The Best Apps for Seniors in 2025
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September 14, 2025
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Even among older adults, smartphone use is on the rise, with a majority of people over 65 using the technology.1 We love smartphones for their advanced cameras, voice assistants and web-browsing capabilities, but the ultimate utility of smartphones lies with apps.
Whether you’re looking to track your fitness goals, save money at the pharmacy or remember where you parked your car, there’s an app for that. And many of them are free! In this guide, we’ll walk through our favorite apps on both Android and Apple devices. If you want to manage your health, keep in touch with loved ones or just stay entertained, these apps will be right at home on your phone.
Tired of overpaying for your monthly cell phone bill? Read our guide to the best deals on senior phone plans.
Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
If you’re using apps, you may need a phone plan with ample data. These three providers offer discounted plans for seniors with unlimited data, allowing you to browse social media, stream music and access the internet for a low monthly price.
Health and Wellness Apps for Seniors
Insight Timer
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; $59.99 per year for a paid membership
Overview
Meditation can reduce stress and lower blood pressure,2 making it a valuable tool for senior health. Insight Timer, a popular meditation app, provides a whole host of guided exercises that help beginners and experts alike.
You’ll find everything from five-minute breathing exercises to full yoga sessions. The app lets you choose from different meditation bells and set your preferred session length. We particularly enjoyed the live yoga classes and sleep stories that help you unwind at bedtime.
The free version gives you plenty to work with, but if you want access to specialized courses and workshops, the premium membership costs $59.99 per year.
Medisafe
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year for premium version
Overview
For many of us, age comes with additional prescription medications. As those prescriptions pile up, it can become challenging to manage them all. That’s where Medisafe comes in.
>>Read more: The Best Automatic Medication Dispensers
Medisafe acts like a personal medication assistant, sending you reminders exactly when it’s time to take each pill. In addition to our medications, we used the app to track other health indicators such as weight, cholesterol level and heart rate, integrating the app with our Apple Watches.
If you take medications from multiple health-care providers, you’ll appreciate that the app tells you about potentially harmful drug interactions. Plus, when we ran out of prescriptions, the app notified us to get refills, making it easy to stay on top of our medications.
Medisafe is free, but there is also a paid option that removes in-app ads and throws in extra health-tracking features. The paid version costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 for a yearly subscription.
GoodRx
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free for the basic version; $9.99 per month for GoodRx Gold membership
Overview
In 2025, the price of medical care commodities, which include prescription drugs, continues to increase.3 Luckily, GoodRx can help you pay less for medications.
With GoodRx, you can look up your medications, view their pricing at local pharmacies and receive a coupon to obtain a discount. In many cases, we found that discounted prices with GoodRx were even lower than they would be with our insurance. Best of all? The app is completely free to use!
If you pay for GoodRx Gold, the premium service, you’ll gain access to additional pharmacies and prescriptions. In our experience, however, the free version is more than enough. To learn more about the premium membership features, read our full GoodRx review.
ADT SoSecure
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to try; $4.99 to $9.99 per month after the first 30 days
In addition to their traditional medical alert systems, ADT now offers a powerful solution right on your smartphone. The SoSecure app transforms your phone into a mobile medical alert device, which gives you instant access to help with the tap of a button.
When you trigger an SOS call, you’ll be connected to a monitoring center, wherein an ADT response agent will quickly assess your situation and coordinate the right help, from dispatching emergency services to notifying a family member. The app also lets you share your live location with loved ones and alerts them whenever you need help, offering a convenient alternative to a wearable medical alert device.
Fitness and Exercise Apps for Seniors
SilverSneakers GO
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download for eligible Medicare Advantage and Medigap beneficiaries
Staying active becomes more important as we age, but figuring out where to start can feel overwhelming. SilverSneakers GO takes the guesswork out of exercise by creating personalized workout plans just for you.
The app includes over 200 workout videos designed specifically for older adults, plus it helps you find local gyms and classes. With a SilverSneakers membership, you can often get completely free membership to local gyms.
Many Medicare plans cover it completely free. We recommend contacting your insurance carrier to see if you qualify.
>>Read More: Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance
MyFitnessPal
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; $24.99 per month or $99.99 annually for the premium version
Think of MyFitnessPal as having a nutritionist in your pocket. Tell it your goals, and it will calculate exactly how many calories you should eat each day to reach them.
The app makes tracking surprisingly easy. You just snap photos of your meals or scan barcodes. You’ll see exactly where your calories come from and whether you’re getting enough protein, vitamins and other nutrients.
