Messaging Apps, Translation Apps, International Payment Apps, and More
For most people today, smartphones are an integral part of our lives. Apps, programs and information on your smartphone can make your life easier. They can keep you connected, located, and supported as you go from place to place. Apps are even more useful when living abroad. Researching exchange rates, translating, and tracking time differences are some of the many ways that apps can help in a foreign country.
With so many apps available, it can be hard to find the best ones to enhance your time abroad. It can also be a surprise when a favorite app isn’t available or efficient in a different country. One example is the popular money-sharing app Venmo, which only works in the United States. With years of experience living abroad, our team has brainstormed the international apps that help us the most in our travels and time abroad.
Our Best Apps for Expatriates
These apps have proven their worth with real travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Before you travel or relocate, get set up with phone applications that will ease your transition.
We’ve divided our list into eight categories:
- Travel Hacks for Favorite Apps
- Apps for International Security
- Map Apps
- Messaging Apps
- Language and Translation Apps
- Travel Apps
- Food, Lodging, and Connection Apps
- Finance and Budget Apps
Find the Best International Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
Travel Hacks for Favorite Apps
When you head overseas, you’re probably already bringing a smartphone already loaded with your favorite apps. Here are fresh ways to use popular apps to expand your horizons as you travel.
- Instagram. Search tags for locations, attractions, and restaurants. You’ll be able to literally see what looks good.
- Facebook. Join Facebook groups for travel and expat life. Search Groups by country and destination. Also check if your university alumni have a travel group on Facebook: you’ll get great tips as well as connections.
- Reddit. Reddit has thousands of discussion boards, or subreddits, on travel, destinations, and expat life. Search, read, and comment to get involved.
- WhatsApp. Ask your group chats for their recommendations or connections.
- Uber. Uber rideshare and deliveries are available in more than 72 countries in Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East.
Apps for International Security
You can protect your data and yourself with security apps.
How Can US Citizens Stay Safe Overseas?
For U.S. expats and travelers, the Smart Traveler app is the official State Department app. This sends out security warnings and travel advisories, and lets you find U.S. embassies and consulates fast.
Where Can International Citizens Get Security Support?
Professional globetrotters value the International SOS Assistance app. This has similar benefits to Smart Traveler, but for travelers from and in every country. International SOS operators are there to support you in times of crisis. You can get a private subscription, or a whole company may have a corporate membership.
Which Settings and Apps can Boost Your Device Security?
First, set up your device’s security options. These protect your private data if your device is lost or stolen. Check out Computerworld’s security tips for Android and Apple tech.
For the ultimate in data protection, use a virtual private network, a VPN, to access the Internet. A VPN gives you private access to the Internet even if you’re on a public network. It protects your info from cybercriminals. What’s more, you can apply one VPN license to multiple devices. Three options are:
- NordVPN – affordable and reliable
- TunnelBear – easy to install, free option
- ProtonVPN –very strong encryption, free option
When you are set up with your VPN account, you can access apps to make it accessible on your devices.
Map Apps
Thanks to map apps, the days of fumbling with paper maps or flipping through map books are over. And different navigation apps provide different traveler support.
Is Waze or Google Maps Better?
The two most popular map applications in the world are Google Maps and Waze. Both are driver-friendly, and both can be customized with your saved settings.
To explore a new city or country, Google Maps is the world’s #1 map app. Google Maps provides transportation information for every method: driving, walking, and public transit. It uses a rich, deep database, updated constantly by both Google and the public. You can use it for directions and transportation options. You can also find businesses in a neighborhood, see their ratings, and find services like EV chargers and parking.
For drivers, Waze is another favorite map and direction app. This app is focused on drivers and driving directions. Its interface is simpler, and its data source is different: real-time users providing updates. Users love its accuracy and up-to-the-minute traffic details. They also use directions that get adjusted based on traffic conditions. Where Google Maps might leave you stuck in traffic, Waze will notify you and share different directions with you.
A Strong Third Option Is Apple Maps
In third place, Apple Maps is the default Apple device map application. Many dedicated Apple users love it. They praise its walking and public transport directions and its dazzling 3D views.
A Map App for One Essential Function
When you’ve gone to a new travel destination… you might have to go. To the bathroom. Locate the nearest loo with the ingenious Toilet Finder app.
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Messaging Apps: The Cheapest Way to Call Internationally
A decade ago, free international calls involved headphones, a computer, and Skype: software that was groundbreaking at the time. Now, instant messaging apps have expanded into full voice and video calling.
Many free messaging apps don’t even require that you download the app. For Google Meet and Zoom, a URL from the person reaching you can open up communications. If you’re managing the contacts yourself, call worldwide for free with these communication apps.
What Is The Number One Messaging App in the World?
To stay in touch with friends and family, it helps to know the most popular messaging app in the world. That app is Whatsapp, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It’s especially popular in India, which has over 25% of the world’s Whatsapp users.
