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.

High Sea Saga DX (Android & iOS)

Do you like the seven seas? If you’ve ever dreamed of embarking on a pirate adventure and terrorizing every passing ship, you can’t go wrong with High Sea Saga DX. This is a port of a console game, but it works perfectly on the mobile platform.

It’s like an office job, but with much more adventurous perks. For example, you will have to take care of human resources, because you will be the one to recruit all the crew members. From there, select your job type which comes with their corresponding abilities and limitations (nomad, sniper, cadet, and more).

• Price: €7.99 / Advertisement: None / In-app purchases: None / Account required: No

Being a pirate is no easy feat. Of course, you would like to collect treasures while sailing, but it comes at a cost. There are strategic battles to engage in, played in 3D isometric view with cute sprites reminiscent of the 16-bit glory days. This game is best played with an external controller. While the learning curve isn’t very difficult, those new to the game might want to consider getting creative during battles to best exploit their crew’s strengths as well as the terrain.

In case the single-player aspect of the game bores you (which is rarely the case), you can try your hand at community and PvP.

Superlist (Android & iOS)

I can’t live without lists. Lists make my life much easier and organized. In fact, you could say that lists are my second brain. If you’re looking for the ultimate list app, you might want to put Superlist in your top 10… er, list. Why do I say this? Read on to find out.

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

Whether it’s a simple shopping list or a team to manage, Superlist gets the job done. The user interface is sufficiently intuitive and yet uncluttered. You’ll be able to work with to-do lists, write detailed notes, and even assign tasks to other people. Isn’t that very complete? All tasks can also be organized on pages to make things neater and more organized.

Unfortunately, I found that the lack of a search function reduces the effectiveness of the application somewhat. For those who are used to tagging their files, the search function is certainly useful. Integration with tools like Google Calendar and Slack makes it even better, not to mention AI that helps you formulate your ideas. It would also be nice to be able to use it as a widget on the home screen, but that’s just a minor gripe.

Notein (Android)

Have you ever wanted to write something down when you’re on the go, but realize you don’t have a pen or paper with you? Some of us send voice notes to ourselves, but if you want to keep track of a thought, idea, or event, writing may be the best option. Since everyone has a smartphone these days, why not use Notein to get the job done?

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

You can not only write your thoughts on “paper”, but also type them. I find it much easier to type them, but the drawing aspect is still useful because you can’t type the symbols you see. Those who are artistically inclined will agree with me, because they know that a unique symbol or design can attract attention for a while before disappearing into the crowd. If you type notes, you can organize them into layers and adjust the font size.

You can unlock many more features by purchasing a subscription. This will extend the use of Notein to many other things. For example, you’ll be able to keep track of all your notes across multiple devices with cloud syncing, not to mention ensure nothing is lost with automatic backup. Your canvas size will no longer be limited, and the ability to convert PPT and DOC to PDF is underrated. The list is much more comprehensive than that, but I won’t bore you any further.

Overall, Notein is worth a try if you tend to take notes with your smartphone. Knowing how big phone screens are these days, it makes sense to use such an app instead of a paper notebook. You can also get an inexpensive stylus to help you jot down your thoughts.

Calorie counter by FatSecret (Android & iOS)

Calorie Counter by FatSecret is not just for weight loss. If you want to gain weight, this app also helps you get off to a good start. Or rather, food, since the application also takes care of your diet.

In short, this app is a simple and easy to use calorie tracker. Not all foods are listed in the database, so you can choose an equivalent.

For example, I tried “ham”, “sliced ​​ham”, “chicken ham”, and found none of these foods in the list. This system is ideal for detail-oriented people because it allows you to keep track of all the foods you have eaten.

The overall layout and user interface make the app easy to use. I also felt comfortable with the number of notifications, since it doesn’t shame me when I fail to track my calories for the current day or when I miss a workout.

If you want to take greater responsibility, an online forum allows you to share your journey. Keep in mind that, like any other online forum, you may encounter very nice or very mean people.

Do you consume alcohol in your downtime? Well, sugary alcohols are absent from this site, which will have the effect of throwing your net carbohydrate balance out of balance. People following stricter diets like Atkins or Keto may have a harder time getting an accurate number.

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

Once again, amazing features are hidden behind a paywall. Monthly, quarterly and annual subscriptions cost €6.99, €16.99 and €40.99 respectively.

What does the premium membership offer? You’ll benefit from a meal planner to help you get organized and stay on track. Water intake is also important for weight loss, so the app will constantly remind you to drink water, while personalized meals will help you track what you eat and save you time by duplicating food over several days.

Those who are really serious might want to pay for the subscription, but I personally think that features like drinking breaks shouldn’t be too difficult to implement on your own. That’s what your phone’s built-in alarm is for, right? Overall, this is a great app to try if you want to focus more on managing your weight.

Habits Garden (Android and iOS)

If you think you’re destined for great things, maybe it’s best to stop thinking about it, roll up your sleeves and get down to business! This is what Habits Garden offers.

Is this an app or a game? It’s hard to say. Basically, you use your daily habits to maintain a digital garden. Completing tasks allows you to earn gems in return. These gems can be used to unlock new plants to beautify your garden. You’ll be surprised to learn that a 6 x 6 square grid can hold so many plants!

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

Collecting these plants is just the beginning, since there is also an improvement path to beautify your garden. A public leaderboard will allow you to feel secretly ashamed for not sticking to your habits and watch your rankings drop. To be even more responsible, why not make your goal public?

Habits Garden is offered as a free trial, after which, if you think it’s worth investing in, it will cost you €11 per month or €69.99 per year.

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!