privacy and security.
10. Be Cautious of Sideloading
Installing an app from sources other than the official app stores, or "sideloading," may carry some risk. The built-in security checks are circumvented by sideloading software, so be cautious and limit your downloads to reliable sources.
11. Enable Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect is an integrated security feature that comes with Android smartphones. Make sure the feature that scans your apps for potential risks and removes harmful ones automatically is enabled in your smartphone settings.
12. Regularly Backup Your Data
Make frequent backups of all the data on your Android device. This includes contacts, applications, and critical files and guarantees that in the event of data loss owing to device malfunctions or security breaches, you are able to retrieve your information.
Conclusion
Currently, the market is full of incredible free Android apps. However, my idea behind recommending these options was to give you a highly curated list that can help you in many walks of life.
While many of the apps mentioned may already be familiar to you, for me personally, I wanted to showcase the most credible free apps for Android for a plethora of requirements. Saying this, I hope that the list may have helped you find significant options, and at MobileAppDaily, we update these lists on a yearly basis, so feel free to stick around.
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Sr. Content Strategist
Meet Manish Chandra Srivastava, the Strategic Content Architect & Marketing Guru who turns brands into legends. Armed with a Masters in Mass Communication (2015-17), Manish has dazzled giants like Collegedunia, Embibe, and Archies. His work is spotlighted on Hackernoon, Gamasutra, and Elearning Industry.
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