Useful Mobile Apps in America: Delivery, Entertainment, and Shopping

After buying a smartphone, life is automatically divided into "before" and "after." To unlock its full potential, millions of apps have been created. Each corner of the world has its own top picks, and we’ll focus on the must-have apps in the USA. Of course, you can survive without them, but it won’t be as convenient — especially if you’re not a fan of waiting.

We’ve gathered the apps that millions of Americans use daily, making life in the USA much easier. Parking, shopping, food, and entertainment are no longer challenges — they’re just a couple of swipes away. Read the article and try them all!

Navigation

In addition to the built-in maps on Apple devices, the following navigation apps are widely used:

• Google Maps
  The king of all maps. While relatively less useful in Russia and the CIS countries, in the USA, it’s a highly reliable tool for navigation. It allows users to visually identify and locate buildings with minimal information. Few competitors can rival its functionality.
• Waze
  A must-have for drivers. This app offers not only navigation but also alerts about traffic jams, accidents, police patrols, hazardous areas, speed cameras, and other potential issues. It also features small chat groups where users can share real-time road conditions with friends or strangers.

Parking

• LUXE
  Your parking assistant and more. If finding a parking spot is too much of a hassle, LUXE staff will pick up your car from any location and park it for you at the specified time. Later, the same staff member will bring your car to your meeting point. For an additional fee, they can also take your car for maintenance, refueling, or a car wash. The final cost depends on the range of services chosen, as well as the time of day and location. The closer to the city center or the further from developed infrastructure, the higher the rates.
• BestParking
  Not unique, but one of the most convenient services for finding and reserving parking spots. There are many alternatives, so you can choose one that suits you best based purely on interface preferences in your app store.
• ParkMobile
  This app allows you to find, book, and pay for parking directly within the app. It integrates seamlessly with local parking systems, making the process quick and easy.

Reviews

• Yelp
  This app lets you read genuine reviews about virtually anything — from restaurants to hospitals, clothing stores to pet grooming salons, and more. It provides information on almost any location in a city. The experiences of those who’ve already used a company’s goods or services can help you make quicker, more informed decisions with fewer regrets.
• TripAdvisor
  A must-have app for travelers or anyone looking to explore local attractions. Here, you’ll find reviews on restaurants, hotels, and even tours, making it easier to choose with confidence.
• Google Reviews
  A direct competitor to Yelp and TripAdvisor. It allows you to quickly find reviews about any establishment or service, seamlessly integrated with Google Maps for added convenience.

Cab

• Uber
  The most popular ride-sharing service. Despite complaints about fare surges during peak hours and the option to share rides with strangers (UberPool), Americans consistently rank Uber as the top choice. The quality of service is significantly higher than other companies, and driver ratings are said to be fair — at least according to Uber representatives.
• Lyft
  A more affordable alternative for short distances compared to Uber. The app can also help secure a ride during busy hours when Uber is experiencing high demand. For maximum efficiency, it’s best to use both apps depending on the situation.

Food Delivery

• UberEats
  Order food from cafes or restaurants and pay online. Meanwhile, an Uber driver picks up your order and delivers it to your doorstep. Orders are accepted 24/7. A major advantage is that all restaurants are collected in one app, and you can use the map to find nearby open spots, minimizing wait times.
• Grubhub
  Not just a food delivery app but also an aggregator of restaurant reviews. You can read about local restaurants and even specific dishes from their menus. Payment is highly convenient, supporting almost all major credit cards. Your account saves information about previous orders, making it faster and easier to reorder your favorite meals.

Delivery of Anything

• Postmates
  If you suddenly need a notebook or a towel from Walmart, arugula from Whole Foods, or Prada sunglasses in the middle of the night, Postmates couriers will shop for you and deliver it straight to your door. The only downside is the cost — delivery starts at $8, with additional fees for each purchased item and tips. The more stores the courier visits, the higher the fees.
• Amazon
  Delivers anything from the Amazon online store. Products are conveniently categorized, and the selection is enormous. Amazon is the ultimate hub for online shopping, with sales volumes that are nearly impossible to surpass. Delivery takes anywhere from a few hours to a day, with minimal surcharges. For grocery orders, there’s a dedicated service called Amazon Fresh.
• Google Express
  Delivers items from partner stores across the U.S., primarily large chain supermarkets and brand stores. They’re currently testing drone deliveries, but for now, 99% of orders are handled by regular couriers using eco-friendly hybrid vehicles.

Entertainment

• Spotify
  The most successful streaming service in the U.S. and a direct competitor to Apple Music and iTunes. For $9.99 a month, the app offers access to a vast library of publicly available music. A free plan is also available, but it comes with restrictions — you can't skip or fast-forward songs.
• Pandora
  An internet radio app that curates tracks based on your preferences. Simply search for one of your favorite songs, and Pandora will suggest similar ones you might like. This app is available exclusively in the U.S.
• Netflix
  The largest and most well-known online cinema, primarily focused on TV series. Since 2017, it has also produced its own films. There are no free options; access is only available via subscription. Sometimes, Netflix increases the subscription fee for "exclusive content," so it’s worth keeping an eye on costs.
• Amazon Prime Video
  A growing competitor to Netflix. It offers access to a wide range of films and TV shows, often those not available on Netflix, for a similar price. Movie enthusiasts often use both services for the best variety.