When Google first released its Chrome browser in 2008, the drums to Safari’s death march sounded loud and clear. Whether it was a stylistic preference or technical advantage, from the onset, it was immediately obvious that Chrome was the superior browser. It clearly set itself apart from the bland trifecta of Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer (RIP), and has remained on top since.
By 2011, Chrome was on pace to beat Firefox for users, and by 2014, it finally overcame Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. With this shift in user behavior came a culture of cool. Like the iPhone’s blue text messages, it’s almost embarrassing to admit that you use Safari as your go-to browser. Now Google Chrome is so ubiquitous that you can assume anyone not using the browser is either too lazy to download it, or too old to be on the internet anyway.
What really sets Chrome apart from other browsers, however, are the super useful apps you can supplement it with. There are a ton of Chrome apps that will make your life in the digital space much less of a hassle. They can help you block ads, stay focused, edit photos, manage projects, collaborate with teammates, and more. There’s even a Chrome app called Unbaby.me that lets you remove all baby pictures from your Facebook feed. Is it completely necessary? Debatable. Will you still download it? Definitely.
We’ve compiled some of the best Google Chrome apps that you can download right now. Apps like Slack, Trello, and Evernote will take some of the busy work out of your workday. Others will help you organize all the content you want to consume once you’re out of the office (or maybe while you’re still in it), like Pocket and SoundCloud. And some of them will make your everyday digital activities, like tweeting and editing photos, a little easier. Check out our list of the best free Chrome apps, head to the Chrome app store, and hit “download.” Your day will get that much easier, all thanks to Chrome (and us, of course).
Don’t worry about losing your beat up notebook ever again. Evernote is a dynamic note-taking Chrome app that lets you take searchable, digital notes, which you can sync with all of your devices. It also lets you organize all of your notes and files in one place, making it super easy to look back on all those reminders and lists you knew you would need one day.
How many times have you scrolled across the internet and stumbled on something you wanted to read, but just didn’t have the time to do so? Pocket helps you keep track of all that content by storing it in an offline, ad-free version you can access even when you don’t have cell service. Saving articles, audio clips, and videos for later is as simple as hitting the icon in your Chrome browser.
For many of us, Twitter is a big part of our lives. Tweetdeck helps you organize all the conversations you want to be a part of by letting you create different feeds filled with accounts that you choose. Only want to see politics tweets? Fill a feed will all the politics accounts you follow. This Chrome app is actually a much better and less overwhelming version of Twitter.
Forgetting your passwords is part of using the internet, but it doesn’t have to be. LastPass’ Chrome app will securely keep track of all of your passwords. It also lets you share access to your accounts without actually giving away your passwords, making collaboration safer and easier.
Instead of opening the Google search bar when you first load Chrome, the Momentum app presents you with a personalized dashboard. This dashboard includes a motivational quote, welcome message, weather report, to-do list, and links to your favorite sites. It’s a simple idea, but Momentum is meant to help jumpstart your day.
With Polarr, you don’t even need internet service to edit your photos. The Chrome app has a set of filters, but it also allows for more sophisticated editing, so that any photo you’ve ever taken looks professional.
If you’re not using Slack, how are you even communicating? Perfect for collaborating in the office, or even with your friends, Slack lets you chat, share files, create topic-specific channels for group messages, and bug your coworkers with dozens of animated emojis.
The StayFocused Chrome app makes you actually get your work done by blocking access to certain sites depending on time limits you set. Yes, everyone needs a break or 20 throughout the day, but taking a few minutes to check your Facebook messages shouldn’t devolve into seeing how your ex’s aunt’s baby shower was hours later. The app lets you customize time limits and lists of different websites, letting you stay on track without totally eliminating your freedom.
Anyone who has to get anything done should try out Chrome’s Trello app. The innovative project and time management app lets you organize tasks, ideas, photos, and more within visual lists. These items can be moved around to different lists, assigned to various people, commented on, and shared, making it super easy to collaborate with a team.
For people who value the incredible music community of SoundCloud, the Chrome app makes it really simple to record and share clips across multiple platforms. With a few clicks, users can upload sounds and then instantly share them across all of their social channels, blogs, and more.
