For something different, let’s take a step back and look at some of the best Android apps on the Google Play Store. These are the most downloaded by the 2.8 billion active Android users.
A note about stock Android apps
We do not add apps that are already available on Android devices. That means we’re excluding Google Play Services (over 10 billion downloads), Gmail (13 billion), Google Maps (12.7 billion), YouTube (13.7 billion), and a few others. We also do not include pre-installed apps on Samsung phones.
We’ve used AndroidRank data to determine the estimated downloads of these popular apps listed below. Numbers in parentheses indicate location changes since July 2022, when we last updated this list.
Read more: The best S Pen apps for Samsung phones with direct download links
1. WhatsApp (=)
9.66 billion downloads
In July 2018, WhatsApp was downloaded 2.9 billion times on Android devices and ranked third in the list of most installed applications. In 2023, it reached a new milestone of 9.6 billion downloads, representing a remarkable growth of over 300% in five years.
WhatsApp – the world’s most popular instant messaging tool – has been owned by Meta since its $19 billion acquisition in early 2014. If you don’t feel like using a messaging app owned by Meta, try one of the WhatsApp alternatives .
Download: WhatsApp (Free)
2. Facebook (=)
It’s no surprise to see Facebook as the second best Android app on the Google Play Store. Despite seemingly endless scandals, questionable privacy practices, and the #deleteFacebook movement, it still reigns supreme and is one of the most popular apps in the Google Play Store.
Not everyone is happy though, as the app has 52 million one-star ratings. It may be justified; The app is full of pointless features that few people use.
3. Messenger (=)
5.61 billion downloads
Messenger’s presence on the list of best Android apps on the Google Play Store reinforces the control that the Meta empire has over the smartphone app market. Messenger has grown in popularity over the past few years, with the increased availability of bots making the service more useful than ever. Also ways to use Messenger without Facebook There are
The app is now kid-safe too, as you can easily change your child’s information and use Messenger’s sleep mode to avoid any distractions while studying or napping.
Download: Messenger (free in-app purchases available)
4. TikTok (+2)
4.51 billion downloads
TikTok’s continued growth shows no signs of slowing down. The app, which allows users to create and share short video clips, was downloaded one billion times in July 2019 and has grown in popularity over the past four years. If you are a creator on the platform, there are various ways you can try to get more fans and followers on TikTok .
Download: TikTok (free in-app purchases available)
5. Instagram (-1)
4.14 billion downloads
Instagram is another one of the best Android apps in the Google Play Store and Meta Apps, which the company bought in 2012. It is one of the most downloaded apps on the Play Store and has far fewer negative reviews than its big brother, with only 30 million giving it one star. . With features like Instagram circles , the app just got a lot more fun!
Download: Instagram (free in-app purchases available)
6. Facebook Lite (+6)
2.92 billion downloads
And we’re back to Facebook. The Lite version of this program is intended for users with inexpensive devices (with 1 or 2 GB of RAM) and those who only have access to slower data networks. There are a few subtle tweaks, but all the core features are there and work as expected.
Download: Facebook Lite (Free)
7. SHAREit (+8)
2.21 billion downloads
It’s not all about social networking and gaming with popular Android apps. SHAREit is the first non-Google productivity app to make the list. This program offers a way to transfer large files between devices within seconds . According to the developer, its speed is more than 200 times faster than Bluetooth.
Download: SHAREit (free in-app purchases available)
8. Netflix (+9)
1.88 billion downloads
Netflix, which is the next best Android app on the Google Play Store, now has almost 238 million subscribers. The service’s mix of original content and old favorites has proven to be a winning formula, and while growth has slowed as streaming competition has increased, the signs are that Netflix’s introduction of a promotional tool has worked well. It is the only on-demand video streaming app in the top 20.
9. Snapchat (=)
Instagram may steal all of Snapchat’s best features, but Snapchat still manages to attract more than 330 million daily users. However, as a percentage of total downloads on Android and iOS, this figure is low. Is it time to worry about the future of the program?
Download: Snapchat (free in-app purchases available)
10. Telegram (+10)
1.63 billion downloads
Telegram, which is the 10th best Android app on the Google Play Store, was originally launched in 2013, but gained notoriety after people worried about their online privacy in one of the competing apps. You can create multiple accounts in the app and you can access these accounts on different devices.
