How to Find Free Apps for IOS and Android
Even when the paid version of the app only costs a few dollars up front, there is something about paying for a service you used for free that might seem like a bridge too far. Flash sales, where apps are discounted or free for a limited time, are great for getting apps you’ve viewed but don’t spend your hard-earned money on, and discovering new tools to boost your productivity (or wasted the time spent is more pleasant). Even if they just take up space after a single use, free means no commitment and no fault. The trick is to catch these trades while they last.
Unsurprisingly, there are (free) apps for this. Here’s where to start.
Free Apps / AppAdvice Daily ( iOS )
Use AppAdvice Daily, formerly known as AppsGoneFree , to find paid iOS apps available for free download. AppAdvice Daily also picks options based on audience and offers its own ratings and reviews, and you can browse the archives by day to find offers that are still active.
AppsFree ( Android )
AppsFree oversees AppSales and tracks free Android apps. You can filter to see only the categories of apps that interest you, and the list is updated in real time. There is also a version of AppSales that shows discounted apps but still paid for, as well as a list of apps that are “now free.”
If you don’t want to download the app to find other apps, you can view the same offers on their websites or follow them on social media. If you’re an iOS user, there are other apps like Price Tag and sites like AppShopper that let you search for apps, create wishlists, and set up push notifications for price drops.
iOSnoops (iOS)
iOSnoops conducts a daily roundup of free iOS apps. It doesn’t have an app version, but you can browse the offers on their mobile site and go to the App Store. You can also see trades from previous days. If the trade is still active, you will see a green icon next to the word “Status”. When it expires, the icon turns red. iOSnoops also has real-time updates for sales, free apps, and new releases, so you don’t have to wait for a daily review.
Another option is to subscribe to the r / googleplaydeals and r / apphookup subreddits for updated offers.
How to find truly free apps
Of course, there are thousands and thousands of iOS and Android apps that are always free to download. Please note that Apple is no longer labeling apps as “free” – although many are free to download, in- app purchases such as subscriptions may be required to unlock some features or take full advantage of features. On iOS, any app with a Get button is free to download, but not necessarily free to use or play. Paid apps have a price instead of Get.
On Android, free apps have an Install button, while paid apps display a price and a Buy. Free Android apps can also have in-app purchases.
To find free iOS apps, open the App Store and tap Apps at the bottom of the screen. From there, scroll down to the Top Freebies section and click on See All. While on the Top Charts screen, you can switch between free and paid apps.
If you’re looking for a specific app but aren’t sure if it’s free, you can find it by clicking Search in the lower-right corner of the App Store, typing the app’s name into the search bar, and searching for Get next to the app’s name.
On Android, open the Google Play Store app and navigate to Top Charts at the top of the screen. You will be able to see Top Free Apps as one of the options, and you can also search for specific apps to see if they are free.