Android phones and tablets are marvelous handheld devices that are capable of so much more than snapping selfies and posting social media updates.
With the right app, you can transform your Android devices into a movie theater, graphic design canvas, mobile workstation, or nearly anything else designed for work or play.
Downloading the apps is easy; finding them is the challenge.
That's why we've stepped in to offer a helping hand.
These 100 recommended apps are organized into 13 categories, including music, productivity, security, and utilities, so it's easy to find ones that suit your mood.
Need an entertaining streaming video service? There's an app for that.
In search of a dependable word processor that'll keep you productive while on the go? There's an app for that, too.
Note that we don't include any games in this roundup: For those, check out our separate list of the best Android games.
If this is your first time with an Android device, 100 apps might be overwhelming.
If so, take a look at our list of 10 must-have Android apps to cover the basics.
If your wallet is feeling a little light, know that many of the entries in both lists are free.
Each recommended app is excellent in its own way.
Taken together, our collection is a snapshot of the Google Play Store's best apps at the time of writing.
So explore and enjoy.
We didn't forget about iPhone and iPad users.
For the iOS faithful, check out our roundups of the best iPhone apps and the best iPad apps.
Browsers
Brave Privacy Browser offers many features aimed at protecting your security and privacy on the web.
For instance, it includes built-in blockers for ads, pop-ups, scripts, and third-party cookies.
It even implements the HTTPS Everywhere extension, so you can ensure that your connections to sites are secure.
The lightweight, minimal design looks great, too.
MSRP Free
Firefox is lickety-split fast, and has a clean design that is a joy to use.
Mozilla makes a big point about how it doesn't collect your data, and we are pleased to see that the app comes with a full complement of security settings—including an option to protect your information from advertisers and a private browsing mode.
Like the desktop version, Firefox for mobile has a robust plug-in selection, excellent tab management, and a dynamic start page for bookmarks and the latest headlines.
You can even sync settings, history, and tabs with the desktop variant
MSRP Free
Microsoft Edge lets you easily sync web pages, bookmarks, and browsing history between your Android device and the Edge browser on your desktop.
Top features of the mobile browser include an integrated reading view, news ratings (handled by NewsGuard), and a content blocker (powered by Adblock Plus).
You can search with Bing using your voice or by selecting a photo, as well as earn points via the Microsoft Rewards program.
Both Microsoft Edge's dark and light themes look elegant and are easy to navigate.
Privacy stalwarts, rejoice! Tor now has an official (and modern-looking) Android app.
The Tor project operates under the principle that "internet users should have private access to an uncensored web." Make sure to read the overview of how Tor works before you start using it, as it addresses specific types of privacy threats (and does so very well).
The Tor browser may perform more slowly than other browsers, given its complicated inner workings, but that drawback should be negligible for the users who appreciate and rely on its protections.
MSRP Free
Communication
Language Learners
If you're looking to learn another language, Duolingo gamifies language learning with bite-sized lessons and a friendly interface.
Starting with simple vocabulary and building from there, Duolingo is your guide to learning a new language or brushing up on one you already know.
The more you use the app, the more you unlock and—with practice—the more you learn.
This free app currently supports Danish, Dutch, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.
Or more practical choices, like Esperanto and Klingon.
MSRP Free
The problem with most mobile messengers is convincing your friends to sign up.
That said, there's a good chance that most people you know are already on Facebook.
This is handy, because the Facebook Messenger app is fantastic.
It's simple, clean, and easily handles voice and video calling.
Check out our feature on Facebook Messenger to discover its other capabilities.
MSRP Free
Many people fear not being unable to communicate with people from another country while traveling.
Google Translate takes a bit of the edge off, quickly translating either written text or spoken words.
You can even use the app to do the speaking for you, and input text through your camera or handwriting.
The app can translate 103 languages with a data connection and 52 when you're offline.
It can't handle Tamarian, but it's sure to be a handy tool here on Earth.
Another option is Microsoft Translator, which offers 60 offline languages, travel phrasebooks, a real-time conversation mode, and actually translates Klingon.
MSRP Free
Most people are probably familiar with LinkedIn as a service only visited in times of desperation—after being laid off, maybe, or after a day in the office so bad that you're just not going to take it anymore.
The LinkedIn app aims, however, to be a companion to the LinkedIn web service that you check every day.
Sure, there's the all-important profile pages showing off your work experience, and the handy tools for networking, but the service now includes visitor metrics and a newsfeed for a decidedly more social feel.
It's sometimes the easiest way to reach out and make a business connection.
It's like Facebook for grown-ups.
MSRP Free
With Snapchat, you quickly snap and exchange photos with one or several friends.
The app also supports video snaps, as well as voice and video calling.
The catch is that whatever you post vanishes after a day.
It's just a fun and ephemeral way to share the world around you.
MSRP Free
There are many apps that pay lip service to security and privacy, but Signal was built from the ground up with the goal of letting people easily communicate without having to worry about being overheard.
The Signal app is a complete phone and SMS client replacement (though it works just fine as a standalone app, too) for sending and receiving encrypted calls and messages.
The app's look and feel continues to improve, too.
