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Best Essential Apps

242+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.7 avg rating
20 free apps & games
Updated August 2026

Whether you're new to essential apps or looking for an upgrade, our curated collection of 242+ iOS apps and games has something for everyone. Each app is reviewed and rated by real users, helping you make an informed decision.

Compare top Essential Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1SnapchatSnapchatFree4.5★ (5.9M)YesYesAug 2026
2PinterestPinterestFree4.8★ (5.7M)YesYesAug 2026
3Zoom WorkplaceZoom WorkplaceFree4.7★ (3.2M)NoYesAug 2026
4TikTok - Videos, Shop & LIVETikTok - Videos, Shop & LIVEFree4.7★ (18M)YesYesAug 2026
5Cash AppCash AppFree4.8★ (8.6M)NoNoAug 2026
6Amazon Prime VideoAmazon Prime VideoFree4.8★ (3M)YesYesAug 2026
7Hulu: Stream TV shows & moviesHulu: Stream TV shows & moviesFree4.6★ (1.4M)YesYesAug 2026
8Pokémon GOPokémon GOFree4.0★ (648K)YesYesAug 2026

Top Picks for Essential Apps

Snapchat#1

Snapchat by Snap, Inc.

Share the moment!
Editor's Choice
📷 Photo & Video
4.5😞(5.9M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#2in Photo & Video
Snapchat screenshot 1
Snapchat screenshot 2
Snapchat screenshot 3
Snapchat screenshot 4
Snapchat screenshot 5
Snapchat screenshot 6

Instantly share photos and videos with friends and family. Express yourself with creative tools, connect through live messaging and video calls, and discover content from the community. Save your favorite moments and explore shared memories.

What We Love

  • 💬 Great way to communicate with friends
  • 📷 Convenient for sharing photos and videos
  • 🤳 Fun filters and customization options
  • 🔒 Secure messaging with disappearing content

Room to Improve

  • 🤖 Forced AI assistant that can't be removed
  • 🤢 Dislike for new 3D bitmoji design
  • 🕰️ Frustration over Snapchat+ paywall for basic features
Pinterest#2

Pinterest by Pinterest, Inc.

Fashion, home design and ideas
Strong Contender
🌟 Lifestyle
4.8😐(5.7M ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#1in Lifestyle
Pinterest screenshot 1
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Pinterest screenshot 3
Pinterest screenshot 4
Pinterest screenshot 5
Pinterest screenshot 6

Discover endless inspiration for fashion, home design, and more. Save ideas to personalized boards, shop styles you love, and learn new skills. Unlock billions of ideas for everyday life.

What We Love

  • 💻 Great for inspiration and ideas
  • 🎨 Excellent for creative projects
  • 🔍 Helpful for finding references and tutorials
  • 🧠 Stimulates creativity and imagination

Room to Improve

  • 🤖 Excessive AI-generated content
  • 📢 Overwhelming number of ads
  • 🔄 Constant feed refreshing
Zoom Workplace#3

Zoom Workplace by Zoom Communications, Inc.

AI-first collaboration
Worth Considering
💼 Business
4.7😊(3.2M ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#4in Business
Zoom Workplace screenshot 1
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Zoom Workplace screenshot 4
Zoom Workplace screenshot 5
Zoom Workplace screenshot 6

This app integrates video meetings, chat, phone, scheduling, email, and collaborative documents into one platform. AI features help summarize meetings, draft content, and organize information, streamlining daily tasks and team collaboration.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great app for online classes and meetings
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Reliable and stable platform
  • 🚀 Excellent for connecting families and friends during lockdown

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Audio and video quality issues, especially on mobile
  • 🐛 Glitches and freezes during meetings
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns around data sharing

More Essential Apps apps to explore

4
TikTok - Videos, Shop & LIVE
TikTok - Videos, Shop & LIVE
TikTok - Videos, Shop & LIVE
Watch, discover and stream!
Free

Discover and create short-form videos, stream LIVE content, and shop for products from brands and small businesses. This platform inspires creativity and joy through personalized content feeds and easy-to-use editing tools.

