Free smartphone apps Which? experts can't live without

When the original Apple iPhone launched in 2007, it featured just 15 available apps. Today, the App Store offers an estimated 1.5 million, while the Google Play Store has around 1.7 million.

To help you decide which apps are worthy of a place in your app tray, we've brought together the collective wisdom of Which? researchers and editors to create a handy shortlist to get you started — from essential tools for travel, money management, productivity, and entertainment, to those that support your physical and mental wellbeing.

All of the apps we've listed are free or offer a free tier, unless stated otherwise.

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Getting around

When quizzing Which? staff on their most-used apps, Google Maps and Apple Maps were mentioned several times. Satellite mode on both was called out for particular praise, and lets you zoom into pretty much anywhere in the world.

Harry Rose, Editor of Which? Magazine, says: 'I look at satellite mode with my five-year-old son, who loves exploring Africa'.

Citymapper – for help with public transport

Price: Free
Available on: iOS, Android

Rob Lilley-Jones, podcast and video producer, told us: 'I never go on a journey without looking at Citymapper first, especially given the case with which it integrates all the main public transport networks"

If you're visiting a major city, mastering the complex public transport system can be crucial. This is where Citymapper is excellent: tell it where you want to go and it'll show you how to get there via train, bus, bike, taxi, or even combinations of all four.

The brainy app is backed by live data, so if a train line is experiencing delays, it will suggest a quicker route to take instead. Citymapper will even show you where to stand on the platform if you want a super-speedy exit at your destination.

AllTrails – for scenic walks

Price: Free (£35.99 a year lets you download offline maps and get alerts for wrong turns)
Available on: iOS, Android

Tom Morgan, Senior Content Producer, says: 'This trail-finding app helps you to discover hikes with stunning views, thanks to its community-based rating system. If you're in the mood for a picturesque walk, you can load up the app and filter by user score, location, difficulty, length and accessibility.'

As you complete trails, they'll get added to your profile page. You can also leave some notes for other walkers if you think there's anything they should be aware of – a section of path that's overgrown or a nice stop-off point, for example.

If you're planning on going far off the beaten track, make sure you have a back-up plan – you can't always trust free maps, plus you could lose your phone. If you're on a walking holiday in the UK, you might want to consider Ordnance Survey (OS) maps.

Discover the best UK walks – we reveal walking routes near you that are ideal for scenery, wildlife and peace and quiet.

Be more productive

Google Keep – for arranging sticky notes

Price: Free
Available on: iOS, Android

Google Keep is a virtual pinboard that helps you arrange your notes. It supports text-to-speech, as well, so you can quickly record thoughts without typing.

Whether it’s to-do lists, important dates or saved articles to read later, you can carry them with you at all times – and colour-code them to your heart’s content. You can also set a note to pop up on your screen when you arrive at a specific location. For example, you could have a shopping list appear on your phone as you walk into the supermarket.

Despite the name, Google Keep is also available on iOS and works seamlessly across mobile devices and your computer. You’ll need a Google account to get started.

Opal: Screen Time Control – for avoiding distractions

Price: Free (paid subscription lets you track your focus history and 'harder blocking difficulties')
Available on: iOS

Opal helps you save time by functioning as an app blocker. It uses time limits and deterrences to dissuade you from spending too much time on social media or playing games.

To get started, you’ll answer a series of questions about your biggest distractions and when you’re most tempted to pick up your phone. You’ll also be asked to identify the apps you want to block. Achievements are built into the app, and you’ll unlock new ones as you tick off your productivity goals.

The app is exclusive to iOS, but Android users can download ScreenZen for similar features.

Nature

BirdNet – for identifying birdsong

Price: Free
Available on: iOS, Android

BirdNet records birdsong through your phone's microphone and tells you which one you're hearing. It keeps a record of audio clips, so you end up building your own birdwatching diary.

Luke Jeffery, Senior Content Producer, says: 'This free app has completely changed my walks. It’s like having a wildlife expert in your pocket – perfect for anyone who’s curious about nature but doesn’t know where to start.'

Once the app has identified the bird you're listening to, you can tap the screen to learn more. It also features an Explore tool that shows which species have been identified in your area.

Attract birds to your garden with our guide to the best squirrel-proof bird feeders.

Stellarium – for stargazing

Price: Free (paid version is £19.99 and adds more observation tools)
Available on: iOS, Android

Take a closer look at this app if you're a stargazer wanting to know what satellites and constellations you're looking at.

To use Stellarium, activate your phone’s compass and point the device up at the sky. The screen will display real-time information about the constellations you're looking at, and if you tap on them, you’ll get detailed insights into their movements and how they were discovered.

You don't just have to use the app at night, either, as it can simulate how the sky will look that same evening.