Which App Is Easiest for Contacting Friends and Family?
Facebook Messenger comes second with nearly a billion users. Its reliability and ease of use lead many expats to have it as a messaging backup. It may not have the features of other messaging apps. But sometimes the best international calling app is the one that your grandparents can use with you.
How Can You Maximize Privacy When Messaging?
Try Signal if your privacy is important to you. Signal does not share your data, encrypts your messages, and deletes tracking data microseconds after it’s used.
Language and Translation Apps
Today’s language and translation apps provide clarity that past travelers could only dream of. Make the most of different languages with these apps.
What Is the Best App for Translating When Traveling?
When you’re in a new country, you need translation fast. Google Translate is familiar to most people. If you’re not adept in it, the person next to you in line at the airport can probably help. With 133 languages and translations for text, camera, and photos, it also has offline options to support you in transit.
What Is the Most Accurate Translator for a Foreign Language?
Microsoft has used its global reach to create Microsoft Translator, one of the best free translation apps. It’s praised for its accuracy with top ratings from Wired Magazine.
How Can You Learn a Foreign Language Fast?
Duolingo’s persistent owl mascot is famous – and successful! With frequent short lessons and audio support, plus games to keep you motivated, Duolingo has become the world’s language teacher.
Travel Apps for International Citizens
Whether you’re abroad for a good time or a long time, travel is a part of your life. Digital nomads often prioritize travel and plan both short and long trips. Long-term expats keeping connections alive travel more than average, too.
Where Can I Book Affordable Flights?
Expedia describes itself as “an all-in-one travel companion where you can plan, book and manage your whole trip.” Our travel experts agree and put it at the top of their list as a resource for efficient booking and solid savings on travel.
With Hopper, budget-savvy travelers can get alerts when it’s the best, cheapest time to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. You’ll never miss that best window for booking again.
How Can I Manage Trip Information?
The app TripIt solves the travel problem of keeping track of your travel information, including travel insurance details. TripIt provides many benefits with its free version, and its paid version tracks airports and rewards for super-travelers.
What Can Help With Different Time Zones?
These two apps help with your time zone challenges. Timeshifter uses science to help you beat jet lag. It lets you know the best times to find or avoid light, sleep, and caffeine to adjust your personal sleep schedule. You can try it once for free, and some airlines like United offer it as a benefit.
World Time Buddy is simple yet brilliant. It’s a social app and a productivity app too. It lets you track your time zone against the time zones of your friends and family at a glance.
Apps for Lodging, Food, and Connections
There’s more to good reviews than comments and stars on Google Maps. For serious details, or the next level of socializing in a new place, try these apps.
Where To Find In-Depth Reviews for Stays and Dining?
Since 2000, TripAdvisor has quietly risen to the top of global review sites. They encourage depth and transparency in the information travelers share. The result is that for lodging, dining, and attractions, travelers rely on TripAdvisor, and locals do too.
The review site Yelp is catching up to TripAdvisor, expanding into 32 countries. Users find it particularly strong in the U.S.A and Europe.
How Can Vegetarians and Vegans Find Places to Eat?
HappyCow helps vegetarians and vegans find delicious food worldwide. It supports users with forums and communities, too.
What’s an App to Help Meet New People for Friendship?
Dating apps vary from country to country. But for friendships and professional connections around the world, try Meetup. Their motto is “Community Matters.” Meetup helps people coordinate open get-togethers in 193 countries and over 10,000 cities. Many Meetups globally are expat or language learning groups.
Finance and Budget Apps
Nowadays banks have their own apps with complete online services. But for some finance functions, like currency conversion and funds transfer, apps provide the best options. You may be surprised that Paypal isn’t on this list — see what’s recommended instead.
Which App Provides the Best Currency Conversion?
One of the most trusted currency conversion websites, Xe.com, now gives you conversions on the go with its app. The app offers money transfers for 100+ currencies, too.
Read more: The Best Apps To Manage Your Money Abroad
How Can You Manage International Budgeting Challenges?
If you’re living internationally, you may have complicated finances, including multiple income streams. PocketSmith is a budgeting and money management program that supports multiple income sources and more. Set it up then use the PocketSmith Sidekick app to manage your finances on the go.
Which App is Best for Sending Money Worldwide?
Over 16 million international people use Wise to convert and transfer money around the world. This app’s good conversion rates, low fees, and quick bank transactions make it financially intelligent. And its user-friendly interface, with full transaction transparency, along with its debit card, makes it simple.
Also Read: Best Money Transfer Companies
The Best App Is the App That Works for You
Today’s apps bring both ease and fast connection. Take some time to experiment with apps. It’s OK to not like an app and delete it. It’s also OK to ask a friend or family member for a tutorial in that app they really want you to use. Finally, different apps are popular in different cities and countries. Ask friends which apps are the most lively and helpful in your new home or destination.
Find the Best International Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
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