Sophie Blake
Google has released its annual Best of 2025 awards, highlighting the apps, games and books that stood out across the Play Store this year. The list spans multiple device categories and reflects how developers are shaping experiences around productivity, entertainment and increasingly, artificial intelligence.
Focus Friend and Pokémon TCG Pocket Take Top Honors
For 2025, Google selected Focus Friend as its Best App. The focus-timer tool, developed by Honey B Games and backed by author and creator Hank Green, pairs task-timing mechanics with a Tamagotchi-style “Bean Friend.” Users earn rewards by completing uninterrupted sessions, blending productivity with light gameplay.
The Best Game award went to Pokémon TCG Pocket, a digital version of the long-running Pokémon trading card game. Released in late 2024, the title recreates booster-pack openings, card collecting and competitive play for mobile users.
Multi-Device Standouts: Luminar and Disney Speedstorm
Google also continued its emphasis on multi-device experiences. Luminar, an AI-powered photo editor, earned Best Multi-device App for its cross-platform editing workflow. Disney Speedstorm was recognized as Best Multi-device Game, offering a consistent racing experience across Android phones, tablets and PCs.
Category Winners Reflect Broad User Needs
This year’s selections span everything from family learning tools to AI language apps:
Best Android Apps of 2025
- Best for Fun: Edits (Instagram)
- Best for Personal Growth: Focus Friend
- Best Everyday Essential: Wiser – 15 Minute Audio Books
- Best Hidden Gem: Pingo AI Language Learning
- Best for Families: ABCmouse 2
- Best for Watches: SleepisolBio
- Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes
- Best for Cars: SoundCloud
- Best for XR Headsets: Calm
Best Android Games of 2025
- Best Multiplayer: Dunk City Dynasty
- Best Pick Up & Play: Candy Crush Solitaire
- Best Indie: Chants of Sennaar
- Best Story: Disco Elysium
- Best Ongoing: Wuthering Waves
- Best on Play Pass: DREDGE
- Best for Google Play Games on PC: Odin: Valhalla Rising
Books of the Year Span Genres From Fantasy to Business
Google also published its top books list, including notable picks such as The Raven Scholar for fantasy, Famous Last Words for thriller and The Emperor of Gladness for contemporary fiction. Nonfiction highlights include This American Woman and The Ambition Trap.
A Focus on Developer Success
Google positioned this year’s awards as part of a broader effort to evolve the Play Store into a more personalized hub while supporting the developers behind these titles. The platform has expanded rewards, improved discovery tools and deepened multi-device features, aiming to help high-quality apps reach more users.
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