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Honestly, the best apps for the Google Pixel Watch are the apps that you’ll actually use, and use often. But with that said, there are some really great apps that are worth checking out if they aren’t apps that are already part of your daily routine. Like the other smartwatches that run on Wear OS, the Pixel Watch has a lot of apps that are at your disposal.
We rounded up some of the best apps that the Pixel Watch has to offer, and have grouped them all up in this list to make them easier for you to find. If you’re not already using them on your watch, or at all, give them a try. We like them, and we think you might like them too (though, it’s totally ok if you don’t).
Fitbit
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $7.99 – $399.99
- Size:
- Google Play rating: 4.2
The Pixel Watch is the first Wear OS smartwatch, or really any smartwatch that isn’t an official Fitbit watch, to have the Fitbit app. And that’s a good thing because the Fitbit app is one of the better fitness apps for tracking your exercise. And it only gets better when you’re subscribed to Fitbit Premium as you get access to more features.
Plus you can add Fitbit tiles to your watch and easily access specific data like step counting and more.
Spotify
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $9.99
- Size: 8.04MB
- Google Play rating: 4.5
This is really one of the go-to apps to have on a smartwatch. It’s great for using as a music controller if you’re streaming music from your phone. And I’ll typically use it on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro as Spotify is the service that I personally subscribe to. But on the Pixel Watch it’s even better because the Pixel Watch has a large onboard storage capacity.
This comes in handy if you’re downloading Spotify playlists and tracks for offline playback. Which won’t hurt to do if you feel like leaving your phone at home from time to time. Or if you just don’t feel like using up data by streaming music.
Strava
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $2.99 – $89.99
- Size: 6.95MB
- Google Play rating: 4.2
If you aren’t a fan of Fitbit then Strava is another really great option for tracking your workouts. This is more focused on running and cycling, but it’ll track other workouts too. And the really cool thing about Strava is that it’s gamified a little bit to make things more fun and motivational. You can also allow your friends to see your progress which can be motivating in itself as you likely want your friends to see how well you’re doing.
You can also use the app to track your run and cycling routes, as well have friendly competitions with others users. Overall it’s a great option for fitness tracking.
YouTube Music
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $9.99 – $11.99
- Size: 11.8MB
- Google Play rating: 4.4
This is the alternative to Spotify. If you’re more invested in Google’s ecosystem, then YouTube Music may be not only one of the best apps for the Pixel Watch, but also the better music streaming option. Because you can bundle the ad-free YouTube experience with the ad-free YouTube Music experience. This gets you ad-free listening plus background playback and music downloads.
Which, again, is great for the Pixel Watch and its larger storage capacity.
Google Wallet
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: N/A
- Size: 3.52MB
- Google Play rating: 3.8
You don’t generally go anywhere without wallet, but sometimes it can be bulky depending on how many things you have stuffed in there. That’s why Google Wallet is one of the best apps for the Pixel Watch. Because it allows you to leave your actual physical wallet at home and still be able to pay for things. You can also use it to store loyalty cards, membership cards and more.
Though really it’s just a great way to be able to make contactless payments by simply tapping your wrist to the checkout terminal. It does of course require a little bit of setup but it doesn’t take long. And once that’s done you’re saving yourself the hassle of bringing your real wallet with you.
Facer
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0.49 – $39.99
- Size: 14.51MB
- Google Play rating: 4.0
This is one is a pretty self-explanatory app, and one of the best apps for the Pixel Watch because it gives you endless customization options for the watch face. Look, the Pixel Watch has some decent watch faces already built-in. But sometimes you want something specific or really custom that just isn’t there out of the box.
That’s where Facer comes in. Facer is powered by thousands of users who create all kinds of watch faces from every genre. Whether it’s anime, landscapes, cars, art, or anything you can dream up. Chances are you’ll find something in Facer that fits your tastes.
Google Keep
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: N/A
- Size: 5.13MB
- Google Play rating: 4.6
There’s no better app for taking and keeping notes of things you find important. I usually use this for shopping lists and that makes it really useful on a smartwatch. As you can just pull up the list and look at your wrist as you mark things off. This is certainly way easier than holding your phone the whole time as you also try to push a cart and put items in it. That entire process is even more cumbersome if you’re using a carry basket instead.
Even if you just use it for taking small notes, there’s hardly an easier way to do so. And with voice typing you can speak to the watch and Google Assistant will write down your notes for you.
Calm
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $399.99
- Size: 9.56MB
- Google Play rating: 4.1
Calm is one of the best apps for the Pixel Watch if you like to keep up with mindfulness and meditation. Or maybe just help yourself take a quick snooze. With Calm on your wrist you have access to all kinds of meditations as well as sleep stories, and music playlists that help you drift off to sleep. Whether it’s for a mid-day nap or overnight.
You do need to have a Calm subscription if you want full access to everything. But it’s definitely worth it for all the app offers.
Google Maps
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: N/A
- Size: 14.52MB
- Google Play rating: 4.5
Everyone hates getting lost when you’re trying to get somewhere. Especially in a city you don’t know and especially when you’re pressed for time. Let Google Maps take you where you need to go with quick, turn-by-turn navigation right from your wrist. Like many of the apps on here, Google Maps on the Pixel Watch is just more convenient than pulling out your phone and using that version of the app.
This way you get to stay hands-free and still get the directions you need. Not to mention everything is glanceable and there’s just something about being able to take a quick peek down at your watch display for the next step.
Sleep Cycle
- Price: Free
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $59.99
- Size: 6.48MB
- Google Play rating: 3.2
As the name suggests this app is all about tracking your sleep. But Sleep Cycle does much more than just give you the sleep tracking basics. You can have it record your nightly sounds like coughing, snoring, talking, and movement. If you allow it the permission and actually want insight into that kind of data.
You can also use it to fall asleep to white noise sounds and music and set smart alarms. The Fitbit app offers sleep tracking as well, but you might find that this offers something more tailored to what you’re wanting.