Hot topics

The best free Android apps you can get right now

AndroidPIT best free android apps hero
© nextpit

With so many apps available on the Google Play Store, it can be hard to find the one you want. That's why we've put together a list of the best free apps in several useful categories. Some of them offer in-app purchases, but they only make it onto this list if the free version is worth using in its own right, and we've just added six new apps for you to try out.

Jump to:

The best and most useful free apps

In this list you'll find apps that are free permanently once you install them. Sometimes certain functions are locked until you make a payment, but with the ones below we've ensured that the free functions and features are the best, and can be used to a good extent. 

Don't forget to leave a comment telling us your thoughts and recommendations, and for further research, we recommend the tips and the end of the article. 

Best free browser app: Firefox

Your favorite browser is a bit of a personal thing and depending on what you want out of that, you may well have a different favorite. That said, if you don't already have a favorite and want to try something other than Chrome, Firefox is worth checking out - particularly if you use it on the desktop too, as it'll sync your tabs and history. 

It's highly customizable and puts the same emphasis on privacy and open source as its desktop counterpart, so it's hard not to recommend it. It's also entirely free. 

androidpit firefox browser best browsers 1
Firefox's sync and customization options put it near the top of any best browser list. / © NextPit
${app-org.mozilla.firefox}

Best free Android Launcher: Nova Launcher

One of the classics among the launchers is also available for free: Nova Launcher. For some functions, you have to buy the prime-unlocker for a fee, but the basic functions can also be used like this. Above all, the high performance has a positive effect on many a manufacturer's UI attachment.

nova launcher 2017

The most modern launcher. / © NextPit
${app-com.teslacoilsw.launcher}

Best free messenger: Signal

If you are looking for a free but recommendable messenger, you have found it with Signal. Signal supports classic text chats as well as voice and video calls. Its encryption is considered extremely secure and so the signal protocol is also used by competitors such as WhatsApp or Allo (only for incognito chats). What's the difference between Signal and other apps? There is no need to worry about data protection. Even Edward Snowden swears by this app.

signal 2018 03
Signal is becoming more and more popular. / © NextPit
${app-org.thoughtcrime.securesms}

Best free grocery shopping app: Bring!

Bring! Is basically a digital shopping list with an appealing design and assistance with searching for individual products. Recipes will help you with research and add the ingredients you need to the list all in one go. The brochures including special offers at your supermarkets will help you to save money, and you can set up several different lists and invite your friends or family to your individual shopping list.

${app-ch.publisheria.bring}

Best free music player: Phonograph

For a long time, the go-to music player on Android has been Winamp, for its huge range of features and different options. That, however, makes it a little overly complicated to use for a casual listener, and it looks a bit retro too. 

Phonograph is the opposite in terms of design, and brings a simple flat Material Design approach to your music. There aren't endless pages of options to scroll your way through but there's enough for most users and, more importantly, it's really simple to use. 

If simple isn't what you want, then Winamp is the one to check out.

AndroidPIT phonograph 2
Phonograph is a simple to use music player that looks darn good. / © NextPit
${app-com.kabouzeid.gramophone}

Best free file manager: Amaze

Open source fans should be happy with Amaze File Manager: The file manager is free and provides full access to local files on your phone or tablet. Of course, you can manage your memory card with Amaze. There is an additional App Manager, with which you can manage, save or uninstall your applications.

comment degoogliser android amaze images 00
Amaze file manager interface. / © NextPit
${app-com.amaze.filemanager}

Best free antivirus app: Sophos Free Antivirus and Security

When it comes to security for your precious device, you can get top-notch protection without spending a penny. Sophos has a great record from independent watchdogs such as AV-Test. There aren't even any ads to annoy you, because Sophos makes money from B2B sales instead. Malware protection is based on an online database that also checks the reputation of individual apps and recommends alternatives.

sophos 2018
Sophos offers a range of features but doesn't overload your device. / © NextPit

Sophos has a varied feature set, incorporating child protection filters, call blockers and device encryption and more. It also includes anti-theft features that allow you to remotely control your smartphone via SMS from other phone numbers you've previously specified. 

