There are many great apps available for Microsoft Surface devices like the Surface Laptop, Surface Pro, and Surface Go.
These apps can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store app or other websites online. With so many options ranging from stock trading apps to photo editors, it can be difficult to figure out which apps are the best for your needs.
But don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 12 top-rated apps that are definitely worth downloading and trying out on your Surface device.
Instagram: Best Surface App for Instagrammers
Instagram has updated their app for Windows computers, making it one of the best ways to view Instagram posts on a Microsoft Surface device. The app allows you to like, comment on, and share posts made by others. You can also search for more content on Instagram and access your messages within the app.
While you cannot upload new posts from the app itself, you can still do so through the Facebook Creator Studio website on your Windows computer.
One highlight of the updated Instagram app for Windows is its improved display of Instagram Stories. Stories look better on the larger Surface screen compared to a small mobile device. Instead of just swiping through one story at a time, the app shows multiple stories side-by-side, giving you more control over what you want to watch next.
Crypto Chart: Best Microsoft Surface App for Crypto Trading
Crypto Chart is one of the best apps for tracking cryptocurrency prices on your Microsoft Surface device, especially if you invest in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, or other digital currencies. This completely free app allows you to monitor all the major cryptocurrencies and see their prices displayed in simple, easy-to-understand graphs.
You can view cryptocurrency prices over different time periods, like hours, days, or weeks. The app also has a portfolio feature where you can manually enter any cryptocurrency purchases you've made, so you can keep track of your investments all in one place.
One really handy tool in Crypto Chart is the price alert. You can set up alerts for specific cryptocurrencies and target price points. Whenever the price of that cryptocurrency goes up or down to the target you set, you'll get a notification pop up on your Surface's Action Center. This helps you stay updated on price changes for currencies you're watching.
Affinity Publisher: Best Microsoft Surface App for Print Publishing
Affinity Publisher is a powerful app that allows you to create, edit, and publish content for both print and the web. While it can handle basic projects like making simple pamphlets or posters, its real strength lies in its advanced professional tools. With Affinity Publisher, you can design truly impressive book covers and magazine layouts with a wide range of high-end features.
One key advantage of Affinity Publisher over similar apps like Adobe InDesign is that you only need to pay for it once upfront. Unlike InDesign which requires an ongoing paid subscription, Affinity Publisher is a one-time purchase. This makes it a much more affordable long-term option for Microsoft Surface owners who plan to use the app for years.
Additionally, Affinity Publisher receives free updates frequently, ensuring you always have access to the latest features and improvements. There's no pressure to buy a new version of the app every year like some other software companies push.
OBS Studio: Best Surface App for Streaming
If you have a Surface device and want to do live streaming or screen recording, one of the best apps to use is OBS Studio. And the great news is, it's completely free! OBS Studio has almost everything you need to create a professional-looking broadcast and share it on major platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.
Creating your stream layout is easy - you can build it from scratch right in OBS Studio, or import one from a service like StreamElements. The app also supports using multiple webcams, microphones, and other media sources. So whether you want a simple setup or a more complex one, OBS Studio gives you the flexibility to make your broadcast exactly how you want it.
Audacity
If you've got a Surface and you need to mess around with audio files, you've gotta check out this app called Audacity. It's been around forever - like, since the early 2000s - but it's still one of the most popular audio editing tools out there. People love it because it's super easy to use, it's constantly being updated with new features, and it's got a ton of different tools and options.
And the best part? Audacity is completely free to download and use. Can't beat that!
Just one quick thing before you jump in - make sure to read through Audacity's privacy policy so you know how your info is going to be handled. Gotta cover your bases, you know?
Lots of podcasters use Audacity to edit and save their episodes on Windows computers and tablets. But it can do way more than that - it can help remove background noise from your recordings, and you can even use it to record phone calls on your computer.
Spotify
If you've got a Surface, Spotify is hands down one of the best apps for finding and listening to podcasts. Their library is absolutely massive - you can pretty much find a podcast on any topic you're into. It's wild.
The Spotify app made specifically for Surface is super user-friendly, especially compared to the mobile versions. Instead of all those confusing filter options, it's got a nice simple menu that makes it way easier to navigate.
One cool feature is the social stuff - you can see what your Facebook friends are listening to in real-time on the side of the app. Pretty handy if you're looking for new music or podcast recommendations.
Oh, and you can also download songs and episodes to your Surface to listen offline. But just a heads up, that streaming-without-WiFi thing is only for Spotify Premium members, not the free version.
Bing: Best Microsoft Surface Search Engine App
You might be surprised to hear this, but the best way to search the web on your Surface isn't actually through some special app - it's built right into the Windows 10 and 11 operating systems.
See that taskbar thing running along the bottom of your screen? That's where you'll find the search feature. All you gotta do is type whatever you're looking for into that little box, and boom - it'll pull up the results for you in a pop-up, without you even having to open a web browser.
Pretty slick, right? The only downside is that it's only gonna use Microsoft's Bing search engine to find the info, instead of letting you pick your favorite search engine. But hey, it's super convenient and saves you a few steps.