BEST OF 2018
The best apps and games of 2018
The search for the best apps of the year began with a global call to action: App Store writers, editors and curators across five continents picked out the titles we found to be the most helpful, beautifully designed and thoughtfully executed. Then we argued. A lot.
This year’s winners span genres and countries of origin; developers hail from India, Australia, Lithuania and beyond. We have a game that was painstakingly illustrated by hand and an education app brought to life with astoundingly realistic computer-generated animation. There are apps that got us to move, and games that moved us.
So it’s with great pleasure that we share with you our picks for the very best the App Store has to offer in 2018. We hope you enjoy making them a part of your life as much as we have.
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Mac app of the year: Pixelmator Pro
Why we love it: For making an incredible range of pro-level image-editing tools accessible to all.
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Mac game of the year: The Gardens Between
Why we love it: It proves puzzle games can have real heart.
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iPhone app of the year: Procreate Pocket
Why we love it: It lets artists of all levels paint, draw and sketch without compromise, wherever inspiration strikes.
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iPhone game of the year: Donut County
Why we love it: This amazing indie game manages to make wreaking havoc meaningful.
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iPad app of the year: Froggipedia
Why we love it: For bringing basic biology lessons vividly to life with augmented reality.
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iPad game of the year: Gorogoa
Why we love it: This beautiful labyrinth in storybook form challenges and enchants in the most satisfying ways.
Mac app of the year: Pixelmator Pro
Why we love it: For making an incredible range of pro-level image-editing tools accessible to all.
Mac game of the year: The Gardens Between
Why we love it: It proves puzzle games can have real heart.
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Apple TV app of the year: Sweat
Why we love it: For helping women around the world to meet their health and wellness goals – and have a blast doing it.
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Apple TV game of the year: Alto’s Odyssey
Why we love it: Because this mesmerising sandboarding adventure looks wonderful on a 4K screen.