In this day and age, there are hundreds upon hundreds of apps that make our lives a little bit easier. You can find apps for all sorts of things that you might have never even thought about. As digital nomads, our lives are even more online than the average person, and since we spend a lot of our time traveling to new places, having the right information at our fingertips is all the more important.
We have lived as full-time digital nomads for more than 2 years, and from our own needs and wants and those of our digital nomad friends, we have determined the ULTIMATE list of the best apps and tools for digital nomads you shouldn’t miss out on! We’ve divided these 35 must-have digital nomad apps into different categories, including travel planning, accommodation, work, banking, social, and other types of apps.
Disclaimer: This blog post includes affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission – at no extra cost to you. Don’t worry; this doesn’t affect our recommendations whatsoever. It just helps us keep the lights on.
Apps for Travel Planning and Flights
What better place to start than with some of the best apps for booking and planning your journeys? Transportation such as flights, trains, and buses are the lifeblood of any digital nomad. Here are a few of our top picks.
1. Skyscanner
We have used Skyscanner for nearly a decade, and despite a few kinks, it is still one of the best apps for finding cheap flights. Skyscanner essentially functions like a search engine. Simply plug in your destination and dates, and the site will show you every flight that can get you there.
The best part about Skyscanner is that you can search for flights with flexible dates and even flexible locations.
For example, if you are currently in Madrid and just want to hop on a cheap flight to another destination, you can search for flights from Madrid to “Everywhere”. The site will then show you all the cheapest flights from Madrid on your selected dates.
Disclaimer: We use Skyscanner to search for the cheapest dates and routes, but we always book directly with the airline. Skyscanner advertises the “cheapest fares,” which are usually with third-party travel agencies. While it can be tempting to book with these, there are generally unexpected fees. Additionally, if there is a flight disruption or you need to make a change, you must contact the third party and typically won’t be able to contact the airline directly. It’s just not worth the hassle.
2. Google Flights
If Skyscanner’s site isn’t for you, your next best bet is Google Flights. Google Flights is not technically an app, but you can easily use Google Flights from your phone, so we count it!
Google Flights works pretty similarly to Skyscanner, but it is less geared towards budget travelers. The Google Flights database has fewer budget airlines and tends to prioritize fewer stops, shorter flight times, and more reputable airlines.
Honestly, as we have gotten older and slowly grown out of the “budget backpacker” mentality, we have gravitated more towards Google Flights.
3. AirHelp
If you are planning to spend some time in the EU, you have to check out AirHelp. This digital nomad app helps travelers maximize their compensation for flight delays a cancelations in the EU. If your flight is delayed by at least 3 hours and you fly out of an EU country or fly into an EU country on an EU-operated airline, you are eligible for compensation. While you can technically contact the airline on your own and ask for compensation, AirHelp will assist you in getting the maximum amount.
There are two account options with AirHelp:
- Free Account: Airhelp takes 35% of your compensation
- AirHelp+: $43 per year; no fees on up to $650 of compensation
4. Trainline
After using Omio for years to find the best land travel routes, we recently made the switch to Trainline. The Trainline app is smooth and incredibly user-friendly. It also tends to have cheaper prices and works fairly seamlessly with European train systems. One of the biggest benefits of the app is that you can purchase and store tickets for a variety of train and bus companies in one place, which is especially handy when traveling around Europe as there are countless different train companies.
All that said, Trainline is only a good app choice for Europe-based digital nomads as it only functions in the UK and Europe. So if you are looking for a more all-encompassing land-transport app, Omio is likely your best choice.
5. Viator
If you are looking for an app to search for and book experiences like tours, excursions, and activities, check out Viator. This massive platform hosts more than 300,000 experiences all over the world. Honestly, there are very few competitors that can come close to Viator’s reach. On this app, digital nomads can read reviews, browse different tours, and even book tours directly through the platform. We have booked everything from food tours to multi-day treks on Viator, and due to the intricate review system, you almost always know exactly what you are paying for. Viator is a super handy site that makes life as a digital nomad so much easier.
