Best Apps for Kids Age 13–17

Last updated: September 15, 2021

The best mobile apps for teens can provide an engaging world of entertainment and enrichment. Our app reviews cover a wide range of teen interests, from arcade games and digital-creation apps to music and social networking. Talk with teens about a price limit on their mobile apps and keep an eye on their multiplayer activities. They also need to know what your expectations are for responsible, respectful online behavior. Check out our 15 Great Apps to Play with Tweens and Teens for even more top-rated titles to share with your teen.

Filter by:

Sort by:

APP

Animoto: Slideshow Maker

age 13+

Freemium slideshow tool better on privacy than similar apps.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Chromebook Paid , Free (Photo & Video)

See full review

Autodesk Sketchbook Poster Image

APP

Autodesk Sketchbook

age 13+

Impressive creation tool for teens serious about art.

iPad , Android , Kindle Fire , Windows app Free to try (Productivity)

See full review

Codea Poster Image

APP

Codea

age 13+

Innovative tool for programming on the iPad.

iPad Paid (Productivity)

See full review

APP

Evernote

age 13+

Organization tool helps kids manage their digital lives.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Mac , Android , Chromebook , Windows app Free to try , Paid , Free (Productivity)

See full review

Finding Home - A Refugee's Journey Poster Image

APP

Finding Home - A Refugee's Journey

age 13+

Incredible interactive story shows teen refugee experience.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free (Simulation Games)

See full review

Ground News Poster Image

APP

Ground News

age 13+

Compare coverage of current events and control for bias.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free to try (News)

See full review

APP

Impressions: Face Swap Videos

age 13+

Easy-to-use deepfake generator with eerie results.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free (Entertainment)

See full review

Lifeline 2 Poster Image

APP

Lifeline 2

age 13+

New adventure a bit scarier, still fun, but less satisfying.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Adventure Games)

See full review

Lifeline... Poster Image

APP

Lifeline...

age 13+

Choose Your Own Adventure grows up, goes tech, is great.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Adventure Games)

See full review

Lifeline: Whiteout Poster Image

APP

Lifeline: Whiteout

age 13+

Most complex, challenging, and deep of series so far.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid (Adventure Games)

See full review

Lirica - Learn Languages Poster Image

APP

Lirica - Learn Languages

age 13+

Clever method uses hit pop songs to teach language.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free to try (Education)

See full review

Magisto - Magical Video Editor Poster Image

APP

Magisto - Magical Video Editor

age 13+

Automated video maker is fast and fun but has limits.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free (Photo & Video)

See full review

APP

Noa: Listen to news articles

age 13+

Listen to multiple news sources; be aware of bias.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free to try (News)

See full review

Paper by WeTransfer Poster Image

APP

Paper by WeTransfer

age 13+

Beautifully designed digital sketchbook fosters creativity.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free (Productivity)

See full review

APP

Plague Inc.

age 13+

Slow & steady kills the (human) race in disease-design app.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire Paid , Free (Simulation Games)

See full review

Popplet Poster Image

APP

Popplet

age 13+

Mind-mapping tool's visual "pop" will engage teens.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Paid (Productivity)

See full review

Procreate Poster Image

APP

Procreate

age 13+

Awesome professional-level tool for digital artists.

iPad Paid (Productivity)

See full review

APP

Reason Compact - Make Music

age 13+

Mobile music studio packed with features, lots of pro tips.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free (Music)

See full review

SoundHound Poster Image

APP

SoundHound

age 13+

ID tunes instantly -- with iffy lyrics.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android , Kindle Fire (Music)

See full review

Sway: Magic Dance Poster Image

APP

Sway: Magic Dance

age 13+

Fun motion filters transform kids into dance pros.

iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Free (Entertainment)

See full review

About the Author

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media offers the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based ratings and reviews. Our timely parenting advice supports families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age.