Apple TV indulges its customers by offering them many applications in the App Store. However, when choosing, the most common question arises: how to choose the best apps for Apple TV? If this confusion is slowly turning into a nightmare, I have a surprise for you. In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the best and most diverse Apple TV apps to suit your every whim.
First, here you get a detailed analysis of some of the most trusted apps in the App Store. Then, with a simple breakdown of the pros and cons of each app, you can decide which app to choose for your Apple TV. Easy, right? So, let’s begin.
- Apple TV
- YouTube
- Netflix
- CNN
- Carrot Weather
- Amazon Prime Video
- tasty
- Coursera
- twitch
- calmness
- Adidas
- ESPN+
1. Apple TV is Apple’s own Pandora’s Box.
With the launch of Apple TV+, Apple has changed the TV viewing experience for its users around the world. The app is a one-stop solution for entertainment lovers who enjoy watching movies, series, web series and live sports. Enjoy streaming in HD 4K with Dolby Atmos on the Apple TV+ app at an affordable price. Some upcoming major Apple TV shows: Ted Lasso Season 3, Monster Factory, Big Door, Tetris, etc.
Apple TV+ has entered into a 10-year contract with Major League Soccer (MLS), the world’s most famous soccer league. As part of this agreement, you can now get your MLS Season Pass seamlessly. This partnership is a win-win deal for all app users as they can enjoy the perks of Apple TV+ and MLS tournaments from the comfort of their couch.
The platform supports offline viewing on iOS, so you always have the best entertainment content at your fingertips. It’s common for live streaming apps to pop up with ads, but Apple TV+ stands out because it doesn’t annoy you with constant ads. Also, let me tell you that an Apple TV+ subscription is free with the purchase of a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, or Mac.
pros
- 4K and HDR streaming
- Dolby Atmos support
- Convenient navigation
- Seamless user interface
Minuses
- Live coverage is limited to sports and news channels.
- Smaller content library compared to competitors
Price: Free
2. YouTube – movies, music and more
You must have read those fantasy stories where the main character finds a magic wand that grants all his wishes. Well, YouTube is like a magic wand in the real world. The platform allows you to discover content on a variety of topics (even the most bizarre), learn new skills, stream music/video, watch live TV, and connect and share views with a global audience.
YouTube is a popular platform for sharing original content, knowledge, and showcasing your talent to people around the world. In addition, the portal rewards content creators with monetary perks when they reach certain milestones. You must have seen people flaunting their silver and gold buttons provided by YouTube.
With YouTube, you can access a thriving community of creators that match your interests. You can subscribe to your preferred channels or creators and be notified of new uploads without a miss. Also, comment or chat live with the creator for a more personalized viewing experience. In addition, YouTube offers many exclusive benefits to its Premium subscribers, such as ad-free streaming.
pros
- Easy to use interface
- Good source of passive income
- Seamless connection with a global audience
- Picture-in-Picture for streaming Netflix while browsing other websites or apps.
Minuses
- Criticism, slander and bullying are easy
- Fake content is easy to find
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
3. Netflix is the center of entertainment
It’s no exaggeration to say that Netflix is one of the first apps anyone downloads on a smart device, including the Apple TV. Filled with tons of exclusive content, Netflix has something for everyone. So you might be a romantic movie buff or someone who loves thriller web series; this amazing streaming app contains a treasure trove of content created just for you.
The more shows and movies you watch on Netflix, the more personalized recommendations it offers. Plus, you don’t have to worry about running out of choices because Netflix spoils you with new content updates almost daily. You can create up to five profiles on one account so that each family member has a personalized content feed.
The Preview option allows you to preview a short video of the movie or series you plan to watch. Plus, the platform notifies you of upcoming shows and episodes, so you never miss a chance to watch content first and show it off to your friends group. In addition, Netflix also offers a range of shows, cartoons and movies for the little ones in your home.
pros
- Free from ads
- Simultaneous viewing on multiple screens (depending on the tariff plan)
- Offline playback
- Diverse collection of web series, TV shows, movies, etc.
Minuses
- More content offerings in some regions than others
- Delayed updates as content is loaded seasonally.
- Removing shows from the library
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $9.99)
4. CNN is for news lovers
When it comes to news, you can’t go wrong with CNN. This popular news portal has a strong group of correspondents and bureau reporters who keep viewers informed about important things. So, if you’re looking for the best Apple TV apps to download, check out CNN for the latest on world news.
The app allows you to access the latest news across multiple categories such as politics, entertainment, health, business, stocks, etc. In addition, you get daily news updates, expert commentary, and extensive reports on every area of your interest.
You can also read articles on various topics or save them for later use. You can also read articles on various topics or save them for later use. However, you can only access original CNN series and movies on demand in the US and Canada.