Digital Nomad Accommodation Apps
Finding a place to stay is one of the biggest challenges for digital nomads, especially if you are looking for long-term accommodation. Let’s take a look at some apps and tools that can make this easier.
6. Booking
Booking.com is one of the most popular travel accommodation apps for digital nomads, and it is easy to see why. A sort of “jack of all trades” for lodging, you can find everything from hotels to hostels, serviced apartments, all-inclusive resorts, and even homestays on Booking.
The site uses a comprehensive rating system that breaks down customer reviews of the accommodation’s location, cleanliness, staff, comfort, value for money, and facilities.
The main reason that Booking.com is always the first place we check is because of the “Genius” loyalty program. As you reserve accommodation with Booking.com, you’ll unlock new “Genius” levels, which will give you discounts and special offers. For example, once you reach Genius Level III, you will get up to 20% discounts on some stays, as well as the occasional free breakfast or room upgrade.
7. Hostelworld
If you are a budget traveler and plan to stay in hostels and coliving spaces, Hostelworld is the obvious choice. We don’t stay in hostels too often anymore, but when we first started traveling, we used Hostelworld almost exclusively for our trips. The platform allows you to choose from nearly 13,000 hostels in thousands of cities across the world. Like Booking.com, each hostel listing is ranked on an X/10 score based on various criteria, including cleanliness, location, atmosphere, and security.
Unlike Booking.com, Hostelworld doesn’t have a wide variety of accommodation options. But you can choose between dorm beds and private rooms.
8. Trusted Housesitters
We absolutely LOVE Trusted Housesitters as a platform for finding accommodation. You get the comfort of being in an actual home for free while getting some much-needed animal company. We don’t speak for everyone, but we personally crave having a pet around after so many months on the road. This is where Trusted Housesitters comes in handy.
Unlike many of the other apps on this list, you do need to pay a yearly subscription to access the listings. But you get the money back and more with a single sit! You can use Trusted Housesitters all over the world, and while it tends to be more popular in countries like the UK, the USA, and Australia, we have seen housesits available in every corner of the Earth, including Norway, Japan, and Mexico.
If you want to join, use our Trusted Housesitters link and use the code ALMANAC25 for 25% off!
9. Airbnb
This is likely the most popular accommodation option for digital nomads. Airbnb offers more comfortable accommodation for digital nomads than hostels, which tend to be more affordable than hotels. Sounds like a dream, right? Well… there are a few problems.
We generally try to avoid Airbnb, especially when staying somewhere for several months. This is due to some ethical concerns, namely the fact that in popular digital nomad hubs, the Airbnb industry has led to an increase in living costs for locals and gentrification.
Our recommendation is to avoid booking a private Airbnb and instead book a room in a local’s home. This is almost always cheaper, doesn’t contribute to gentrification, and you’ll generally get a pretty authentic experience! Another option is to check out our list of ethical alternatives to Airbnb.
10. Selina
Selina has become all the rage in the digital nomad community in recent years. The relatively new accommodation company is essentially a hostel chain created specifically for digital nomads.
Selina is by no means the most affordable option for digital nomads, but if staying in a community-centric place with like-minded people is important to you, Selina is a great choice.
In every Selina location, you’ll find comfortable beds, state-of-the-art coworking spaces, restaurants, bars, and wellness classes. Selina also frequently hosts events like mixers, DJ nights, and other activities. So, it is an excellent place for digital nomads looking to socialize.
For more on this, head to our guide to the best digital nomad rental sites!
Work and Professional Digital Nomad Apps
The main thing that sets digital nomads apart from standard travelers is remote work. So naturally, digital nomads must be equipped with all necessary work and professional applications. Here are some of the absolute must-haves.
11. Coworker
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of coworking spaces around the world has skyrocketed. With so many different options out there, pinpointing the best options can be difficult, and Cowoker addresses this with an organized and intuitive platform.
Coworker is a coworking space database with more than 25,000 spaces across 172 countries. This makes the search for a coworking space much simpler as you can view reviews, pricing, locations, and other offerings all in one space.
The company has filled a much-needed gap in the digital nomad world and created one of the most useful remote work tools out there.
