The Apps You NEED In Your Life
Do you own a smartphone or tablet? Here are 24 brilliant apps to make your life healthier, less hassled and more fun!
HOBBIES AND FUN
Libby
Are you a book lover? Meet your new best friend, Libby. Download the app and access thousands of free-todownload e-books and audiobooks. Use the app’s in-built e-book reader or send books to your Kindle.
Writerly
A perfect way to get that bestseller finally under way, the Writerly app features warm-up creative writing exercises and activities, top tips to beat writer’s block and progress trackers.
Colorfy
Indulge your inner child with this great colouring-in app. New designs added each week, plenty to choose from and you can even make your own custom designs.
Duolingo
An addictive game you needn’t feel guilty playing… you’re actually learning a language! Compete against friends as you practise in any of the app’s supported languages which include Spanish and Swahili!
STREAMLINE YOUR LIFE
RingGo
Always searching the car for parking change? Take the pain out of parking forever with this app which lets you pay for parking via the app in just a few seconds.
As you browse the internet, use this app to save items that catch your eye for later viewing. View, organise and share them with your friends, even if you’re offline.
Money Dashboard
Keep track of your spending and view all your accounts in one place. You can see your income and outgoings at a glance and also have access to a useful budget planner feature.
Waze
Never get caught in a traffic jam again – on this community-based traffic app drivers can share real-time traffic information and make other drivers aware of accidents and roadworks so you can plan your quickest route.
TRAVEL AND DAYS OUT
SeatGuru
A good seat on the plane can make all the difference to your holiday. Use the SeatGuru app to view seating plans for dozens of airlines, complete with plenty of reviews from past passengers.
PackPoint
Streamline your holiday packing. This app creates a bespoke packing list for your trip – enter destination, activities, travel date and length of stay. Easy!
TripIt
Keep all your tickets and email confirmations for hotel bookings, car hire etc. in one easy place. Simply forward them all to the app and the system will sort it out into a handy digital itinerary.
National Trust
Plan days out at 500+ National Trust locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The app will let you know how to find the property and key information including details of special events.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Chill Panda
Learn to relax and manage your worries with this useful app which measures your heart rate and suggests simple tasks like breathing techniques and light exercises.
Pzizz
Fill your mind with calming thoughts and fall asleep fast. This app which uses “dreamscapes” – a mix of music, voiceovers and sound effects designed using latest clinical research – to help you sleep better.
MyFitnessPal
Just like your own personal trainer, this app will help you track diet and exercise goals. Scan the barcodes of food items to track your calorie intake.
Liva UK
Use the app to help you manage conditions such as diabetes, heart problems and obesity, and make changes to your lifestyle. Receive expert guidance from a dedicated coach too.
FOOD AND DRINK
Smart Recipes
Access over 160 delicious, healthy recipes from this NHS Change4Life app. Use it to plan meals, cook healthily on a budget and even keep track of what you need to buy on a handy shopping list feature.
21-Day Vegan Kickstart
Fancy giving a vegan diet a go but not sure where to start? This easy-to-navigate app provides three weeks of suggested meal plans, all with step-by-step instructions and ingredients lists.
Too Good To Go
Help tackle food waste and bag a foodie treat with this app. Connecting users with shops and restaurants with surplus food, you can buy unsold food at discount prices to prevent it being thrown away.
Vivino
If you love a glass of wine, this is the app for you. Take a picture of any wine label and the app will show you ratings, reviews and average prices. 24 million users are signed up and you can add your own ratings, too. BEST OF THE REST…
Style My Hair
Fancy a new style but not sure where to start? L’Oréal Professionnel is behind this fab hair makeover app that allows you to virtually try out countless new looks.
Moon And Garden
This novel approach to gardening uses the moon cycles to determine which gardening tasks you should do depending on current lunar phases. The app will tell you what to do, when, for an organic garden to be proud of!
Elf Yourself
Fun, festive and endlessly entertaining, the app allows you to turn yourself, family and friends into little elves dancing to a range of festive tunes. Create videos to save or upload to Facebook.
Charity Miles
Make that workout really count using this app which donates money via corporate sponsors. Run, walk, bike – every mile counts! Start the app when you’re about to exercise and be inspired to literally go the extra mile!