The free version covers basics such as calorie counting, while the premium adds features such as detailed macro tracking for $24.99 per month. The free version will suffice for most users.
>>Read more: The Best Exercise Equipment for Seniors
Safety Apps
Lively Health and Safety Service
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: $24.99 to $34.99 a month
If you’ve ever used a Jitterbug phone, you’re likely familiar with their optional safety features, including urgent response calling. The features can also be downloaded as an app.
>>Read more: Jitterbug Phone Reviews
When you press the emergency button, trained operators connect you with the help you need, whether it’s paramedics, a locksmith or family members.
Two plans are available: Basic ($24.99 a month) gives you the emergency button plus automatic family notifications, while Premium ($34.99 a month) adds 24/7 nurse consultations and a personal health advocate.
To learn more about the various features of Lively, read our guide to Lively phones and plans.
“Find My” Apps
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
Overview
We’ve all been there — frantically searching for a misplaced phone, keys or wallet. Find My (iPhone) and Google Find My Device (Android) end that frustration by showing you exactly where your items are on a map.
The apps work even when your device battery dies, and they can make your lost items beep loudly. iPhone users can also track AirTags, which are small Bluetooth trackers perfect for attaching to keys, wallets or anything else you tend to misplace.
1Password
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: $2.99 per month
Overview
Here’s a scary thought: The average person has over 100 online accounts. 1Password remembers all your passwords so you don’t have to, and it automatically fills them in when you need them.
The app also creates super-secure passwords for new accounts and safely stores your credit card information. After a two-week free trial, plans run $2.99 per month for individuals — a small price for never having to remember another password.
Communication Apps
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
Overview
Love it or hate it, Facebook remains the most popular social media platform for seniors. Half of people 65 and older use it regularly.4 Beyond keeping up with family photos, you’ll find local community forums, marketplace deals (our personal favorite) and original programming.
Facebook Messenger makes it easy to chat directly with friends and family, while Facebook Groups helps you connect with people who share your interests, from gardening to book clubs.
FaceTime/Google Duo
Availability: iPhone or Android
Cost: Free
Overview
Sometimes a phone call just isn’t enough; you want to see the person you’re talking to. FaceTime (iPhone) and Google Duo (Android) make video chatting as easy as making a regular call, with crystal-clear picture and sound quality.
The apps proved invaluable during the pandemic, when families couldn’t visit in person. The picture-in-picture feature even lets you browse other apps while staying connected with your loved ones.
Entertainment Apps
Seek by iNaturalist
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
Overview
Ever wonder what type of bird is singing in your backyard or what kind of flower is blooming in your garden? Seek uses artificial intelligence to identify plants and animals from your photos. Whether you’re looking at a common grackle or a musa basjoo, the app will identify the organism.
The app turns nature walks into treasure hunts, with challenges such as finding three different birds or identifying local wildflowers. Your observations even contribute to a global database that helps scientists track wildlife populations.
Audible
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free for 30 days, then $7.95 to $14.95 a month
Overview
Whether your eyes get tired from reading or you just prefer listening to stories, Audible brings thousands of books to life through professional narrators. The service works perfectly for long car trips or relaxing evenings at home.
Choose between the full service at $14.95 per month (includes one book credit) or the lighter plan at $7.95 per month for podcasts and select audiobooks. Many books feature celebrity narrators, and the service offers great alternatives for anyone with vision difficulties.
Words With Friends
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download, with various optional in-app purchases
Overview
If you enjoyed Scrabble growing up, you’ll love Words With Friends. This digital version lets you play with friends and family members anywhere in the world, taking turns whenever it’s convenient.
The app includes fun events and challenges beyond the basic game. With over 10 million downloads, it has clearly struck a chord with word-game enthusiasts. The basic game is free, but you can buy extra features if you want.
MarineTraffic — Ship Tracking
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; $9.99 per month for more advanced features
Overview
For anyone fascinated by ships and maritime traffic, MarineTraffic shows you exactly where vessels are around the world in real time. Whether you’re at the beach watching cargo ships or just curious about ocean traffic, the app will satisfy your curiosity.
Point your camera at any ship and the app identifies it, showing details such as its destination, speed and cargo. The free version covers the basics, while premium features starting at $9.99 per month add detailed weather and ocean-current data.
Google Earth
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free
Overview
Google Earth lets you explore the entire world from your armchair. Want to see your childhood home from above? Check out the pyramids in Egypt? Visit places you’ve always dreamed of going? The app makes it all possible with stunning satellite imagery and 3D views.