12. Slack
Nearly every professional has likely used Slack, the premier communication software for remote or hybrid teams. Whether you are part of a permanent team, an independent contractor, or run your own business, Slack is an app you should be familiar with as a digital nomad. It has made a huge difference in our workflow management and communications, as we are able to stay on top of things no matter where we are.
13. Google Workspace
If you haven’t used Google Workspace, you have likely been living under a rock for the past decade. Google Workspace is the main competitor of Microsoft Office and features Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Forms, Meets, and more. The main thing that sets Google Workspace apart? It is 100% free!
We use Google Workspace on a daily basis to manage our business and keep our finances and schedules organized. The tools are super intuitive and easy to share with other users. All apps in the Google Workspace Suite are integrated beautifully with your Gmail account, and in our opinion, it is the best and simplest option for remote teams.
14. Upwork
If you are planning to start freelancing, Upwork is the best place to start. In fact, we started our remote work journey on Upwork!
Upwork is a jobseeking platform that connects businesses with freelancers. While there is a TON of competition on the site, it is one of the best ways to dip your feet into the contracting realm. There are thousands upon thousands of job postings on Upwork ranging from low-paying entry-level work to advanced, long-term contracts. The platform is a perfect place for freelance writers, programmers, video editors, executive assistants, and pretty much every industry you can think of.
15. Trello
Another top-notch professional app for digital nomads is Trello. Trello is an innovative project management tool that functions like a sandbox. The program is a game-changer in terms of organization, especially if you like to visualize tasks and to-do lists.
One of the best parts about Trello is that it balances user-friendliness with functionality. While the app is incredibly handy and helps drive productivity, it doesn’t have as high of a learning curve as other platforms like Notion.
16. Udemy
As many digital nomads will already know, it is extremely important for professionals of all industries to continue learning and expanding their expertise. And one of the best ways to do this is with online courses. Udemy is an online library of more than 11,000 courses. These aren’t your typical sub-par “get rich fast” courses but professional-level programs that will actually help you learn.
If you want to learn some new professional skills or simply want to up your game, Udemy is a great place to start.
A Udemy account starts at $16.58 per month, though you can also purchase courses individually, which start at around $10.
Banking and Finance Apps for Digital Nomads
As a digital nomad roaming the world, you need an easy and convenient way to manage your finances. Trust us; we know that banking can be an absolute PAIN when you’re on the go, so what are some of the digital nomad-friendly apps out there you can use to make your life easier?
17. Revolut
Once upon a time, before either of us embarked on our digital nomad journey, we worked as customer support agents at Revolut. While we no longer work at Revolut and don’t have any affiliation with them, we still believe in and trust the product wholeheartedly. If you’ve been traveling for a while, chances are you have used Revolut before.
Revolut is an online banking app that is built with travelers in mind. You can sign up for a basic account for free, which is more than enough to meet most travelers’ needs. With Revolut, you can get a free debit care you can use around the world with ZERO foreign transaction fees. This app also makes it easier for you to budget your spending and send money abroad. It’s an absolute must-have digital nomad essential for us!
18. Wise
While Wise has its own travel debit card, we personally use this app for larger transactions, such as paying rent, rather than using it on a day-to-day basis. Uploading money onto the Wise account can be a bit more annoying, but once you have money on the account, this is the best way to send large amounts of money to a different country. Like Revolut, Wise does not have any hidden foreign transaction fees and has very minimal fees to transfer money to a foreign bank account. This is our preferred way to pay rent if we are not using a booking platform.
19. QuickBooks
Our favorite accounting software to use to manage our expenses, transactions, and invoices is QuickBooks. There are several plans to choose from, with the cheapest plan suitable for most digital nomad needs. The self-employed plan costs just $15 a month and helps you to track income and expenses, create and send invoices, connect bank accounts, and more.
While you can log onto QuickBooks on your laptop, the mobile app offers extra convenience, allowing you to enter transactions, record any expenses, as well as create and send invoices to customers or clients. And don’t worry; QuickBooks automatically backs up all your data and ensures everything is synced across all devices. This app is a great way to keep track of all the money coming in and out.