${app-com.sophos.smsec}

Best free calendar app: DigiCal Calendar Agenda

For many people, Google Calendar probably offers enough functionality and convenience that you'll never need to look around for an alternative. If, however, you fancy a change of scenery and a few additional features, and all still for free, then DigiCal is well worth checking out. 

digical
Good for a busy schedule. / © Digical

The free version of DigiCal has a decent range of features, widgets, and calendar views to organize your schedule in a way that makes sense to you. You can view by day, week, or month and set widgets to make information available without the need to start the app. In-app purchases exist for extras like weather forecasts, or the DigiCal+ that adds extra view modes such as year view, even more widgets and themes, and also removes ads.

${app-com.digibites.calendar}

Best free navigation app: Waze

Waze is the best free navigation app because in addition to searching for the best route based on distance, it also takes into account the current traffic congestion along your route. It does this by crowdsourcing real-time congestion information from its users, allowing you to save time by avoiding construction and traffic accident delays in the busiest parts of the city.

It also has the option to change the voice to several funny alternatives, and it can warn you when you're speeding. Another great feature is that it can sync with your calendar so you don't have to type in addresses.

androidpit waze routes
Waze helps you to find the quickest route. / © NextPit
${app-com.waze}

Best free photo editing app: Snapseed

It's a tough call between two experienced apps for best free photo editor, but Snapseed (now owned by Google) just beats VSCO Cam. 

As well as long-standing Android app pedigree, 25 different filters, support for JPG and RAW DNG files, image tuning controls and a bunch of other tools (like Bokeh blurs, glow effects, etc.) that are really easy to use, it's also entirely free, which is where it beat VSCO, as that app charges for some filters. 

androidpit snapseed
Snapseed might not be the newest app on the block, but it's picked up a lot of skills over the years.  / © Google
${app-com.niksoftware.snapseed}

Best free video editing app: Kinemaster

Video editing is a tricky category if you're looking for a fully-featured app with a whole bunch of different options, but still don't want to spend any money. Kinemaster is a good compromise for this, if not the one with the most features. 

For free, you get a super-easy video editor that supports images, clips, music tracks, screenshots and other types of content. Quickly throwing together a video is a quick task, along with editing it and setting it to one of the pre-installed themes. The downside, however, is that you'll have a small watermark unless you choose to pay for a subscription to the service. 

For anyone willing to pay a little money to get a lot more manual control over the resulting videos, PowerDirector is worth checking out, or if you want an even simpler video maker, there's Quik, which is free to use for short videos. 

androidpit kinemaster
Kinemaster is a good balance of simplicity and functionality, as long as you can tolerate the watermark - or can pay to remove it. / © NextPit
${app-com.nexstreaming.app.kinemasterfree}

Best free camera app: Open Camera

If you want a massive amount of options for capturing your pictures, and a whole lot of manual control over the settings, AND you want all that without ever paying any money, then Open Camera is well worth a look. 

Is it the best designed UI? Nope. Is it the easiest to use? Not even close (it's not hard either, though). But what it does is offer most of the common tools you could want when taking snaps on your phone, including things like time and location stamps, a burst mode, and a really handy widget for the home screen that opens the app and captures a picture with a single press.

There are other camera apps with more features available, but you'll have to pay for many of them, whereas Open Camera is totally free. There's a donation version of the app if you want to show your appreciation to the developer though.

androidpit open camera
Open Camera offers the most common camera features you could want, and a handy home screen widget. / © NextPit
${app-net.sourceforge.opencamera}

Best free e-reader: ReadEra

ReadEra is a fast and versatile document reader that's great for ebook fans. It can open and read EPUB, PDF, DOC, DOCX, RTF, TXT, DJVU, FB2, MOBI and CHM file formats. The app automatically recognizes these types of files on your device and saves your place so it's easy to pick up where you left off the next time you open the app.

