The 7 Best Free Flashlight Apps

It's hard to beat the Super-Bright LED Flashlight on Android when it comes to simplicity and intuitive interface. The app's setup mimics an actual hardware flashlight, with an on and off switch you can toggle to turn on and off your digital flashlight.

You can also adjust the light's strobe or blinking mode by swiping left or right on the digital flashlight's bezel. If it's a free and simple flashlight app you're after and you use a smartphone running Android, this should be one of the first downloads you check out.

What we like:

• Intuitive, easy-to-use interface
• Clever design

What we don't like:

• A significant amount of in-app ads
• No paid version to eliminate ads

Cost:

• Free

 Platforms:

• Android

You'll find the basic flashlight functionality with this free download for iOS, but it also offers some more advanced "fun" features. These include a built-in SOS signal, a built-in compass and a built-in "disco mode" that syncs the pulsating of the light to music that you're playing. There's even an altitude tracker, which could come in handy if you're fond of night hikes.

What we like:

• Unique modes and features
• Altitude tracker

What we don't like:

• Not available for Android

Cost:

• Free

Platforms:

• iOS

This is another straightforward Android flashlight app, which you can toggle on to help you find things in the dark and more. Apart from that most basic functionality, you can change the color of the flashlight by selecting a hue on-screen. You can even use the Flashlight app to send Morse code. The app is free, though it does include ads.

What we like:

• Option to change color on-screen
• Morse code feature

What we don't like

• Ads
• Some features, like the ability to change colors, can be buggy

Cost:

• Free (in-app purchases available)

Platforms:

• Android

Yes, it's another app simply called "Flashlight," but we didn't say the most creatively named flashlight apps, did we? This iOS download stands out for offering a built-in mini-map and compass for navigating in the dark. You can also adjust the LED brightness by using the app's on-screen clickwheel, and there's an SOS signal option along with 10 different strobe frequencies.

What we like:

• Simple and straightforward
• Unique mini-map features

What we don't like:

• Not much — this app gets rave reviews across the board for working well and being easy to use

Cost: 

• Free

Platforms:

• iOS

According to the app creators, this download for Android devices was designed to preserve your phone's battery while shining light on whatever situation you're in. It includes several extras like warning lights, strobe lights and color lights.

What we like:

• Emphasis on preserving battery life
• Some fun extras

What we don't like:

• Not the most feature-packed app 

Cost:

• Free

Platforms:

• Android

This app justifies its less-than-modest name with some unique features that go beyond the expected flashlight functionality. There's a magnifying tool that lets you enhance the size of things on-screen, a function for clapping to turn your flashlight on and off and an energy-saving light mode. Keep in mind that some of these more advanced features cost $0.99 to unlock in the app, and you can also pay $0.99 to remove adds.

What we like:

• Ads on unpaid version
• Unique features like magnifying tool

What we don't like:

• You have to pay to unlock additional features
• You have to pay to remove ads

Cost:

• Free (pay to unlock additional features and remove ads in-app)

Platforms:

• iOS

The Lytish flashlight app gets points for a well-designed, minimalist interface, but it also is easy to use. It includes a variety of modes, including torch and strobe, and there's a screen widget (accessible from your Android phone's home screen) for turning the flashlight function on or off without having to open up the full app.

What we like:

• Attractive, minimal design
• Easy to use

What we don't like:

• Not the most feature-packed option

Cost: 

• Free

Platforms:

• Android