13 Essential Phone Apps You Should Be Using ...

For Apple, Blackberry and Android: groupon.com

Because you can use this app to find the perfect coupon or deal, it had to top the list of essential apps! Don’t you get such a good feeling when you get what you want at a bargain price? This app can definitely help with scouring out bargain deals and catching them while they last! It’s even better that this app is completely free!

For Apple users: itunes.apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com

This app is perfect for those of you who need to stick to a strict budget or just want to keep an eye on your finances. You can easily track where your money is coming and going. Plus, you can set up a budget and all of your various bank accounts too!

For Apple users: itunes.apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com
For Windows users: windowsphone.com

I love PayPal! I love that the app is so safe and secure to use. Instead of giving out my credit card number to online sellers, I pay and receive transactions through PayPal. If you shop online a lot, this app is totally necessary! You can even transfer the funds to and from your linked bank account!

For Apple users: itunes.apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com

If you’ve ever been stuck in a power outage or needed to find your way around in the dark, you’ll agree that this app is totally essential! It helps to light the way so you can maneuver carefully and quickly through the darkness. There are a lot of free flashlight apps available for all mobile operation systems, but I recommend the one listed below.

For Android users: play.google.com OR play.google.com
For Apple users: itunes.apple.com

I really enjoy an app called “Tasks” which is available for Android phone. It has a widget that you can place on the home screen and view each time you use your phone – you don’t have to enter the app to see your list. It’s a free app as well! As for you iPhone users, a good (and free!) to do list app is Astrid (it’s also offered for Android as well), but there’s plenty of other free or paid apps offered that you can check out too!

For Apple users: itunes.apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com
For Blackberry users: appworld.blackberry.com
For Windows users: windowsphone.com

If you’re a huge movie-goer, like my boyfriend, this app will totally come in handy. Browse newly released movies, read reviews and even buy tickets to movies you want to see! How could you go wrong?

For Apple users: itunes.apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com

Use your location or your zip code to pinpoint a restaurant serving the food you feel like having. You can narrow your search by how far you want to drive and hours of operation. Plus, you can read reviews about the restaurant before you even reserve a table (which you can do through the app as well!).

For Apple users: apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com
The ultimate in social networking, the Facebook app allows you to check your status, update your status, check in, share photos and stay connected to friends and family no matter where you are. The app works on over 2,500 devices, so you're sure to find it for yours.

For Apple users: apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com
You don't have to own an e-reader to enjoy the convenience of reading books on your smartphone or tablet. You can enjoy a huge variety of books right at your fingertips anytime you need a good book to read with the Kindle app.

For Apple users: apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com
With the huge rise in media devices, hackers have a multitude of personal information they can use however they wish. By installing the Lookout Mobile Security app on your phone, you can protect against viruses and scary apps that can steal your personal information.

For Apple users: apple.com
This free app takes notes and syncs them for you. It allows you to sort and organize your important notes so you can tag them. That means they're super accessible from your phone anytime you need to see them. You can create text documents as well as videos, graphics and voice activated files with one app.

For Apple users: apple.com
For Android users: play.google.com

If staying on top of the latest news is one of your priorities, Pulse is the app for you. Use it to access thousands of top news sites for up to the minute articles that will keep you apprised of everything going on in the world. Link the app to your social media sites too.

For Windows users: windowsphone.com

Do you procrastinate and need tons of reminders to get stuff done? Download the HassleMe app and you can trick people into thinking you're always on top of things. The app bothers you to mark things off your to-do list. It'll remind you to grab milk or pick up books at the library with an easy format. You can set the app regarding how many times it hassles you each day.

That being said, I recommend exploring your phone’s app store. Everyone has an individual preference, so an app that may do the job for me, might not do the same for you. Additionally, all of the apps that I included on my list are free, but there are definitely a lot of nice paid ones out there on the market too. Did your app make the list? If not, what other essential app do you use every day?

This article written in collaboration with editor, Eliza Martinez