In my humble opinion, a large part of what makes a smartphone “smart” is the apps. The traditional apps like messaging and calling are very important however, the applications listed below allow you to really get things done. Here are 10 free apps that you need to have on your phone.

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Google Keep

This application is my favorite way to keep list, pictures, documents, and everything else I need to get to quickly. I love how all of your information is across all your devices and is easy to access. What makes Google Keep better than Evernote is that it’s simple and efficient. The aesthetic of the app is also very clean looking on Android and IOS.

Gmail

Hands down, Gmail is the best email service provider ever. Like most millennials, I’ve had AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo, and countless subpar school email accounts. Gmail is the best; the seamless integration with Google calendar makes my life so much easier. It separates the junk emails from the important ones. Back in 2012, my Gmail account was hacked. I was extremely nervous because I didn’t know how this would affect my life. The Google team sprang into action and made sure everything was great. After this experience, I will always love and use Gmail.

My Fitness Pal

If you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle or lose weight, you need this app. Since February 2015 I’ve lost 22 pounds with the help of My Fitness Pal. It didn’t happen over night but this application was instrumental in my weight loss. The way it works is that you input the food you eat and your daily activity. It tells you how many calories you should eat in order to reach your goal weight. Another fun feature is you and your friends can encourage each other through likes, comments, and setting up challenges.

Duolingo

After traveling to Thailand and Panama it renewed my interest in foreign language. After taking 4 years of French in school, I’ve decided to brush up on my skills by using Duolingo. This app is great because it feels like a game. After you set your goal you receive points, which makes you want to continue to learn. The app is really fun and it’s the best language app.

Whenever I travel to other countries or places where there is Wifi and no cellular service, I use this app. This app is great for sending messages and calling. The calls sound better than competitor Viber and the light colored background makes it easier to look at. My messages usually go thru quickly so I don’t have any complaints.

Venmo

The best way to get people to pay you back is Venmo. Fundamentally, Venmo is just like Paypal except it has less fees, it’s easier to understand, and it hasn’t been hacked yet (I think). Once you connect Venmo to your bank account you can easily send and receive. This is perfect when you need cash or when you don’t have cash and someone else in the group does. They can lend you the money and you can pay them back immediately.

Spotify

I need music in my life, especially on my phone. When I ride the train, work out, or I just want to zone out Spotify is the app I use. I’m very close to buying the premium version but I haven’t made the jump yet since I’m looking into getting new phone. I love the fact that you can make your own playlist. The radio feature and the curated playlist are wonderful additions to what is already a very solid app.

Zocdoc

Going to the doctor is very important. Managing doctor appointments can easily become a task that no one wants to do. This application keeps all your doctors’ information in one place. If you’re busy during traditional office hours, it’s so convenient to be able to book appointments through this. Finding new doctors on Zocdoc is another awesome feature of the app. Once you enter your insurance information, it can help you find any kind of doctor in network.

Dark Sky

Accurate weather information is so hard to come by. Most weather applications are wrong or just aren’t consistent. Dark Sky get’s it right. The daily view automatically breaks down the weather hour by hour, explaining the exact type of weather you should expect.

On what other application can you find recipes, outfit ideas, and home improvement tips? Whenever you have an idea that seems overwhelming, go to Pinterest. There are so many resources for everything, it will help you break down your goal and make it easier to achieve. Pinterest is one of my favorite applications.