Google Play has released its Best of 2025 awards, naming the top apps, games, and books of the year.
The Best App award went to Focus Friend by Hank Green, a tool that helps people stay present and cut through distractions. The Best Game was Pokémon TCG Pocket, praised for bringing the trading card game to mobile with a modern, tactile feel.
For multi‑device experiences, Luminar: Photo Editor won Best Multi‑device App, while Disney Speedstorm took Best Multi‑device Game.
Google Play also recognized apps and games across categories such as family learning, quick entertainment, and productivity. Books were included as well, with winners in fiction, nonfiction, and kids’ titles.
Ocean Vuong’s The Emperor of Gladness was named favorite contemporary fiction, while Angeline Boulley’s Sisters in the Wind topped the young adult category.
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Below is the full list of winners.
Full List of Winners
Apps
- Best App: Focus Friend by Hank Green
- Best Multi‑device App: Luminar: Photo Editor
- Best for Fun: Edits (Instagram app)
- Best for Personal Growth: Focus Friend
- Best Everyday Essential: Wiser – 15 Minute Audio Books
- Best Hidden Gem: Pingo AI Language Learning
- Best for Families: ABCmouse 2
- Best for Watches: SleepisolBio
- Best for Large Screens: Goodnotes
- Best for Cars: SoundCloud
- Best for XR Headsets: Calm
Games
- Best Game: Pokémon TCG Pocket
- Best Multi‑device Game: Disney Speedstorm
- Best Multiplayer: Dunk City Dynasty
- Best Pick Up & Play: Candy Crush Solitaire
- Best Indie: Chants of Sennaar
- Best Story: Disco Elysium
- Best Ongoing: Wuthering Waves
- Best on Play Pass: DREDGE
- Best for Google Play Games on PC: Odin: Valhalla Rising
Books
- Fantasy: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson
- Thriller: Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister
- Romance: Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone
- Contemporary Fiction: The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
- Horror: Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zheng by Kylie Lee Baker
- Historical Fiction: Herod the Great by Zora Neal Hurson
- Science Fiction: Remember You Will Die by Eden Robins
- Graphic Novel: Buddha Jumps over the Wall by Ying Chang Compestine
- Manga: The Guy She Was Interested In Wasn’t a Guy at All Vol. 1 by Sumiko Arai
- Light Novel: Witch and Mercenary Vol. 1 by Chohokiteki Kaeru
- Memoir: This American Woman by Zarna Garg
- Business: The Ambition Trap by Amina AlTai
- Self‑help: Validation by Caroline Fleck
- Nonfiction: Little Bosses Everywhere by Bridget Read
- Picture Book: Wind Watchers by Micha Archer
- Middle Grade: Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson
- Young Adult: Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
