Sick of the same old apps? We all know the big ones like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Airbnb are popular, but there's a whole world of amazing apps out there waiting to be discovered. This list dives into the 8 best app experiences on Android and iPhone, whether you're looking to boost your productivity, level up your creativity, or just find some fun.
These apps are not just about being trendy or having a cool name; they're about delivering a user experience that's smooth, intuitive, and actually enjoyable. So ditch the boring apps and explore this curated list of the most innovative and engaging apps that are sure to change the way you use your phone.
| App | Logo | Available On | Reviews | Downloads | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Instagram |  | Android, iOS | 4.6/5 | 6B+ | Ephemeral Stories and Notes, Customized Posts, Short-Form Video Reels |
| 2. LinkedIn |  | Android, iOS | 4.2/5 | 2B+ | Professional networking, Job searching, Career development |
| 3. Airbnb |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 184M+ | Curated home collections, 100+ search filters, Centralized trip management |
| 4. Nike |  | Android, iOS | 4.8/5 | 81M+ | Exclusive product access, Personalized recommendations |
| 5. Yelp |  | Android, iOS | 4.6/5 | 64M+ | Local business reviews, Food delivery and takeout, Home services booking |
| 6. Expedia |  | Android, iOS | 4.7/5 | 59M+ | Member-exclusive discounts, Price tracking and predictions |
| 7. Chime |  | Android, iOS | 4.8/5 | 25M+ | Overdraft up to $200, No monthly fees, Get paid early |
1. Instagram
Share Stories and Reels, Connect with Close Friends, Discover and Follow Interests
Cost:
Free (Free), Instagram Creator Subscription ($14.99/month (USD))
Download:
Application information
| Category | Social |
| Downloads | Over 5.5 billion downloads |
| Features | Instagram offers photo and video sharing, stories, reels, direct messaging, live streaming, shopping, and influencer marketing features, allowing users to connect with friends, follow interests, and build a personal brand. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone who wants to connect with friends and family, share their experiences, follow interests, and build a personal brand. |
- Tags:
- Ephemeral Stories
- Customizable Posts
- Interest Exploration
Instagram presents a mixed bag of app experiences. While it excels at sharing photos and short videos, its learning curve can be steep, leaving users feeling like they're navigating by trial and error. Many users find themselves frustrated with persistent bugs, such as glitching Stories and an inability to view insights. Additionally, the app can be prone to frustrating loading issues, inconsistent notifications, and even glitches that obscure text, making it difficult to read. While users appreciate the potential of the platform, these persistent issues can significantly impact their overall experience.
Pros & Cons
- Share photos and videos
- Connect with friends and family
- Discover new content and trends
- Build a personal brand
- High learning curve for new users
- Frequent bugs and technical issues
- Limited insights and analytics
Why we chose it?
Instagram is my go-to for staying connected with friends and family, discovering new trends, and getting lost in captivating content. I love how easy it is to share my life through photos and videos, and the Reels feature is a blast for creating fun, short-form content. With its diverse community and endless stream of inspiration, Instagram never fails to keep me entertained and informed.
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2. LinkedIn
Job search and application, Professional networking and connections
Cost:
Free (Free), Premium ($29.99/month)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Business |
| Downloads | Over 1.5 Billion Downloads |
| Features | The LinkedIn app offers professional networking, job searching, career development tools, industry insights, and the ability to connect with a vast community of professionals. |
| Who It’s For | Individuals seeking career advancement, job opportunities, business connections, professional development, and industry insights. |
- Tags:
- Professional networking
- Job search and discovery
- Career development
The LinkedIn mobile app, while boasting a vast professional network and a wealth of job listings, unfortunately delivers a frustrating user experience. The app frequently glitches, making it nearly impossible to apply for jobs, save searches, or even complete job applications. Users have reported issues with filtering job searches, with location settings failing to properly filter results, and the app showing jobs from distant locations. Further compounding the frustration, scrolling context is not saved between screens, and notifications often display incorrect counts, adding to the overall feeling that the app is in dire need of polish and improvement.
Pros & Cons
- Connect with professionals
- Discover job opportunities
- Build professional network
- Showcase skills & experience
- Frustrating app experience
- Glitches during job applications
- Limited job filtering options
- Annoying notifications
Why we chose it?
LinkedIn is my go-to for professional networking and job hunting. I love how easy it is to connect with people in my field, find relevant job openings, and learn about industry trends. The app's clean interface makes it a breeze to navigate, and I appreciate how it helps me stay organized with my job search and professional development.
