Each year, Google names the best apps and games; those that offer unique experiences or creative gameplay. Both the Google team and the public get a say in crowning winners across a variety of categories.
For the first time, in a bid to inspire innovation on these platforms, Google also handed out awards to apps and games on tablets, and apps on Wear OS and Google TV.
Which Apps Won Google Play's Best of 2021?
As announced on The Keyword, many of the winning apps in Google Play's Best of 2021 focus on personal growth—a similar theme to last year.
"This year’s winners found creative, and often meditative, ways to help users get to know themselves on a deeper level," writes Brett Bouchard, Global Head of Editorial at Google Play.
Each country crowns different winners across categories like Best Apps for Good, Best for Fun, Best Game Changers, and Best Pick Up & Play. You can see yours in the Best of 2021 section on the Play Store, or the full US winners on The Keyword.
In the US, the headline winners are:
- User's Choice app: Paramount+
- User's Choice game: Garena Free Fire MAX
- Best app: Balance
- Best game: Pokémon UNITE
Jesse Pickard, founder and CEO at Elevate Labs, the team behind Balance, said:
We built Balance with the individual in mind. No two people are the same, and we wanted to create a personalized mental wellness program that could reflect and support those special differences. I also want to thank our customers for their help in our journey. Your engagement and feedback has allowed us to build a truly wonderful product together.
Is Paramount+ Really the Best App?
It's slightly confusing that Paramount+ won the user's choice award for best app. Sure, the streaming service has some good content, but is the app really that special to be crowned the best app of 2021?
Nevertheless, you should explore Google Play's Best of 2021 award winners in full. There's a great selection of apps from high-profile and indie names that are well worth your time.