The 16 Best Xbox One Apps

Best for Watching Blu-ray Movies: Blu-ray Player

Microsoft bet on HD DVD in the high-def disc war and lost, but the Xbox One has a Blu-ray drive built in. The problem is that it doesn't play Blu-ray movies out of the box. This app fixes that, as it allows you to watch your Blu-ray discs and DVDs without buying and hooking up a separate Blu-ray or DVD player.

For anyone wondering why this app is necessary, it's a money thing. Microsoft pays a royalty to the Blu-ray Disc Association for every Xbox One that uses a Blu-ray player. So, if some people choose not to install the app, Microsoft saves a little money.

Best for Free TV Shows and Films: Tubi TV

If you don't have a subscription to cable or any streaming services, Tubi TV is the Xbox One app for you. It provides access to a ton of free television shows and movies that you can watch.

You don't need to sign up for an account to watch content. Download the app to your Xbox One, open it, proceed as a guest, and you're good to go.

The catch is that Tubi TV is supported by ads that run before and during videos. So if you prefer to fork over some cash upfront to avoid watching a lot of ads, you'll want something like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video.

The good news is that those services all have Xbox One apps, so make sure to grab them if you're a subscriber.

Best for Animation Fans: VRV

VRV is a one-stop shop for fans of anime, western animation, gaming, comedy, and other genre video content. It includes shows from Crunchyroll, Funimation, Rooster Teeth, Cartoon Hangover, and more.

While there are separate Xbox One apps for services like Crunchyroll and Funimation, VRV makes it easier by providing everything in a single interface.

VRV is also free to use, but you can pay for a subscription if you prefer ad-free content.

Best for User-Generated Content: YouTube

YouTube is the king of user-generated content on the internet, and the official Xbox One app shifts it all from your computer to your television.

Unofficial apps also provide access to YouTube content, but there's no pressing need to download them anymore. The official YouTube app is easy to use and gets the job done.

Best for Original Streaming Content: Netflix

If you have a Netflix subscription, download the Xbox One app. It's easy to navigate with a controller, and it's a great way to watch movies, TV shows, and Netflix Originals like Orange Is the New Black and Stranger Things on your television.

The Netflix app edges out competitors like Hulu and Amazon Prime in terms of usability and content, but if you have a subscription to those services they also have apps available on Xbox One.

Best for Sports Fans: Live Sports and TV

There are a lot of sports apps on Xbox One, and all require a subscription. If you haven't cut the cord yet, use your cable provider login information to watch live sports on the Fox Sports Go or ESPN apps.

If you don't have cable, your options are limited. In fact, the Live Sports and TV app is the only game in town. It's spotty in terms of content and quality, and it's supported by banner ads unless you pay for a premium version, but it's the only way to watch free sports on your Xbox One.

Best Media Server: Plex

If you have a ton of digital media on your hard drive or a network-connected drive, Plex should be at the top of your list of Xbox One apps to download.

You sign up for an account, download the Plex server program on your computer, and it streams all the movies, TV shows, and music you have on your computer or a networked hard drive. It's the best way to stream media from your PC to your Xbox One.

Best Music Streaming App: Spotify

The official Spotify app gives you access to a ton of music, and it's easy to navigate and use with a controller. It's also free to use, although it offers a monthly subscription option.

If you loved Groove Music Pass on your Xbox One in the past, you should love Spotify just as much. You can even move your playlists and collections straight from Groove to Spotify.

Best for Watching Streaming Gaming Content: Twitch

Xbox One has built-in live streaming, but Twitch is the biggest game in town. If you want to watch your favorite streamers or discover new ones without leaving your couch, you need this app.

TMX - Theme My Xbox

If you want to make your mark on your Xbox One, you need this app. The built-in customization options are limited, but Theme My Xbox pulls together a ton of user-created themes you can download, customize, and use on your console.

Best All-in-One Remote App: Home Remote

The Home Remote app is a universal windows platform (UWP) app that runs on your phone, tablet, PC, and Xbox One. It allows you to interface with all your cool home automation gadgets from these devices.

Best Xbox Community App: Community Calendar

If you want to turn your time with the Xbox One into a social experience, you need this app. It provides information about upcoming community events, special in-game events, and more.

For People Who Like to Test New Software: Xbox Insider Hub

The Xbox Insider app is the only way to get access to hot new features, such as game gifting, before the general public. When you join, you get early access to new Xbox One firmware updates.

You can also participate in questionnaires and perform other tasks to level up. The higher your level, the earlier you can get your hands on new features.

Best Weather App: MSN Weather

If you want to check the weather without getting off the couch, Microsoft's official MSN Weather app does a surprisingly good job. It works great with your controller, so you don't waste time getting the information you need.

AccuWeather also has an Xbox One app that provides great hour-by-hour forecast information, but it loses points because it uses a virtual mouse controlled by an analog stick instead of built-in Xbox One controls.

Best for Exercise Enthusiasts: My Fitness

Xbox Fitness is gone, and there's no replacement for it. My Fitness is an app that allows you to set up and track your fitness goals and workouts, which is a step in the right direction.