20. Xe
Xe has been our go-to currency converter for years. It provides real-time currency conversion rates that come in handy while traveling. This app is a holy grail, especially when we are in continents like Asia or South America where we are constantly changing currencies wherever we go. With Xe, there’s no more need to use a calculator or rely on a spotty internet connection to convert the local currency to your home currency.
While you will still need data to get real-time currency rates, if you don’t have access to the internet, the app will use the last loaded rates for conversion, which comes in handy since currency rates generally won’t fluctuate that much day by day.
As a plus, Xe is another app you can use to send and transfer money – a great alternative to Wise.
Social and Community Apps for Digital Nomads
It’s hard to have a normal social life when you are constantly on the go. You don’t make friends in the traditional sense as a digital nomad, and you really have to put yourself out there to meet new people. Thankfully, there are a few apps you can use to satisfy your social needs and meet like-minded people all around the world!
21. Nomadlist
Nomadlist is a site that has pretty much every tool and feature you could possibly want as a digital nomad. The site started as a tool for helping remote workers research the best digital nomad destinations, but it has become so much more!
Now, Nomadlist is one of the absolute best social platforms for travelers, with a dating app, a “Friend Finder” app, forums, meetups, and more. The Nomadlist membership is a one-time payment of $99, which gives you lifetime access to all of the features, data, and community hubs within the site.
22. Meetup
Looking for social networking events in your area? You’ve got to check out Meetup. In this app, you can find and join groups around the world to meet people. The Meetup app helps people organize online and in-person events so they can meet others with common interests. We’ve personally used it in a couple of different countries to find people to play board games with. However, you can also find more general meetups that will gather in cafes or bars to get to know one another.
Meetup is a great way to get involved with your new community and get to know a circle of people who you already have something in common with. And don’t worry; this app is completely free to use (bar a few events that might have a fee to participate)!
23. Citizen Remote
Citizen Remote started out providing in-depth guides to digital nomad visas but eventually spread out to support all pillars of the remote work revolution! Now, the platform has everything from a job search feature to a digital nomad accommodation booking system and even a social media app.
Citizen Remote’s social media app is one of the coolest developments we have seen in the digital nomad world. At its essence, the Citizen remote app is a digital nomad social media platform, but it has many more functions.
For example, in the app, you can track your journeys, join meet-ups, purchase and manage e-sims, and find information about destinations.
24. Whatsapp
One major app many countries around the world use to communicate is WhatsApp. WhatsApp might not be widely used in the United States, but as soon as you step out of the country, you’ll find that people all over the world, including in Asia, Europe, and South America, use this handy messaging platform. We’ve even used it to book accommodation and reserve a table at a popular restaurant for dinner. It’s a must-have if you need to communicate with a local or other travelers you meet along the way.
25. Facebook
While many say that Facebook is slowly dying, we still find it useful for one major reason: Facebook groups. Facebook groups are a great way to meet other like-minded travelers and digital nomads. There are plenty of Facebook groups targeted towards digital nomads that we recommend joining, such as Digital Nomads Around the World. But beyond that, we highly recommend searching for specific digital nomad or expat Facebook groups in your local area. This is a great way to make friends and learn all about living in your chosen city or town.
26. Reddit
You might be surprised to hear that Reddit is actually a great source of information when it comes to travel. Of course, you do need to sift through a bit of misinformation and junk and really should read everything with a critical eye. But beyond the misinformation you may come across is a treasure trove of updated and current information about your travel destinations. When chatting with people on Reddit, you can even find others who may be traveling to the same destinations as you that you can meet up with.
27. Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing went through a major change in 2020, switching from a popular and FREE couchsurfing platform to one where you have to pay for a membership. Despite this, Couchsurfing is still alive and well, though it does seem to be more location-dependent than it used to be. But if you happen to be traveling around Europe or the USA, this is still a good platform to find locals and other travelers to hang out with. Of course, you can still use the platform, as in the past, to find a couch to crash on if you need accommodation.
