Sony PlayStation 4 is not just a game console. It can also be used for other purposes. From streaming movies and TV shows to video editing, the PS Store has plenty of apps you can use.
While the app library may not even compare to what’s available on iOS and Android, most of the good apps you’ll probably need are available in the PS Store.
So, if you want to use the PS4 as a perfect entertainment system, we have some great apps that you should install on your console. I’ve tried these apps on my PS4, so without a word let’s take a look at the 20 best PS4 apps.
20 Best PS4 Apps you Should install on your Console
1. SHAREfactory
SHAREfactory can be used by multiple users to easily edit their game content. The software provides simple video editing tools to easily combine, customize, and share your video game with friends.
You can even add your own soundtrack to make the video look professional. There are also various themes, stickers and texts that you can add to the video gameplay.
Once you’ve finished editing, you’ll be able to download it directly to Facebook or save it on a USB flash drive, and then upload it to other services if necessary. SHAREfactory can be downloaded and used for free without any restrictions.
Install: (free).
2. PlayStation Music (Spotify)
PlayStation Music is a music streaming service for PS4 owners, introduced by Sony in 2015. As you may have guessed, it works on Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming service, and you’ll need a Spotify account to use the app.
One of the unique features of Spotify on PlayStation Music is that PS4 owners will be able to listen to music and play games at the same time, which will appeal to many.
PlayStation Music Spotify can be used for free, but there is an advertising and there is a limitation of features.
To disable advertising and access all available features, you will need to switch to a premium subscription priced at $9.99 per month. However, they offer a free 30-day trial premium version, so you can try it out before you buy it.
Install: (Free with advertising, premium subscription for $9.99/month)
3. Plex
Plex is arguably the best software for organizing and accessing all your personal media on all devices at any time. Although the PS4 Plex app is not standalone, you can download the Plex media server for free to your computer, where you can add all your media, including photos, music, videos, etc.
Once added, you’ll be able to stream content to all of your devices, including PS4, using Plex. The app can be downloaded for free, but there is one caveat. You’ll only be able to access content from Plex Media if you have a Plex Pass subscription that starts at $4.99 per month and reaches $119.99 per lifetime subscription.
Install: (Requires a Plex Pass subscription, the price starts at $4.99/month)
4. Twitch
Twitch, owned by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary of Amazon, is considered the largest online streaming video streaming service. Most gamers prefer streaming to Twitch rather than YouTube, as the broadcast experience is much better than the former.
With almost 10 million visitors a day, this service is growing exponentially. Twitch has been integrated into the PS4 to broadcast your content live. To view the content of other players, you need to download a separate Twitch app available in the PS Store.
The free app allows you to watch live or recorded gameplay videos, chat with streamers, follow channels and games that interest you, and more. As a PS4 gamer, this is one of the best PS4 apps you can install on your device.
Install: (free)
5. Netflix
No list of the best PS4 apps can be complete without Netflix. This should be the first app you download to turn your PS4 into a media centre.
Without a doubt, Netflix is the world’s leading media streaming platform. There are tons of movies and TV shows that you can watch over the weekend with popcorn. However, Netflix has a download limit.
The app can be downloaded for free from the PS Store. Netflix also has a subscription from $8.99 per month and up to $15.99/month, depending on the number of devices and the highest resolution on which you want to view the content.
Install: (Free, subscription starts at $8.99/month)
6. YouTube
YouTube has definitely changed the online world. Now it’s the face of user video content, and the YouTube app is available on a variety of devices. The service can be accessed from almost any screen.
You can access YouTube from the PS4 browser directly, and the user interface of the standalone app is quite pleasant and easy to use.
The app is free and available for download. YouTube Premium (starting at $11.99/month) gives you streaming and exclusive video content.
Install: (Free, YouTube Premium subscription is available for between $11.99/month)
7. PlayStation Now
The app gives a subscription, for a “game streaming service” launched by Sony, to allow PS4 owners to play classic games for PS3, without having to download them. Consider it Netflix for games. According to Sony, more than 450 games are currently available on PlayStation Now.
To access all of them, you will have to shell out $19.99 per month. If you’re new to PlayStation and want to try exclusive games that were available on the old console, there’s only one easy way to do it: PlayStation Now.
If you’re not sure what PS Now is for you, there’s a 7-day free trial that you can use to make a decision. If you are a hardcore gamer, this is the best app for PS4 where you have to spend your hard-earned money.
