$7 a month (5 free sessions), Android and iOS

The Brain.fm app offers something a little different from the norm, generating a limitless playlist of algorithmically tuned sounds to boost productivity, to help you relax, or to get you to sleep more easily. You can pick from a variety of sounds and themes—natural, classical, cinematic and more—then set the time duration and hit the play button.

JustWatch

Free, Android and iOS

Diving into your favorite streaming app of choice is of course a good way to get your mind out of the confines of the same four walls, but how do you know what’s good? Enter JustWatch, which can tell you which streaming service you can find your favorite movie on, and lets you jump straight to the newest and most popular stuff too.

Google Duo

Free, Android and iOS

When it comes to video calling apps, you’ve got plenty to pick from, but Google Duo checks most boxes: It works on Android, iOS, and the web, and is free to use for video chats of up to eight people. You get a few cool filters and effects to play around with, and you can send recorded video messages to friends and family if a live video call isn’t possible.

Houseparty

Photograph: Houseparty via David Nield

Free, Android and iOS

Houseparty is also based around video chat, but in a less formal, more fun way—almost like a real houseparty. You can quickly see who’s around and who isn’t, and if you’re online then you can jump straight into calls and group chats with no waiting. Add in an engaging mix of games and diversions, and it’s easy to understand the app’s growing popularity.

Peloton

$13 a month (90-day free trial), Android and iOS

You can use the Peloton app without a treadmill or bike—there are still plenty of live classes and on-demand routines available at a tap that you can do at home and in the park with just basic equipment. What’s more, in these coronavirus-affected times, Peloton has extended the free trial period to 90 days, so you can see whether the app works for you in the long run.

Aaptiv

$15 a month (7-day free trial), Android and iOS

Aaptiv is another polished, high-quality personal training app you can use to guide your own routines at home. It’s not cheap, but you do get a wealth of audio-led workouts, covering running, strength training, flexibility, yoga, treadmill work, and more. The app is also really good at keeping a training diary and showing your progress over time.

Design Home

Photograph: Design Home via David Nield
You May Also Like

Hubble Space Telescope takes stunning snap of NGC 5728 galaxy that has ‘celestial eye’

NASA‘s Hubble Space Telescope has snapped a remarkable image of galaxy in…

Fender American Vintage II 1961 Stratocaster Review: Closet Classic

Vintage guitars are expensive because most people who play guitar grew up…

Why Apple’s Privacy Changes Hurt Facebook but Benefited Google

Apple Inc.’s recent privacy crackdown has affected the largest players in online…

NASA selects a landing site for its 2023 Moon rover mission

NASA has selected a landing site for its golf cart-sized VIPER rover,…