Mountain View-based tech company Google has released a list of the best apps and some intriguing games on the Play Store in India for 2025. Zomato’s ticketing platform—District: Movies, Events, Dining—has received the award for “India’s Best App of 2025.” The app has been widely acclaimed for offering everything from movie ticket bookings to event information and dining options, all on a single platform.
The webtoon and manga app Toonsutra was named the “Best Hidden Gem App of the Year” in India for 2025. The journaling platform Daily Planner won the award for “Best Daily Essentials App.” Edits (an Instagram-based creative editing tool), which resonated particularly well with the youth, was recognized as the “Best Android App for Fun,” while Zarya AI—an AI tool for creating video “beans”—was the winner of the “Growth Award.”
Top Android Apps of 2025
Meanwhile, Instamart—which has recently been making waves in the shopping category—emerged as the “Top Trending App,” while the Sikho app topped the Education category. Adobe Firefly: AI Generator Apps took the top spot in the Art & Design category. According to Google, 69% of Indian users have experienced AI for the first time through Android apps, a statistic that highlights the rapid pace of AI adoption within the country. In the Gaming category, Cookie Run India won the award for “Best Game of 2025” in India. Its characters—reportedly designed with Indian players in mind—and its accessible gameplay are credited with making it immensely popular. Other winning games across various categories include: “Best Indie Game”—Kamala; “Best Pick Up & Play”—Cookie Run India; “Best Made in India”—Real Cricket Swipe; “Best Multi-Device Game”—Disney Speedstorm; and “Best Multiplayer”—8 Pool Fever. The special categories for Google Play Best of 2025 include Best Story: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Best Ongoing Game: Free Fire Max, Best on Play Pass: Dredge, and Best Google Play Games on PC: Whiteout Survival. Unlike previous years, this year Google has specifically recognized apps and games that reflect local culture and users’ daily needs, as well as games that utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. According to Google, the Android and Google Play ecosystem has helped create approximately 3.5 million jobs in India, contributing ₹4 lakh crore to the country’s economy. This serves as a significant indicator of the growth of the app development and gaming industry in India. The Google Play Best of 2025 list once again underscores the importance of creativity, the use of AI, and local relevance among app and game developers in India. These factors serve as key drivers for the rapid growth of the Indian digital ecosystem.
