2025 is a busy year in the tech world, and one of my favorite things is staying up to date on the latest and greatest apps. In total, we downloaded and tested over 50 different apps, ranging from productivity to cooking, fitness, and gaming.
I found an app that can help you organize your inbox, learn about art from around the world, and relieve stress. Technology holds a unique place in our lives, and while it allows us to do a lot of good things, it also wastes a lot of time that we should avoid.
We took a look at all the apps to review in 2025 and picked our 5 favorites. My list is long, but I’d love to know what your favorite apps are and which ones you think I should write about in 2026.
Very suitable for fitness
7: 7 minute workout
Building lasting fitness habits can be difficult, but Seven: The 7-Minute Workout simplifies the process by focusing on manageable daily consistency. Seven minutes may not seem like much, but these brief activities can create big, lasting changes. “I can finally work out every day thanks to this workout app,” she wrote.
The biggest advantage of this app is its accessibility. Whether it’s in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed, you can easily carve out seven minutes from your busy schedule. The app removes time barriers and turns your workouts into simple workouts where you just press start and follow the instructions.
please read my Seven: Home Screen Hero, a 7-minute workout.
Seventh: Download the 7 Minute Workout app. iOS system or Android
Ideal for automation
If this, then that (IFTTT)
I first learned about If This Than That (IFTTT) from a friend who used it to “win” an argument with his wife. The app will warn her every time the temperature exceeds her preferred setting. While the ethics of the vandalism that occurred at his home are debatable, I wonder what parts of my life this technology could automate.
Exploring IFTTT’s vast library of pre-built “applets” is like discovering productivity cheat codes. The app can handle everything from cross-posting content to social media, syncing Google Calendar events to tracking work hours, and even sending UV index alerts to remind you to apply sunscreen. The prospect of being able to eliminate mundane and repetitive tasks while ensuring nothing is missed is certainly very attractive.
please read my IFTTT Home Screen Hero
Download the IFTTT appiOS system orAndroid
Very suitable for learning
Opening hours
Uptime offers 5-minute reviews of books, courses, documentaries, and podcasts. These nuggets are called “breakouts” and include mixed media to increase engagement. The combination of text, audio, video, and images helps me learn more efficiently than similar Headway apps.
Each hack is written by the author himself, which helps ensure a high level of reliability and stability. One of the best features of the app is the so-called Spark Card, which allows users to save the results of their hacks on the board.
This is equivalent to underlining a passage in a book or highlighting certain text in an article. Uptime provided me with a valuable learning experience that not only helped me learn new knowledge but also refreshed my existing knowledge.
please read my Uptime Hero Home Screen
Download the runtime application iOS system or Android
Great for gaming
two o’clock
She loves the game and calls it “one of the most addictive, impossible-to-stop puzzle games out there.” In terms of addiction, it even surpasses NYT Games, SimCity BuildIt and Geometry Dash Lite. The purpose of the game is to build relationships.
Players advance through the game by connecting colored dots and finding hidden treasures. It sounds simple, and it is, but that’s the beauty of this app.
Once you master the beginning of this game, you can discover new worlds in the scavenger hunt mode. By completing each level you can collect rare rewards. There are also five main game modes and limited-time events to help you complete levels.
It is very difficult to complete this game. You have been warned!
please read my The hero home screen has two points
Download the Noctin app iOS system or Android
Ideal for reducing screen time
1 second
This home screen hero’s caption reads: “I was tired of spending too much time on my phone, so I did something about it.” Unfortunately, for many of us, our phones control us too much. We may not want to admit it, but many of us could use a little help if we put down our phones every now and then.
One Sec uses a scientific and psychological approach to break your phone and social media habits, disrupting the dopamine release cycle that keeps you scrolling. This is achieved by increasing the wait time for social media apps and personal apps to open.
As a result, the brain loses interest in short-term dopamine surges. It’s a very simple idea, but its effects are amazing.
please read my 1 second home screen hero
Download the Yixun App iOS system or Android