For advice on spotting planets without using your phone, consult our beginner-friendly guide to the best telescopes.

Food and drink

Vivino – for keeping track of your favourite wines

Price: Free (the ad-free version is £4.99 a month)
Available on: iOS, Android

The Vivino wine identification app scans a bottle's label to discover what it pairs well with and where you can buy. All of the labels you've scanned are saved to your profile history for quick access in the future.

Hannah Fox, Principle Researcher, says: 'I find this app useful for when I've tried a really delicious wine and want to remember it.'

On the label scan results page, you can also browse reviews from fellow app users – handy if you're at the supermarket and trying to pick between a couple of different tipples.

Alternatively, you can check in with our expert advice on the best red wine and best champagne.

Yuka – for checking the quality of food and skincare products

Price: Free (premium version is £10 a year)
Available on: iOS, Android

Faith Strickland, Content Editor, told us: 'I use Yuka for catching ultra-processed additives and looking for healthier alternatives.'

Once you've created an account, simply point your phone’s rear camera at a product label and wait for a score to appear on-screen. Scan a cereal bar from your cupboard, for example, and you'll see a summary of positives and negatives, including information on saturated fat, energy, sugar, salt, and more.

The paid-for version of the app lets you scan items even when your phone has no signal. You can also search for any product without having to scan it, and set up alerts according to your food preferences.

Manage your money

Splitwise – for sharing expenses

Price: Free (the ad-free version is £3.99 a month)
Available on: iOS, Android

Emily Seymour, Energy Editor, says: 'I like Splitwise. You add things you've paid for [in a group] and it splits it out evenly so you don't have to track who owes what.'

The free app aims to reduce the stress of managing shared expenses, whether you're splitting the bill for a birthday dinner or planning a trip abroad. You can settle up with friends and family using cash or online payments, and the app supports over 100 currencies.

Upgrading to Splitwise Pro lets you log unlimited expenses, attach images and PDFs and scan receipts for quick entries.

PetrolPrices – for saving money on fuel

Price: Free
Available on: iOS, Android

With PetrolPrices on your home screen, you can quickly tap to check for cheaper fuel nearby.

The app compares prices from various retailers, including Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco, and Sainsbury’s, and lets you sort the list by distance from your current location.

You can use the app without creating an account, but setting one up for free allows you to manage your vehicle information. For example, enter your registration plate and the app will remind you of important dates like MOT and tax renewal.

Health

First aid by British Red Cross – for emergencies

Price: Free
Available on: iOS, Android

Hopefully, you'll never have to use it, but this first aid app by the British Red Cross should be on everybody's mobile. It's practical, easy-to-follow instructions help if someone you're with suffers an emergency ailment.

Even if you’re not in an emergency situation, the app is still useful for improving your first aid skills. Tap the 'First aid' tab at the bottom of the screen to access mini-courses — each category includes a quiz so you can test your knowledge after learning.

The free app also contains information about how the British Red Cross works and includes a donation button.

MyFitnessPal – for tracking health and exercise

Price: Free (the ad-free version is £5.42 a month)
Available on: iOS, Android

For less urgent concerns, MyFitnessPal helps you track your calorie intake, daily steps and set exercise goals. It's essentially an all-in-one stats tracker with a barcode scanning feature that lets you quickly log your meals.

From the home screen, you can track how your weight has changed over time and view your remaining calorie allowance for the day. Plus, by tapping the Steps button, you can pair MyFitnessPal with compatible wearables, including devices that use Fitbit OS and Google Fit.

Find out which wearables have soared through our lab tests with our advice on the best fitness trackers and best smartwatches.

Entertainment

BBC Sounds – for podcasts, radio stations and music

Price: Free
Available on: iOS, Android

The BBC Sounds app keeps a good few of our staff informed, educated and entertained. You can listen to all BBC Radio stations and pause or rewind live broadcasts.

Lisa Barber, Which? Tech Editor, says: 'I love listening to mixtape-style programmes while I work. I can select what matches my energy and mood.'

BBC Sounds supports offline listening, so you can download a couple of shows before catching a flight. It also has a built-in sleep timer, so you can drift off without leaving your phone playing all night.

Letterboxd – for cinephiles

Price: Free (Pro version is £17.40 a year)
Available on: iOS, Android

Charlotte Griffiths, Which? Tech Support Manager, says: 'Letterboxd is great to keep track of the shows I've watched and want to watch.'

Think of Letterboxd as a social network for film and TV lovers – it lets you log the films you watch, rate them, and compare your favourites with friends. From the Popular menu, you can tap a film poster to check user ratings and watch the trailer.

The Pro version of the app removes ads and unlocks personalised annual and all-time stats pages based on your diary entries and watched films.

If you want to upgrade your home cinema setup, consult our list of the best TVs for your budget.

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