You can set up notifications or alerts so you never miss a news update. With the CNN app, you can also listen to live audio and watch newscasts from your favorite hosts. In addition, you can watch a 10-minute preview of CNN’s live broadcast daily. The CNN app aims to make news browsing easy and fun for people from all walks of life.
pros
- Covers news from every area
- Intuitive community features
- Live and on-demand news viewing is available.
- Multilingual – Supports English, Spanish and French.
Minuses
- No mobile downloads to watch offline
- Cable credentials required for full CNN access
Price: Free
5. Carrot Weather – Reliable weather app
You must have used an app that keeps you up to date with the latest weather changes, but in a monotonous way. What if I told you that there is an app that combines humor and weather reports to give you the best of both worlds? The name of the app is Carrot, one of the best Apple TV apps for weather forecasting.
An Apple Editors’ Choice Award winner on the App Store, Carrot uses intuitive characters, dialogue, and backgrounds to make weather reports fun for everyone. So, get ready to see heavy rains or snowstorms in some creepy character the next time you use the Carrot app. In addition, the application gives you access to short-term, hourly and daily weather forecasts for the region of your choice.
The app provides the latest updates on temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, visibility, barometric pressure, sunrise/sunset time, UV index, and more. In addition, you can save different locations and learn about weather conditions in more than 30 secret places at the fingertips. This interesting weather app is also a solid choice for Apple Watch users.
pros
- Accurate weather data Dark Sky
- Humorous dialogues and interactive displays
- Unique themes for different weather conditions
Minuses
- Some features, such as rain forecast, are only available in certain regions.
- Advanced features are limited to Premium account.
Price: $3.99
6. Amazon Prime Video is useful entertainment
Amazon Prime Video is undoubtedly one of the best Apple TV apps. With Prime Video, you can watch the latest TV shows, the world’s top rated movies, and the biggest sports leagues, all in one place. In addition, the platform is known for offering great entertainment content in the form of Amazon Originals. Some of the most famous names on the Amazon Originals watchlist are The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, Fleabag, etc.
The portal allows you to rent or buy newly released movies and TV shows so that you can watch them at your convenience. What’s more, with IMDb-supported X-Ray Access, you can take a look behind the scenes of shows and movies. Cool, isn’t it? Enjoy this and more by downloading the tvOS app before using Amazon Prime Video on Apple TV.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about having separate accounts for every member of the house. Amazon allows you to create multiple profiles so that each member has a personalized experience when using in-app streaming services.
pros
- Easily link it to an Amazon Prime subscription
- Huge library with global content
- Sports content add-ons available
Minuses
- Higher cost of initial plans
- Rare addition and removal of headers
- Surcharge for some titles
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $8.99)
7. Yummy – put on your chef’s hats
Are you looking for the best Apple TV cooking apps? If so, you can stop looking now while I introduce you to Yummly. Yummly is a chef’s paradise. This amazing app contains a long list of the most popular cuisine recipes from all over the world. Plus, you get an exclusive collection of Yummly’s signature recipes and tutorial videos to help you discover your secret chef.
Yummly uses artificial intelligence to recommend recipes to suit your tastes. All you have to do is provide the app with your preferred diet. For example, if you prefer the keto diet, Yummly will offer you recipes for this diet. In addition to suggesting recipes, the app keeps track of the ingredients you are allergic to.
While there are tons of recipes on Yummly, you can narrow down your search by using filters based on cooking time, diet, allergies, nutrition, cuisine, and more. Plus, you can save your favorite recipes and create a digital cookbook just by pressing the Yum button. In addition, you can create a shopping list and order products from local stores right from the app. The Yummly smart thermometer offers easy cooking assistance and the ability to set alerts/timers to prepare the perfect meal.
pros
- Intuitive video content for non-subscribers
- Easy Instacart compatibility for fast product delivery
- Preference based recipe suggestions
Minuses
- Recipe editing is not supported.
- Does not have pantry management tools
- No offline support
Price: Free
8. Coursera – Learning Made Easy
Coursera is currently considered one of the most popular online educational platforms. The digital platform offers courses in partnership with some of the most renowned universities and educational institutions in the world. If you’re looking for an extra edge in your career, switch to Coursera and access over 8,000 e-courses, certificate programs, degrees, and practice projects.
Designed by experts, every course on Coursera aims to help you hone your industry skills and specializations in careers popular in the sector. The list of courses includes areas such as business and management, data science, marketing, sales, UX, engineering, and others. In addition, after completing the course, you receive professional certificates that will ultimately help you get that high-paying job quickly.