Set: (Free 7-day trial, subscription available for $19.99 per month)
8. Crunchyroll
If you’re an anime fan, you’ll love this app. Crunchyroll is a leading destination for Japanese anime and Asian content.
The app is widely used by anime fans around the world and features such anime as Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, Attack on Titan, Sword Art Online, Gintama, The World God Only Knows, Hunter x Hunter, and more.
Crunchyroll aims to show the latest episodes an hour after they aired in Japan and is available to watch offline and online at 720p. However, the service is not free.
You must be a premium member to access all available content. Subscription starts at $6.95 a month, but if you want to try it out, Crunchyroll offers a 14-day free trial.
Installation: (Free 14-day trial, followed by subscription from $6.95 per month)
9. PlayStation Vue
If you’re always plugging the PS4 into your TV, the PlayStation Vue app lets you watch Live TV right from the console itself. The app offers you access to a variety of sports, news, movies and more. This means you can watch popular channels including AMC, Discovery, Disney, ESPN, HBO, NFL Network and others.
PlayStation Vue also allows you to save your favourite shows in a personalized cloud DVR for later viewing, as well as view content on 5 devices at a time.
You have the option to choose from a variety of fares starting at $44.99 per month (which is not very cheap). You get a 5-day trial to see if PlayStation Vue is worth your money.
Set: (Free, followed by a subscription from $44.99/month)
10. WWE Network
If you’re a WWE fan, you’ll probably want to install this app directly on your PS4, as you’ll be able to access a ton of exclusive content that’s in the library that you can access from anywhere. You’ll also be able to watch all 12 paid WWE events live.
That’s not all, because the app features various original series, reality shows and documentaries. Now it sounds like a nice deal. However, the service is paid. You’ll have to fork out $9.99 a month, but they offer a free trial for one month, so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth it.
Install: (Free, follow-up subscription for $9.99/month subscription)
11. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video competes with Netflix and is one of the largest streaming services to date. Like Netflix, you get unlimited access to download a variety of movies and TV series including exclusives such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
You can buy or rent your favourite movies and TV shows. In addition, video content is available in 1080p format, which is very encouraging.
To use this service, you need a subscription to Amazon Prime, which costs $12.99 per month or $119 per year. However, if you pay annually, you will get the first 30 days of your subscription for free.
However, Prime users have several other advantages in addition to Amazon’s streaming service, such as the right to free one-day and two-day shipping. This is what makes a subscription to Amazon Video quite profitable.
Install: (Free, followed by a subscription to Prime from $12.99/month)
12. HBO MAX
HBO Max is a standalone streaming service that gives access to content from HBO. Unlike the HBO GO app, you don’t need a TV package to access HBO NOW. If you are a passionate fan of the very popular Game of Thrones or Silicon Valley, this is undoubtedly the app you should have on your PS4.
In addition, the app offers a variety of original series, documentaries, sports, as well as the latest blockbusters. Also, the content available on HBO NOW will not be available on Netflix or Amazon Video or any other streaming service.
The subscription price is slightly higher than that of competitors – 14.99 dollars per month. However, they offer a monthly free trial, which you can cancel at any time if the service just doesn’t suit you.
Install: (Free 7-day trial followed by subscription for $14.99 per month)
13. DAZN
It is one of the most popular subscription-based video streaming platforms, which is designed mainly for sports. The platform for a simple monthly subscription gives you access to live broadcasts of boxing, combat and other sporting events on PS4.
The highlight of the DAZN app is that you can pause and rewind live events so you don’t miss the juicy moments of any match.
For $9.99 a month, you get full access to the service to satisfy your sports enthusiasm. There is a trial that lasts a month. Without a doubt, one of the best apps for fans of PS4 and sports.
Read: 10 Best Sports Streaming apps to watch games.
Install: (Free, with a follow-up subscription for $9.99 per month)
14. VRV
Suppose you don’t want to clutter your PS4 with a variety of streaming apps. In that case, VRV is the first alternative to your needs, as it combines content with some of the most popular platforms such as Crunchyroll, Nerdist, Boomerang, Mondo and many others.
This platform contains more than 20,000 hours of content to watch cartoons, anime and sci-fi shows, as well as more on PS4. Just log in, connect your account to VRV, pay a modest subscription fee for full access and enjoy!
