However, what’s new with this year’s list is the expansion of awards to apps and games on tablets, Google TV, and Wear OS, as well. Google says this is to encourage innovation across Google Play and introduce users to never-before-seen experiences. Follow along as we dive in to check out the winners for Google Play’s Best of 2021 awards across multiple categories.
Best Android App of 2021
Starting with the most popular category, Google suggests 2021 saw high demand in personal growth apps, just like the previous year. As such, the Balance app, which helps people improve their stress and sleep through personalized meditation, earned the Best App of 2021 award. In line with Balance, apps such as Moonly, which provides tips and guidance based on the lunar calendar, and Laughscape, which helps users achieve a meditative state through laughter, came out as the Best Hidden Gems for 2021. In India, BitClass, one of the largest online learning platforms, won the Best App of 2021 title for facilitating an interactive learning environment for classes across numerous categories, including baking, dance, music, personal finance, etc.
Best Android Game of 2021
Coming to gaming, Pokemon UNITE won the Best Game of 2021 title for its dynamic gameplay and cross-platform experience. Similarly, Indie developers also made it to the awardees list for titles like Bird Along and Donut County under the Best Indies category. Battlegrounds Mobile India, a battle royale game developed and published by Krafton exclusively for India, received the Best Game of 2021 award.
Google Play’s Best of 2021 in the US
Aside from the “best apps” and “best games” titles, Google also honors apps and games in other categories. Below is a list of such apps and games in the US.
Users’ Choice 2021
App: Paramount+ Game: Garena Free Fire MAX
Best App
Balance
Best Game
Pokémon UNITE
Best of App Winners
Best Apps for Good Empathy Mentor Spaces Speechify Best Everyday Essentials Blossom PhotoRoom Rabit Best for Fun Clubhouse Noobly Whatifi Best Hidden Gems Laughscape Moonbeam Moonly Best for Personal Growth Balance Clementine Uptime Best for Tablets Canva Concepts Houzz Best for Wear Calm MyFtinessPal Sleep Cycle Popular on Google TV Disney+ ESPN Tubi
Best of Game Winners
Best Competitive League of Legends: Wild Rift MARVEL Future Revolution Pokémon UNITE Rogue Land Suspects: Mystery Mansion Best Game Changers Inked JanKenUP! Knights of San Francisco Overboard! Tears of Themis Best Indies 7 Billion Humans Bird Alone Donut County My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge Puzzling Peaks EXE Best Pick Up & Play Cats in Time Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! Disney POP TOWN Switchcraft Towers Best for Tablets Chicken Police — Paint it Red! League of Legends: Wild Rift My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge Overboard! The Procession to Calvary
Google Play’s Best of 2021 in India
Google’s Best of 2021 awards list is region-specific, and as such, it includes the following apps and games in its awardees list for India.
Users’ Choice 2021
App: Clubhouse Game: Garena Free Fire MAX
Best App
BitClass
Best Game
Battlegrounds Mobile India
Best of App Winners
Best Apps for Good Being Evergreen Club Speechify Best Everyday Essentials Guardians from Truecaller SARVA Sortizy Best for Fun Clubhouse FrontRow Hotstep Best Hidden Gems Jumping Minds – Talk & Feel Better FWD Moonbeam Best for Personal Growth BitClass EMBIBE Evolve Best for Tablets Canva Concepts Houzz Best for Wear Calm MyFtinessPal Sleep Cycle
Best of Game Winners
Best Competitive Battlegrounds Mobile India MARVEL Future Revolution Pokémon UNITE Summoners War: Lost Centuria Suspects: Mystery Mansion Best Game Changers JanKenUP! NieR Re[in]carnation Tears of Themis Unmaze: a myth of shadow & light Best Indies Bird Alone DeLight: The Journey Home Huntdown My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge Ronin: The Last Samurai Best Pick Up & Play Cats in Time Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! Dadish 2 Disney POP TOWN Switchcraft: Magical Match 3 Best for Tablets Chicken Police — Paint it Red! My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge Overboard! The Procession to Calvary
That concludes the list of winners for Google Play’s best of apps and games awards this year. What are your thoughts on this year’s winners? And were any of your favorite apps and games listed on the list? Let us know in the comments below.
