The Most Popular iPhone and iPad Apps of 2025

Earlier this month, Apple recognized this year’s most innovative new apps and games with the annual App Store Awards. Apple also released the most popular free and paid apps for both the iPhone and iPad. In this overview, you’ll gain some insight into how others use their Apple devices and may stumble upon some new apps to try.

2025’s Most Downloaded iPhone Apps

Unsurprisingly, OpenAI’s ChatGPT topped the chart as the most downloaded free iPhone app of 2025. On the other hand, it’s interesting to note the only other AI app in the top 20 free iPhone Apps of 2025 is Google Gemini. The category is dominated by social media, with Threads, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and SnapChat all in the mix. Even rednote — the new Chinese social media app that became popular amid the looming threat of a TikTok ban — made it into the top 20. Here’s a complete list of the top free iPhone apps of 2025.

1. ChatGPT
2. Threads
3. Google
4. TikTok
5. WhatsApp
6. Instagram
7. YouTube
8. Google Maps
9. Gmail
10. Google Gemini
11. Facebook
12. CapCut: Photo & Video Editor
13. Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
14. T-Life (T-Mobile)
15. Telegram
16. Lemon8
17. Spotify
18. Google Chrome
19. Snapchat
20. rednote

When it comes to the top paid iPhone apps, productivity and lifestyle categories led the way. HotSchedules tops the list, with others like Procreate Pocket (sketch and paint app), Anki Flashcards, Paprika Recipe Manager 3, SkyView (sky exploration), AutoSleep: Watch Sleep Tracker, Forest (focus app), and Things 3 (organization) following closely behind. You can check out the full list on Apple’s website.

This Limited-Time Microsoft Office Deal Gets You Lifetime Access for Just $39

Sick and tired of subscriptions? Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Home and Business 2021 at a great price!

2025’s Most Downloaded iPad Apps

ChatGPT is also the second most downloaded iPad app for 2025, although streaming apps dominate the rest of the category. Unsurprisingly, the results indicate people use their iPads as streaming machines, literally. YouTube takes the number one spot, with Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max all in the top ten. Here’s the full list.

1. YouTube
2. ChatGPT
3. Netflix
4. Disney+
5. Amazon Prime Video
6. TikTok
7. Google Chrome
8. Goodnotes
9. Canva
10. HBO Max
11. Peacock TV
12. Color by Number
13. Toca Boca World
14. YouTube Kids
15. Gmail
16. Color Pop AI
17. Spotify
18. Simply Draw
19. Pinterest
20. Paramount+

Most of us stick to the same handful of apps on our Apple devices. Consider this your invitation to explore what the App Store has been hiding in plain sight. One of these top 20 iPhone or iPad apps could quickly earn a spot in your daily routine. Browse categories like Entertainment, Productivity, Games, Photo & Video, and Kids — you may be surprised how much of your iPhone or iPad’s potential is still untapped.