Most useful Android Apps list

App NameDescription
@Voice Aloud ReaderPodcasts are great as they save us time while walking, exercising, or doing something else. This app is a great tool to read aloud PDF documents. Gives a podcast type experience and very useful. Found it to be most non-intrusive among the others.
50 PushupsNo more on play store. Great motivator for doing pushups.
Drum SequencerPlay the drums. Reminds me of Hydrogen on a Linux computer.
Adobe Acrobat ReaderExclusive for Samsung phone owners from Samsung Galaxy Store. Get it there.
AlReaderePub book reader
AndFTPFTP client for Android
ArchiDroidArchiDroid is no more on playstore. Opens any compressed format files.
Autodesk PixlrOne good images manipulation tool on Android. Good for phones with larger memory.
AvesAves can handle all sorts of images and videos, including your typical JPEGs and MP4s, but also more exotic things like multi-page TIFFs, SVGs, old AVIs and more!
SQLite Database ManagerOpens SQLite databases on the Android device.
Audio RecorderAudio recorder by Sony. One of the best audio recorders.
Banking CalculatorEasiest and accurate banking calculator. Use it to compute accrued interest for Fixed Deposits. Most interesting feature is ability to save the results.
Binary EyeQR Code Scanner, no bloat, no ads and free.
Birthday ReminderNo more on playstore. Birthday Reminder that gives alerts based on the birth day entered in Contacts database. This was the most non-intrusive of all reminders.
Bluelight Filter for Eye CareAlways on Bluelight Filter.
Breathe EasyBreathing exercise app.
BreathlyBreathing exercise app. Has multiple breadting techniques in-built.
Cardiac CoherenceCardiac Coherence Respiration exercises(no ads).
Chat SecureSecure Chat Client (No more on playstore). Use instead of Hangouts. Note http://sourceforge.net/projects/secuxabber (SecuXabber) is better, but no more on play store. Install from the SecuXabber sourceforge page.
Citizen CalculatorCitizen Calculator application for android. Emulates the calculator CT500, CT512 very well.
Classic WordsScrabble like game for hours of brain entertainment.
CleanerUse this to clear junk files, cache and reclaim RAM on your Android device.
ConnectBotConnectBOT SSH client for Android.
CPU Speed TestTest CPU Speed of an Android Device
Cyber Law and Data PrivacyCyber Law and Data Privacy App for India.
Dev CheckCheck device hardware. Displays even unheard of information and the best app that does a great job.
DigilockerDigilocker by Meity India
Epson iPrintEpson has this wonderful utility that works well with it’s all-in-one devices.Who said only HP was the printer king?
Financial PlannerGreat financial calculator that is easy to use.
FirefoxWeb browser for android.
FreeCodeCampBest site for programmers or developers.
Frozen BubbleFather of all bubble shooter games.
FTP ServerNo more on playstore. FTP server for android phones. File Transfer.
FuelioCar maintenance and fuel costs tracker.
GnuCashFinally a almost thorough port of the GnuCash Application for an Android device. Use this to manage personal finances.
Google KeepKeep notes or tidbits for reference anytime.
Google LensNever get left out if you cannot understand a language. Scan and translate.
GrasshopperLearn how to code using Google Grasshopper. Get a certificate while at it.
HashDroidVerify checksums of files or text.
Java ExamplesJava Examples to help one quickly brush up knowledge of Java Programming.
Johnson & Johnson 7 minute workoutNo time for exercise? Use Johnson & Johnson 7 minute workout. Simplest app for a quick workout. Read about why 7 minute workouts are good for you.
JStockStock Quotes with reminders at prices.
K-9 EmailEmail Client supports PGP encrypted emails with OpenKeyChain.
Kaspersky AntivirusKaspersky Antivirus for Android. The paid version is the best out there.
KeepassDroidKeepass password wallet on android. Best password manager.
Latest Laws IndiaUse to view latest laws for India.
Lawnchair LauncherHighly customizable launcher for Android devices. Everything customizable.
