Best Android-Only Apps You Can't Find on iPhone

Fans are forever debating the relative merits of iOS and Android. While some developers would say Apple's software is easier to work within, it's also a much more controlled system. One of Android's major strengths is its openness, which allows app developers more freedom. From fantastic widgets, app launchers and task automation apps, these Android-exclusive apps showcase the power and flexibility of Google's platform. 

Best Android Exclusive Apps

Flynx:

The pop-up style browser pioneered by Quickly and LinkBubble has seen a lot of development, and one of our current favorites is Flynx. As with other pop-up browsers, Flynx pre-loads links in the background with a floating on-screen indicator while continue operating your other apps without wasting your time watching pages load. Once done, you can then tap the indicator, with Flynx displaying the Web page pop-up style, with multiple tab support. Flynx also adds a lot of neat features, such as an intelligent ad-blocker, double-tapping links to save pages for offline viewing and easy link sharing. 

Drupe:

In our networked, social media-rich present, we've all got a ton of ways to communicate with family, friends and colleagues, ranging from email, SMS, to custom chat applications. Drupe is a new Android contacts management app that aims to bring all that under one roof, not by creating its own social network or chat functions, but by making it easier for you to use the ones you already use by putting them into one place. Drupe displays all your contacts in a list, along with an array of actions on the other side of the screen. Simply drag and drop a contact to an action, and Drupe fires up your default app, handling calls, email, SMS and instant messaging all with equal aplomb. In addition, Drupe comes with a dialer, recent interactions history and an array of other features.

 AppLock Face/Voice Recognition:

 

Built-in fingerprint scanners like the iPhone's aren't the only way to use biometrics to secure your phone; sometimes, all you need is your smartphone's camera and microphone. Users of the new AppLock Face/Voice Recognition app can use their face and voice to lock individual apps on their phone, securing their email, social media and networks and other apps. You can also set up a PIN or password as a backup. Users can protect individual apps, and there's a "liveness" option that prevents 'spoofing' of the facial recognition with photos by requiring you to move your face during unlocks.

Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus:

 If you're looking for the best all-in-one mobile antivirus, antimalware, backup and security toolkit out there, Avast! Mobile Security & Antivirus is our top recommendation hands down. Avast's tools are remarkably comprehensive, even on the free tier, with antivirus and anti malware scanning, a call & SMS blocker, and a Privacy Advisor tool which highlights the kind of data your apps request, as well as the kinds of ads they run. A premium tier also includes advanced anti-theft features and data backup tools. For more details, check out our in-depth review of Avast! in our Best Android Antivirus Software article.

Nova Launcher:

 Android provides unparalleled interface customization options, and custom launcher apps are one of the best examples of this capability. Nova Launcher provides numerous small interface tweaks to your home screen, such as the option for a scrollable dock, home and app screen scrolling animations, overlapping widgets, icon themes and more. All of these little mods help make your homescreen and UI that much more usable and customized to your exact preferences.

ES File Explorer:

 Unlike iOS, Android lets you access your phone's file menu, and the best app for the job is ES File Explorer. This nifty, full-featured file manager makes navigating your files and folders a breeze, letting you easily perform cut, paste and delete operations, access your SD card, and view quick statistics on your storage space. Numerous extra features such as cloud storage support, app manager and root explorer (for rooted users) add more value.

HD Widgets:

 

HD Widgets is exactly what it says on the tin: a package of fantastic looking widgets providing all sorts of information and functionality, including calendars, clocks, battery meters, weather reports and more. The sheer variety of widgets in various visual styles allows you to pick out just the right options to give you what you need without clashing with the rest of your interface. If that doesn't work for you, there's a range of customization features to tweak the widgets to your liking.