If you just strapped on a new Apple Watch and are wondering which apps actually deserve space on your wrist, a focused starter set makes all the difference. I have pulled together five specific apps that repeatedly surface in expert roundups, from navigation and productivity to sports and everyday utility, so you can unlock the watch’s best tricks without wading through dozens of options.
1. Starter Pack for New Users
Starter Pack for New Users begins with Apple Maps, which recent coverage of essential Apple Watch apps highlights as “perfect for walking directions” on Apple Watch. Having turn-by-turn taps on your wrist means you can keep your iPhone in your pocket while navigating crowded streets or unfamiliar neighborhoods. That same reporting points new owners to Todoist and Spotify Premium, giving this starter pack a clear focus on everyday movement, planning, and listening without overloading you with niche tools.
Apple Maps handles glanceable navigation, while Todoist, described in related coverage as widely considered among the best for both individuals and families, turns the watch into a quick-capture task inbox. Spotify Premium then rounds out the trio so you can control playlists and offline listening directly from your wrist. For new Apple Watch owners, this combination shows why experts frame a small, curated set of apps as the fastest route to making the device feel indispensable in daily life.
2. Top Performers for 2025
Top Performers for 2025 focuses on apps that are already tuned for the latest Apple Watch hardware, with Fantastical and Todoist standing out in expert rundowns of the best Apple Watch apps in 2025. Fantastical is repeatedly labeled Best for Scheduling, reflecting how its rich calendar views and natural-language event entry translate cleanly to the small screen. On the watch, that means complications that surface your next meeting and quick access to your day at a glance, which is critical for anyone who lives by their calendar.
Todoist appears again in 2025 lists as Best for Task Management, reinforcing how strongly reviewers rate its Apple Watch experience. You can add tasks with your voice, tick off items from your wrist, and keep shared projects in sync with teammates or family members. Together, Fantastical and Todoist show how top-tier apps now treat the watch as a primary interface, not a stripped-down companion, which raises expectations for every other productivity tool competing for space on your home screen.
3. Sports Tracking Must-Haves
Sports Tracking Must-Haves zeroes in on game-day performance, where dedicated sports apps turn the Apple Watch into a live coaching tool. Detailed guides to essential Apple Watch sports apps emphasize real-time stats, score updates, and workout metrics that stay visible without pulling out your phone. For runners and cyclists, that often means pairing the built-in Workout app with specialized services like Strava or Nike Run Club, which sync routes, pace, and heart-rate data into long-term training logs.
Coverage of the Best Apple Watch Fitness Apps of in 2025 also highlights Motion as Best for Gamification and Inclusivity and WorkOutDoors as Best for Serious Outdoor Athletes, underscoring how tailored these tools have become. When you add Hevy for structured strength tracking, the watch can log sets, reps, and rest intervals as precisely as a dedicated gym notebook. For athletes, the stakes are clear: choosing the right sports apps can turn casual activity into measurable progress and make every session more intentional.
4. Everyday Recommendations
Everyday Recommendations focuses on apps that experts say most Apple Watch owners should install immediately to get full value from the device. A broad survey of the best Apple Watch apps you should use highlights how a mix of health, productivity, and utility tools can “maximize your watch’s potential in 2025.” In that context, Headway stands out as a Learning app that delivers audiobook summaries and habit nudges, using short sessions and wrist-based reminders to keep personal development from slipping through the cracks.
Those same roundups point to Spotify as a powerful music streaming app that lets you browse, manage playlists, and listen offline from your wrist, while Shazam, Built into the broader Apple ecosystem, helps you identify songs around you without reaching for your phone. Combined with Apple Watch features like notifications and quick replies, these everyday apps show how the device can quietly streamline dozens of small tasks. For most users, that steady reduction in friction is what turns the watch into something they feel odd leaving at home.
5. Editor-Curated Favorites
Editor-Curated Favorites captures the apps that seasoned reviewers keep returning to after testing dozens of alternatives. In a set of editor-selected Apple Watch picks, Strava and Nike Run Club appear alongside mindfulness and finance tools, reflecting how central fitness and focus have become to the platform. Strava appeals to data-driven athletes who want detailed segment analysis and social competition, while Nike Run Club leans into guided runs and coaching plans that play directly from your wrist.
Other editor choices, such as Headspace for meditation and Workout for native tracking, round out a balanced core that covers movement, mental health, and everyday logging. When multiple expert lists, including The Best Apple Watch Apps of in 2025, converge on the same names like Strava, Nike Run Club, Structured, MoneyCoach, Headspace, and Workout, it signals that these apps consistently deliver real-world value. For anyone curating a lean setup, following those editor shortlists is a reliable way to avoid clutter and focus on proven essentials.
Supporting sources: The best Apple Watch golf apps.
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