Both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store are host to some excellent mobile applications. These apps help you stay connected to your family and friends, stay in the loop, and updated with the latest news, avail various services over the internet and watch a host of different movies and shows.
Regardless of if you use an iPhone or an Android phone, only a handful of these apps are well developed and worth installing on your device.
To help you find the right applications fast, here’s a list of ten must-have apps for daily use in India.
#1 WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most commonly used messaging applications in the world. However, it is particularly prominent in India. As of 2017, WhatsApp recorded 200 million monthly active WhatsApp users in India alone.
The free messaging application comes with great features such as high-quality video calling and quick file-sharing.
WhatsApp also recently introduced a funds transfer feature that uses India’s unique UPI platform, which facilitates the transfer of funds between different banks over the internet.
These features make WhatsApp a definite must-have in India.
#2 Twitter
An estimated 34.4 million people regularly use Twitter in India. India also happens to be one of the most active countries on Twitter. Hence this app became one of the best apps for daily use in India.
Indian politicians and celebrities are especially active on Twitter, and users find the idea of interacting with them in just a few taps appealing.
Twitter is also a great source of news, and the apps affinity to spread the word makes it easy to get notified instantly in the event something significant happens.
#3 Uber
India is one of the biggest markets for Uber cabs. In 2017, Uber recorded over five million weekly active riders in India alone.
Users can avail everything from SUVs right down to Autos and Bikes to get from point A to B. Getting an Uber is a quick and straightforward way of getting around.
Uber controls a large chunk (about 40%!) of the online-taxi market in India.
Also, Uber Eats, a subsidiary of Uber, enables users to order food online and have it delivered at their doorstep.
#4 Zomato
Zomato is the second-biggest food-delivery platform in India, holding a 26% market share.
It operates in over 200 cities and has well over 100,000 restaurant listings. As of March 2019, Zomato has registered more than 30 million deliveries.
According to their 2019 report, the company logged an annual run-rate GMV of over $1.5 billion!
Best known for its simple interface and great offers on food, Zomato is another must-have app in India.
#5 Swiggy
Swiggy is the biggest food-delivery platform in India and holds over 50% of the market share.
Valuated at $3.3 billion, Swiggy is easily one of the most recognized brands in India thanks to its bubbly interface and the striking orange logo.
In 2019, Swiggy has begun operating in 500 cities and plans to add another 100 to the list in the coming year.
With 140,000 restaurants registered with Swiggy across India, it is difficult to find a cuisine they don’t serve on this app.
#6 Ola
Ola Cabs is a transportation network company that offers ridesharing, taxi-hailing, and food delivery services across India. It currently controls over 56% of the Indian market.
The company is based in Bengaluru, and as of October 2019 is valued at $10 billion.
As of 2018, Ola has expanded its operations into the overseas market and is available for use in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K.
Recognizable by the striking combination of colors in the logo and a simplistic user interface, Ola makes hailing both car and bike rides easy.
#7 JioSaavn
Formerly known as Saavn, JioSaavn is an online music streaming app. It has acquired rights to over 50 million songs in 15 different languages.
JioSaavn controls over 37% of India’s music streaming market. Reliance Jio bought Saavn for a little over $1 Billion in March 2019.
As of 2019, over the app records over 25 million active users. The application provides access to its extensive library of music at a very reasonable Rs.89 a month (roughly $1.25).
It can also be used free of cost. However, the tradeoff is the users must listen to full-length ads midst streaming – which is similar to how Spotify operates.
#8 Netflix
With over 10 million users, Netflix is one of the biggest Subscription Video-On-Demand (SVOD) service providers in India.
According to a report on Statista, Netflix will generate approximately $328.3 million in India by 2020.
However, achieving this goal can prove to be more difficult than expected after the arrival of competing companies like JioTV and HotStar, offering SVOD services for cheap.
In an attempt to make its services more accessible to the Indian public, Netflix recently introduced a mobile-phone only plan for Rs.199.
#9 Amazon
India is the biggest market for Amazon Prime, with over 10 million subscribers, which represents about 10% of Amazon’s total subscriber count. Therefore, when it comes to counting the best daily uses apps, Amazon is also one of the best apps for daily use.
An Amazon Prime subscription comes with many benefits, including access to exclusive ‘Prime deals’ and unlimited access to their video on demand and music streaming services.
As of June 2019, Amazon reports having doubled its subscriber base in India in a short time frame of 18 months.
Amazon also enables secure payments over UPI, which gives users an added advantage.
#10 InShorts
InShorts is a unique news app that features a new board-like interface. The application summarizes and supplies news stories from national and international sources in 60 words or less.
The company is based in Delhi and generates revenue primarily through advertising.