MSRP Free
Textra is an excellent alternative to Messages on Android.
The app includes numerous customization options that you won't find with the stock messaging app, including custom contact colors, text bubble styles, and notification icons.
Additionally, you get extra features such as text scheduling, the ability to blacklist contacts, and the option to rename group conversations.
Textra also has excellent light and dark modes.
MSRP Free
In a world rife with messenger apps, WhatsApp is among the most successful, boasting an enormous and dedicated user base.
Add to that an integrated web version that lets users take their chats to the desktop.
This Facebook-owned app is bolstered by encrypted messaging provided by the minds behind Signal.
It might just be the largest secure messaging service out there.
Microsoft's Your Phone Companion app lets you link your Android phone and text from your Windows 10 PC.
As a bonus, you can also quickly access photos from your camera, as well as manage your device notifications.
The app setup is easy, and it's certainly more comfortable to type out longer responses on a physical keyboard than craft a message on your phone.
MSRP Free
Food
If you don't want to think about buying ingredients, but still want to cook, Blue Apron is an excellent option.
With reliable deliveries and great meals to choose from, this food delivery service lets you skip the trip to the grocery store.
The sleek mobile app allows you to manage your account, schedule your deliveries, and save any recipes you want to revisit.
Starts at $7.49
Cookpad connects you with a vibrant array of recipes.
Easily add favorite recipes, manage shopping lists, and find new recipes you'll love based on those you already like.
Once you start using it, you'll have one less excuse to eat out.
MSRP Free
Remember the bad old days of ordering food? You needed takeout menus, knowledge of the terrain ("will they even deliver out here?"), cash, and faith that the person jotting down your order got it right.
Seamless takes care of all that, even letting you pay via credit card from your Android.
The only drawback? It's not available in every city (or even every state), though it has expanded its range dramatically since it was first included on this list.
MSRP Free
Untappd helps you record each brew you try along with a rating and tasting notes.
Think of it as Swarm for beer! No more staring at a tap list, trying to remember which ones you've had before.
The app also has a vibrant community of beer drinkers that can point you toward new discoveries and an extensive list of beers.
It's also a handy way to find your favorite brew near your current location.
While it's not perfect, it can change the way you think of beer.
MSRP Free
It pays to be a little skeptical of crowd-sourced reviews, but Yelp tells you a lot more than just what people thought of a bar, restaurant, or just about any other place where you spend money.
Many locations list hours of operation, contact information, and menus, making it easy to find the perfect spot in your neighborhood or a new city.
MSRP Free
Health & Fitness
Adidas Running by Runtastic
The Adidas Running app, formerly called Runtastic PRO, can do much more than just track your favorite running routes.
This excellent fitness app keeps track of all sorts of useful data and can return information-rich maps to help you plan future outings.
Use it for cycling, hiking, and walking, too.
MSRP Free
Menstruators the world over will rejoice over Clue, a simple app with a beautiful design for tracking your period and predicting when the next will occur.
Using the data you enter about your cycle—and other factors—you can use Clue to plan ahead, whether it's for pregnancy or just to keep ahead of your cycle.
Reminders and a handy calendar tool can help take the guesswork out of life.
Best of all, it's totally gender-neutral, and not the expected pink.
MSRP Free
Tracking your period isn't just about knowing the cycle, but also the other factors surrounding it.
Eve by Glow lets you track physical and emotional states, which can lead to some important insights when you take the time to interpret your own data.
Eve also boasts a vibrant community and a wealth of information about sexual health built right in.
MSRP Free
You might know Fitbit from its popular fitness trackers, but the app that powers those devices works well on its own, too.
Using your just your smartphone (assuming you meet the minimum hardware requirements), this fitness app can count steps and log activities to help you achieve daily goals.
There are also social features, so you can compete against your friends.
It's a must-have (really, you must have it) for Fitbit users, but also a smart choice for anyone looking to be more active.
MSRP Free
This calorie counter and exercise tracker aims to help you lose weight the old-fashioned way—expending more calories than you take in.
With its smart design and an extensive library of foods, it makes quickly logging the calories you take in and what you burn while exercising a snap.
A barcode scanner makes it even easier to log that post-workout snack.
This fitness app also plays nice with other such apps, so your data won't be tied up in just one place.
MyFitnessPal won't give you a whole workout regimen, but it can make you more aware of your habits.
Daxdi has a full review of MyFitnessPal for the iPhone.
MSRP Free
Zocdoc makes it easy to research nearby doctors on your health insurance plan and book appointments from your phone.
When you first sign up for the app, you can enter your insurance information manually or scan your card to get started.
The app itself looks slick too, with a modern, bright design that makes the experience of scheduling visits less stressful.
Zocdoc even saves your history of appointments and makes recommendations for future ones, so you can stay on top of your health history.
MSRP Free
Music & Podcasts
If you want to record your own podcast, Anchor is likely one of the easiest ways to do it.
This app lets you record by yourself or with friends and build out entire podcast episodes entirely from your phone. Anchor even implements some basic audio editing tools for perfecting each clip in the app.
Recently, the service announced a monetization program for creators on the platform.
MSRP Free
Filled with both...