Other Important Digital Nomad Apps
While we weren’t able to specifically categorize these digital nomad apps, these apps are still as important as others we have already mentioned on this list. From translation apps to eSIMS and more, these apps have come in handy during our two years of traveling around the world as digital nomads.
28. Airalo
We discovered eSIMs pretty late in the game at the beginning of this year. And now we think back to the past couple of years, thinking how easier our lives would have been if we had one from the get-go.
Our eSIM of choice is Airalo – it’s probably the cheapest eSIM option out there and connects you to over 200 countries. You can pick from a variety of different eSIM options. For example, you can go for global eSIMs, regional eSIMs, or country-specific eSIMs, and you can find different packages for each, depending on how much data you think you’ll use.
29. Surfshark
A VPN is a must-have for any traveler, especially if you are planning on using public wifi at some point during your trip. A VPN helps protect you by encrypting your data and masking your IP address. It also allows you to access certain websites that may have region-bound access, which has certainly come in useful for us since we peruse hundreds of websites every day as part of our paid work. Plus, in your downtime, you can use it to access Netflix shows and movies that might only be available in some parts of the world.
We’ve been using Surfshark for the past couple of years, and we are pretty satisfied with what it offers at such a low price point. While Surfshark doesn’t work for HBO, it works for everything else we need as digital nomads.
30. Duolingo
Wherever you travel, we think it’s incredibly important to be respectful of the locals and land you are visiting. One way to travel ethically is to learn the local language – even if it’s just a word or two. A “hello” and “thank you” in the local language can go a long way in helping you to appreciate the culture surrounding you.
Duolingo is our preferred way to learn languages while on the go. While you won’t become fluent in another language using only Duolingo, this app can help you learn a whopping 40+ languages well enough to have a basic conversation, at the very least! Duolingo teaches languages in a format that’s easy to work around any work schedule, requiring you to only study the chosen language for not even 5 minutes a day.
31. Rideshare Apps
Rideshare apps are a must in any traveler’s arsenal. But don’t just download good old Uber. First, research to see what rideshare apps are used in your chosen city or country. For example, in Indonesia, we used Gojek and Grab, while in NYC, we used Lyft, and in Mexico, we used Ola and Didi. Download these rideshare apps before you arrive in the country, as you might be able to use them to get to your accommodation from the airport. Wherever you are in the city or country, as long as you have an internet connection, you can safely get a ride to wherever you need to go!
32. SafetyWing Travel Medical Insurance
You should never travel without travel medical insurance. Travel medical insurance covers all of your travel needs as a digital nomad. We have loyally used SafetyWing over the past couple of years and we couldn’t recommend it more. This digital nomad insurance is made for nomads by nomads, and it covers everything from lost baggage, delays, medical issues that occur abroad, evacuation, and more. And all this for the mere price of just $56.28 per 4 weeks. SafetyWing’s travel insurance works as a subscription, which you pay monthly. You can even purchase it while you are already abroad, which is great if you accidentally forget to purchase insurance before you leave your home country!
33. Capcut
Are you documenting your travels on social media or perhaps for your own perusing later on in life? If you are, you’re going to need a handy video editing software that’ll make nicely edited videos in a user-friendly way. We use Capcut to edit all of our videos. While we don’t pay for the app, if you do, you get access to way more features. Capcut might not be the most advanced video editing software out there, but we find that it is more than sufficient for our amateur needs!
34. Free Tour
One of our favorite things to do when we go someplace new is do a free walking tour. As you likely know already, a free walking tour is a tip-based tour you can take to get to know a city or town, where a local takes you around to the famous spots while also spewing out helpful information about where to eat and where to go. Free Tour is one of our favorite platforms for booking free tours. Check it out to see what kind of tours are available in the area!
35. Google Translate
If you’re traveling someplace you don’t know the language, Google Translate will be your best friend. We like to keep it on the front page of our phones so that we have easy access to it whenever the need arises. In fact, some of our favorite memories involve communicating with locals using Google Translate! Don’t handicap yourself by forgetting to download this incredibly important app. You’ll need it to not only communicate with locals but also to read menus and even museum plaques.
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