iPhones are expensive, but iPhone software is mostly quite cheap, and a lot of it is free. The problem is finding the good apps - the ones that are as good as the paid-for alternatives, only supported by non-annoying IAPs and/or adverts - and filtering out the dross.

Luckily we're here to help. Our roundup gathers together 81 fantastic free news, photography, entertainment, work and social apps for the iPhone.

Our first category is:

Social apps

Reddit Official

Reddit's free iPhone app replaced the old Alien Blue Reddit app, which until April 2016 was the closest thing to an official Reddit app we'd seen so far. But now, Reddit has used what it learned from Alien Blue to come up with its own app built from the ground up.

You'll see the latest news, trends and memes available to browse, search and discover within the app's clean, easy-to-use interface. You'll also be able to access your inbox to stay up to date with messages, comment replies, post replies and mentions.

FREE | Download Reddit

Buffer

Buffer is a neat tool that lets you easily post - or share pages you've found - to multiple social media accounts (although only a single account per social network, unless you upgrade to the paid-for version) at scheduled times.

It's fantastic for media and business types who've used analytics to find out the optimal time to send out tweets and Facebook updates; you can set up a series of strong posting times, and updates will automatically be queued up for the next window.

FREE | Download Buffer

Facebook

If you're on Facebook - and if we're honest, most of us are - then this is probably the first app to download on a new iPhone. It's free, it looks good and does a good job of getting out of the way and letting you find out where your ex-girlfriend has been on holiday.

FREE | Download Facebook

Gmail

If you're reliant on Google's mail service, then the Gmail app is an obvious one to try. It's free, it looks good, and it's tightly integrated with other Google services.

FREE | Download Gmail

Messenger

Facebook introduced Messenger to the world in 2011, and since then it's grown into a communication app burgeoning with features. You can use it as a straightforward messaging app, for either one-to-one or group chats, but there's also the ability to make free calls over Wi-Fi, and even play games with other Facebook users.

FREE | Download Messenger

Periscope

Periscope is a little like Snapchat or Facebook Live: you start a broadcast, which any of your followers can view as it happens, and the video remains viewable for 24 hours after you finish - but then is erased from existence. Thrillingly immediate, utterly nerve-wracking for journalists who used to have the best part of a month between filing an article and seeing it on the shelves, and lots of fun to try out.

FREE | Download Periscope

Skype

A superb and versatile alternative to FaceTime for when you want to call friends and relatives who aren't on Apple devices. Skype features a slick, user-friendly interface, the ability to make free calls over 4G and Wi-Fi, an instant messaging feature, and even features Highlights, which brings an Instagram-like feed to the platform.

FREE | Download Skype

Twitter

Like Facebook, Twitter's free native iOS app is simple and effective. It's intuitive to use and ideal for the more basic aspects of using the service - which is what you want from the iPhone app. Use it as an up-to-the-minute news service, social media stream, or as a way to enact foreign and domestic policy if you're the president of an international superpower.

FREE | Download Twitter

WhatsApp

This is a superb app for keeping in touch with groups of friends without spending a groat. WhatsApp allows you to send text messages, videos, pictures and audio to your friends or family at no cost. The app is easy to use and in our experience totally habit-altering.

FREE | Download WhatsApp Messenger

Want more brilliant free iPhone apps? The list continues on the next page!