There are more avenues for entertainment today than ever before in history. There was a time when television was the primary source of recreation and entertainment in households around the world. But that’s not the case anymore as mobile apps and streaming services are our go-to platforms for on-demand and 24/7 entertainment.
Because of mobile app development, we now have tons of entertainment apps that have made entertainment an on-the-go experience. Users aren’t bound by programming schedules anymore, whether it’s movies, games, or news, how we consume content has completely changed.
As of January 2025, Netflix, TikTok, YouTube, and other video or streaming platforms consumed 75.9% of all global mobile usage, which shows how much entertainment is central to our modern life.
In this article, we’ll explore the best entertainment apps that you must have in 2025. These are some of the top grossing entertainment apps that are redefining our digital life.
What are entertainment apps?
Entertainment apps provide users with enjoyable and engaging digital content for their entertainment needs. This content can either be in the format of videos, music, games, live streams, or social interactions.
The primary goal of entertainment apps is to provide users with relaxation, fun, and leisure time. For example, playing mobile app games to kill time while traveling, listening to music on Spotify when you want a distraction, or finishing the show you were watching on Netflix before work the next day.
Affordable mobile app development has allowed developers to create entertainment apps for any idea and purpose.
What are the types of entertainment apps?
Entertainment apps are of several types depending on their content and target audience. Some cater to mass audiences like social media apps, streaming platforms, and entertainment news apps.
But others are designed for specific devices and niches like connected car apps for navigation and entertainment or kids entertainment apps.
1. Streaming Services
Movies, shows, and dramas are the most sought-after entertainment by users. Streaming services have changed the way people consume entertainment.
These platforms boast extensive libraries comprising movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. They invest heavily in mobile app development services to produce exclusive and high-quality content to attract and retain subscribers.
2. Social Media Platforms
What is more entertaining than socializing with your peers? Taking socialization as the heart of innovation, social media entertainment apps are a top priority of mobile app development services.
Social media platforms have evolved into entertainment hubs, offering users a diverse array of content formats with which to engage. Short-form videos, TikTok live streams, AR filters, and creative challenges dominate these platforms, fostering a culture of creativity and expression.
Users not only consume content but also actively participate by creating and sharing their own. Many individuals and brands look to buy TikTok followers to amplify their presence and engagement, ensuring that their content reaches a larger audience.
3. Gaming Apps
People primarily associate video games with children, but they are no longer a juvenile pleasure. Gaming is a hobby and even a profession for many adults, which is why mobile app development services are investing in gaming apps.
Gaming apps continue to dominate the app landscape with immersive experiences, intricate storytelling, and competitive multiplayer modes that keep players engaged for hours on end. The rapid growth of igaming innovation is setting new standards in mobile entertainment, pushing the boundaries of user engagement through cutting-edge technologies and creative strategies.
4. Music Streaming
Music is the primary source of entertainment, and seeing this opportunity, mobile app development companies are investing in music streaming apps. Music streaming apps like
Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music have transformed the way people discover, listen to, and share music.
Personalized playlists, curated recommendations, and AI-driven music discovery algorithms help users discover new music tailored to their preferences. Integration with smart devices and platforms like smart speakers and wearable devices enables seamless access to music anytime, anywhere.
5. Podcast Platforms
Another growing trend in entertainment apps is podcasts. Podcasts have surged in popularity, and dedicated apps cater to users’ growing appetite for on-demand audio content.
These platforms offer a diverse range of podcasts covering topics ranging from news and politics to true crime and self-help. Podcasts have become a new norm for interviewing celebrities, creating ASMR videos, and whatnot.
6. Live Event Streaming
With the rise of virtual events, live event streaming entertainment apps have become indispensable for streaming live concerts, gaming tournaments, conferences, and other events.
These platforms offer interactive voice search and other features like live chat, virtual gifting, and audience participation, which allow users to engage with content creators and fellow viewers in real time while creating a sense of community.
7. E-book platforms
E-book entertainment apps provide users with access to a vast library of e-books, audiobooks, and digital magazines. Mobile app development services cater to people’s e-reading habits by offering personalized experiences through Kindles and e-books.
These platforms offer customization options like font size, background color, and reading mode, which allow users to personalize their reading experience across devices.
8. Dating and lifestyle apps
Finding love is an intimate aspect of life that dating apps make entertaining and convenient. Dating apps include elements such as swiping, matchmaking algorithms, and interactive profiles to facilitate connections between users.
These apps prioritize user engagement and interaction through games and virtual gifts to spark conversations and establish connections. Lifestyle apps entertain content.
The best entertainment apps for your smartphone
Here are the top 10 entertainment apps that you must have on your phone in 2025. These top-grossing entertainment apps are your gateway to escape the stress of daily life.
1. Netflix
Netflix has retained its place as the most used OTT (over-the-top) streaming entertainment app with 301.6 million paid subscribers worldwide as of January 2025. The platform holds a range of movies, TV series, and documentaries across different genres.
Moreover, Netflix is now producing its own original content as well. What makes Netflix stand out is that they upload entire seasons on their platform at once, which has popularized binge-watching. If you’re interested in crime, thriller, fiction, history, comedy, horror, or any other genre of shows, Netflix provides you with hours of content right in your pocket.
2. Spotify
If you’re someone who loves music, download Spotify on your phone. The music app offers millions of songs from artists around the world in several languages. Spotify lets you enjoy the moment with music that matches your mood.
