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Amazon Fire is more than just an e-reader. Download some of the best apps from Amazon's Appstore to have fun, be productive, and get more organized.
ByJill Duffy Jill Duffy Columnist and Deputy Managing Editor, Software My Experience I've been contributing to PCMag since 2011 and am currently the deputy managing editor for the software team. My column, Get Organized, has been running on PCMag since 2012. It gives advice on how to manage all the devices, apps, digital photos, email, and other technology that can make you feel like you're going to have a panic attack. Read Full Bio &Jason Cohen
December 24, 2019
Since the first Kindle Fire's debut, the number of high-quality apps for Amazon Fire tablets has grown dramatically. Whether you have a Fire 7, the Editors' Choice Fire HD 8, or Fire HD 10, Amazon's tablet is only as useful as the apps you put on it. This list of Amazon Fire apps will help you see all the possible uses for your tablet, from entertainment to productivity.
Some of the apps on this list focus on collaboration and task management, while others are designed for consuming videos, books, music, and other media. Some apps are great for the whole family, and others, such as those for taking private notes or accessing personal documents, you might want to keep as your own little secret.
Alarm Clock For Me
Who needs a traditional bedside alarm clock when you have an Amazon Fire? With an app like Alarm Clock For Me, you can set an alarm, choose the tone that will wake you up, adjust the snooze timer, dim the screen, and even see a weather report right on the main clock. The Pro version (99 cents) gets rid of ads and lets you choose your own music to wake you up or put you to sleep.
Amazon Fire TV
If you already own an Amazon Fire TV device, download the app to control your television from your Amazon Fire tablet. The Amazon Fire TV app offers navigation and playback controls, a better keyboard, voice search functionality, and quick access to your apps.
AP Mobile
The Associated Press is one of the largest news organizations, and one whose reports often appear in the pages and websites of other media outlets—so why not just go straight to the source? The AP Mobile app delivers headline news from the Associated Press in text and video.
You can customize your homepage by selecting regions and types of content that you value most. AP Mobile has options to see content in English and Spanish, and to view news from an international perspective (in English).
Colorfy
If you find adult coloring books soothing, Colorfy lets you choose your colors and apply them with a simple tap. Basic pages are available for free, but the more complex pages are paid.
ComiXology
If you got your Amazon tablet as an e-reader, and comic books fall within the purview of things you like to read, then the ComiXology Comics app is one you'll definitely want. The app not only lets you read comics, but also connects to a store where you can buy them. If you're new to reading comics on a tablet, we can help you get started.
Disney+
Disney's vault is now available on its video-streaming platform, Disney+. Sign up for an account and download the app on your Fire tablet to enjoy every production from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. Wondering what's available at launch? here's a full list of everything you can stream now.
Easy Installer
Easy Installer by Infolife lets you sideload APKs onto your Amazon Fire. In other words, when you have an app from somewhere other than the Amazon Appstore, this program helps you install it. You need the APK file for the app you're going to install, and Easy Installer as the other puzzle piece to make it work. Be careful, though; apps from unapproved sources are the most likely to be Trojanized or otherwise malicious.
ES File Explorer
If you need a better way to manage all the files on your tablet, ES File Explorer will keep everything in order for you. This cloud-based file manager allows you to view and manage all your apps, documents, and multimedia content all in one place.
Food Network in the Kitchen
The free Food Network in the Kitchen app has a wealth of recipes, great video instructions for cooking, and loads of other food-focused content. The recipes are easy to read, with a card-style layout that gives you essential information, such as total cooking time and difficultly level, quickly.
Goodreads
Goodreads, which uses your Amazon account as a login, is a social app for discussing, reviewing, and rating books. It also helps you keep tracks of books you've read, books you want to read, and those that are in your queue on your Kindle to read next.
Homescapes
If you like matching puzzle games, but also need a long-term project, Homescapes gives you both. You will need to match items and gain points that will be used to refurnish an old mansion. If you enjoy working towards a goal like this, Gardenscapes will allow you to fix up a garden.
iHeartRadio
If you want to stream radio—not music, necessarily, but actual radio stations—on your Amazon Fire, iHeartRadio lets you listen to your favorite channels and hosts, no matter if they're talk radio shows, comedy, podcasts, or sports broadcasts.
LiveXLive Powered by Slacker Radio
In early 2017, LiveXLive, a platform focused on delivering live music streams, purchased the Editors' Choice award-winning Slacker Radio, and the combined app is now known as LiveXLive Powered by Slacker Radio. In our review, we found that LiveXLive combines the company's live music streams with Slacker Radio's knowledgeable DJs and deep music well to produce one of the most complete streaming music services on the market today. Download it on your Fire tablet for free.
