The winners of Google Play’s Best of 2021 awards have been announced revealing what software was popular on Alphabet’s mobile app store.
Brett Bouchard, Global Head of Editorial at Google Play, states in an announcement that content geared around personal growth was successful this past year, and the year before that.
“Similar to our Best of 2020 winners, apps focused on personal growth were in high demand in 2021. This year’s winners found creative, and often meditative, ways to help users get to know themselves on a deeper level. Balance, which earned our Best App of 2021 award, encourages people to find their center through personalized meditations; Moonly provides tips and guidance based on the lunar calendar; and Laughscape helps people reach a meditative state through laughter,” Bouchard wrote.
Balance is a an app billing itself as a “personal meditation coach” that we’ve seen ads for constantly on Instagram.
The other big winner from the event was Pokémon Unite which walks away with the Best Game accolade.
It really doesn’t surprise us that the two big winners here are popular titles with tonnes of cash to throw around and familiar names. As Alphabet is choosing the winners on its own app store it directly benefits it to give a further boost to the top performers.
As for users’ choice Paramount+ and Garena Free Fire Max are the winners. We’ve of course heard of Paramount+, but Garena Free Fire Max is a mystery.
Giving it a quick look over and it’s yet another battle royale game. We didn’t think the market needed any more of those but it seems mobile battle royale titles are still very popular. Hey at least something a bit less known than PUBG is the winner here, and the behmoth of Fortnite isn’t on the Google Play Store.
See the below lists for the overall winners, best of game winners and best of app winners.
Overall winners
- Best game: Pokémon UNITE
- Best game (users’ choice): Garena Free Fire MAX
- Best app: Balance
- Best app (users’ choice): Paramount+
Best of Game Winners
Best Competitive
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
- MARVEL Future Revolution
- Pokémon UNITE
- Rogue Land
- Suspects: Mystery Mansion
Best Game Changers
Best Indies
Best Pick Up & Play
Best for Tablets
- Chicken Police — Paint it RED!
- League of Legends: Wild Rift
- My Friend Pedro: Ripe for Revenge
- Overboard!
- The Procession to Calvary
Best of App Winners
Best Apps for Good
Best Everyday Essentials
Best for Fun
Best Hidden Gems
Best for Personal Growth
Best for Tablets
Best for Wear
Popular on Google TV