The app includes detailed information about landmarks and locations, making it perfect for armchair travel or planning real trips.
Transportation Apps
GasBuddy
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; $9.99 per month for advanced features
Overview
Gas prices change constantly, sometimes varying by 50 cents per gallon within a few miles. GasBuddy shows you exactly which stations offer the cheapest fuel near you, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars per year.
Just enter your ZIP code and the app will display nearby stations sorted by price. The optional gas card can multiply your savings, and with nearly 55 million successful transactions, it’s clearly helping people save real money.
>>Read more: The Ultimate List of Senior Discounts
Uber
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download, but each ride costs a variable amount
Overview
For older adults who no longer feel comfortable driving or don’t own a car, Uber provides safe, reliable transportation at the touch of a button. Simply enter your destination, choose your preferred vehicle type and track your driver’s arrival in real time.
Pricing varies based on distance and demand, but there’s no membership fee. You pay only for rides you actually take. Many older adults find it much more convenient and affordable than owning a car.
Education Apps
Duolingo
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; optional in-app purchases
Overview
Always wanted to learn a new language? Duolingo makes it feel more like playing a game than studying. Choose from nearly 40 languages, including everything from practical Spanish and French to fun options such as Hawaiian and even Klingon.
Set daily practice goals from five to 25 minutes, and the app sends gentle reminders to keep you on track. The free version provides excellent language learning, while the premium version removes ads and offers extra practice opportunities.
Dating Apps for Seniors
eHarmony
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download; $29.90 to $59.90 per month for premium features
Overview
Online dating doesn’t have to mean endless shallow swiping. eHarmony focuses on meaningful compatibility through detailed personality questionnaires, making it popular with older adults seeking serious relationships.
Roughly half of people ages 60 and over have used eHarmony,5 indicating that the service has an active user base of older adults. Its pricing is a bit high, but we’ve heard of many success stories from the app, making it one of our favorite dating sites for seniors.
>>Read more: eHarmony Review
Hinge
Availability: iPhone and Android
Cost: Free to download
Overview
Hinge calls itself “the dating app designed to be deleted” because it focuses on helping people find lasting relationships. Instead of just photos, profiles include conversation starters such as “my most controversial opinion” that help you get to know someone’s personality.
In our experience, Hinge works well for free, although premium features such as unlimited matches are available if you want extra visibility.
How to Simplify an iPhone for Seniors
Many people appreciate the various features of iPhones, but for some users the features can make the phones too complicated to use. With Assistive Access mode, you can enlarge home-screen icons, simplify the layouts of various apps and even limit which features a user can access.
Assistive Access turns your iPhone into a senior-friendly device similar to the Jitterbug Smart4, a smartphone designed specifically for seniors. It’s a great way to enjoy all the features of an iPhone, from FaceTime to Apple Podcasts to Face ID, without sacrificing accessibility.
To learn more about the feature, read our guide to Assistive Access: iPhone Senior Mode.
How to Simplify an Android Phone for Seniors
Android phones don’t have an exact equivalent to Assistive Access, but launchers can dramatically simplify your phone’s interface. The special apps change how your home screen looks and works.
Nova Launcher is particularly good for seniors, because it makes app icons bigger and removes clutter from your home screen. Download it from the Google Play Store, install it and follow the setup instructions to create a cleaner, easier-to-use phone interface.
Which is Better for Seniors: Android or iPhone?
The honest answer? Both work well for seniors, but they have different strengths.
iPhones offer a more consistent experience across all models and include helpful features such as Assistive Access. They tend to cost more but provide excellent customer support and regular software updates.
Android phones come in more varieties and price ranges, from budget-friendly options to premium models. They offer more customization, but they can be more complex to navigate.
Our advice: Try both at a store and see which feels more comfortable in your hands. The best phone is the one you’ll actually enjoy using.
>>Read more: The Best Android Phones for Seniors
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are some free apps that can entertain seniors?
Google Earth, MarineTraffic, Seek by iNaturalist and Words With Friends all provide hours of free entertainment without any subscription fees.
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Which has better apps for seniors — Android or iPhone?
Both platforms offer similar apps, but iPhone’s Assistive Access feature creates simplified interfaces specifically designed for older adults, giving it a slight edge for seniors new to smartphones.
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What are the best dating apps for seniors?
The most popular options include eHarmony and Match.com for serious relationships, plus OurTime, SilverSingles, CatholicMatch, Christian Cafe and SeniorMatch for more specific preferences.