Malewarebytes
An Amazon tablet is also an Android device, and I don't know if you've heard, but malware can creep onto Android devices pretty easily these days—unless you have protection. One of the simplest ways to add a layer of protection is to download Malwarebytes.
The allows you to scan and clean your device, and conduct privacy audits for free. The premium version offers phishing alerts, real-time malware removal, detects potential adware.
Monument Valley
The beautiful graphics and fanciful storytelling of Monument Valley get a reprise in the title's sequel for $4.99. You help Ro, the main character, explore virtual worlds with her child, solving puzzles and marveling at M.C. Escher-like geometric structures along the way.
Minecraft
If you love games, you need to pay the $6.99 price tag to get Minecraft. Long heralded as one of the best mobile games, Minecraft lets you enjoy sandbox-style play as well as partake in the more intense Survival mode, as you build things with blocks.
Netflix
If you have a Netflix account (and so many of us do), then you should install the Netflix app on your Amazon Fire so you can watch movies and TV shows any time you want. You can even download for offline viewing, which should come in handy when you're traveling.
NordVPN
You're always being tracked when you use the internet, so why not download a VPN and make sure advertisers can't see your online activity? One of your best options for your Fire tablet is NordVPN, which offers secure browsing and online anonymity in one reliable product.
Office Suite Professional
Although the Amazon Fire is very well suited for reading, watching videos, and playing games, that doesn't mean it's a productivity dud. Quite the contrary if you have Office Suite Pro installed. This app gives you access to core office work software, such as a word processor and spreadsheet editor. Office Suite Pro is compatible with all Microsoft formats, too. The major different between the free version and the one that costs $14.99 is additional security measures.
Pinterest is a free social site that lets you create visual collage boards of things that tickle your fancy. It's immensely useful for planning certain kinds of projects and events. For example, I've used it to organize a home renovation project by "pinning" images of kitchens that I liked and using them for inspiration. Others use the site to brainstorm visual ideas for weddings, vacations, wardrobes, meals, and more.
Plex
If you have photos, music, movies, and TV shows across a number of devices, consolidate and stream it all on your Fire tablet with Plex. Just download the Plex Media Server to your PC, Mac, Linux computer, or NAS device, add and organize your content, and connect via the Amazon app. Get some extra perks with Plex Pass for $5 per month, $20 per year, or $120 for a lifetime pass.
Podcast Addict
There are some amazing podcasts out there, so Podcast Addict is a great hub to manage and discover your favorite ones. This app does all the work of a media player, audio streamer, and database. If you love the free app, consider supporting the developers by forking over $3.99 for the paid version.
Remember the Milk
Remember the Milk is a popular and simple task-management app that helps you remember everything you need to get done in a day, whether that's "buy milk" or complete an intricate set of to-dos for your job. With a free account, you can sync your tasks to the web app once every 24 hours. You'll need to pay $39.99 per year for a Pro account to get unlimited auto-syncing with the online version of Remember The Milk, as well as reminders and notifications.
Roku
If you have a Roku device, download the Fire tablet app so you don't have to use the remote. The Roku app acts as a digital remote and keyboard so you can easily navigate the TV and cast your favorite content.
Twitter is a blessing and a curse; it's a great way to stay in touch with friends and acquaintances and keep an eye on breaking news, but is a huge time suck. It's also the best second-screen app for watching certain TV in real-time, namely special annual events like sports or The Academy Awards.
VLC Media Player
VLC Media Player is a free media player that supports more image and video file formats than any other competitor out there. If you download something from the internet and can't play it anywhere else, chances are this program will be able to read it.
WeatherBug
The free WeatherBug app offers real-time forecasts, weather alerts, and helpful interactive maps. It's always good to know what it's like outside, and this app will give you all the information you could need.
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I've been contributing to PCMag since 2011 and am currently the deputy managing editor for the software team. My column, Get Organized, has been running on PCMag since 2012. It gives advice on how to manage all the devices, apps, digital photos, email, and other technology that can make you feel like you're going to have a panic attack.
My latest book is The Everything Guide to Remote Work, which goes into great detail about a subject that I've been covering as a writer and participating in personally since well before the COVID-19 pandemic.
I specialize in apps for productivity and collaboration, including project management software. I also test and analyze online learning services, particularly for learning languages.
Prior to working for PCMag, I was the managing editor of Game Developer magazine. I've also worked at the Association for Computing Machinery, The Examiner newspaper in San Francisco, and The American Institute of Physics. I was once profiled in an article in Vogue India alongside Marie Kondo.
Follow me on Mastodon.
Read Jill's full bio
Read the latest from Jill Duffy
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As PCMag's editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.
Read Jason's full bio
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