Windows 8 has many new features in the form of start screen, new Windows Explorer, new task manager and also Windows Store. Windows Store allows you to install apps similar to other mobile OS like Android, iOS or Windows Phone. You can buy apps or download free ones. If you are using Windows RT tablet, Windows Store is the only option to install new apps. Windows Store has apps listed under various categories and there are free as well as paid apps available for download.
Although Windows 8 was released only some 6 months back, Windows Store still has more than 50k apps as of now. While there are quite a lot of good apps available in the store, few important ones like Facebook is missing in the store. Windows Store is continuously improving with new apps and we could soon see most of the official apps coming to Windows 8, with the metro UI has been gaining a of popularity. So today, we are covering the best Windows 8 apps available (both paid and free).
So if you have got a new Windows 8 PC, do try out these awesome apps.
1. Tweetro+/ MetroTwit:
When Windows 8 was released, there was no official Twitter app and hence Tweetro+ was one of the best apps available for Twitter. Tweetro+ is an elegant Twitter client for Windows 8 and regarded by many as the best Twitter experience on the platform. Currently it is a paid app because of the restrictions from Twitter. You can also check out MetroTwit, another awesome Twitter app for Windows 8 with metro UI.
2. IM+ :
If you use multiple instant messaging services, then IM+ is another very useful tool to get connected with your friends. IM+ supports all major IM services, including Windows Live Messenger, Facebook, Skype chat, Google Talk, AOL/AIM/iChat, Yahoo!, ICQ, Vkontakte, Mail.Ru Agent, Odnoklassniki, Yandex chat, Mamba.Ru, Mig33, SINA Weibo, Renren, Fetion, Gadu-Gadu, MeinVZ and Jabber.
3. Soluto:
Soluto is one of the must have apps to keep your computer updated and run faster. You can install useful apps, stay up-to-date with silent app updates, get important hardware info, defrag and clear disk space to keep things running smooth and fast.
4. Dailymotion:
Dailymotion is a popular video sharing site and the Dailymotion Windows 8 App enables you to search, watch and share more than 20 millions videos. You can watch videos in HD on your tablet with this app.
5. Multimedia 8:
Multimedia 8 is an all in one multimedia app for Windows 8. Unleash the power of Windows 8 with Multimedia 8, a free media application that allows you to access network media, load subtitles, convert media files, play 3D video, capture from external devices and much more. You can manage your video files, convert and trim them using the app.
6. TuneIn Radio:
TuneIn Radio is a new way to listen to music, sports, and news from every corner of the earth, with over 60,000 radio stations and 2 million on-demand programs. It is one of the most popular music streaming app across multiple platforms including Windows Phone, Android and iOS.
7. Accuweather:
AccuWeather for Windows 8 has the most accurate, local weather forecasts for 2.7 million locations around the world. You get a quick look at current weather conditions for the next 72 hours and a calendar view of the forecasted conditions for each of the next 25 days with the ability to open up any day for even more weather detail
8. MINE for Facebook:
MINE for Facebook is a Facebook client created with one mission in mind: to show you your Facebook feed, the way you want to see it. Of course you can see your Facebook timeline, post updates, comment & like, but if you want, you can go one step further and customize your feeds until they exactly fit your needs.
Related Reading: 4 Facebook Apps for Windows 8
9. Metro Commander:
Metro Commander is an orthodox file manager which allows you to manage your files and folders from within the Modern Windows UI interface. Easily create, open, preview, rename, copy, move, delete, search and share files and folders.
10. Fresh Paint:
Fresh Paint is an easy to use, free app that includes oil paint and all the tools you need to paint. It is developed by Microsoft as a replacement for Paint app on Windows. Whether you are an aspiring artist, parent, or kid (or kid at heart), Fresh Paint will help you unleash your inner creativity.
11. Angry Birds Space:
Angry Birds is one of the most popular mobile game available across multiple platforms. Angry Birds Space features over 130 interstellar levels on planets and in zero gravity, resulting in spectacular gameplay ranging from slow-motion puzzles to lightspeed destruction.
12. Modern File Explorer:
Modern File Explorer is the Windows Store version of Windows File Explorer using Metro style. Allows you to easily navigate your file system using a tree view/list view with or without touch. Copy, move, rename, create and delete files and folders. Related Reading: 8 Awesome Metro File Explorer for Windows 8
13. MetroTube:
MetroTube is the best YouTube app available for Windows 8. MetroTube has been the number 1 app for YouTube on Windows Phone and is now the best app on Windows 8 as well. Related Reading: 5 Top YouTube Apps for Windows 8
14. Amazon Kindle:
With the Kindle app, you can read books on a beautiful, easy-to-use Windows 8 application. You’ll have access to over 1 million books in the Kindle Store, including best sellers and new releases. Amazon’s Whispersync technology automatically syncs your furthest page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across all your devices that have the Kindle app installed.
15. OneNote/ Evernote:
Take notes that save to the cloud so you have them when you need them. Fast and immersive, OneNote has been reimagined for Windows 8. Whether you draw, type, click, or swipe, this app will shine on your Windows 8 device.
