With almost 9 million apps available in the app stores, it’s safe to say there’s an app for everything. But what are the different categories and types of mobile apps you can choose from?
Let’s find out!
Lifestyle Apps
Lifestyle apps, as the name suggests, are all about enhancing your daily life. They can help you manage everything from your morning routine to your bedtime ritual.
This category includes mobile apps related to:
- Smart homes
- Auto & vehicles
- Beauty
- Food & drink
- Parenting
- Travel
- Art & design
Let’s break it down a bit.
Dreaming of a clutter-free home? You’ll find apps that nudge you towards minimalism or help you organize your space with Marie Kondo-like precision. If travel’s your thing, there are apps that’ll have you booking flights, finding the coziest stays, or even learning a new language in no time.
And for those moments of zen, you’ve got your pick of meditation and mindfulness apps to help you unwind.
Lifestyle Apps Examples
- Alexa
- myChevrolet
- Gratitude: Self Care Journal
- Booking
- Tripadvisor
- The Happy Child Parenting App
- Sketchbook
- Google Home
- Headspace
Social Media Apps
Social media apps cover subcategories like:
- Communication
- Social
- Dating
You’ve got heavy hitters like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (X), where you’ll find most of your friends and brands you follow. Then there are those cozy little corners of the internet tailored to niche communities, from knitting patterns to rocket science.
If you’ve got something cool to share, social media apps are the place to be. It’s where businesses get chatty, artists showcase their masterpieces, and everyone else gets a front-row seat to the show.
But it’s not all fun and games or endless scrolling through dog videos (as awesome as that is). Many of us turn to our feeds to keep our finger on the pulse of the world. News, trends, you name it.
It’s pretty cool how these apps keep us looped in with friends, hobbies, and the world, all in one place.
Social Media Apps Examples
- Twitter (X)
- Telegram
- Discord
- Tinder
- Tumblr
Games/Entertainment Apps
- Mobile Games
- Entertainment Apps
- Music & Audio
- Video Players & Editors
Mobile games and entertainment apps are by far the most popular types of mobile apps. If you’re a developer, this app category can also be the most lucrative!
Mobile gaming apps bring all sorts of adventures to your fingertips, from epic quests in fantasy worlds to quick puzzles you can play while waiting in line. Whether you’re into strategy games that test your brain, action-packed shooters, or calming puzzle games, there’s something for every type of gamer.
On the other side, entertainment apps cover everything from streaming your favorite movies and TV shows to tuning into podcasts or creating and sharing short videos. These apps are like having a personal entertainment center in your pocket. You can catch up on the latest series, listen to music that fits your mood, or explore user-generated content that makes you laugh or think.
Together, gaming and entertainment apps are types of mobile apps for having fun and enjoying a break. They’re designed to keep you entertained, whether you’re looking for a challenge, a story, or just something to fill a quiet moment. With these apps, there’s always something new to discover and enjoy.
Examples of Popular Mobile Gaming Apps
- Royal Match
- Monument Valley
- Genshin Impact
- Rise of Kingdoms
- Monopoly GO
- Candy Crush
Examples of Popular Entertainment Apps
- TikTok
- Amazon Prime
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Disney +
Utility Apps
Utility apps can help you with the day-to-day stuff. They manage your emails, keep your calendar on track, guide you through traffic with maps and GPS, and even let you know if you should grab an umbrella or sunglasses before heading out.
And when you need a flashlight or have to quickly figure out a tip at dinner, these apps have got your back. It’s like having a pocket-sized personal assistant that organizes your digital life at a moment’s notice.
Examples of Popular Utility Apps
- Google Chrome
- Google Maps
- TV remote
- Google Translate
- Accuweather
- Calculator
Productivity Apps
Productivity apps are tools designed to help you get more done with less effort. These types of mobile apps can range from word processors and spreadsheets that let you create documents and manage data to project management tools that help teams stay on the same page with tasks and deadlines.
Email clients and calendar apps fall under this category too – they simplify communication and scheduling. Then there are note-taking apps that make it easy to jot down ideas or meeting points wherever you are, and cloud storage services that ensure you can access your files from any device.
For those looking to fine-tune their work habits, time-tracking apps and focus tools are designed to help you understand where your time goes and minimize distractions.
Examples of Popular Productivity Apps
- Gmail
- Google Drive
- Chat GPT
- Google Calendar
- Dropbox
- Grammarly
- Forest
- Habitica: Gamify Your Tasks
- Todoist
News/Information Apps
News and information apps make it easy to keep up with the news cycle and always be in the know. They give you the latest on what’s happening around the world, your local area, weather updates, and even specific stuff you like such as tech, movies, or sports.
You can read articles, watch news videos, and get alerts for big news stories, all from your mobile device.
You can also set up these apps to show you the news you care about most. So, if you’re really into sports, you can get more sports news and less of everything else. And if something really big is happening, these apps can send you a notification, so you know about it right away.
Examples of Popular News Apps
- The New York Times
- Substack
- Twitter (X)
- NewsBreak
- Quora
- Google News
E-commerce/Shopping Apps
E-commerce or shopping apps are types of mobile apps used to shop from the convenience of your home.
They let you buy all sorts of things, from clothes and gadgets to groceries, without having to leave your house. You can scroll through tons of products, compare prices, check reviews to see if something’s good, and even get deals you might not find in stores.
When you decide you want something, you can add it to your cart, pay for it right in the app, and then wait for it to be delivered to your doorstep. It’s super convenient because you can shop anytime, whether you’re chilling at home or on a break at work.
These apps often remember what you like, show you stuff that matches your tastes, or remind you when something you want is on sale. Plus, returning things you don’t like is usually pretty easy.
Examples of Popular Shopping Apps
- Amazon Shopping
- Walmart
- Nike
- Etsy
- eBay
- Temu
- Poshmark
- Target
- Sephora
- CVS Pharmacy
Health & Fitness Apps
Health and fitness apps are digital tools designed to help you maintain or improve your health and physical fitness.
With these types of mobile apps, you can track your physical activities, such as walking, running, cycling, and more. They can monitor your progress towards fitness goals, guide you through workout routines with instructional videos or animations, and provide nutritional information to support your diet.
Additionally, health apps often include features for monitoring vital signs such as heart rate and blood pressure, tracking sleep patterns, and managing stress levels.
Some are specialized for specific health goals or activities and offer tailored advice and routines. These apps aim to motivate you, make it easier to follow a healthy lifestyle, and provide insights into your overall well-being.
Examples of Popular Health & Fitness Apps
- My Fitness Pal
- Flo Period and Pregnancy Tracker
- Strava
- All Trails
- BetterMe: Health Coaching
- Planet Fitness Workouts
- ShutEye: Sleep Tracker
- BetterSleep
- Couch to 5K
Educational Apps
Educational apps are types of mobile apps that make learning fun and easy. They offer lessons on everything from math and science to new languages or coding and come packed with videos, quizzes, and games to keep things interesting. You won’t even feel like you’re studying.
You can move through lessons at your own pace, and the app will help you track your progress, showing you where you’re doing well and where you might need a bit more practice.
These apps are for everyone, no matter your age or what you want to learn. They’re a handy way to pick up new skills or knowledge whenever you have a few minutes to spare, giving you the freedom to learn wherever you are.
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