Apple reveals a standout lineup for the 2025 App Store Awards

Apple has officially unveiled the 45 apps and games competing as finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards, offering a snapshot of the creativity, innovation, and technical ambition shaping today’s mobile and desktop software landscape. Chosen by the company’s Global App Store editorial team, this year’s contenders span every major Apple platform—from iPhone and iPad to Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and the still-new Vision Pro. The annual awards, a highlight for developers and tech enthusiasts alike, aim to celebrate exceptional design, functionality, and broader cultural relevance across Apple’s ecosystem.

The list reflects the remarkable diversity of the App Store, with finalists ranging from creative tools and productivity apps to expansive adventure titles and casual pick-up-and-play games. Each category highlights three finalists that have demonstrated thoughtful design, technical excellence, and meaningful user experiences over the past year.

For iPhone users, the finalists demonstrate just how wide the device’s app ecosystem has become. BandLab continues to redefine mobile music production, allowing aspiring creators to compose and collaborate with ease. LADDER stands out as a personal finance companion focused on financial literacy and long-term planning, while Tiimo brings a refreshingly accessible approach to time management, particularly for users needing well-structured daily routines.

On the iPad side, Apple’s editors have spotlighted apps that take advantage of the device’s larger display and multitasking features. Detail taps into the growing demand for high-quality mobile video workflows, providing desktop-level production tools on the go. Graintouch leans into digital creativity with a tactile interface for crafting textured visual art. Structured, meanwhile, has earned praise for transforming task management into an intuitive visual system optimized for a tablet environment.

Mac finalists for 2025 remind users why Apple’s desktop platform remains a favorite among creators. Acorn provides a robust yet approachable image-editing environment, while Essayist appeals to writers seeking distraction-free drafting. Under My Roof takes a more practical angle, helping users catalog and manage their home inventory with surprising depth.

The Vision Pro, now firmly establishing its own app ecosystem, features finalists that show the potential of spatial computing. Camo Studio, best known for professional-grade virtual camera tools, extends its capabilities into immersive environments. D-Day: The Camera Soldier offers a historically anchored mixed-reality experience, inviting users into the perspective of a World War II photographer. Explore POV provides a dynamic mix of exploration and education, allowing users to experience environments from dramatic first-person viewpoints.

On Apple Watch, the finalists highlight how developers continue to refine wrist-based interactions. GO Club focuses on motivating movement through community-based fitness challenges. Pro Camera by Moment allows photographers to control camera settings from the wrist, pairing seamlessly with mobile shooting. Strava, a longtime favorite among runners and cyclists, earns yet another accolade for its rich tracking and social features.

The Apple TV category features a blend of entertainment and visually immersive experiences. HBO Max remains a streaming heavyweight with a broad catalog, while PBS KIDS Video brings educational programming to younger viewers. Super Farming Boy 4K delivers gaming tailored to Apple’s living-room platform, offering relaxed strategy play in high resolution.

The gaming categories across Apple’s hardware show the breadth of interactive entertainment on the App Store. On iPhone, Capybara Go! makes the list with its charming, lighthearted gameplay; Pokémon TCG Pocket offers an accessible and mobile-friendly take on the iconic trading card franchise; and Thronefall stands out with minimalist strategic battles. For iPad, the finalists include the atmospheric fishing adventure DREDGE, the visually rich Infinity Nikki, and the reborn classic Prince of Persia Lost Crown.

Mac gaming sees blockbuster titles earn recognition, from Assassin's Creed Shadows to Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, alongside the elegantly crafted narrative adventure Neva. Apple Arcade, the company’s subscription service, features offerings such as Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE, PGA Tour Pro Golf, and WHAT THE CLASH?, each demonstrating the platform’s continued push for premium, ad-free gaming.

Vision Pro’s game finalists—Fishing Haven, Gears & Goo, and Porta Nubi—represent early but promising steps into spatial gaming, offering immersive play that blends gesture, movement, and 3D environments.

Beyond the main hardware categories, Apple has again emphasized cultural impact, recognizing apps and games that address social, artistic, and storytelling themes. This year’s finalists include Art of Fauna, A Space for the Unbound, Be My Eyes, Chants of Sennaar, despelote, Focus Friend, Is This Seat Taken?, Retro, StoryGraph, Venba, Whoscall, and Yuka. Each selection brings a unique perspective on accessibility, emotional resonance, or community awareness.

Apple confirmed that the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards will be made public in the coming weeks, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated developer celebrations of the year.