The iPhone apps worth downloading right now are the ones that replace a daily hassle: a flexible note-taking app like Flow by Moleskine, a package tracker like Deliveries, a capable photo editor like Photoleap, a short-workout app like Wakeout and a streaming guide like JustWatch. Add a password manager, a library app and a speed test tool and you have a lean, useful home screen. Below is what each app does, who it suits and what it typically costs, so you can skip hours of App Store browsing.
One note before you start: app features and pricing change often, and several of these use a free-plus-subscription model. Check the App Store listing for current prices and the privacy “nutrition label” before you install anything.
How these apps were chosen
Every app here solves a specific, everyday problem instead of duplicating something the iPhone already does well out of the box. Each one has been available on the App Store for years, has an active developer and offers enough for free that you can decide whether it earns a place on your phone before paying anything. Apps that mainly exist to show ads, or that ask for sweeping permissions such as full contacts and precise location without a clear reason, were left out.
Quick comparison
| App | Category | Best for | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flow by Moleskine | Notes and sketching | Handwritten notes and drawing, especially on iPad | Free to try, subscription for full tools |
| Deliveries | Package tracking | People who order from many retailers and carriers | Free tier, paid upgrade for extra features |
| Photoleap | Photo editing | Creative edits, effects and AI tools | Free with subscription features |
| Wakeout | Fitness | Short movement breaks at a desk | Free with premium tier |
| JustWatch | Entertainment | Finding where a movie or show is streaming | Free |
| A password manager | Security | Strong, unique passwords everywhere | Free and paid options |
| Libby | Reading | Free ebooks and audiobooks with a library card | Free |
| Speedtest by Ookla | Utilities | Checking your Wi-Fi and cellular speeds | Free with ads |
Flow by Moleskine: notes without running out of pages
Flow is a digital notebook built for handwriting and sketching. Instead of fixed pages, you get a wide canvas you can keep extending, plus a set of pens, pencils, markers and paper styles (plain, lined, grid and dotted) that feel close to the real thing. It shines on an iPad with an Apple Pencil, but it is usable with a finger on iPhone for quick diagrams, to-do lists and ideas.
Who it suits: students, designers and anyone who thinks better with a pen than a keyboard. Watch out for: if you mostly type, Apple Notes (free and preinstalled) may be all you need. Try Flow’s free features before paying for a subscription.
Deliveries: every package in one list
If you shop from several stores, tracking shipments means juggling UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL and Amazon notifications. Deliveries puts them in one place. Paste or share a tracking number, and the app detects the carrier, shows status updates and sends notifications when a package moves or arrives. It also supports widgets so you can glance at arrivals from your home screen, and it syncs across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch through iCloud.
Tip: Some carriers limit what third-party apps can see, so an occasional package may show less detail than the carrier’s own site. For high-value items, keep the carrier’s app as a backup.
Photoleap by Lightricks: creative photo editing
The iPhone’s built-in Photos editor handles crops, exposure and basic color well. Photoleap goes further, with layers, blend modes, filters, special effects and a growing set of AI tools for things like background replacement and object removal. It is aimed at fun, eye-catching edits for social media rather than precise professional retouching.
Who it suits: casual creators who want striking results quickly. Alternatives: Snapseed (free, from Google) for classic adjustments, and Lightroom Mobile if you want more control over color and RAW files.
Wakeout: movement breaks for busy days
Long stretches of sitting are hard on the back, neck and energy levels. Wakeout offers very short routines, often just a few minutes, that you can do standing at your desk, sitting in a chair or even in bed. Reminders nudge you to move, and the exercises are simple enough that you do not need equipment or a gym.
Who it suits: remote workers, students and anyone who wants a habit rather than a full workout plan. If you already wear an Apple Watch, pair Wakeout with the watch’s stand reminders for extra accountability. Check with a doctor before starting any exercise program if you have an injury or health condition.
JustWatch: find where anything is streaming
With Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+ and Apple TV+ all competing, it is easy to lose track of which service has the show you want. JustWatch lets you search a title and see every place it is available to stream, rent or buy. You can build a watchlist, filter by the services you actually pay for and get alerts when something you want arrives.
It is also a practical budgeting tool. If most of your watchlist sits on one or two services, you can cancel the rest and rotate subscriptions month to month. And if you prefer live channels and sports alongside streaming apps, compare what a cable bundle such as the Spectrum Gold package includes against the cost of stacking several streaming subscriptions.
Three more essentials worth adding
A password manager
Reusing passwords is one of the most common ways accounts get taken over. iOS includes a built-in Passwords app that stores and autofills credentials and passkeys across Apple devices. If you also use Windows or Android, a cross-platform manager such as Bitwarden or 1Password may fit better. Either way, turn on two-factor authentication for email and banking first.
Libby
Libby, from OverDrive, connects to your local public library so you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free with a library card. Selection depends on your library system, and popular titles may have waitlists, but it can easily replace a paid audiobook subscription for many readers.
Speedtest by Ookla
When streaming buffers or a video call freezes, a speed test tells you whether the problem is your Wi-Fi, your provider or the app. Run tests in different rooms to find dead zones, and compare results to the plan you pay for. If you consistently get far less than advertised, it may be time to call your provider or compare local plans; if you live in Texas, this overview of how to choose an internet connection in Houston explains what to look for. For deeper troubleshooting, our guide on how to run a ping test covers latency and packet loss.
How to keep your iPhone apps under control
- Review subscriptions: go to Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions to see and cancel recurring charges.
- Check privacy labels: each App Store listing shows what data the app collects. Skip apps that collect far more than they need.
- Offload unused apps: Settings, General, iPhone Storage can automatically remove apps you rarely open while keeping their data.
- Limit notifications: allow alerts only for apps that need your attention right away, like Deliveries.
- Download on Wi-Fi: large apps and offline media downloads go faster and save cellular data on a solid home connection.
Streaming apps get the most out of a good TV setup too. Many households use JustWatch on the phone to pick something, then cast or open it on the living room TV, whether through a streaming stick or a cable box on a plan like Spectrum Gold. Curious how apps like these are built and funded? See our pieces on making a mobile app that earns money and the process and costs of education app development.
Frequently asked questions
Are these iPhone apps free?
Most can be downloaded for free. JustWatch, Libby and Speedtest are free to use, while Flow, Deliveries, Photoleap and Wakeout keep some features behind a subscription or one-time upgrade.
What is the best free app for tracking packages on iPhone?
Deliveries is a popular choice because it supports many carriers in one list. Carrier apps such as UPS My Choice and USPS Informed Delivery are free alternatives.
How do I find out which streaming service has a show?
Search the title in JustWatch. It shows every service where the show or movie is available to stream, rent or buy in your country.
How do I cancel an app subscription on iPhone?
Open Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. Choose the subscription and tap Cancel Subscription. Access usually continues until the end of the current billing period.
Why are my apps downloading slowly?
Usually a weak Wi-Fi signal, a slow plan or a busy network. Run a speed test, move closer to the router and restart it if speeds are well below your plan.
