If you’re running low on storage space or processor power, it’s recommended that you switch to the ‘Lite’ versions that are offered by most of the popular Android apps.
These ‘lite apps’ take up very less space on the phone but they also provide the essential and core functionalities by which the user can enjoy the essential features of the app.
Why should you use Android Lite apps?
You should consider using Android Lite apps because:
- They are lightweight
- Consume less data and loads faster on 2G and 3G networks
- Lower battery drain
- Users don’t have to install the full-size apps if they want to use it only for a few features
Low-end Android phones can now have a taste of all the popular and widely used apps that would work perfectly only on phones with higher RAMs and better computing power. They too can enjoy the core functionalities of these apps and truly enjoy their Android smartphone and its amazing functionalities. Note that few of these apps aren’t available in certain countries yet.
Also read:Â How to save battery on Android: 10 tips and tricks
Facebook Lite
Download size: 1.4 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0 and above
Some people prefer the lite version of the Facebook lite app entirely over the Facebook app. The full-fledged Facebook app is very resource-hungry, consuming a lot of battery and storage (up to 200 MB after you download and login). For every web page opened, the entire page is cached on the device — making the app heavier as time passes.
The Facebook lite app is much like its bloated counterpart. It allows the user to search for his friends on the platform, upload pictures or updates, get notifications for when a friend likes or comments on a picture and so on. Users can also save their pictures in the photo albums through the app and can help save phone memory.
Twitter Lite
Compatible with: Android 5.0 and above
The Twitter lite app provides functionalities like tweeting, retweeting, personal messaging, following different people and trending hashtags on the platform.
Also, by turning on the data saver mode, you can control the download of the images or videos.
Messenger Lite
Download size:Â Less than 10 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 2.3 and above
The app lets you send messages to people you are connected with on Facebook. The lite version is fast to load and allows you to message people one-on-one or in groups. The app also lets you make voice and video calls to any of your Facebook friends -anywhere in the world- over WiFi for free.
Skype Lite
Download size:Â 17 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0.3 and above
The Skype Lite app is used to make phone or video calls to anyone on Skype. These calls can be made to people personally or in groups. In case one doesn’t have a Skype account or has forgotten the password to his account, he can join the group chat via an invite link that will log him as a guest on the lite app.
The app also comes with an ‘SMS insights’ function that allows you to pay bills, check train schedules for booking, check bank and wallet balances and so on. The app also provides ‘Skype Bots’ that uses AI technology that helps you to search for better news, play games and so on.
LinkedIn Lite
Download size:Â 1.1 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.4 and above
The app is extremely fast to use and users can search for jobs efficiently by use of keywords. You can easily filter the search for the company you would prefer to work for.
The app is useful in terms of establishing a network with people who work in a similar field or one in conjunction with yours.
Uber Lite
Download size:Â 4.8 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.4 and above
Much like Uber, Uber lite makes travelling in and around your city extremely convenient. Uber Lite makes booking a cab or UberAuto as simple as just 4 taps on your phone.
Currently, the lite app doesn’t have the functionality to make payments online and you have to pay in cash at the end of the ride. In areas where the Internet availability is poor, the app will load fast on 2G/3G networks as well.
Ola Lite
Download size:Â 562 KB
Compatible with:Â Android 5.0 and above
The Ola Lite app lets you book cabs or auto rickshaws right from the app in a simple and efficient manner.
Works well with slow internet connections and provides the option to ride in rental cabs. Using this, you can select a package for a specific time period or distance you will be requiring the cab and use it for that fixed parameter thereafter.
This is also helpful in the case you forget to buy something before boarding on a Micro or Mini ride and can instead opt for the Rentals that permit you to halt the cab during the ride.
Instagram Lite
Download size:Â 573 KB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.4 and above
The Instagram Lite app lets you upload pictures from your phone and add filters to them and post them on Instagram.
Additionally, the app also allows one to follow people and hashtags to trending topics.
Also read:Â Why and how to encrypt your Android device?
YouTube Go
Download size: 8.9 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 2.3 and above
The app lets you watch or download videos from among three quality options to your phone’s internal memory or SD card.
The app also lets you take a preview of the video you want to watch or download. The app is especially suited for use when you have slow internet connections.
Amazon Kindle Lite
Download size: 2 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.4 and above
The Amazon Kindle Lite app is an app that lets you read books. This is an instant app – even when a book has not finished downloading, you can start reading it.
If you have been disrupted while reading, the app saves your last reading position and lets you resume your reading activity after you get back on the app. You can also monitor your data and storage usage on the app.
Google Go
Download size: 5 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 5 and above
Using this app, you could save up to 40% on data consumption. You can retrieve the search results faster with fewer keywords or voice input. You can also switch over to another language using the app.
There is also a functionality by which you can access and share images and GIFs with ease and view the latest news and trending stories on the home page of the app.
Shazam Lite
Download size: Less than 1 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0 or above
The app lets you identify music in the surrounding even when you have a slow internet connection. Once the track is identified, you get its lyrics and related tracks.
Google Assistant Go
Download size: 4.6 MB
Compatible with: Android 8.0 and above
The Google Assistant Go app provides most of the Google Assistant’s functionalities but doesn’t provide services like reminder notifications, controls required for smart home devices, device actions and currently supports only English language.
