Moving to a new country is a thrilling adventure, packed with opportunities for personal growth, cultural exchange and brand-new experiences. But let's face it: It also comes with its fair share of challenges.
Navigating these hurdles efficiently is key to making your transition as smooth as possible. One of the most crucial aspects of settling into a new country is equipping yourself with the right tools. From finding a place to live and learning the local language to staying connected with loved ones back home, technology can be your best ally.
The right apps can act as your personal support system, ensuring you stay connected and grounded no matter where you are in the world. To make your move a breeze, we've put together a list of essential apps every expat should have.
Think we've missed out on a great app for expats? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line or join the conversation in our forum.
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Getting around
Navigating a new city can be quite a challenge, but the right apps can make all the difference. These tools not only help you find your way around but also provide real-time updates, business information, community tips, offline maps and detailed public transport info.
With these apps, you'll always know where you are and how to reach your destination. Here are some top navigation apps to help you explore your new surroundings confidently and efficiently.
Google Maps / Waze / Here WeGo / Maps.me
Google Maps, Waze, Here WeGo and Maps.me are all fantastic for navigation. Google Maps integrates seamlessly with other Google services, making it a versatile choice for finding local businesses and attractions. Waze is unique for its community-driven updates on traffic and road hazards, helping you avoid delays.
Here WeGo and Maps.me are excellent for offline use, providing detailed maps without constant internet access. If you’re moving to an area with limited connectivity, consider downloading one of these, even if you primarily use Google Maps or Waze.
Citymapper / Moovit
For public transport navigation, Citymapper and Moovit are top picks. Citymapper offers detailed route options and live updates and integrates with various transport modes in urban areas, making it highly useful for city dwellers. Moovit provides comprehensive transit information and real-time arrival updates and covers public transport systems in many cities globally, ensuring you can navigate efficiently wherever you are.
Uber / Lyft / Grab
Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Lyft and Grab are invaluable for expats without immediate access to a car. Uber and Lyft are widely available and offer various ride options, including carpooling. Grab is particularly popular in Southeast Asia, providing not just ride-sharing but also food delivery and other services, making it a versatile tool for expats in the region.
Accommodation
Finding the perfect place to live is high on the list when you move to a new country. Whether you're looking for a short-term rental to start with or a long-term lease to settle into, the right app can make your search a breeze.
These apps cater to different needs, from budget-friendly options to luxurious apartments, ensuring there's something for everyone. Many accommodation apps provide detailed property listings, user reviews and the ability to book directly through the app.
Here are some top apps for finding accommodation, each offering unique features to help you find your ideal home away from home.
Airbnb / Booking.com / Couchsurfing / Homestay.com
Airbnb, Booking.com, Couchsurfing and Homestay.com are fantastic for short-term stays. Airbnb is great for unique stays and local experiences, and Booking.com offers a wide range of hotels and rental options.
Couchsurfing connects you with local hosts for an immersive cultural experience, while Homestay.com lets you stay with local families and gain insights into the local lifestyle.
Vrbo / Nestpick / HousingAnywhere / Rentberry
Vrbo, Nestpick, HousingAnywhere and Rentberry cater to a variety of accommodation needs. Vrbo specialises in vacation rentals, offering a range of holiday homes. Nestpick focuses on furnished apartments for mid to long-term stays, making it ideal for expats.
HousingAnywhere connects you with rental options in multiple countries, while Rentberry offers a unique bidding system for rental properties, giving you more control over your rental terms.
Language
Learning the local language is a must when you're trying to blend into a new culture and handle everyday tasks. Language apps make it super easy and convenient to pick up new skills, from basic words to advanced conversation.
These apps use different methods of teaching, including fun games, practical conversation practice and immersive experiences. Whether you need structured lessons, quick translations or real-time practice with native speakers, these language apps have you covered.
Here are some top language-learning apps to help you become proficient.
Google Translate / iTranslate
For quick translations and getting the gist of written text, Google Translate and iTranslate are lifesavers. Google Translate supports over 100 languages and even has a camera translation feature for instant text recognition, perfect for signs and menus. iTranslate offers translation and dictionary features, helping you understand and communicate better in your new language.
Duolingo / Babbel / Rosetta Stone
Duolingo, Babbel and Rosetta Stone are big names in language learning, each with something unique. Duolingo uses gamified lessons for quick, daily practice. Babbel focuses on practical conversation skills with structured lessons. Rosetta Stone offers immersive experiences that emphasise speaking and pronunciation, helping you build confidence.