Note: If you expect the highest quality on this platform, you will be disappointed because it does not fulfil the stated promise.
Install: (Free, followed by a monthly subscription for $9.99)
15. WITHIN
Finally, if you have a PlayStation VR headset connected to the PS4 console, there’s one app you won’t be able to sleep with. It’s a platform that’s flooded with a ton of great VR content and is full of immersive experiences.
Gives you the opportunity to explore not only real VR shorts and documentaries but also stories and animations from popular authors. WITHIN offers premium story content in a variety of genres for your PS VR that will appeal to your kids and friends.
Install: (Free)
16. WWE Network
If you’re a WWE fan, you’ll probably want to install this app directly on your PS4, as you’ll be able to access a ton of exclusive content through scheduled programming and an on-demand library that you can access from anywhere. You’ll also be able to watch all 12 pay-per-view events in real-time. That’s not all, as the app features various original series, reality shows and documentaries. Now it sounds like a nice deal. However, the service is paid monthly. You’ll have to fork out $9.99 a month, but they offer a free trial for one month so you can decide for yourself whether it’s worth it.
Install: ( Free, required $9.99/month subscription)
14. BBC iPlayer
As the name suggests, BBC iPlayer is designed for people who want to stay in sync with BBC programmes at their own pace. The app provides fairly simple channel schedules, so you can easily find content that you couldn’t catch up with before. In addition, you can add your favourite shows to your personal list for quick access.
But what attracted me most about this app is a very personalized recommendation that makes it quite easy to find content that I like to tune in to. In addition, it also remembers the playback history so users can start where they left off. And for those looking for the necessary parental control, the app provides some really handy controls so they can keep track of what programs their kids are watching.
Install: (free)
15. Pluto TV
Simply put, Pluto TV is a universal platform for film, sports, comedy, news, anime and more. Packed with more than 100 live channels including Bloomberg, CNBC, Sky News and Cheddar, it got you to the fullest. So, if you’re looking for an app that can satisfy your interests, take this app seriously.
In terms of interface, I think Pluto TV looks neat. In addition, it also offers some interesting settings in the mix, so you can customize the app to your liking better. Another area in which Pluto does its job well is personalized recommendations that ensure that users don’t have to spend a lot of time searching for interesting content to catch up with it.
Install: (free)
16. Tubi TV
It looks like money for people who never seem to get enough super-hit movies and TV series. With one of the largest film catalogs and shows covering genres such as comedy, drama, classics, etc., the app has enough variety to attract everyone’s attention. But what made me include Tubi TV is a solid collection of niche favourites, such as Korean dramas, British TV series and anime, that are nice to watch. In addition to interesting content, I like its intuitive user interface and personalized recommendations that further enhance movie viewing experiences.
Install: (free)
17. Crackle
If you need a cool app that allows you to stream all kinds of movies and TV shows, Crackle may be the right answer for several reasons. For a start, the app has an ever-growing library of popular movies and shows. This means that you will always have something really exciting for long wakefulness. On top of that, the app also offers a plethora of exclusive original Sony Crackle Originals that can satisfy your penchant for exploring intriguing shows. And that’s also not forcing you to spend a dime!
Install: (free)
19. WeatherNation
If you want to keep track of local weather forecasts, WeatherNation (the US only) can be a suitable platform to navigate. The app provides accurate weather forecasts from well-known meteorologists, so you can plan your vacation wisely, as well as avoid getting stuck in bad weather. In addition, it also provides real-time weather alerts from MNS (National Weather Service) to keep you informed. One of my main achievements of this application is a detailed radar that offers a better understanding of weather conditions.
Install: (free)
20. GoPro Channel
Needless to say, the GoPro Channel is for GoPro fans. And if you’re one of them, this one is for you. With this app, you can stream GoPro content on demand. From exciting skating to exciting motorsport, the app never lacks exciting content. That’s not all, GoPro Channel also allows you to browse GoPro cameras and the latest accessories that can play an important role in improving your experience.
Install: (free)
Conclusion on the best apps you should install on your PS4
Although the PlayStation Store is much smaller than other app stores, it has useful apps for your console.
These apps should work well on the original PS4 as well as on the new PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro consoles. So if you recently bought a new PS4, then try all these wonderful apps. Let us know if we missed some good apps in the comments below.
