Free Android and iOS Apps of the week

Usually, these are paid apps on Google Play and Apple App Store which will require you to pony up some cash. Thankfully from time to time, there are developers who decided to be generous by making their apps available to the masses for free. This is what we do twice a week—scour the Google Play Store and Apple App Store to look for the best bargains.

Note that while the list of apps here is free as of publishing, these deals tend to expire without any due warning based on the developer's whims and fancy. The promotional period for apps on these platforms can be both unpredictable and can end suddenly.

NextPit ensures no low-rating apps in our free list, but unlike our Top 5 Apps of the Week, these aren't all tested. Conduct personal research before downloading, as some may have hidden costs.

• Don't miss this: How to find free apps for Android and iOS

Tip: If you find an interesting app on our list but don't need it now, install and then delete it. This saves it to your app library, allowing you to install it later for free, even after the promotion ends.

Android apps available for free for a limited time

Android apps for productivity and lifestyle

• SUI File Explorer Pro [4.1-stars / $1.99]: Want to try something different apart from your stock file explorer app? This one is easy to navigate and understand.
• Boundo: App API Checker [4.1-stars / $0.99]: This app checks the Android API level for all apps and APKs on your device, including smartwatches. 

Android games

• Merge Cafe Premium [4.3-stars / $4.99]: Forget about diabetes, as this game requires you to combine already sweet treats into something sweeter to draw in the crowds!
• Truth or Dare Pro [4.3-stars / $0.99]: A classic party game that takes on the digital format. No longer do you need to find a physical bottle to spin, as this app gets the job done.
• Stunt Legend Epic Racing [4.5-stars / $0.99]: Drive your car in an open world at high speeds without the risk of getting your real-life license revoked.
• Cartoonite [4.3-stars / $0.99]: An open-world racing game, where you build your vehicle from scratch, being able to choose from cars to off-road monsters. 
• Timing Hero [4.1-stars / $2.99]: A RPG with hero combat system that is set in 8-bit retro graphics. Certainly one that rolls back the years if you yearn after Game Boy titles.

iOS apps available for free for a limited time

iOS apps for productivity and lifestyle

• Notifinote [4.5-stars / $0.99]: Sick and tired of forgetting stuff? Use this app to store your notes as notifications instead.
• RGB Keyboard [4.5-stars / $1.99]: Transform your regular iOS keyboard into a RGB-colored one at the touch of a button.
• Calculator Advanced [4.4-stars / $0.99]: Instead of the basic calculator, this app ensures you can indulge in way more complex calculations than you can ever think of!
• AI Anime Filter [4.7-stars / $4.99]: Want to look cute like a Japanese anime character? This app does it all, turning your existing photos into oh-so-cute shots.
• Flex Scanner [4.8-stars / $0.99]: Scan documents and photos in the PDF format on your iPhone without having to worry about removing watermarks.

iOS games

• Wild Wolf Simulator 3D [4.4-stars / $9.99]: Instead of trying to trap wolves, you are a wolf, and must survive using your cunning and guile in this highly realistic game. 
• Cubesc: Dream of Mira [4.4-stars / $2.99]: A puzzle game that requires you to lead Mira through a myriad puzzles for her to help her brother out in dreams.
• Neo Monsters [4.7-stars / $0.99]: You collect little monsters, train them, and help them level up to be a better version of themselves as they duke it out with other monsters. Does this sound familiar like a certain franchise?
• Bandido [5.0-stars / $2.99]: A prisoner intends to pull all the stops to escape from his prison. Can you stop him in time?
• Raven Crow Flight Simulator 3D [4.5-stars / $9.99]: How does it feel to fly around in freedom? Well, you are a crow in this game, so live out the life of a carrion bird in this game!  

That's it for now when it comes to this week's free apps! It is our sincerest hope that you find something worth installing here, be it for now or for later. What do you think of our list this time around? Just in case you are looking for some online games to whet your gaming appetite without having to have an Internet connection, check out our linked story below.

• The best Android and iPhone games to play offline

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the selections for this weekend before we embark on curating another list next week. Did you come across any other interesting apps or games on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store? Share your recommendations with us in the comments!