While it works like its competitors, its most notable feature is end-to-end encryption. However, this feature is only available in the “secret chats” section, where users are not allowed to take screenshots or forward texts. With the introduction of the latest features, you can even send a story on Telegram .
11. Subway Surfers (-4)
1.57 billion downloads
It’s the first game on our list – and it’s not even Candy Crush Saga! Subway Surfers is an endless runner game that sees you run down the railroad tracks to escape a police officer and his dog. This game was also included in our list of the most downloaded Android games of all time .
Download: Subway Surfers (free in-app purchases available)
12. Spotify (-2)
1.41 billion downloads
Perhaps surprisingly, it took until 2021 for Spotify to break into the top 20, and now it’s just outside the top 10. The number of paid users continues to grow and is well known as the most popular Android music player. Of course, YouTube Music is pre-installed, which has more users but fewer subscribers.
13. Free Fire: Rampage (-8)
1.39 billion downloads
Launched in 2017, Free Fire is a mobile battle royale game where players fight to survive on a shrinking land. The game starts with 50 players flying over an island in a plane. From the plane, players can jump anywhere they want and find safe space, as well as collect equipment to fight other players. The last person to survive on the island is the winner.
In addition, the game offers special social functions such as adding new friends and chatting with them.
Download: Free Fire (free in-app purchases available)
14. X (-1)
1.38 billion downloads
It should come as no surprise that social media apps have several entries on the Play Store’s most popular downloads list.
X — which is the next best Android app on the Google Play Store, formerly known as Twitter — was just behind Facebook and Instagram in 2018, but Snapchat and TikTok have also overtaken it. A lot of users think that changing Twitter’s name to X is a bad idea , but let’s see what the future holds for this app.
Download: X (free in-app purchases available)
15. Candy Crush Saga (-7)
1.32 billion downloads
You probably thought Candy Crush Saga was the most popular game in raw downloads, but it’s not. Regardless, 1.3 billion Android users love trying to match different colored candies. Maybe it’s time to find a new hobby?
Download: Candy Crush Saga (free in-app purchases available)
16. Skype (+3)
1.17 billion downloads
Skype is a fallen giant. With the release of Windows 11, Skype is no longer pre-installed on the operating system for the first time in over a decade. The business branch has been closed since August 2021, and Microsoft Teams seems to be the company’s focus now. It is expected to drop out of the top 20 in 2024.
Download: Skype (free in-app purchases available)
17. MX Player (+1)
1.16 billion downloads
MX Player, the 17th best Android apps on the Google Play Store, is the most downloaded Android media player with a host of useful features. This application has a clean user interface and supports almost all available codecs and formats. This app offers free and paid version. While the free version offers almost all the features, you have to put up with ads. The paid version costs approximately $6.
Download: MX Player (free in-app purchases available)
18. Viber (-2)
1.10 billion downloads
Viber offers instant messaging, video calling, 520-person group chats, and encrypted communications. The app is one of the most popular WhatsApp alternatives in Europe and North America, although Asian users still prefer LINE.
Download: Viber (free in-app purchases available)
19. My Talking Tom (-5)
1.03 billion downloads
A few years ago, My Talking Tom became a viral hit, making Tom one of the most successful animated characters on the app market. The cat will repeat this after you and you can do several things with him, such as feeding, bathing and putting him to sleep.
Completing these steps regularly also allows you to earn in-app coins that you can use to buy food, clothing, and other items for your cat.
Download: My Talking Tom (free in-app purchases available)
20. UC Browser (-9)
1.00 billion downloads
This free browser has been around for a long time and can be a great alternative to Chrome due to its high speed and ease of use. It supports extensions and offers a download manager that can help you save multiple files. It has a high average score in the Play Store of about 4.5.
Download UC Browser (free in-app purchases available)
Most Popular Android Apps: How Many Do You Use?
So what did we learn from these 20 most popular Android apps by 2023? Our conclusion is as follows:
- It is always premature to claim the destruction of Facebook.
- Entertainment subscription services were the big winners. The trend is expected to continue.
- The online debate about WhatsApp not being secure for personal data doesn’t seem to have affected its ranking on the list.
So now you know what are the best Android apps in the Google Play Store. Have you installed all of them on your smartphone?
Source: MAKEUSEOF.COM