We live in a world where little boxes in our pockets can find us dates, call us taxis, deliver our groceries, and even control our T.V.’s. These are crazy and wonderful times we are living in, fellas. We all know about the Twitters, Spotifys, and Ubers of the world, but what about those lesser-known gems? What about the newer apps or the under-the-radar apps for iPhones and Android devices that have made pretty massive waves in the tiny ponds they’re in. The apps we didn’t know we couldn’t live without? Here are the 14 best apps you’ve never heard of.
Brainfood
If you’re anything like us, you probably spend most of your time aimlessly scrolling. Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, Mail, it doesn’t matter as long as you’re diving down the scroll hole. Well, pull yourself out and learn something for once thanks to Brainfood. Brainfood is an ingenious iPhone app that offers bite-sized “knowledge nuggets.” So, enjoy 30 seconds of useful information while sitting on the bus, on the toilet, or on your couch. It’s fun, engaging, and genuinely interesting. iOS
Skiplagged
There are plenty of travel apps out there that’ll help you plan your travel itinerary, book your flights, find you a hotel, etc. But, where Skiplagged is different (and totally amazing), is that it searches a little-known area of bookings called “Hidden City” flights. Essentially, these are flights that can be booked more inexpensively than normal because they occur as layovers to other destinations. It’s a complicated process, but basically, Skiplagged sifts through all the possible combinations in order to get users the cheapest flights possible. No gimmicks, no bullshit. iOS Android
Zombies, Run!
Looking for a little encouragement on your next cardio workout? This app has you covered. Available for both iPhones and Androids, this fitness app turns your run or jog into an interactive game. Here’s how it works. Simply put in your earbuds, start the app, and follow the instructions for your mission. Speed up when the zombies chase you and earn supplies by completing workouts and “missions.” Zombies, Run! combines a health app with a great storytelling feature for a fun and invigorating workout. iOS Android
CARROT Weather
Tired of the pre-downloaded weather apps on your iPhone or Android device? We get it. There are tons of options but few deliver quite like CARROT Weather. Users can set the app’s “personality preference” so if you’d prefer a buttoned-up weather experience, CARROT works fine. Or, if you’d like a little snark and sarcasm with your forecast, you can get that too. While the quips are fun, we appreciate the streamlined, clean design of this weather app. And, best of all, the base app is free. iOS Android
Good Sudoku
Look, the name says it all. There are dozens of sudoku games on the App Store but none are quite like Good Sudoku. Designed by beloved game developed Zach Gage, Good Sudoku is a love letter to the puzzle genre. It teaches you both the basics and the advanced techniques of the game of sudoku. That’s right, Good Sudoku helps you improve. What other games can say that? The clean app design, simple premise, and effective gameplay come together for what is easily my most played game of the past few years. If you consider yourself a fan of sudoku or puzzle games in general, consider giving this a try. iOS
Zocdoc
There’s a good chance you haven’t heard about this seriously useful health service before. Whether you’ve moved to a new city, need to see a specialist, or simply want to change doctors, this app is perfect for you. Zocdoc connects you with doctors in your area who provide services covered by your insurance. It takes the guesswork out of finding a new physician. Plus, the mobile app, available on iPhones and Android devices, makes booking an appointment easy and convenient. iOS Android
Done
Trying to cut down on coffee, drink more water, or learn a new language? Forget keeping track on your iPhone notes app. A habit tracker is just what you need. The cool and colorful design of Done, available only on iPhones, makes tracking your progress on any task a joy. Simply set yourself some goals and start tracking. Plus, Done allows you to take notes and journal on your progress. Done is a simple app but wonderfully effective. iOS
Coinbase
There’s a decent chance you’ve heard of Coinbase. But are you using it? Cryptocurrencies are hot right now. And there’s tons of speculation surrounding that market. But, if you want to get ahead of it all and trade safely and securely, you’ve got to get on Coinbase. Coinbase is the number one trusted cryptocurrency marketplace. Buy, sell, and use your crypto through the Coinbase app. Plus, you can use Coinbase as your hub for all digital assets including NFTs. Coinbase is avaialble on both iPhones and Android devices. iOS Android
Rootd
Mindfulness apps have become all the rage lately. And for good reason. It’s important to keep track of our feelings and recenter ourselves from time to time. Rootd, an adorable iPhone and Android app, is explicitly designed to help folks with anxiety. From guided lessons to breathing exercises to an integrated journal, the app can help you build the skills to manage stress and anxiety. Moreover, if you are actively having a panic attack, Rootd can guide you through it in the moment. (Though, the app also acknowledges that a trained medical professional may be required in severe circumstances.) Rootd advertises a paid plan but the free version offers more than enough to help anyone along the anxiety spectrum with visualization tips, sleep aids, and more. iOS Android
What3Words
Meet the future of maps. While Google Maps is a useful travel and navigation tool, What3Words promises a more precise way of describing locations. The team behind this unique app has blocked out the entire world into 3m squares with each square given a unique three-word tag. The idea is to offer users a more accurate, specific way of finding locations. For instance, if I wanted to meet friends at my favorite bar in New York City I could give them “stale.sings.candle” and they would know exactly where that was on the What3Words app. The development team has suggested that effective use cases could be in emergency situations where it can be hard to locate yourself or on beaches or in parks where there aren’t precise landmarks. At the time of writing, the app is slightly limited in scope as folks would still need to use other apps to direct themselves to locations but this is clearly a very interesting tool and worth exploring. iOS Android
Sunrise
Looking for an alarm app that’s a bit gentler but still effective? The Sunrise alarm clock gets you up with the sun for a soothing morning wakeup. It’s a simple, elegant app that turns on an alarm with one button. Simply click “on” and your alarm will get you up 15 minutes before sunrise. It’s the perfect alarm app for morning people or those who want to get a beautiful view of the sunrise. iOS
Basmo
If you’ve been spending the last year and a half trying your best to read more, worry not. There’s an app for that. Basmo is perhaps the best reading tracker we’ve come across. This iPhone app helps you catalog your current reading list, build your wishlist, and journal your thoughts and reactions to books. Set goals for yourself, take notes while you’re reading, and virtually organize books in your collection. If you’re a bibliophile, this is the app for you. iOS
RunPee
Here’s a hypothetical: You’re at the movie theater and didn’t intend on getting the large Coke with the large popcorn, but it was literally only a dollar more than the regular, so you were like, “WOW, WHAT A BARGAIN!” Before the previews are over, you’ve already downed half the soda. Now you’re filled to bursting with high fructose corn syrup water, and the movie’s about to start. You need a bathroom break, but you don’t want to miss any of the action. What’s a guy to do? BOOM. RunPee. RunPee is an app that tells you the perfect time to run to the bathroom during your movie, and gives you a synopsis of what you’ve missed when you get back. You’ll never miss an important scene again. It’s basically the best app since Tinder. iOS Android
IFTTT
IFTTT (or “If This Then That”) is a clever and powerful app available for iPhones and Android devices. The concept is simple. If “X” happens, then “Y” happens. For example, if I turn off my smart alarm on the door, the living room light turns on. IFTTT connects smart devices, apps, and productivity tools in a streamlined flow. The app is still relatively young but there are plenty of supported programs so you can start integrating across a variety of apps. You won’t be able to schedule any complicated commands at the moment, but for basic things like calendar events, weather alerts, and much more, IFTTT is more than capable. iOS Android
