Discovering Underrated App Store Treasures: Great Software Thrives in the Age of AI

Mobile applications are making a significant comeback, or perhaps they remained ever-present.

Although there are discussions about a potential decline in app usage due to advancements in AI-driven agents that enhance access to online services, the App Store has shown remarkable growth, showcasing a surge of innovative and entertaining tools.

This uptick in new app releases can be linked to the proliferation of AI coding technologies that allow developers to create software more swiftly and enable newcomers to enter the app development space. Recent statistics indicate that the number of new apps launched globally has increased by 60% year-over-year as of the first quarter of 2026, with an even more impressive 80% growth on Apple’s iOS platform alone.

While there are justified concerns regarding the influx of lower-quality, vibe-driven apps into the App Store, a wealth of intriguing applications is still available, and those that genuinely engage users will naturally rise to prominence. Many of these apps utilize AI technologies discreetly to enhance user experience, even if they don’t market themselves as AI-based.

Here’s a fresh selection of hidden gems from the App Store that we’ve added to our Home Screen, alongside previous collections highlighting innovative social apps and productivity tools for Apple Watch and iPad.

Albo

Albo, formerly known as Sortd, serves as a valuable tool for those who often bookmark social media content only to forget it later. Users can share links from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other sites with the app. Albo extracts the relevant details from these posts, organizes them, and saves them, ensuring that even if the original post is removed, users retain access to their saved content.

The app supports several platforms, including Pinterest, X, LinkedIn, Threads, Reddit, and Facebook, as well as browsers like Chrome and Safari. Users also have the option to upload screenshots to Albo.

This easy-to-use platform simplifies the process of saving online inspirations, whether for travel tips, local restaurants, movie suggestions, reading material, recipes, or workout ideas. Users can even share their collections with friends.

Developed by The Feel Good Project, based in London, Albo aims to create tech solutions that leave users feeling inspired rather than overwhelmed by endless scrolling. The app offers free features, but a subscription unlocks more advanced functionalities, though we found the onboarding trial subscription promotion a bit intrusive.

Albo is available on iOS and Google Play.

Coop

In light of recent food safety concerns, more individuals are considering local sources for their groceries. While farmers’ markets are ideal for this, not everyone can visit them. Coop provides a neighborhood marketplace that connects users with local artisans and growers. This app allows people to buy handmade or homegrown products, such as fresh eggs from nearby farms or items from neighbors willing to trade.

With Coop, you can explore local sellers, track favorites, see their proximity, and make purchases through integrated payment options. After an order is placed, sellers prepare the items for pickup.

Coop is available on iOS and Google Play.

PI.FYI by Perfectly Imperfect

A vibrant and somewhat chaotic platform, PI.FYI aims to revive the “old internet” feel where recommendations came from personal networks rather than algorithms. Born from a niche newsletter, this app continues to feel fresh and offers an alternative to modern social media.

In PI.FYI, users can track personal interests, share favorites, and explore categories such as music, whimsy, and literature, fostering community interaction through articles, lists, local suggestions, and games. The app captures a retro aesthetic that mirrors an earlier, less polished era of the internet.

PI.FYI is available on iOS and Google Play.

Lettre

While sharing a letter via pigeon may not be feasible, Lettre offers a digital pen-pals system, enabling users to forge new friendships worldwide, either with those discovered through the app or by utilizing existing email contacts. Although letters are currently sent electronically, future postal options are on the horizon, based on user feedback.

Lettre is available on iOS only.

Sofa Time

Sofa Time is picking up the legacy of the discontinued TV Time app, providing users with a straightforward interface for tracking shows and movies. Users can manage their watchlists, discover new streaming options, and get alerts for new releases.

While its community features are still developing compared to TV Time, Sofa Time allows for interaction through GIFs and images, along with built-in translation tools to cater to a diverse user base.

Sofa Time is available on iOS and Google Play.

ThingsBook

ThingsBook, an innovative writing app developed by Naver’s U.S. branch, reimagines what social media could be by encouraging users to create a structured, long-lasting record of their lives. Rather than getting lost in fleeting trends, it allows individuals to capture their interests through journaling, idea logging, and curated collections of books, travels, meals, and goals.

The app aims to provide a personal archive of users’ passions and experiences.

ThingsBook is available on iOS and Google Play.

Pressed Petals

Pressed Petals bridges the gap between app and art project. Developed by Cynthia Chen, this indie app transforms photographs of flowers into digital pressed specimens reminiscent of a vintage botanical journal. It records the location and timestamp of where flowers are detected and even identifies them.

Users can press two flowers for free initially, with a small fee of $4.99 to access additional features. This app could essentially make outdoor excursions more engaging, particularly for children.

Pressed Petals is available on iOS only.

Moods Faster

Moods Faster, designed by Nick Leith, is a single-purpose app focused on mood tracking, enabling users to log their current or general mood with just two taps. Users also have the option to add specific emotions or context to their mood entries. While some color options are included for free, additional themes require a subscription.

At a subscription rate of $1.95 per month, it’s an affordable option for those who regularly monitor their mental well-being.

Moods Faster is available on iOS only.

Activate Fitness

Originally aimed at encouraging children to stay active, Activate Fitness has broadened its scope to involve the entire family, enhancing its utility. With the app, users can set fitness goals while decreasing screen time, promoting healthier lifestyle choices.

Activate Fitness is available on iOS only.

This article was originally published on July 28, 2026.