The Best Apps for Windows in 2026 for Every Category

Thursday, January 01, 2026

The Best Apps for Windows in 2026 for Every Category

Finding the right software for Windows can be overwhelming. There are paid options, free open-source tools, and everything in between. In this guide, I’m breaking down the best apps for Windows in every major category.

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These aren’t just random recommendations; every app listed here is personally used by me on a daily basis. If you feel there is a better option out there, make sure to let me know in the comments!

Best Audio/Video Player

Media Player Classic (MPC-BE)

While VLC is the most popular player, I prefer Media Player Classic. I found VLC to be a bit buggy and outdated in terms of looks. The original MPC project is no longer maintained, so you want the forked version.

  • MPC-BE (Black Edition): This is the modern fork available on the Microsoft Store. It is free, open-source, and looks fantastic.
  • K-Lite Codec Pack: I use this pack because it adds a "Media Info" option to the right-click context menu, giving me detailed stats on any video or audio file instantly.

Best Photo Editor & Designer

Affinity Photo & Designer

Photoshop is the industry standard, but Affinity is the best free alternative I have found. Since Canva acquired it, Affinity Photo, Designer, and Publisher have become completely free. It is not open-source, but it is just as capable as Photoshop for designing thumbnails and vectors.

  • Great for photo editing and vector design (logos, etc.).
  • More polished and easier to use than open-source options like Krita.
  • Personally used to create thumbnails for this channel.

Best Video Editor

DaVinci Resolve

This is probably the best free video editor on the market, period. It is so good that it rivals premium software like Adobe Premiere Pro, but without the crashing issues.

  • Stability: I have used this for years, and it has never crashed on me once, unlike Premiere Pro.
  • All-in-One: It includes tabs for editing, color grading, audio (Fairlight), and VFX (Fusion) for tracking and compositing.
  • Free vs. Studio: The free version includes almost all features. I bought the Studio version ($295) for the AI features like Voice Isolation, Dialogue Leveler, and Music Remixer, but most users will be fine with the free version.

Best Security Software

Windows Defender + Defender UI

Honestly, you do not need a third-party antivirus anymore. Windows Security is lightweight, built-in, and highly effective since Windows 10. Third-party antivirus just bloat your system.

However, if you want more control without installing a heavy antivirus, download Defender UI.

  • It acts as a graphical interface for Windows Defender settings.
  • It unlocks hidden settings not available in the default menu.
  • Profiles like "Aggressive" allow you to max out security with a single click.

Best VPN

ProtonVPN

If you need a trusted VPN, ProtonVPN is my go-to. It is well-known and reliable.

  • Free Plan: It has a robust free tier that is perfect for basic privacy.
  • Privacy: Simple to use—just connect to a server to change your virtual location securely.

Best Office App

OnlyOffice

Microsoft Office is great, but OnlyOffice is the best free and open-source alternative. I switched from LibreOffice because OnlyOffice looks modern and feels less outdated.

  • Handles documents, PDFs, presentations, and spreadsheets smoothly.
  • AI Integration: Recent updates allow you to plug in your own AI models (like ChatGPT or Gemini) directly into the suite.

Best Windows Optimizer

Wintoys

Most optimizers are "run once and delete," but Wintoys (available on the Microsoft Store) is safe enough to keep installed.

  • Performance: Easily toggle the Ultimate Power Plan or disable background apps and indexing.
  • Health & Repair: One-click fixes for common Windows issues via command prompts.
  • Digital Market Act: Allows you to uninstall system apps, including Microsoft Edge.
  • Update Control: Lets you pause or set Windows updates to manual so they never interrupt your gaming.

Best PC Maintenance (Cleaner)

Microsoft PC Manager

Yes, Microsoft has an official cleaner now. It replaces tools like BleachBit for me because it is faster and official.

  • Cleanup: Quickly clears temp files, cache, and large folders (like my 41GB Recycle Bin).
  • Deep Uninstall: Removes apps and leftover registry entries.
  • Third-Party Cleanup: Cleans up junk left behind by apps like Nvidia drivers (e.g., old DirectX shaders).
  • Boost: Frees up RAM and optimizes startup items instantly.

Best Screen Recorder

OBS Studio

I have been using OBS Studio for over 10 years. It is the gold standard for recording and streaming.

  • Advanced: Supports multiple sources, scene switching, and game recording.
  • Plugins: Highly expandable. The visual effects and RGB overlays you see in my videos are done via OBS plugins.
  • Completely free and open-source.

Best Screenshot Tool

Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

The Windows 11 Snipping Tool has evolved into a powerhouse. It is no longer just a basic capture tool.

  • Editing: Built-in editor for marking up, drawing, and adding shapes.
  • Text Extraction: Can copy text directly from screenshots (OCR).
  • Screen Recording: It now has a built-in recorder for quick clips. It is often faster and easier than setting up OBS for small recordings.

Best Virtual Machine Software

VMware Workstation Pro

This used to be premium software, but after Broadcom acquired VMware, Workstation Pro became completely free. It is superior to VirtualBox and Hyper-V.

  • Compatibility: Runs almost any OS (Windows, Linux, etc.) incredibly well.
  • Performance: Excellent 3D acceleration and stability.
  • If you need to run a virtual machine, this is the one to get.

Best Android Emulator

Mumu Player

While BlueStacks is popular, Mumu Player is my favorite. It is the cleanest emulator available with zero ads.

  • Design: Beautiful UI that supports Android versions up to 12.
  • Features: Great key mapping and performance.
  • While no emulator is perfect for every game, Mumu offers the best overall user experience.

Best Customization Tool

Windhawk

Windows customization is limited, but Windhawk makes it possible using "mods." It is free, open-source, and lightweight because it modifies system elements rather than overlaying them.

  • Taskbar Styler: Adds transparency and hover animations to the taskbar (like the setup I use).
  • Start Menu Styler: Don't like the Windows 11 Start menu? You can switch it to the Windows 10 style or other layouts easily.
  • There are dozens of mods available to tweak Windows to your liking.

Conclusion

That covers my essential software stack for Windows. From video editing with DaVinci Resolve to optimizing with Wintoys, these tools keep my workflow smooth and my PC clean.

Did I miss your favorite app? Let me know in the comments below what software you use—I might just feature it in a part two!