ReadEra 2018 03
A clean and ad-free interface. / © NextPit

Overall we found the presentation to be easy on the eyes, and best of all, there aren't even any ads to get in the way of your reading!

${app-org.readera}

Best free game: Pixel Dungeon

Ok, there are a lot of good free games for Android that we really love, but if you only have space or time for just one, then Pixel Dungeon stands out for bringing potentially hours of fun for free. Totally free, without even any ads, although there is an option to donate to the developer to show your appreciation.

pixeld
A great game that isn't out to take your money. / © NextPit

The gameplay itself is rather straightforward fantasy-themed dungeon exploring in the 'Roguelike' genre, where the death of your character is permanent and randomly generated paths and enemies abound. Despite the difficulty, there are enough options and surprises to keep you trying again and again.

Get paid apps gone free with Apphoarder

Sometimes a developer will offer their premium (paid) app for free on the Play Store for a brief time. Great, but the Play Store is such a crowded marketplace that you're not likely to notice. That's where AppHoarder comes in. Essentially, this apps keeps a list of paid apps that are temporarily free on Google Play.

App Hoarder
Keep with the latest deals on apps. / © NextPit (screenshot)

The app doesn't control for quality, and while you're not likely to find something you want every day, occasionally a real steal will turn up and you'll be glad AppHoarder brought it to your attention.

Get it on the Play Store

Finding the best free apps

Free should be free

Free apps can definitely be good. Developers can genuinely make a good source of income through affiliate links or banner ads, and other apps may come from developers who don't rely on any profit from the app. These are both positive examples.

However, what we don't want to see in a free app is content that encourages the deliberate or accidental opening of an advertisement, things that may monitor your market or user behavior or apps that may otherwise disrupt the smooth running of your device.

Tips from Google

It may not seem like it, but the Play Store is actually monitored and maintained. Individual apps can be categorized into Android Excellence apps. The list is constantly updated and includes mostly mainstream apps, but there will be the occasional one you've never heard of. 

Give us your recommendations!

What were your favorite apps of the year? Do you agree with our choices, or do you have some favorites of your own? Let us know in the comments below!


NextPit's app central

Best Android apps Best iPhone apps
Best free Android Apps
Best messaging apps Best free music download apps
Best music streaming apps Best movie and video streaming apps
Best camera apps Best photo editors
Best fitness apps Best dating apps
Best calorie counting apps Best pedometer apps
Best Android customization apps Best Android launchers
Best Android keyboards Best Android file managers
Best Android browsers Best Android lock screen apps
Best Android calendar apps Best Android e-mail apps
Best note-taking apps Best cloud storage apps
Best weather apps Best Android offline maps apps
Best Android food ordering apps Best Android grocery apps
How to find free apps for Android or iOS without being scammed

The contents of this article have changed since it was originally published. The comments below may have been left in response to a previous version.

The current best Samsung phones to buy

  Editor's choice S23 with a bigger display 2023 flagship 2023 foldable flagship 2022 fodlable flagship 2023 compact foldable 2022 compact foldable Affordable flagship The popular mid-ranger
Product
Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23+ Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Product Image Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Product Image Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Product Image Samsung Galaxy A54 Product Image
Review
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23+
Review: Samsung Galaxy S23
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Not yet tested
Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Review: Samsung Galaxy A54
Price
  • $1,199.99
  • $999.99
  • $799.99
  • $1,799.99
  • $1,799.99
  • from $999.99
  • $999.99
  • $699.99
  • $449.99
Offer*
Go to comment (168)
Nicholas Montegriffo

Nicholas Montegriffo
Editor

A cyberpunk and actual punk, Nicholas is the Androidpit team's hardcore gamer, writing with a focus on future tech, VR/AR, AI & robotics. Out of office, he can be found hanging around in goth clubs, eating too many chillies, or at home telling an unlucky nerd that their 8th level wizard died from a poisoned spike trap.

View all articles
Liked this article? Share now!
Recommended articles
Latest articles
Push notification Next article
168 comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing

  • stay updated 1
    stay updated Apr 16, 2019 Link to comment

    nice article
    snapseed is a very good application for me.


