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As 2021 draws to a close, Apple and Google have been busy creating their lists of the best apps of the year. These lists may include apps you already have or are familiar with. You may also discover your new favorite must-have app you’ll be eager to share with your friends.
Check out these apps for fun, relaxation, fitness, entertainment, self-improvement, and so much more. These lists include many helpful apps no matter what device you have. Most of these apps are available on multiple platforms.
These lists aren’t necessarily the best-selling or the most downloaded apps. Instead, these lists include what Apple and Google regard as the best apps of 2021.
Have an iPhone? Check out the top Google apps list. Have an Android tablet? Check out the top Apple apps list. You never know how you’ll discover your next favorite app!
Here are the Apple and Google lists of the best apps of 2021, complete with links to download them:
Apple’s Best Apps of 2021
Apple’s best apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV offer something for everyone. From education to games to creative arts, these apps can entertain and enrich us.
iPhone App of the Year
Toca Life World is Apple’s iPhone App of the Year for 2021. This educational game lets players create virtual playgrounds with characters and stories. With over 100 locations and 500 characters, this game has endless possibilities for learning and fun.
Toca Life World is free to download with in-app purchases available.
iPhone Game of the Year
Apple chose League of Legends: Wild Rift as its iPhone Game of the Year 2021. This multiplayer online battle arena game originated as a PC game and has been transformed into an iPhone app for playing on the go.
League of Legends: Wild Rift is available free and offers in-app purchases.
iPad App of the Year
LumaFusion is Apple’s iPad App of the Year for 2021. This video editing app lets you add layers, soundtracks, transitions, markers, stabilization, and more to your videos using your iPad or iPhone.
LumaFusion is $29.99 with in-app purchases available for additional audio clips and desktop access.
iPad Game of the Year
MARVEL Future Revolution is Apple’s iPad Game of the Year 2021. This interactive game lets you and other players on your Squad battle the Deviants who are trying to destroy the human race.
MARVEL Future Revolution is free to download with in-app purchases available.
Mac App of the Year
Apple’s choice for Mac App of the Year is Craft, an app that lets you create and edit notes and documents. With Craft, you can create notes and documents that include backlinks, code snippets, images, videos, attached PDF files, and rich link previews.
Craft is free in the Mac App Store with in-app purchases available.
Mac Game of the Year
Apple’s Mac Game of the Year, Myst, might seem familiar to you because it was launched as a game way back in 1993. Now Myst is available as an app for PCs and Macs. This classic game has been redesigned especially for computers and includes new graphics, stories, puzzles, and mysteries.
This video introduces the new Myst:
Myst is available in the Mac App Store for $29.99.
Apple TV App of the Year
DAZN, the Apple TV App of the Year, lets users watch sporting events on-demand. If you cut the cable at home or can’t watch your favorite sport at a local bar, check out DAZN, a free app for Apple TV.
This app lets you watch live-stream broadcasts, documentaries, and archives, all on-demand. Watch sports such as boxing, darts, snooker, soccer, pool, and extreme sports.
The app is free to download with subscription fees required for viewing.
Apple TV Game of the Year
Space Marshals 3 is a story-driven action game that Apple named its Apple TV Game of the Year. The story continues from previous Space Marshal games, but you don’t need to play those games to enjoy this one, according to the developer.
Space Marshals 3 is available free for Apple TV, with an in-app purchase required to advance to higher levels.
Apple Watch App of the Year
Carrot Weather, was named the Apple Watch App of the Year for 2021. This Watch app has complications and updates conditions in the background to bring the current weather report to your wrist.
Carrot Weather is free, with a subscription available for additional features.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year
Fantasian is the game that Apple chose as the Apple Arcade game of 2021. This adventure/RPG (role-playing game) game from the makers of Final Fantasy uses over 160 hand-made dioramas that the characters move through during the game.
Fantasian is available for subscribers of Apple Arcade.
Google Apps
These apps were chosen by the editors of Google Play, as well as by users, as the best apps of 2021:
Best App of 2021
Google chose Balance: Meditation and Sleep as its Best App of 2021. This app can help you relax, destress, get better sleep, and meditate.
The app is free to download and a paid subscription is available. For a limited, the app is offering a free one-year membership.
Also check out => 10 Free Apps to Help You Sleep Better — Infographic
User’s Choice App of 2021
Google Play users voted and chose the video streaming app Paramount + as their favorite app of 2021. This app offers live sports, breaking news, and over 30,000 episodes from channels such as CBS, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Comedy Central, BET, MTV, and Smithsonian Channel.
Paramount + is free to download and a subscription fee is required to watch, after a free trial.
Other Google Best App Categories
Google Editors Chose multiple apps as Best of 2021 in the following categories:
Best for Fun
Best Hidden Gems
- Laughscape — relax with comedy
- Moonbeam — podcast discovery
- Moonly: Moon Phase Calendar, Cycles and Astrology
Best Everyday Essentials
Best Apps for Personal Growth
- Balance: Meditation and Sleep (link above in Best App of the Year)
- Clementine
- Uptime: 5-min Books, Courses, Documentaries
Discover more helpful apps at => 8 Apps to Help with Mental Health [Infographic]
Best Apps for Good
Best Apps for Wear
Best Apps for Tablets
Popular on Google TV
Find out more about Tubi at => Tubi TV – Watch Movies and TV Shows for Free
Learn more about the best Google apps of 2021 at the Google Blog: Google Play’s Best of 2021.
Your Thoughts
Have you tried any of these Best Apps of 2021? Which of these are your favorite apps? Which apps would you recommend as the Best of 2021?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
Hi Carolyn,
In an age where online world has opened so many opportunities of learning and you spoke about the endless possibilities about fun through the series of apps.
I am really going to check them to get a sense about the refreshing change which I can potentially draw with the games.
Thanks again
Hi Afzal, Yes, these apps cover a broad range of interests so you should be able to get plenty of inspiration from these lists. I hope you do find your new favorite apps in these lists, Afzal!
Its a bit disappointing that Apple and Google concentrate so much on games. I’m amazed people have time for that. I’m trying to run an art & maker business so it would be nice to see more improvements in Social Media apps. I can’t keep up!
Hi Ann, You’re right, improvements to social media apps would be welcomed by many! There is much room for improvement with these apps, perhaps 2022 will bring these improvements.
But I respectfully disagree with you about gaming apps. Games can be an excellent diversion from the stresses of daily life. If they improve your mind by solving puzzles and improving your vocabulary, then all the better!