Using the app you can make calls, play music, send texts, preview upcoming events, get answers to factual questions and so on.
Also read:Â How Google Play Protect keeps your Android secure
Files Go by Google
Download size: 9 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 5.0 and above
The app lets you manage and free the data on your device and makes searching for files easier. It makes use of encryption techniques by which files are better protected when transferred to others. Over time, the app provides smart suggestions that can help you erase unnecessary files on the device.
Google Maps Go
Download size: 167 KB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.1 and above
The Google Maps Go app takes 100 times less space in comparison to its full weight version. This web app makes use of the Chrome Browser.
The app also comes with navigation support and can switch over to 70+ languages.
Gmail Go
Download size: 9.9 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 5 and above
The app is a smarter version of Gmail for the desktop that lets you focus on emails from friends and family first. There is a support to multiple accounts and you can search for your emails in the inbox with efficiency as well.
Line Lite
Download size: 3.7 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.1 and above
Line Lite lets you send messages and make video calls for free. You can easily add your friends by typing in their ID or from your contact list.
Group chats and calls are also supported by the app.
Opera Mini
Download size: 3.7 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 2.3 and above
This web browser lets you keep a track on the data you have consumed while you surf the internet seamlessly. The app also has an inbuilt ad-blocker and gives you the added functionality of downloading videos online.
The app provides a ‘night mode’ option that dims the screen automatically according to the ambient light.
Jet Car Stunts Lite
Download size: 11 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 2.3 and above
The award-winning Jet Car Stunts app is quite popular among Android users whose devices have good RAM. But, the low-end Android phone users can now rejoice and take advantage of the lite version of the app that provides a smooth and fast performance with three game-play modes.
Also, the original app was not free. The lite variant provides a way by which the game can be played for free keeping most of its cool controls available for use.
City Racing Lite
Download size: 38 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0.3 and above
This 3D car game is extremely fun and addictive and supports multi-player racing over a Wi-Fi connection. Even though the app is small in size, it provides good graphics and effects.
The lite version of the app runs very smoothly and provides easy controllability options.
Also read:Â How to turn off location access for a specific app on iPhone and Android
UC Browser Mini
Download size: 3.8 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0 and above
This lite web browser provides functionalities like incognito browsing, ad blocking and night mode net surfing. It also lets you download your content in a smarter way by supporting multiple background downloads.
The data saving mode helps you to monitor your data usage statistically. The navigation cards placed on the home page enables you to get local news and view trending videos.
Clean Master Lite
Download size: 6.3 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0 and above
The app is specially made for Android phones with RAM less than 1 GB. The app highly accelerates device performance by freeing up the RAM which in turn saves more battery. It also has a ‘battery saver’ option that puts apps running in the background on hibernate mode.
The Clean Master app provides the ‘delete junk files’ option to clear up the cache memory, ad junk, residual junk files to better increase device performance.
Vigo Lite
Download size: 8.0 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0.3 and above
The Vigo Lite app lets you connect to a video community that puts up videos on genres like comedy, pranks, artistic talents (singing, dancing, instrument playing), fashion and beauty tips, cute and funny animal clips and so on. These videos can be viewed on their integrated HD video player which is simple to use.
In accordance with the genre you like most, related videos are analysed and recommended for you to watch.
mydlink Lite
Download size: 18 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.0 and above
This app lets you monitor the cloud routers, cameras and Network Video Recorder (NVR) remotely over a 3G or Wi-Fi connectivity. Especially helpful in scenarios like when you are on a vacation or at the office or anywhere away from the place you’d wish to monitor. You can get live video recording and save the snapshots of the video on your phone.
By monitoring the cloud routers, you are able to manage your network security and check its status. You can also block network connectivity to specific devices that are in that network.
HDFC Bank Mobile Banking Lite
Download size: 1.8 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 4.1 and above
The banking app doesn’t require an internet connection and you can log in with your registered mobile number directly. The app lets you check your balances, check cheque status, request for A/C status, generate a NetBanking password and so on.
The app can be used in either English or Hindi languages.
Portable Soccer DX Lite
Download size: 2.5 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 2.3 and above
The app is specially designed for players who prefer traditional retro graphics for gaming. A 2D variant to its 3D counterpart, the app provides a simpler way to play football for players who prefer classic football controls as opposed to the recent football gaming apps with complex and confusing functionalities.
CM Security Lite Antivirus
Download size: 1.2 MB
Compatible with:Â Android 2.3 and above
This app is especially suited for phones with less than 1 GB RAM. It provides a fast and efficient user experience and scans files on the SD card and phone in just seconds. The app also provides ‘On-Install’ scanning by which newly installed apps are scanned for any vulnerabilities.
You can be sure for no viruses to have entered your device memory when you weren’t alert to manually scan it as the app also automatically routine scans your device for any malware, viruses or trojans passively.
This completes our list of the top 27 Android Lite apps. If there are any other good Lite apps that you wish to add to the list, please comment down below.
Update: Spotify also released its Lite app in 36 countries worldwide. Read more here.
Also read:Â 9 ways to ensure your privacy is protected on Google Chrome
