Best Free Android Apps - Updated 2018

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Last updated by Jojo Yee on 14. November 2018 - 13:53

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This list of Best Free Android Apps now includes 247 apps in multiple categories. To help you get the best of free Android apps from the Google Play store or developer's website, we have selected some gems in each category and added them to the list with clear and brief descriptions of each app.

To access an app on Google Play from this list:

  • Tap or click an app title on the list in your PC's or Android's browser; Or
  • Tap or hover over an app icon on the list and scan the QR Code with your device’s barcode scanner.
 

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This category is maintained by volunteer editor Jojo Yee. Registered members can contact the editor with comments or suggestions by clicking here. You can visit the Google+ profile page of Jojo Yee here.

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Comments

In trying to view ebuddy messaging, I ran into a dead link. The correct link is thus: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ebuddy.android.xms

Submitted by kt on

I would like for you to add the category Android mind mapping apps to the list.

Thanks Jojo.... some good stuff there although I didn't see much in the way of ad-blockers.
I just hate adds and pop ups. They're an invasion of my privacy and an insult to my intelligence.

This is my main stopper: "AdGuard AdBlocker" available on the play store

A good suggestion terrawarra and it's a good category to add to this list.

Thanks Jojo....
..... in the meantime I'll do some cherry picking from your latest list of android apps.

Thanks for your tip for "Blokada" Jojo....
will certainly give this one a trial.
cheers

Please also check lichess, i think îs an awesome application for chess.

The last two links in Best Free Program Launcher for Android are dead (playstore can't find the app). The first one doesn't point to the base package, but to a customization update.

What's happening to launchers in general? Many are disappearing!

PS: Still looking for a light weight "just icons and widgets on a home screen" launcher.

Appreciated your kind feedback HiTechHiTouch. Both links are now removed from the list.

I recently bought a new Moto E4 phone with MetroPCS. The phone has a feature to block your chosen numbers calling in but it simply reroutes the call to voicemail. I need to block certain numbers from even being able to call in to my number.
Anyone know of free Android based apps that can do that?
Thank you

G'day talkback10,
Here's a nice selection of ten apps that should suit your needs.
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2014/12/featured-top-10-best-call-blocker-apps-android.html
.....or you can continue using your Moto E4 built in blocker simply by disabling your voicemail.

I have found "Clean Music Player" (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.myskyspark.music)
It thankfully has no advertisements whatsoever, nor adware

I have been a member here for over 3 years, and have no affiliations to any developers.
I am concerned there is not enough disclosure on TechSupportAlert of whether recommended smartphone apps request permission to download full screen advertisements to the phone. Free apps are increasingly becoming this intrusive, as well as potentially leading to freezing of smartphones. My phone has recently become almost unusable due to full screen ads, including when I was videoing at someones wedding !

Unlike the Windows section, there is no disclosure of which apps are the most intrusive, in terms of adware, monitoring of user activities, phoning home, and potential for access to contact lists etc when this is not relevant to the app. I am finding it almost impossible to find Android apps that dont want to track me, use adware, or access more of my phone than it necessary. Are there any apps anymore that DONT do these things ??

Hi All..

My name is Suhas, currently working in Mysore, India.

I would request you to let me know whether is there is any Messaging App, in which its possible to Create Folders / Sub-Folders like Inbox / Sent Items / any other customized folders, so that I can organize messages accordingly to different folders.

Now, I am using Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 mobile and please let me know if you come to know about the App, which allows to create folders in Messages

My Email-ID is: [removed by moderator]

Thanks,
Suhas

You should check out Dreamify (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ionicframework.dreamclientionic895102)

Is there a best free Calendar for Android e.g. something that would sync with Outlook 2007's Calendar on my Windows 7 laptop?

The best free ebook reader for Android is Aldiko - I've tried them all and this is the only one that handles Adobe DRM, renders accented Greek and Hebrew with the default font, and can handle a 56Mb epub file.

What, no Hearthstone? Finally available on Android phones as well...

Thanks Jojo Yee great post

Jojo, would be good to add file transfer apps like Xender, Superbeam, or Shareit, which use wifi direct to transfer files at a really fast speed. Did not know about these until recently, and people should know about it. Maybe cover one of these in an app of the week article? Also cover backup software for contacts, sms, etc, like SMS Backup and Restore: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRe... or Mobile Backup III: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobilehome.backup&hl=en
Thanks Anupam. Will look into the apps you've suggested. Update: SHAREit has now been added to the list.

360 Clean Droid
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.qihoo.cleandroid

-cache & junk cleaner (better than 1tap cleaner, BUT BE CAUTIOUS)
-startup manager
-memory booster
-privacy shredder
-nice & sleek ui layout ;)

i stopped using 1tap cleaner since it has quite many intrusive ads

For some reason could not install Magic Piano by Smule on my tvbox which is seen as a Nexus 10 but will on my phone DG550, but found another great app for learning the piano or just playing with.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamestar.perfectpiano&...

This website organized the apps in a perfect way. Interested user can easily find the required apps and games by exploring the desired categories.
User can also read the user reviews and comment relating to app and find the interested software. In very few website you can find such valuable information.

Some of the stuff on this list looks old Navigator SNAV https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=appinventor.ai_nightclubto... Speed increase DU Speed Booster https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.TMillerApps.SpeedBoost... Currency converter https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oanda.currencyconverter Find my car Note also works well to get back to hotels and restaurants in strange towns https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elibera.android.findmy...

I've been using a very lightweight but still great file manager called Simple Explorer. It has material design, root capabilities, 100% free, and open-source.
You won't find it on the PlayStore, though. If you want to check it out, you must go to the official XDA thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2330864

I use Battery Doctor (Battery Saver) by Cheetah Mobile. It seems pretty good.
I also use Cheetah Mobile antivirus (CM Security) and Clean Master.
They seem to have good apps.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator

MapFactor Navigator is a free turn-by-turn GPS navigation app for Android phones and tablets using OpenStreetMaps data. Maps are installed on the SD card so there is no need for an Internet connection when traveling. Map and app updates are FREE every month.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.kman.AquaMail

AquaMail is an email app for Internet and Exchange mail, for Android 2.1 and higher.

Easy automatic setup for popular email services: Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, FastMail, Apple mail services (@me.com / @mac.com), GMX, AOL, and more. Recognizes mail accounts at domains hosted by Google Apps, Yahoo BizMail, and others.

A compelling list, no doubt about it. Thank you for making it.

Two comments:

1. The ZArchiver icon has changed to a new one, update it please.

2. I would like to recommend a very small file manager called 'Fo File Manager' https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.seazon.fo It's a 330Kb download and shows the file attributes of any APK files you have, including the minimum version required. It also displays image files while showing their width and height. No ads, light and fast even on my old 800mhz phone running android 2.3.6.

Many thanks for your kind comments Rickybobby. The ZArchiver app icon has now been updated.

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