You can also try out Evernote for note taking on Windows 8.
16. Google Search:
Although there is no Google Now features on Google Search for Windows 8, it is still useful to search using the metro UI. It also comes with voice search included.
17. Wikipedia:
Wikipedia is the free encyclopedia containing more than 20 million articles in 280 languages, and is the most comprehensive and widely used reference work humans have ever compiled. This is the official Wikipedia app for Windows 8.
18. Netflix:
Netflix is the world’s leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies. Get the free app as a part of your Netflix membership and you can instantly watch thousands of TV episodes & movies.
19. Skype:
Skype is the most popular VOIP app which is available across multiple platforms. Skype is the always-on app that makes staying in touch with all your contacts easier than ever.
20. SkyDrive:
SkyDrive app is built into Windows 8 and provides access to the cloud storage from your Tablet or laptop running Windows 8.
21. Pulse News:
Pulse brings all your favorite blogs, magazines, social networks and newspapers in one place. Pulse lets you choose and share the stories you care about, from thousands of top news sources, your favorite blogs and social networks. All in one seamless, fluid experience that makes your news accurate and exciting.
22. Skitch:
Skitch Touch is a free tool for communicating visually with friends, co-workers, and the world. Annotate images with arrows, shapes, text, and more. Use Skitch to sketch something new, mark up maps, screen captures, or even a photo.
23. NextGen Reader:
Nextgen Reader is the fastest RSS reader app for Windows 8 and Windows Phone. Currently it supports Google Reader, but with the closing of Google Reader, the developers have promised to have a better way to manage feeds. Related Reading: 3 Best RSS Feed Readers for Windows 8
24. ESPN:
The ESPN app for Windows 8, offered on desktop and tablet, provides sports fans with all the things they love about ESPN in a single place. Get up- to- the -minute scores, news, and analysis for all your favorite teams, leagues, and players. Access rich, in depth content from the leader in sports.
25. Hulu:
Hulu Plus offers unlimited instant streaming of current hit shows and acclaimed movies. Watch current season episodes of shows like Modern Family, New Girl, Family Guy and many more. You need a subscription to watch the shows and currently available in US only.
26. Kayak:
Kayak for Windows 8 helps you find the right flight or perfect hotel for your trip. You can compare hundreds of travel sites on your Windows 8 PC or Tablet.
27. Toolbox for Windows 8:
Toolbox is designed to bring unparalleled productivity enhancement to the Windows 8 platform. With Toolbox, you can view and interact with up to 6 different tools at once, giving you the power and flexibility to customize your workspace for maximum productivity.
28. gMaps:
gMaps is one of the most popular app for Google Maps on Windows Phone and they have released a similar app for Windows 8 as well. It provides mapping features you got used to in the most convenient way. It features almost all features of Google maps including directions.
29. Team Viewer:
With Team Viewer for Windows 8, you can control any remote computer with TeamViewer Touch within seconds. If you want to remotely control this computer and benefit from the whole range of features you need to download the TeamViewer Desktop app.
30. Fotor:
Fotor is the best all-in-one photo editing application and must have on your Windows 8. It provides you with quite a lot of image editing options. It comes with cutting-edge tools including basic editing tools, brilliant visual effects, frames, 1-tap enhance, collage, text, tilt shift and raw converter, all bundled together in one powerful package. More details available here.
31. LastPass:
LastPass, the leading password and data management service, stores all your logins securely, so you can access your accounts and services from anywhere. Autofill your logins, and better secure your online life. LastPass provides online users worldwide an easy, fast, and secure way to manage access to their digital life. You can now store all your passwords online in encrypted format using LastPass.
32. Adobe Reader Touch:
Adobe Reader is the free, trusted leader for reliably viewing and interacting with PDF documents across platforms and devices. This version of Adobe Reader has been specially designed for the new Windows 8 Touch user interface to give you a great experience working with PDF documents on your Windows 8 Tablet.
33. Nokia Music+:
Nokia Music+ is a subscription based music streaming service from Nokia. Nokia Music for Windows 8 is a complete playback and discovery experience for your computer. The service has an impressive 20 million track catalog. Related Reading: Review: Nokia Music for Windows 8
34. Twitter:
Twitter is now one of the most popular micro blogging service with millions of tweets posted every month. This is the official Twitter app for Windows 8. Twitter for Windows 8 brings you all the design, features and functionality of Twitter combined with the fast and fluid technology of Windows 8.
Related Reading: 5 Twitter Apps for Windows 8
35. UC Browser:
UC Browser HD is a web browser developed by UCWeb Inc. for Windows 8 users to enjoy the ultimate web surfing experience in Modern UI. Speedy and stable browsing, a convenient Speed Dial, various search engines and lot of other features although it runs on IE10. There are so many great features for you to discover in this browser.
No Reddit apps?
Yea couldnt cover all areas, even Pocket (Read it later) apps are also missing. If I were to include all, then the list would be huge, had to cut down to most essential ones.