  • yotzmach 8
    yotzmach Jan 30, 2019 Link to comment

    Very good list. I'd advice x-plore as the best file manager (for functionality, not looks...)


  • 25
    Deactivated Account Jan 28, 2019 Link to comment

    I found the article very helpful. Thank you Nicholas Sir.

    Some free lifestyle category apps which I recommend are "Journey", "Alarmy" and "Daylio".

    SorinDean L.


  • Dean L. 34
    Dean L. Jan 28, 2019 Link to comment

    I use waze for some of my commute needs and I also sometimes use Nova launcher. I have also used Microsoft to do which is also free for my to-do list and Google keep for notes and other info I want to be able to find again.

    Sorin


  • 2
    Kirstein Powell Jan 28, 2019 Link to comment

    I use sendleap to access my texts on a tablet or pc. it is completely free. has a web interface and desktop apps, even on Linux.


  • 27
    Sorin Jan 25, 2019 Link to comment

    I Like Signal, I only heard very good opinions.
    And for navigation, Waze is perfect!

    Dean L.


  • Waqar Ghafoor 7
    Waqar Ghafoor Sep 8, 2018 Link to comment

    Hey
    I have tried Amaze and believe me it does what it says ... )))


  • 5
    Temothy Aug 21, 2018 Link to comment

    My top pics for this list are Malwarebytes, VSCO, Adobe Lens, Snapseed.


  • 12
    Denny Weinberg Aug 19, 2018 Link to comment

    What about Levipic?


    • Prashant Gandhi 1
      Prashant Gandhi May 31, 2019 Link to comment

      That's cool!


  • 27
    Sorin Apr 5, 2018 Link to comment

    My main applications: Firefox, Microsoft Laucher, Waze, Open Camera, Office Lens, and a few of the less important.

    Dean L.


  • Dwarfer66 25
    Dwarfer66 Apr 4, 2018 Link to comment

    Free does mean free, not that you can pay extra to unlock more features, like with Nova Launcher, yes I know you say there is the option to pay for the extras, BUT it is not a free proggy.

    Dean L.Sorin


  • GrimJimCrowley 14
    GrimJimCrowley Apr 3, 2018 Link to comment

    For best free launcher you really should make it Microsoft Launcher. It's way more feature packed than Nova's free launcher.

    Sorin


  • 27
    Sorin Apr 3, 2018 Link to comment

    I have been using Waze for a long time and I am very pleased that I am aware of road events or other unforeseen incidents. As for Signal, I installed it but I can not understand how it works, because it's basically an SMS application and not messaging.
    I'll look for other applications.

    Dean L.To Thanh Cong


  • 3
    Mahesh Kumar Jan 26, 2018 Link to comment

    yeah ita great browsers


  • 1
    Mohan Dec 19, 2017 Link to comment

    Great post! I am actually getting ready to across this information, is very helpful my friend. Also great blog here with all of the valuable information you have Keep up the good work you are doing here.Well, got a good knowledge.


  • Ace Yudumash 2
    Ace Yudumash Sep 11, 2017 Link to comment

    Wow, how do you get to have Microsoft and S.H.I.T. in the same article?


  • Jude Idebaneria 2
    Jude Idebaneria Aug 30, 2017 Link to comment

    SolCalendar no
    More on playstore any reason for that?


  • 2
    jessica May 5, 2017 Link to comment

    I got a lot of information about apps, Your article is extremely helpful and has great information. I value your endeavors and all the best. It's exceptionally helpful data. I will sit tight for your next post. Keep It up.

    Brittany McGhee


  • 2
    DINA DYER May 3, 2017 Link to comment

    Hi, All The Apps Is Good. But Security Apps One of Most Important For Everyone. So, Everyone Should to Used Good Security Apps on Their Android Device. Thanks For Review here.

    Brittany McGhee

Show all comments
Write new comment:
All changes will be saved. No drafts are saved when editing