There are several reasons one might want to know what types of applications are most popular in the U.K. One that readily comes to mind would be people moving into the region wanting to know the best apps. Another would be strictly informational–that primal need to sponge up as much random information for whenever they’d be needed, if they’d be ever needed.
Whatever your reasons are, the following are the most popular app types in the UK. They form the building blocks of the UK app market (that is expected to grow to $23.81 billion in revenue by 2027).
Communication Apps
Not surprisingly, communication apps are the most popular type among people living in the U.K. It plays into the desire to connect with others and share their experiences. There are several apps to choose from regarding making a connection, and the following are the most downloaded communication apps in the U.K.
- Gmail
- Messages by Google
- Messenger by Meta
- Snapchat
- Telegram
- Yahoo Mail
- Discord
Gaming Apps
If you believe in work-life balance, so do other people in the U.K., as gaming applications take up one spot on this list. It is understandable when you see the facts. The first one is that the average U.K. driver loses 80 hours yearly due to traffic congestion, and it can be much worse considering it is down 35 hours from 2019. So what options are commuters left with but to browse their Google Play Store or App Store as they wait for the congestion to clear? Whether it’s the top casino apps in the UK (50% of gambling takes place on mobile these days) or one of the trivia or puzzle games that 58% of the population reported having an interest in, the following are some of the most downloaded gaming apps in the U.K.:
- Roblox
- Candy Crush
- Coin Master
Social Apps
Social media has become a core player in our everyday lives. It has become a source of entertainment and, more importantly, a mostly reliable source of information. In a world where misinformation and disinformation are ever-increasingly becoming problems, the right social media applications allow people to streamline what information they consume instead of being force-fed by the mainstream media.
The following are the applications that populate this app type on the mobile phones of most U.K. citizens:
- TikTok
Music Apps
Music is an expression of self. It mimics the individual generally and can be specific as prescribed by mood. It can be cheap therapy and an excellent escape from the day’s hustle and bustle. Choosing a music app is regarded by many as one of life’s most difficult yet important decisions. The following are the most popular considerations:
- Spotify
- Google Play
- Apple Music
- Shazam
Photography Apps
Photos are quite handy when you want to capture moments and immortalize them on your mobile or preferred cloud storage space — the Brits have got the memo, too. But more than capturing moments, they like photo editing software to add glam to the gram. The following are some of the applications residents of the U.K. employ to service their photography needs:
- Google Photos
- Lightroom Photo and Video Editor
- Photoshop Express Photo Editor
- FreePrints
- A.I Gallery
- Picsart
Tool Apps
There’s only as much as you can do yourself. Sometimes, you want to outsource some of the day’s tasks to someone or something else. You can get a personal assistant or use your mobile for free. You can automate some of these apps to help in your day-to-day, quick look-ups and work on the fly. These tool apps exist to make your life easier, and this is why people living in the U.K. have downloaded them enough times to earn a spot on this list. The following are some of them:
- Google Maps
- Google Chrome
- EverNote
- Zapier
- Hemmingway Editor
Productivity Apps
Surviving in London, or any other megacity, requires intelligent use of productivity apps. Being able to schedule the entire day, know what you have planned for every minute, take notes on the fly, and claw back as much time as possible is, without doubt, going to yield dividends. People living in the U.K. know this too well, which is why productivity apps are one of the most popular app types in the region.
The following are some of the most downloaded productivity apps:
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- YouTube
- Skype
- Duolingo
- Asana
- RescueTime
- Trello
Shopping Apps
You want to make it up to your missus for a date plan that fell through; what do you do? Let her go shopping with your credit card in hand. Or she wants to surprise you for your birthday or celebrate a milestone; what does she do? Go shopping again. Shopping is therapeutic. Unlike music, it comes with a cost that people in the U.K. are more than happy with. Whether shopping for food, antique playing cards, a golf set, or new furniture, the following are popular shopping apps in the U.K.
- eBay
- Amazon
- Tesco
- McDonald’s
