The Sony PlayStation 4 is not just a game console. It can be used for other purposes. It ranges from streaming movies and TV shows to video editing.
There are plenty of apps on the PS Store that you can ultimately use to enhance your PS4 experience.
While the App Library can’t compare to what’s available on iOS and Android, most of the useful apps you’d probably need are available.
So if you’d like to use your PS4 as a top-notch entertainment system, we have some great apps for you to install on your console.
Since one set of apps can’t pay for everything, we’ve chosen a range of apps designed for the PS4.
From pure entertainment to news and music videos, this long list is wholly covered.
So, whatever brings you to the edge of the couch, you may come across types of apps that can tickle your imagination and let you get the most out of your home video game console.
This article will explore the best PS4 apps that you should install on your console.
1. ShareFactory
Various PS4 users use ShareFactory to edit game content easily. The software provides simple video editing tools that effortlessly combine, personalize, and share your toy footage with friends.
You can add comments or soundtrack to your videos for a professional look. There are several themes, stickers, and texts that you can add to the game video.
When you’re done editing, you can upload it directly to Facebook or save it to a USB stick and later send it to other services if necessary.
ShareFactory is free to download and use, with no restrictions. ShareFactory is one of the best PS4 apps you should install on your console.
2. PlayStation Music (Spotify)
PlayStation Music is a streaming service for PS4 owners, which Sony introduced in 2015.
As you guessed, it works with Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming service, and you need a Spotify account to use the app.
One of the unique features of PlayStation Music is that PS4 owners can listen to music and play games simultaneously, which many enjoy.
PlayStation Music, also known as Spotify, can be used for free but includes ads and offers limited functionality.
To remove all ads and access all available features, you will need to upgrade to a premium subscription for $9.99 per month.
However, they offer a 30-day free trial, so you can try it out before buying it.
3. Plex
Plex is perhaps one of the best PS4 apps for organizing all your media and accessing any device anytime, and it is available for the PS4.
Although the PS4 Plex app is not standalone, you can download Plex Media Server to your PC to add all your media, including pictures, music, videos, etc.
Once added, you can stream content to all of your devices, including the PS4, using the Plex app.
Plex is free to download, but there is a disclaimer. You will only access content on the Plex media server if you have a Plex Pass subscription that starts at $4.99 per month and goes up to $119.99 for a lifetime subscription.
4. Twitch
Twitch, owned by Twitch Interactive, is a subsidiary of Amazon and is considered the most extensive live video streaming platform for gamers.
Gamers often prefer streaming Twitch to YouTube because the streaming experience is much better at the start.
With nearly 10 million visitors every day, this service is growing exponentially.
At the same time, Twitch is built into the PS4 to stream your content, and also to view content from other players, you need to download a separate Twitch app available on the PS Store.
Twitch lets you watch live or recorded video from games, chat with broadcasters, track the channels and games that interest you, and more.
As a PS4 player, this is one of the best PS4 apps you can install on your device.
5. Netflix
No list of the best PS4 apps can be complete without including Netflix. This should be the first app you download to turn your PS4 into a media hub.
Undoubtedly, Netflix is the world’s leading media streaming platform. You can watch plenty of movies and TV shows on the weekends with some popcorn by your side.
Netflix is also full of exclusive products, as good as you or Birdbox, making it an attractive service.
You can download Netflix for free from the PS Store, but you must use the subscription from $8.99 per month to $15.99 per month, depending on the number of devices or whichever resolution you prefer to view the content on.
6. YouTube
YouTube has changed the world of the Internet. YouTube is the face of user-generated video content, and the YouTube app is now available on several devices.
The service is accessible from almost any screen device. While you can access YouTube directly from the PS4 browser, the standalone UI is quite sleek and much easier to use.
YouTube is free to download and use unless you’re willing to pay YouTube Premium.
A monthly YouTube subscription, which starts at $11.99, lets you stream ad-free and access exclusive video content.
7. PlayStation Now
Sony launched a subscription-based game streaming service to allow PS4 owners to play classic PS3 titles without downloading them.
Consider this Netflix for gaming. According to Sony, more than 450 games are currently available on PlayStation.
To access it, you’ll have to shell out $ 19.99 per month, which isn’t affordable for many of us.
However, if you are a newbie to PlayStation and want to try out the blockbuster exclusive games available on the previous console, there is only one easy way: PlayStation now.
