Mobile apps have drastically changed our relationship with free software. More often than not, the best mobile apps don't cost you a cent (though you might pay for them in other ways). Unfortunately, there are also plenty of half-baked free apps out there as well, but our handy list can help you navigate Google Play to make sure you're getting the good stuff.

If you're starting up a new Android device or you're on a budget, there are some great free apps that can get you up and going quickly.


Adobe Scan Everyone needs a scanner now and then, but how many people actually own one these days? With the Adobe Scan app, you don't need to add more hardware to your tech setup. Scan important documents with your phone and turn them into PDFs that can be sent anywhere. The app even allows you to enhance images to your liking and comes with OCR capabilities.

Authy Need a better way to maintain the security of your online accounts? Use Authy to set up two-factor authentication for practically every service you use. Authy is compatible with Facebook, Amazon, Gmail, and many more websites and services . It works offline, can connect between multiple devices, and offers cloud backups to ensure you never get locked out.

Citymapper Want something other than Google Maps or Apple Maps to get you around the city? Citymapper combines all possible methods of transportation to find you the fastest route to your destination. Get real-time transit status alerts and location-based alarms. Citymapper also connects with local bike and car shares for bike availability and the best pickup locations.

Google Photos Google Photos is a photo gallery app that goes above and beyond your phone's built-in gallery app. Enjoy free unlimited cloud storage, powerful built-in editing features, smart albums, and searchable autotagging. The app makes it easy to share photos with others and offers shared libraries to keep friends and families connected.

IFTTT If This Then That (IFTTT) allows you to set automated commands to your phone that can be carried out when certain conditions are met. Connect it to your smart home device (most of them, anyway) to start playing music as soon as you get home, for example. If your phone battery falls to a certain level, have it turn off services that can use up energy. Or turn your phone to vibrate when you leave the house. The options are endless.

LastPass Don't get locked out of your account or get caught with a terrible password ever again. LastPass offers advanced password management features that few free competitors offer and it syncs across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Lock important web credentials inside your secure LastPass vault, and the app will autofill logins and passwords on the web or in apps on your device. Myki Password Manager & Authenticator is another favorite

Messages Messages is Google’s appropriately named messaging app that offers SMS, MMS, and chat functionality all in one streamlined place. Take pictures, video, and audio messages right from the app, then send them to your friends and family. Search for important files in your conversation history, share emojis, GIFs, and stickers, and send and receive payments with Google Pay.

Mint Mint Manage all your finances in one place with. Link your bank accounts, credit cards, bills, and investment to track what you’re spending and help save money. Mint can help you keep track of bills and monitor your credit score. Colorful, user-friendly graphs make it easy for you to see how you are spending your money.

Notes By Firefox This notes app is perfect for anyone looking for a simple and secure note-taking app. Notes by Firefox is compatible with your Firefox account and the Notes browser extension in order to offer live updates between any of your devices.

NPR One NPR One brings all of NPR together in order to create your own news radio station. The app weaves together local and national news to give you a range of perspectives. It also learns from you as you add or skip segments in order to provide you with everything you want and need from the news.

Podcast Addict Everyone loves a good podcast , so why not use Podcast Addict to search and manage the thousands of podcasts available through the app. You can also integrate radio, audiobooks, livestreams, YouTube, Twitch, and SoundCloud channels, as well as RSS news feeds all in one place. Schedule content for download and deletion to ensure new podcast episodes are ready to go as soon as you wake up. A paid version removes ads.

PowerDirector Looking to edit video on the go? PowerDirector acts as a full movie maker right from your phone. Edit multiple tracks, add video effects, transitions, and voiceovers, and use the built-in chroma key feature to create 4K quality phone footage. You can share your videos to social media using the app.

Signal Signal is private calling and messaging app that allows you to talk with individuals or groups of friends in real time without costing money. This open-source app uses your existing phonebook to offer end-to-end encrypted messages that will never be seen by anyone outside the chat. You can make certain messages disappear after a set amount of time, and perform many other actions to make your messaging secure.

The 100 Best Android Apps If you're okay with doling out a little cash for your apps, check out our roundup of the best Android apps in 14 categories.

Further Reading

Android App Reviews