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3. Airbnb
Curated collections of homes, 100+ filters for customization
Download:
Application information
| Category | Travel & Local |
| Downloads | Over 183 million downloads |
| Features | The Airbnb app helps you find, book, and manage unique accommodations, experiences, and travel plans globally, with features like search filters, communication tools, payment integration, trip planning, and more. |
| Who It’s For | Travelers seeking alternative accommodations and experiences, both short-term and long-term, who want to connect with local hosts and discover unique places to stay. |
- Tags:
- Personalized search
- Wide variety of listings
- Detailed property descriptions
The Airbnb app, once lauded for its seamless and intuitive experience, has become a mixed bag for users. While some rave about its ease of use and expansive selection of listings, others are frustrated by its recent decline in functionality. Users lament the loss of filters, the difficulty in finding suitable options, and the persistent bugs that impede communication and navigation. The app's design seems to prioritize promoting hosting over guest experience, leading to an overwhelming sense of clutter and inconvenience for many.
Pros & Cons
- Seamless and intuitive
- Full functionality for hosts
- Easy photo sorting
- Large selection of options
- Keyboard overlaps text box
- Lack of useful search filters
- Frustrating search experience
Why we chose it?
Airbnb is my go-to app for finding unique and affordable places to stay. I love that I can easily browse through tons of listings, read reviews from other travelers, and book directly with the host. It's also super convenient to manage my trip details, like messaging the host or checking in, all within the app. The app makes it easy to find a place that fits my budget and travel style, and I always feel confident booking with Airbnb.
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4. Nike
Personalized product recommendations, Exclusive member access & deals
Download:
Application information
| Category | Shopping |
| Downloads | Over 80 million downloads |
| Features | The Nike app offers personalized shopping experiences, access to exclusive products, and the latest news on releases, allowing users to easily find and purchase the perfect items for their style and performance needs. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone interested in Nike products, including athletes, fashion enthusiasts, and collectors. |
- Tags:
- Exclusive Member Access
- Personalized recommendations
- Seamless Shopping Experiences
The Nike app presents a mixed bag of app experiences. While users appreciate the app's quick and affordable shipping, as well as its helpful customer service, many find the interface cumbersome and lackluster. The app's layout is criticized for its cluttered feel, making it difficult to navigate and find specific items, especially when dealing with variations in size and color. A common complaint revolves around the lack of clear product differentiation, and users express a strong desire for easier access to favorite items. However, those who enjoy the app highlight its intuitive search functionality and personalized recommendations, making the shopping experience more enjoyable. Ultimately, the Nike app offers a blend of positive and negative app experiences, leaving room for improvement in terms of user-friendliness and navigation.
Pros & Cons
- Easy item categorization
- Recommended comparable items
- Friendly customer service
- Simple and quick returns
- Unfriendly user interface
- Difficult to find favorites
- Unclear product selection
Why we chose it?
The Nike app is a must-have for anyone who loves sports and fashion! It's packed with exclusive deals, personalized recommendations, and seamless shopping experiences that make it a joy to browse and buy. You'll find everything from the latest sneakers and apparel to workouts and training plans, all in one easy-to-use app.
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5. Yelp
Discover local businesses easily, Read reviews from real users
Download:
Application information
| Category | Food & Drink |
| Downloads | Over 63 million downloads |
| Features | Find local businesses, read reviews, share photos, book reservations, order food delivery, get quotes for services, and contact businesses directly. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone looking to find and discover local businesses, restaurants, services, and experiences. |
- Tags:
- Local Business Reviews
- Restaurant Reservations
- Food Delivery Service
Yelp's mobile app offers a robust and user-friendly experience for discovering local gems, whether it's a new restaurant or a hidden shopping spot. The "Open Now" feature is a lifesaver for spontaneous outings, and while users crave a persistent "Open Now" setting, they rave about its efficiency. However, the recent removal of address copy functionality has sparked frustration, with users lamenting the inconvenience of relying on the default GPS app. Despite this hiccup, the app's core functionality – finding local businesses and exploring reviews – remains highly valued. The app's accuracy, however, needs refinement, as users express concern about misleading search results. The recent update, while addressing previous freezing issues, has introduced a new challenge: limited access to past reviews. While the app excels at discovering new experiences, its user-friendliness is marred by these recurring usability issues.
Pros & Cons
- Find restaurants and shopping
- Open Now feature useful
- Helps find great places
- Events around town and near
- Can't copy addresses anymore
- False search results often
- Difficult to access past reviews
Why we chose it?
Yelp is my go-to for finding amazing local spots! It's a total lifesaver for discovering new restaurants, cafes, and even hidden gems I wouldn't have found otherwise. I love how I can easily browse reviews, see photos, and even make reservations all within the app. Plus, the "Explore" feature is super helpful for finding things to do near me, so it's perfect for planning outings with friends or a solo adventure!