Spotify had 678 million monthly active users in the first quarter of 2025. The entertainment app also offers access to podcasts from different hosts. Spotify has a free version that works with ads, while you can enjoy your music without ads on the paid version.
3. YouTube
YouTube’s mobile app has surpassed 10 billion downloads in 2025 so far. It is the world’s most popular and well-known video-sharing platform. YouTube is not just an entertainment app; it is the ultimate platform where you can find videos on anything, from funny cat videos for a laugh to step-by-step tutorials to learn Flutter app development.
4. Disney+
Disney+ is a family-friendly entertainment app for kids and families that hosts children’s content and animated movies. Whether it’s classic Disney hits, Pixar movies, or educational documentaries, Disney+ is your top choice for family-oriented content.
The app had 124.6 million global subscribers in 2025. If you want to spend some quality time with your kids or want to relive your childhood, download Disney+ on your phone.
5. Audible
Storytelling is one of the oldest ways of entertainment. Many people love to read and hear stories, which help them to learn and grow. But due to the pace of modern life, many people don’t have time for that.
If you’re in that situation, Audible should be in your entertainment apps list. It is an audiobook and podcast service offered by Amazon and has thousands of audiobooks in various genres. Further, it is a good app for learning new languages as it has learning material in Arabic, French, Spanish, German, and other languages from around the world.
6. Tencent Video
Tencent Video is a Chinese entertainment app for iOS and Android that has gained rapid popularity in recent years. While it is the major streaming platform in China, it is working to expand its global operations under the brand name of WeTV.
The platform provides original content on a video-on-demand basis. Additionally, Tencent is integrating AR/VR and other interactive elements in its streaming experience, which puts it as one of the leading innovators in the market.
7. HBO Max
HBO Max was released five years ago and has gained 122.3 million global subscribers so far. HBO is a highly respected name in television history that has produced award-winning pieces over the decades.
The television service finally entered the streaming entertainment apps scene in 2020, and the app offers a versatile library of content catering to all audiences. If you prefer quality over quantity, get HBO Max for high-quality content.
8. Twitch
Twitch has gained worldwide popularity due to internet celebrities like IShowSpeed. It is a live-streaming platform for gamers to share their gameplay with the world and chat with other streamers.
On the app, you can play games, share your experiences, and interact with others. It is a must-have app if you like gaming.
9. RheelShort
Vertical short-form reels have become addictive, and all major social media platforms have incorporated them. RheelShort was launched in 2022 and ranked as the top iOS app in the United States for quite a while.
RheelShort is developed with modern entertainment needs in mind. The app hosts one-to two-minute entertainment videos designed for vertical layouts of mobile phones. It has quickly become a popular app among Gen Z and younger generations.
Moreover, it has a unique monetization method. The platform has an in-app virtual currency to unlock premium content.
10. Peloton Entertainment
Peloton Entertainment lets you watch your favorite shows, movies, and sports while you’re working out. It is primarily a health and fitness company that creates fitness machines like treadmills, exercise bikes, and strength training equipment.
The Peloton Entertainment app allows users to watch digital content on the device screen installed on the hardware. What entertainment apps are on Peloton? Here are some of the most popular ones.
- Netflix
- Disney+
- YouTube
- NBA League Pass
- Amazon Kindle
What are the common features of entertainment apps?
There are some principles in entertainment app development that are common to all kinds of entertainment apps. The best entertainment apps must have these features.
- High-performance: People have a very short attention span today. Therefore, entertainment apps must have high performance and deliver their content quickly without any delay to grab their attention.
- Simplicity: Apps for entertainment must be simple to use with an easy login process and intuitive user interfaces that are effortless to use.
- Diverse content: Users get bored quickly using or interacting with the same content. The top entertainment apps have a wide library of content that is regularly updated.
- Personalization: Personalization is on every user’s entertainment apps list of requirements. They want to access personal content according to their taste when they want it and how they want it.
- Offline and online access: The best entertainment apps have both offline and online content. Offline access allows users to download content, and online connectivity offers more features to explore.
- Price: Free entertainment apps provide free content, usually with ads, while subscription-based apps require regular payments to grant access.
Future Trends
Looking ahead, several trends are poised to shape the landscape of entertainment apps in the coming years:
- Personalization: Enhanced machine learning solutions will deliver hyper-personalized recommendations and content tailored to individual preferences.
- Integration of Emerging Technologies: The integration of technologies like 5G, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) will enable more immersive and interactive experiences.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Seamless integration across devices and platforms will offer users greater flexibility and convenience in accessing content.
- Social and Community Features: Social features such as live chat, virtual events, and collaborative experiences will foster deeper engagement and connections among users.
- Content Diversification: Entertainment apps will continue to diversify their content offerings, catering to niche interests and demographics.
Conclusion
Entertainment isn’t just about genres. It appears in different forms, and the same rule applies to mobile app development services. Seeing the significance of entertainment, mobile app development services are hell-bent on offering the best possible apps to users for more engaging content.
Entertainment in mobile apps appears in the form of streaming apps, social media apps, podcasting platforms, and whatnot. The current hour requires a proactive and smart approach toward attracting customers with a taste for entertainment through these platforms and apps.
Are you looking to build an application for your business? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us at [email protected], and our team will get in touch with you shortly.