5 Android and iOS applications to install on your smartphone without hesitation

This top 5 is not like our selections of free applications that we offer you twice a week. Here, we install the applications on our own smartphones and test them. We check if there are not too many in-app purchases, ads and if the applications respect your personal data more or less.

We try to select useful applications, whether for productivity, personalization of your interface or digital well-being. And, our top 5 always includes at least one mobile game. Applications can be free or paid, with or without a subscription. But, it will always be indicated!

We take issues related to in-app purchases and advertisements seriously. This is why we mention them in the descriptions of the affected applications.

Potion Permit (Android & iOS)

The smartphone continues its march forward as a viable console platform, as we’ve seen with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Resident Evil Village, and this week we have Potion Permit. This is an indie game that was ported to the smartphone platform at a decent price. What is the point of this game? It’s about becoming the best chemist in Moonbury. Needless to say, this is a feel-good game, in which you choose to heal and make Moonbury a better place to live, while building meaningful relationships with the rest of its colorful inhabitants.

• Price: $6.99 / Advertisement: None / In-app purchases: None / Account required: No

Potion Permit has a revamped UI to accommodate mobile controls, but serious smartphone gamers will likely own some sort of smartphone controller that frees up screen space for you to have a view overall. Of course, if you still want to take advantage of touchscreen controls, you are free to do so.

You’re sort of the resident wizard, and together with your best friend (a dog), you’ll scavenge for ingredients, brew brews and potions to heal, and bring joy to the community. Not all remedies are herbal, so there is an element of combat in the mix, as you battle dangerous monsters to obtain more powerful ingredients.

Samsung Food: Meal Planning (Android & iOS)

Who said AI on mobile platforms is just about asking questions, giving directions, and creating art? How about managing your food supply? Samsung Food leverages AI to ensure your kitchen is always ready to prepare something delicious and (hopefully) nutritious! This meal prep app lets you save recipes, discover them, and create your cookbook.

That said, you can also use Samsung Food as a shopping list, allowing you to plan online and make sure you have all the ingredients on hand before you jump into making a meal. Of course, once you get familiar with the user interface, it will be very easy to share recipes with other people, or even modify your favorite recipe to suit your family’s tastes.

• Price: Free / Advertisement: Yes / In-app purchases: Yes / Account required: Yes

Samsung Food is a real time saver for those who are busy in the office. After all, planning your meals in advance saves time (and money) in the long run. By knowing the ingredients needed, you can then look at the step-by-step preparation instructions before looking at the calorie count.

Different recipes based on various dietary restrictions are part of Samsung Food, which is expected to cater to a wide range of appetites and cultures.

Vaux: Video and audio editor (Android & iOS)

These days, smartphones are so powerful that it’s not difficult to shoot 4K videos and edit them on the spot. With so many different video editors, which one should you choose? Vaux comes in handy because it supports not only videos, but also audio files.

• Price: Free / Advertisement: None / In-app purchases: Yes / Account required: No

I found the user interface to be extremely intuitive when it came to video editing. Of course, you shouldn’t expect the sun and sky to be as good as a decent desktop video editing app, but Vaux gets all the basic operations done correctly . Simply select different videos, trim them, merge them, and even add a few photos to the mix while you’re at it.

Want to change video speed? If you don’t have the Instant Slo-Mo AI feature on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, don’t worry. You can always control the speed of the video or even reverse playback for some truly hilarious clips.

You can even create interesting memes with Vaux. In fact, you are spoiled for choice! Unfortunately, there are advertisements associated with this application which can fortunately be removed with lifetime access of €33.99, in addition to access to additional features like changing FPS, output quality in merges video, among others.

Goodbudget Budget Planner (Android and iOS)

Balancing your household budget is no easy task. In fact, it might take some practice to get it right. The most important thing is to start with a budget instead of just talking about it and then sticking to it. It’s good to know that there are apps that will help you save money, and Goodbudget is one of them.

The user interface is extremely simple. In fact, it might be too spartan for those of us who are used to pretty graphics and easy-on-the-eye user interfaces. However, I am a strong believer in the primacy of function over form, and Goodbudget lives up to that principle. You can categorize different expenses into various “envelopes” and, from there, enter details like where the money in that “envelope” was spent, the amount, and the date.

There is also a line chart that shows your net income and expenses for the month. It allows you to have a quick overview of your financial situation for the current month. Best of all, your information can be synced across devices, even between iOS and Android. An undeniable advantage for those who live in a house where several mobile operating systems are united under the same roof.

• Price: Free / Advertisement: None / In-app purchases: Yes / Account required: Yes

There are also different accounts that you can track using the same app. This makes it a truly versatile budget planning app for the whole family, from breadwinners to children, who also need to become financially literate early in life to be well-positioned as adults. After all, your retirement funds are intended to help you enjoy life in your old age, not to support your offspring!

Devil Slayer (Android and iOS)

Are you a big fan of the Demon Slayer anime? Well, I think you can call this the budget version of the hit Japanese cartoon. Devil Slayer features a woman who makes the world a better place by getting rid of demons. A rose by any other name would smell just as good, right? This slow-motion role-playing game has stylish graphics and is perfect for passing the time.

It’s perfect for those Sunday afternoons when you want to relax with a simple game. So far the game hasn’t had any bugs and all the controls seem fine.

• Price: Free / Advertisement: None / In-app purchases: Yes / Account required: No

All your powers are ostentatious in nature. In fact, everything about this game is over-the-top and over-the-top, giving you the same feeling as when you first saw summons in Final Fantasy VII on the PlayStation. You’ll also have a familiar to accompany you in your tasks, and small monsters aren’t the only thing to watch out for, as the huge boss fights provide a different kind of challenge.

Is this a grind fest? Of course. Do we get bored after a while? Of course. However, it is the ideal game for those who do not want to bother understanding the complex game mechanics and different combinations.

What do you think of the list of applications presented this week? Did you like any of our recommendations? Is there another app you’re dying to share with the rest of the world? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments!