Google has pulled back the curtain on its "Best of 2025" awards, celebrating the top content on the Play Store, as announced in a new company blog post. This is their annual roundup of the apps, games, and books that really stood out for their quality and ingenuity.
The top U.S. winners
Top Honor for Gaming: Pokémon TCG Pocket
Image credit — Google
Top Honor for Apps: Focus Friend by Hank Green
Best Cross-Platform Game: Disney Speedstorm
Best Cross-Platform App: Luminar
These awards are meant to honor the innovation that fuels the platform. This year, the top app, Focus Friend, was praised in the announcement as a simple yet effective tool for helping users stay present and "disconnect in order to reconnect" from all the noise.
How these picks stack up
Google Play 'Best of' badge. | Image credit — Google
It's always a fun exercise to compare Google's picks to Apple's. While Apple’s App Store Awards often lean heavily into high-polish, graphically stunning apps, Google’s list feels a bit more... practical?
Yes, Pokémon TCG Pocket and Disney Speedstorm are huge, polished titles. But the overall Best App award went to Focus Friend. This signals a clear focus on digital well-being and utility over pure flash. It’s a very different vibe from, say, a high-end, complex video editor winning the top spot.
Google is also clearly pushing its multi-device ecosystem. By giving special awards to Luminar and Disney Speedstorm for their cross-device functionality , they're rewarding developers who build experiences that work fluidly across phones, tablets, and PCs.
Do you use any of the apps that were awarded a Google Play badge this year?
Yes
14.29%
No
85.71%
Our take on the "Best of" list
Honestly, I’m not mad at this list. Giving the top app award to Focus Friend feels right for 2025. We’re all drowning in notifications, and an app designed to help you "stay present" is something most of us could probably use.
Pokémon TCG Pocket winning Best Game is no surprise. The nostalgia factor is massive, and the report mentions it delivers an "authentic version" of the card game, right down to the tactile feel of tearing open booster packs and fawning over "beautifully designed cards".
The multi-device picks are solid too. Luminar is a powerhouse AI photo editor, and having that full suite work everywhere is a creator's dream. Disney Speedstorm is just chaotic, high-octane fun. It's a strong lineup that balances big-name fun with genuinely useful tools.
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Johanna 'Jojo the Techie' is a skilled mobile technology expert with over 15 years of hands-on experience, specializing in the Google ecosystem and Pixel devices. Known for her user-friendly approach, she leverages her vast tech support background to provide accessible and insightful coverage on latest technology trends. As a recognized thought leader and former member of #TeamPixel, Johanna ensures she stays at the forefront of Google services and products, making her a reliable source for all things Pixel and ChromeOS.
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