10 Great Google Chromebook Apps

The Google Chrome Web Store gives Chromebook users a huge collection of apps to install on their Chromebook, making the simple and inexpensive computers an even better value, especially since most of these Chromebook apps come free of charge. A few of these Chromebook Apps require subscriptions to paid services, but most come totally free.

chrome web store

These apps from the Chrome Web Store will make the user more productive while also entertaining them. Download these apps on a Chromebook and also open the Chrome web browser on another Windows or OS X computer. Log into the same account used to log into the Chromebook to run the apps on other operating systems, too.

Fotor and Pixlr Photo Editing Chromebook Apps

fotor chromebook app photo editor

The Chrome Web Store offers a number of photo editing apps, but Fotor gives photographers the perfect mix of useful features and simplicity. It also runs on other devices like Windows, Android and iOS with a similar interface.

Fotor will handle photos stored on the Chromebook or in various photo services like Facebook, Dropbox, Flickr and more. Open the photo and do basic photo edits like rotation, cropping, color and exposure correction and then save it out to the Chromebook or any of the social networks integrated in the web app. The editor also includes some filters to make quick edits.

The app brings one click edits and some finer editing controls to the Chromebook. We also get some nice batch features like creating cards, collages, HDR photos and cover photos for social networks like Facebook, Twitter or Google+.

Fotor includes ads, which can get in the way, but it’s good enough to put up with the annoying ads.

pixlr photo editor chromebook app

For those not satisfied with Fotor, check out Pixlr Photo Editor (see above). It’s offers a little more advanced photo editing and the user interface looks a lot like Photoshop. Pixlr doesn’t offer the same sharing features or social networking integration as Fotor. Decide whether powerful editing or simplicity and social networking matters most. Pixlr Photo Editor users will can add layers and do more powerful photo editing. They can then save the photos out to their computer. Fotor won’t take as long to learn and integrates with Facebook, Flickr, Dropbox and Twitter.

Plex Media Streaming Chromebook App

plex chromebook app for media streaming

Plex gives users media streaming on ChromeOS so long as the user also has a media server that’s compatible with Plex.

Over the holidays I setup a Plex media server on a Mac with an external hard drive loaded with gigabytes worth of music, movies and pictures. Launch the Plex media streaming web app on the Chromebook after setting up the media server on the other computer. Sign into the same account on both machines

Plex not only streams local files, but will also stream online videos from third-party sites. Users can add “channels” to their account, which stream content from websites, like NBC, CBS or ABC.

plex chromebook app streaming a movie

The video quality of Plex looks great so long as there’s a decent Internet connection on both ends.

Plex’s streaming video quality looks good so long as both ends connect to the Internet through a fast connection. This makes watching a movie collection so much easier than carrying around a bunch of DVD boxes or a USB disk full of video files. Since most Chromebooks come with only 16GB or 32GB of storage, most owners can’t keep more than a movie or two on their computer.

Plex users can try the service for free, but an account eventually will cost $5/month, $40/year or $150 for a lifetime subscription that never expires. Sign up at Plex.tv.

Word, Excel and PowerPoint for Chrome

powerpoint chrome web store page

Everyone knows about Microsoft Office, but most will think they can’t use these apps on a Chromebook so they settle for Google’s office app. It’s true that Chromebook users can’t install the full version of Microsoft Office on their machines. They can use the online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint that offer a surprisingly complete set of features.

word online chromebook app

The user must sign up for a Microsoft account and we don’t think most people need these apps since Google’s apps work well enough. However, those who already own a subscription and have access to a Hotmail, Live, Outlook or Skydrive account and work with others who need them to share Office files, subscribing may make sense.

Log into one of those Microsoft branded accounts after installing the Chrome Web Store versions of the Office apps. Users can also access other Microsoft apps like OneNote online and Outlook online through the Chromebook.

Editing Office files in these web apps requires an Office 365 subscription. Subscribe to a personal account for $6.99/month or $69.99/year or the full version for $9.99/month or $99.99/year. Some people get access through a school or business account. Also, look around for a deal, because these we’ve seen cost much lower on Amazon, where the full Home version costs the same as the Personal version normally costs when people buy directly from Microsoft.

AirDroid for Chrome

airdroid chromebook app

Android users can’t sync their phones using the manufacturer’s syncing software. Samsung Kies only runs on a Mac or Windows PC. AirDroid solves this problem. Install the Android app on the phone and the Chrome Web Store app on the Chromebook and sign up for an account. Once the user signs into both devices, they can begin syncing content between the two.

Not all the features will work on a free account, but many will. For example, the AirDroid version of Find my iPhone doesn’t work without a paid subscription. Google offers this through their Device Manager app so don’t bother paying for AirDroid. Here’s what users can do for free.

  • View and backup text messages
  • View and copy files to and from the device
  • Manage apps
  • Control the Android device’s camera
  • Access call logs
  • View and backup photos
  • Manage Contacts

That’s most of what AirDroid can help a user do with their phone via a Chromebook.

TechSmith Snagit Screen Captures and Recordings

People who need to take screen shots on their Chromebook can use the built-in method but that won’t record the screen to make short help videos. TechSmith Snagit will do both for free.

After taking a screenshot or screen recording, edit it from within the web app and then share it with others through the free online hosting service. For high-volume users subscribe to the service for an added fee.

Tank Riders

Have some fun on your Chromebook with Tank Riders, a fun tower defense game. It shows the kind of interesting graphics capable of making ChromeOS a decent casual gaming platform. The came is free and offers loads of fun.

Music Streaming Apps

google play music

We’re counting this last group as one app since it will mean installing a single plugin for most users depending on which streaming service a person uses. Most of the popular streaming services offer Google Chrome plugins that work great on a Chromebook. Here’s a list of the most popular music streaming services with links to their store page.

Don’t forget Plex above. It also streams music. Google Drive can store MP3 files and stream them on a Chromebook using the built-in file manager.

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