Learn Java by SololearnLooking for an application on Android devices to Learn Java? This is it. One of the best tutors. Sololearn also teaches other programming languages.
Lekh DiagramLekh Diagram is a simple and effective flowchart maker for Android.
Linux CommandsLinux commands app. For Linux Administrators and Users.
Live LawKeep track of latest law news of India.
Loop HabitsGreat app to enable change in habits over time.
Media ScannerSometimes, music players cannot find music files. Use this to scan storage for media files and build the media database.
MEGA Cloud StorageCloud backup storage.
Memory TrainingBest app to train the brain to recognize visually. Level 2 is really tough.
Messaging ClassicVanilla Android SMS Messaging App. Use if Android Messages app gives errors.
Microsoft EdgeMicrosoft Edge web brwser for Android.
Microsoft ExcelNeed we say more
Microsoft WordBest word processor so far on Android. Edits much faster than the others. No lag.
MillimeterEasy to use Android ruler app.
Mint Business NewsMint newspaper and articles.
mParivahanRegional Transport Office App.
My Cardiac CoherenceGreat app for respiratory exercises.
My Fitness PalCalorie Counter.
My funds Portfolio TrackerMy Funds Portfolio tracker allows tracking of stocks and mutual funds. The advantage over JStock is that it tracks Mutual Funds Net Asset Values (NAV) whereas JStock only tracks Stocks. However, My Funds – Portfolio Tracker also tracks Stocks, but only displays the last traded price the next day. That is true for Mutual Funds NAVs too. If you need to track real-time, and are not afraid to share your data, try using Valueresearch or MoneyControl.
MoneycontrolMoneycontrol financial news and portfolio tracking app.
NetguardThis is, by far, the best among all non-root firewalls on the Google Playstore. Worth every penny paid.
Netstat PlusDisplays all open network ports and the apps that have established connections or are listening on those ports.
Network ToolsNetwork tools for ping, traceroute servers.
Nova LauncherFed up with the default Google Now Launcher on your Android device? Use Nova Launcher to customize look and feel completely.
Offline Survival ManualOffline Survival Manual. Good for trekkers or hikers.
OI File ManagerNo nonsense file manager.
Onkyo HF PlayerAudio player for audiophiles. This app allows you to play high resolution audio on your Android device. The sound quality is too good and the preset equalizer settings are ultimate. If you use a good quality headset and Onkyo HF Player, you can ignore the default player on your device.
Open CameraOne of the best open source and non-intrusive camera apps for Android. Supports white balance, focus and more. Wonder why I did not discover this one earlier!
Open KeychainOpen Key Chain – PGP implementation on Android. Works with K-9 Mail.
Open SudokuOpen Sudoku Game.
OS MonitorLists process, network connections and more of your phone. Best app to detect what your phone is doing.
PedometerVery good non-intrusive Pedometer for android devices. Does not ask for Location Access.
Pencil SketchCreates pencil sketches from photographs.
Photo EditorThis made it to the list as it was the only one able to invert colors like black to white.
Pocket PaintPrivacy oriented paint and photo manipulation app. A leg up on Snapseed.
PlexStreaming movies, TV shows and more.
Pomodoro Timer LiteUse this to take breaks. Pomodoro Timer Lite most appropriate. Tatkov Labs’ masterpiece. Worth every penny paid.
PowerampPoweramp Music Player – Most mature in terms of sound effects and quality.
QPythonNo more on play store. Python interpreter for the Android.
Quickheal Total SecurityAfter Kaspersky, this is the One.
Rocket PlayerMusic Player. Use if you do not have one on your device. After Poweramp, this is the One.
RSO EDIS-LiteDisplays all emergency events happening worldwide. Best if you need to know about emergencies worldwide like typhoons, fires and more.
Samsung Voice RecorderSamsung Voice Recorder.
SaveAPKNo more on playstore. Saves APK files. Use to create app backups.
Schematic MindPowerful mind mapping application. Use if you do not need a desktop version.
SD MaidKeeps Android phone storage clean. Gets rid of orphaned files.