Personalized video discoveryShort-form video creationLIVE streaming
🎬 Entertainment
(18M)
free with in-app purchases
5
Cash App
Cash App
Cash App
Money. Debit Card. Bitcoin.
Free

Easily send and receive money or bitcoin instantly. Save by rounding up change, invest in stocks or bitcoin, and get paid up to two days early with direct deposit. Features a customizable debit card with exclusive discounts.

Send & receive money/bitcoin instantlyRound up spare change to saveInvest in stocks, ETFs, and bitcoin
💰 Finance
(8.6M)
free with in-app purchases
6
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video
Originals, movies, TV, sports
Free

Stream a vast library of movies, TV shows, live events, and sports. Discover original series and films, rent or buy new releases, and enjoy personalized recommendations. Download content to watch offline and create individual profiles for a tailored viewing experience.

Watch original series and moviesDownload videos for offline viewingRent or buy new releases
🎬 Entertainment
(3M)
free with in-app purchases
7
Hulu: Stream TV shows & movies
Hulu: Stream TV shows & movies
Hulu: Stream TV shows & movies
Watch films & download series
Free

Stream thousands of TV episodes and movies, including award-winning classics, blockbuster hits, and exclusive Originals. Choose from ad-supported or ad-free plans, or opt for Live TV with 95+ channels for sports and news. Download select titles for offline viewing.

Thousands of TV episodes and moviesAward-winning classics and exclusive OriginalsAd-supported and ad-free plans
🎬 Entertainment
(1.4M)
free with in-app purchases
8
Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO
Pokémon GO
Epic AR adventure & online RPG
Free

Explore your real world to discover and catch creatures. Train your companions, battle in gyms, and team up with others for epic raids. Your adventure begins as you move through your environment.

Explore and discover creaturesCatch creatures to complete PokédexJourney with Buddy Pokémon
🎮 Games
(648K)
free with in-app purchases
9
SoundCloud: The Music You Love
SoundCloud: The Music You Love
SoundCloud: The Music You Love
Discover 500+ million songs
Free

Discover and stream over 300 million songs from emerging and established artists worldwide. Create personalized mixes, connect with your music community, and support independent creators. Listen for free with ads or subscribe for ad-free listening and offline playback.

Discover new musicCurated mixes and playlistsExclusive tracks
🎵 Music
(1.9M)
free with in-app purchases
10
Yelp: Food, Services & Reviews
Yelp: Food, Services & Reviews
Yelp: Food, Services & Reviews
Discover Restaurants Around Me
Free

Discover local businesses, from restaurants to service providers, with millions of user reviews and photos. Find places to eat, shop, drink, and relax, and book appointments or order delivery directly through the app.

Find restaurants and businesses nearbyRead millions of user reviewsBook appointments and order delivery
🍔 Food & Drink
(2M)
ad-supported
11
Starbucks
Starbucks
Starbucks
Order, pay, and earn Stars.
Free

Easily order your favorite drinks and food ahead of time, customize your perfect beverage, and earn rewards with every purchase. Manage your Starbucks Card, send eGifts, and find nearby stores with hours and amenities.

Order ahead and customize drinksEarn Stars for free food and drinksSave payment methods and scan to pay
🍔 Food & Drink
(8.1M)
free with in-app purchases
12
Subway Surfers
Subway Surfers
Subway Surfers
Join the endless running fun!
Free
$0.99 | 100% OFF

Embark on an exhilarating endless running adventure. Dash through vibrant environments, dodge obstacles, and outrun pursuers. Utilize power-ups like jetpacks and hoverboards to enhance your escape and achieve high scores.

Endless running gameplayDodge oncoming trainsGrind trains
🎮 Games
(3.8M)
free with in-app purchases
13
DoorDash: Food, Grocery, More
DoorDash: Food, Grocery, More
DoorDash: Food, Grocery, More
Food Delivery, Grocery, Retail
Free

Get food, groceries, convenience items, and more delivered from a vast selection of local and national merchants. Enjoy on-demand or scheduled delivery with real-time tracking and convenient payment options. Offers $0 delivery fees on your first order and an optional subscription for unlimited free delivery.