The Coursera app understands that learning is a personal experience and everyone has their own pace of learning. So you can use the flexible schedule and on-demand courses offered by this mobile application. What’s more, Coursera’s videos are subtitled in other languages so you can quickly understand the concept.
pros
- Array of courses across multiple industry areas
- Courses Offered by Leading Universities
- Mobile app
Minuses
- The cost of a long-term degree is high
- Beginner-level courses require basic knowledge of the subject
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $38.99)
9. Twitch is a treat for gamers
If playing online games or watching the hustle and bustle of other players gives you an adrenaline rush, then Twitch could be your perfect friend. Simply put, Twitch is a live streaming app focused on video games, esports, and anything related to online gaming. In addition to sports, Twitch boasts a thriving community that streams cooking shows, podcasts, live music festivals, street tours, and more.
Starting a channel on Twitch is pretty easy. All you need to do is create an app account, go live and gather people who share your interests. Then, with each subscriber count, you increase your earnings. In addition to donations from subscribers, Twitch helps you generate revenue through ads or third-party sponsorship deals.
Follow streamers you find interesting and enjoy their gameplay and live commentary as they knock down their competitors. What’s more, by supporting other streamers, you unlock exclusive benefits for yourself. So why miss out on the chance to get extra perks while enjoying your favorite games here on Twitch?
pros
- Good source of passive income
- Esports fans can easily advertise themselves
Minuses
- Gets a share of the proceeds
- Content is exclusive to Twitch for 24 hours after it was first broadcast.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
10. Calm is the best meditation app
Calm is one of the most popular meditation apps for Apple devices. This online app allows you to immerse yourself in meditation and mindfulness without using time-limited meditation modes. With Calm, you get the best quality audio and video content that reduces stress and anxiety, increases focus, and improves sleep cycles.
The app has a dedicated set of effective meditation practices, soundscapes, stories, natural music, and more. If you want to start your mindfulness journey with simple steps, you can rely on the 10-minute Daily Calm schedules offered by the app. In addition, Calm allows you to listen to stories told by famous artists such as Matthew McConaughey.
The app contains an exclusive music library that includes songs from world icons such as Keith Urban. In this application, you can also find several short videos about physical exercises, breathing exercises and master classes given by leading experts in the field of meditation. The application is a one-stop solution for lovers of meditation and wellness.
pros
- Easy to use meditation charts
- Free Trial
- Scientific practices
Minuses
- Exclusive features limited to premium subscription
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $14.99)
11. Adidas Training by Runtastic – Fitness App
Did you know that switching to a healthier lifestyle is one of the most popular choices? However, shamelessly it is also the most neglected promise. So why not use technology to solve this problem? The Adidas Training app by Runtastic is the right solution for the lazy ones who often miss their fitness goals.
The Adidas Training app offers several options for quick 7-minute workouts that are simple and require no special equipment. The app allows you to design a personalized training regimen that suits your fitness goals, vitals and timing. Scroll through the app’s dedicated workout plan library and choose the one that’s perfect for your fitness goal.
Skilled fitness experts teach over 180 HD workout videos with step-by-step instructions and demos. The app allows users to easily complete simple or advanced workouts without any hassle. Plus, you can track your training regimen in real time by simply integrating your Adidas Training account with your Apple Watch or Apple Health account.
pros
- Easily create personal training plans
- Join Challenges to Feel Motivated
- Keep track of workouts, duration, calories, and more.
- Community access
Minuses
- Not suitable for beginners
- Fixed time schedules can be problematic for some people.
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $9.99)
12. ESPN+ – Live on Apple TV
Are you a passionate sports fan who loves to watch games and follow the latest happenings in the sports arena? Then ESPN+ might be your best bet. With this single app, you can access live streaming of popular games, on-demand sports services and the latest sports news articles. One of the most exciting things about the ESPN+ app is that it covers popular sports and sports with a small fan base.
The list of content available on the app includes NFA, NBA, NHL, college sports, tennis championships, golf tournaments and more. Plus, enjoy a 30 out of 30 library and exclusive ESPN+ Originals from famous athletes like Derek Jeter, Tom Brady, Abby Wambach, Dana White, and more. In the main tab of the app, you can find highlights, scores, and the latest sports news. tournaments, teams and leagues.
The ESPN+ app lets you subscribe to ESPN podcasts to learn all about your favorite game and player. You can also enjoy all the sports news on the ESPN live radio service available in the app.
pros
- Covers a wide range of games
- Stream games live
- Access to archives on demand
- Offline download allowed on mobile
Minuses
- No live NBA and NFL coverage
- Frequent announcements
Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $9.99)
Summarizing
I hope this article on 12 must-have Apple TV apps will help you get the most out of your Smart TV. Each application mentioned here serves a unique purpose. Thus, you can read the information under each heading and select the desired application.
Contact me in the comments section with your preferred list of Apple TV apps. I would like to hear from you.