HelloTalk / Tandem
Practising with native speakers is one of the best ways to boost your language skills, and HelloTalk and Tandem make this super easy. HelloTalk connects you with native speakers for language exchange, while Tandem offers real-time practice with learners from around the world, making your learning more interactive and immersive.
Keeping in touch
Staying in touch with family and friends is crucial when you're living abroad. Communication apps make it super easy to make calls, video conference and send messages, so you can stay connected no matter where you are.
These apps offer secure, reliable and often free ways to communicate, and having the right app can make a big difference in keeping your relationships strong and managing your daily interactions. Here are some top communication apps that every expat should consider.
Skype / Zoom / WeChat
Skype, Zoom and WeChat are fantastic for video calls and conferencing. Skype is perfect for international calls and video chats with family and friends. Zoom is widely used for professional meetings and webinars.
WeChat is particularly useful if you're moving to China, offering communication, payment and social networking features all in one app.
Signal / Viber / WhatsApp / Telegram
For messaging, Signal, Viber, WhatsApp and Telegram are top picks. Signal offers end-to-end encryption for privacy. Viber provides free messaging and calls with multimedia sharing, and WhatsApp is known for its user-friendly interface and voice/video call features. Telegram stands out for its speed, security and support for large-group communications.
Google Drive / Dropbox / OneDrive
When it comes to sharing and storing important documents, Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive are essential. These file-sharing services are invaluable for expats who need access to their documents via the cloud. Share a folder or album of photos with your loved ones back home so they can keep up with your adventures.
Google Drive and OneDrive offer integrated office tools, while Dropbox focuses on seamless file synchronisation.
Meeting people
Building a social network is key for expats integrating into a new community. These apps help you find local events, meet new people and build lasting friendships.
Whether you're attending events, joining interest groups or connecting with neighbours, these tools make it easy to create your social circle. Here are some top apps for meeting people and building a social network as an expat.
Meetup / Internations / Eventbrite / Facebook Events
Meetup, Internations, Eventbrite and Facebook Events are fantastic for finding local events and networking opportunities. Meetup connects you with people who share your interests, while Internations is a network specifically for expats.
Eventbrite and Facebook Events help you discover local happenings, making it easier to engage with the community.
Nextdoor / Bumble BFF
For local connections, Nextdoor and Bumble BFF are top choices. Nextdoor is a social network for neighbours, helping you stay informed and connected with those living nearby. Bumble BFF is designed for finding new friends, making it easier to establish friendships and build a support network in your new home.
Wellness
Staying healthy, both physically and mentally, is super important for expats. Moving to a new country can be stressful, with changes in diet, available physical activities and adapting to new cultures and environments.
These wellness apps are here to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle through diet tracking, exercise and mindfulness practices, making it easier to adapt and stay well. Check out these top wellness apps that can help you stay healthy and resilient.
MyFitnessPal / Lifesum / Strava
For diet and exercise tracking, MyFitnessPal, Lifesum and Strava are fantastic options. MyFitnessPal offers comprehensive tracking for both diet and exercise, while Lifesum provides personalised nutrition plans and tips to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
If you're a fitness enthusiast, Strava is perfect for tracking running and cycling activities. It comes with social features, helping you stay active and connect with others through your fitness journey.
Headspace / Calm / Insight Timer
When it comes to mental health and mindfulness, Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer are excellent resources. Headspace provides guided meditations and mindfulness techniques, Calm offers relaxation music and sleep stories, and Insight Timer has a huge library of free meditation sessions.
Financial management
Managing your finances is a big part of expat life. These financial management apps have got you covered from currency conversion and international money transfers to budgeting and understanding the cost of living.
Mint / You Need A Budget (YNAB)
For personal finance tracking, Mint and YNAB are top picks. Mint helps you track and manage your personal finances with detailed expense tracking and budgeting tools. YNAB helps you set up and stick to a budget, allowing you to adapt to a new cost of living and manage your expenses in a new currency.
XE Currency / Wise (formerly TransferWise) / Revolut
When it comes to managing international finances, XE Currency, Wise and Revolut are essential. XE Currency provides live exchange rates and currency conversion. Wise offers low-cost international money transfers, making it easier to send money abroad. Revolut combines currency exchange, banking and budgeting features in one handy app.