SIM Card InfoDisplay SIM card info (Good for nano/micro SIMs).
SimpleMindPowerful mind mapping application. Has a Windows Desktop version too that runs very well in Crossover Office. Save mind maps to cloud storage and access anywhere. Also exports to freemind format for use with other mind mapping applications.
Simply DoneNo more on play store. To do list. Supports SMS scanning to add to ToDo list.
Sketch AppSketch App from Sony Mobile Communication. Allows drawing as well. Has a lot of clipart too.
Sky MapSimple and sweet stellar viewer. Point to see what’s above you in the sky.
SnapseedPhotos touch up tool like Pixlr.
Solid ExplorerSolid Explorer is a very powerful file manager for Android devices. Supports encryption and hidden folders.
Sound RecorderVery small size sound recorder. Simple, no bells and whistles.
Spirit LevelUtility to display leveling of a surface. Make sure the bubble is at 0!
Task ManagerPowerful Task Manager for Android.
Team ViewerRemote control and provide support to users using Team Viewer from an Android phone. Listed here because it is an essential for remote support.
Ted Simple Text EditorSimple text editor. Replace Notes.
Telegram MessengerMessenger app like WhatsApp, offers more security, secret chats, self-destruct messaging and ability to delete account completely if you do want to use it anymore.
Terminal EmulatorBest terminal emulator on android by Jackpal
Signal Private MessengerIf you’re paranoid about privacy, this is the messenger for you. Better than Telegram.
Display TorchSimple Torch App. Nothing fancy, works on non-LED Flash phones and very fit for purpose.
Turbo EditorEditor for Programmers.
UdemyLearn as you like. Best courses for applications development.
UmangOne stop app for all government services on your Android.
Units ConverterUnits converter. Beats all hands down.
Vivaldi Web BrowserWeb browser for better control on privacy.
VLC PlayerAll in one media player. Now on android. Plays anything it can recognise.
WebgetNo more on playstore. Wget for Android. Download anything just like you would with wget on Linux.
Wifi AnalyzerAnalyze wireless network range.
Word SearchWord search game on android.
Xodo PDF Reader and AnnotatorExcellent application to open PDF files and annotate them. Good to fill forms, comment on PDF files and proof read.
Meditation TimerBe it meditation or peaceful timer for some quiet time, this app can help with prompts at custom time intervals.
SMS Backup and RestoreOne of the best SMS backup and restore apps out there.
Keepass2AndroidUpdated Keepass 2 for Android. This one is by Croco Apps.
SpotifyMusic streaming service online.
AccuradioOnline radio stations.
OfficeSuiteOne of the best office suites if you do not use Microsoft Office 365.
OnlyOfficeFree Office Suite. Works very well.
SourCherryIf you use CherryTree on your desktop, then this is the Android app that reads the cherrytree file on your Android device. See https://askmeaboutlinux.com/2022/08/27/code-snippets-manager-or-things-list-manager-on-linux-for-app-developers-or-normal-users/
EngrossDeep Work. Here I come. If you’ve read Carl Newport’s Deep Work and wish to implement what you learned from it, Engross is the tool for you.
Netspeed IndicatorThe best network speed and traffic indicator on Android.
Free Press JournalAll the news, pointed, focussed and with no opinions. Just a step behind Wion though.
Battery AlarmSounds a battery alarm when charged at 100%. Minimalistic and thorough.
ParrotRandom word generator. Good if you want to exercise memory and recall. For more on memory, refer to Harry Lorayne’s Super Power Memory.
ZArchiverCompressed files and archiver app. Extracts from .xz files too.
SketchbookDrawing app with no ads and open source. Best at what it does. Includes layers too.
screener.inBest app for stock analysis.

2 thoughts on “Most useful Android Apps list

  1. Can I add “Aves” to your list? It is an opensource media gallery with advanced browsing & metadata editing capabilities. It saves the metadata down to files, as EXIF, so when you sync it to your PC you don’t need to redo it again from scratch.

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