If you are not sure whether PS Now is right for you, there is a 7-day free trial that you can adequately use to make decisions.
If you are an avid gamer, this is one of the best PS4 apps you should spend your money on.
8. Crunchyroll
If you’re an anime lover, this is definitely one of the best PS4 apps for you. Crunchyroll is a premier destination for Asian content and Japanese anime.
It is widely used by anime fans worldwide and brings anime like Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, Attack on Titan, Sword Art Online, Gintama, Hunter x Hunter, and more.
Crunchyroll wants to stream the latest episodes an hour after it airs in Japan and allows you to stream content in 720p. Crunchyroll is available for free download on PS4.
However, Crunchyroll is not free, as you will need to be a premium member to access all available content.
The subscription starts at $6.95 per month, but if you want to try it out, Crunchyroll offers a 14-day free trial.
9. WWE Network
If you’re a WWE fan, this is one of the best PS4 apps your PS4 console needs, as you’ll be able to access a ton of exclusive content with scheduled programming and an on-demand library accessible from anywhere.
Also, you will be able to follow the 12 pay-per-view events live on WWE View. The app also offers various original series, reality shows, and documentaries. It seems like a good deal.
However, the service is billed monthly. You’ll have to shell out $9.99 per month, but they offer a one-month free trial, so one can decide if it’s worth it.
10. Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video contends with Netflix to be one of the most significant streaming services today.
Like Netflix, you can access many movies and TV shows, including exclusives like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
One can either buy or rent your favorite movies and TV shows. Additionally, the video content is available in 1080p, which is excellent.
It would help if you had an Amazon Prime subscription to use this service, which costs $12.99 per month or $119 annually.
However, if you pay annually, you will be offered the first 30 days of the subscription-free.
However, Prime members get several other perks besides the Amazon streaming service, such as being eligible for free one and two-day shipping. This is why it is good to subscribe to Amazon Video.
11. HBO NOW
HBO NOW is an independent streaming service that brings you all the HBO content. Unlike the HBO GO app, you do not need a TV package to access HBO NOW.
If you are a lover of the popular Game of Thrones or Silicon Valley, this is an app you must have on your PS4.
The application also offers many original series, documentaries, sports, and the latest blockbuster movies.
Additionally, the content available on HBO NOW will not be available on Netflix, Amazon’s video service, or any other streaming service.
HBO NOW’s subscription price is much higher than the competition’s, costing $14.99 per month.
However, they offer a one-month free trial that you can cancel anytime if your service isn’t enough.
12. DAZN
DAZN is one of the most popular subscribers of video streaming platforms, mainly dedicated to sports.
The platform gives you access to streaming boxing, fights, and other sporting events on PS4 live and on-demand for a simple monthly subscription.
The DAZN app’s highlight is that you can pause and rewind live events so you don’t miss a juicy moment of any game.
You get a free monthly trial period; fees of $9.99 per month should be set aside to satisfy your sports enthusiasm.
Without a doubt, DAZN is one of the best PS4 apps for sports fans.
13. VRV
Suppose you don’t want to overwhelm your PS4 with many streaming apps.
In that case, VRV is the first alternative for your needs as it combines content from some of the more famous platforms such as Crunchyroll, Nerdist, Boomerang, Mondo, and many others.
This platform allows you to stream over 20,000 hours of content, with all content, anime, sci-fi shows, and cartoons, among others, to your PS4 easily.
Just sign up, link your accounts to VRV, pay a small subscription for full access, and enjoy!
14. BBC iPlayer
As the name suggests, the BBC iPlayer is prepared for people who want to be synchronized with BBC programs at their own pace.
The app offers fairly straightforward channel layouts, making it easy for you to find the content you couldn’t follow before.
Also, adding your favorite shows to your list for quick access is possible.
But what attracted me the most about this app was the highly personalized recommendation that makes it straightforward to find the content I like to adapt to.
Plus, it remembers the reading history so users can start over where they left off.
And for those looking for basic parental controls, the app offers some excellent parental controls so they can control what their kids watch.
Conclusion
Although the PlayStation Store is not the most developed and lags far behind other app stores, it does bring some useful programs to improve your console’s usability.
That might not sound like enough, and it isn’t, but you can be content with the apps available on the PS4.
These apps should work well on the original PS4 and the newer PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro consoles.
So if you’ve recently bought a new PS4, go ahead and take a look at all these great apps.
Let us know your favorite PS4 apps in the comments below.