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6. Expedia
Find deals on flights hotels cars, Track prices get notified of drops
Download:
Application information
| Category | Travel & Local |
| Downloads | Over 59 million downloads |
| Features | The Expedia app helps you find and book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and vacation packages with features like price tracking, member-only deals, and personalized recommendations. |
| Who It’s For | Anyone looking to plan and book their next trip, whether it's a weekend getaway, a family vacation, or a business trip. |
- Tags:
- Member Discounts
- Price tracking
- In-Trip Extras
The Expedia app promises a seamless travel experience, but recent updates have left some users frustrated with its performance. While many appreciate the app's convenience for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals, a recurring issue of "Too Many Requests" errors on public Wi-Fi has made the app unusable for some. Additionally, users have reported issues with the app's login function, booking changes, and responsiveness compared to the website. These glitches have led some to abandon the app altogether, emphasizing the need for Expedia to prioritize app stability and user experience.
Pros & Cons
- Easy flight, car booking
- Instant access to deals
- Convenient trip planning tool
- Provides hotel discounts
- Sign-in issues persist
- App functionality is buggy
- Limited features compared to website
Why we chose it?
Expedia is my go-to app for planning and booking trips because it's so easy to use and find amazing deals. I love that I can search for flights, hotels, and even car rentals all in one place, and their price tracking feature helps me snag the best rates. Plus, the app is packed with helpful features like trip planning tools, destination guides, and travel tips that make every journey stress-free.
7. Chime
Fee-free overdraft protection, Early direct deposit access, No monthly maintenance fees
Download:
Application information
| Category | Finance |
| Downloads | Over 25 million downloads |
| Features | Chime offers fee-free banking with no monthly fees, early payday, overdraft protection, and budgeting tools. |
| Who It’s For | People looking for a free, user-friendly banking experience with convenient features like early access to paychecks and overdraft protection. |
- Tags:
- Overdraft up to $200 fee-free
- Get paid up to 2 days early
- No monthly fees‡
Chime's mobile app experience is a mixed bag. While users praise features like early paychecks, automatic saving, and the handy "Spot Me" overdraft protection, recent design changes have left some feeling frustrated. One user described the app as "completely unresponsive" with taps registering as dead ends, preventing access to core functionalities like transferring money or viewing purchases. Another user found the app cumbersome for simple tasks like sending money to friends, highlighting the disconnect between the intended user experience and the app's actual performance. These comments highlight the importance of balancing user-friendly design with robust functionality in creating a positive and seamless app experience.
Pros & Cons
- Early payday, convenient
- Automatic saving features
- Great customer service
- Spot me feature helpful
- New app design bad
- App unresponsive, frustrating
- Unwanted debit card
Why we chose it?
I absolutely love Chime! It's super easy to use and I'm always on top of my finances with the clear and helpful app features. The fee-free overdraft protection is a lifesaver, and getting paid early with direct deposit is a huge bonus. Chime makes managing my money a breeze!
8. Yahoo Finance
Real-time market data updates, Personalized news & alerts, Portfolio tracking & management
Cost:
Free (Free), Yahoo Finance Premium (Not available as a separate app purchase. Premium features are accessible through a Yahoo subscription.)
Download:
Application information
| Category | Finance |
| Downloads | Over 19 million downloads |
| Features | The app offers real-time stock and crypto tracking, personalized news and alerts, portfolio management, and detailed financial analysis tools. |
| Who It’s For | Investors, traders, and anyone interested in staying informed about financial markets. |
| App Experiences | Yahoo Finance offers a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for staying informed about financial markets, managing your portfolio, and making informed investment decisions. |
- Tags:
- Real-time market data
- Personalized news and alerts
- Portfolio tracking
The Yahoo Finance app offers a mixed bag of experiences on mobile. While users praise its constantly evolving features, including the intuitive portfolios and watchlists, and the smooth transition from desktop to mobile, a persistent glitch has emerged, causing frustration and rendering the app unusable for some. Users describe the app as "constantly being improved," with "awesome" portfolios and watchlists. However, a recurring issue with the app suddenly refreshing while scrolling through lists of stocks leaves users feeling "unusable" and longing for a fix. This, combined with the occasional display of outdated or inaccurate stock data, creates a sense of inconsistency in the app's performance, making it a useful tool for some but ultimately unreliable for others.
Pros & Cons
- Runs smoothly and efficiently
- Portfolio and watch lists are great
- Desktop version seamlessly integrates
- Constantly being improved and updated
- App experiences persistent scrolling glitches
- Data displayed is often outdated and inaccurate
- Speed has significantly slowed down
Why we chose it?
Yahoo Finance is my go-to app for staying on top of the market, and I think you'll love it too! It's packed with real-time data, personalized news, and powerful portfolio tracking tools, making it super easy to manage my investments and stay informed on the latest market trends. The user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to navigate and find exactly what I need, whether I'm checking stock prices, reading breaking news, or analyzing my portfolio's performance.