On-demand, same-day deliveryAdvanced delivery schedulingReal-time order tracking
🍔 Food & Drink
(23M)
free with in-app purchases
14
Disney+
Disney+
Disney+
Unlimited entertainment
Free

Stream a vast library of movies and series from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Enjoy exclusive Originals, new releases, and timeless classics with features like 4K UHD, IMAX Enhanced, and multi-screen viewing. Parental controls ensure a safe experience for all.

Exclusive OriginalsNew releases and classics4K UHD and HDR streaming
🎬 Entertainment
(2M)
subscription
15
LinkedIn: Community & Network
LinkedIn: Community & Network
LinkedIn: Community & Network
Find Jobs, Insights and News
Free

This app helps professionals find jobs, build their network, and stay updated on industry news. Create a resume, connect with recruiters, and apply for positions directly within the app. Access business insights and join communities to enhance your career.

Job search and alertsResume builderProfessional networking
💼 Business
(643K)
free with in-app purchases
16
ESPN: Live Sports & Scores
ESPN: Live Sports & Scores
ESPN: Live Sports & Scores
Watch Games, Highlights & News
Free

Stream live sports, on-demand content, and breaking news from ESPN networks. Get personalized highlights, real-time scores, and access to major leagues and sports documentaries. Listen to ESPN Radio and podcasts.

Live game streamingPersonalized highlightsReal-time scores and news
⚽ Sports
(4.1M)
free with in-app purchases
17
Zillow Real Estate & Rentals
Zillow Real Estate & Rentals
Zillow Real Estate & Rentals
Buy & Sell Homes & Apartments
Free

Explore homes and apartments with advanced tools like 3D tours and virtual staging. Estimate your buying budget, connect with agents, and manage the entire home buying or renting process seamlessly. Find your perfect place faster.

3D home toursVirtual stagingBuyAbility score estimation
🌟 Lifestyle
(7.2M)
ad-supported
18
Reddit
Reddit
Reddit
People are the best
Free

Discover trending topics, engage in diverse discussions, and join communities for any interest. Share content, ask questions, and connect with others through a unique voting system that highlights popular posts.

Thousands of community groupsBreaking news and trendsHumorous content and videos
📡 News
(3.5M)
free with in-app purchases
19
Target: Shop. Style. Save.
Target: Shop. Style. Save.
Target: Shop. Style. Save.
Deals on fashion & essentials
Free

Discover seasonal essentials, outfit ideas, and home decor. Shop deals on groceries, pantry staples, and gifts. Enjoy convenient services like curbside pickup and same-day delivery.

Shop seasonal arrivalsCurbside pickupSame-day delivery
🛍️ Shopping
(6.8M)
free with in-app purchases
20
Discord - Talk, Play, Hang Out
Discord - Talk, Play, Hang Out
Discord - Talk, Play, Hang Out
Group Chat That’s Fun & Games
Free

Connect with friends and communities through voice, video, and text. Customize your chat experience with unique emojis and sound effects. Seamlessly join conversations and share activities like watching videos or playing games, all from your PC, phone, or console.

Group voice, video, and text chatCustomizable chat with emojis and soundboardsHigh-quality, low-latency streaming
🌐 Social Networking
(3.5M)
free with in-app purchases

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FAQ about Essential Apps

What are the best essential apps for iPhone?
Snapchat tops our essential apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.5-star average from 5.9M App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top essential apps we rank are free to download, including Snapchat and Pinterest.
Snapchat shows ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 242+ essential apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This application is a fast and fun way to share moments with friends and family. It allows users to send photos and videos, chat through live messaging and video calls, and discover content from the community.
Key features include a camera with Lenses and Filters, live messaging and video chat with up to 16 friends, the ability to create and watch Stories, a Spotlight section for user-submitted content, a Map for location sharing, and Memories to save and edit favorite moments.

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