Best Windows 10 apps of December 2017

By Sean Endicott
last updated

Windows users have gained a variety of apps in December of 2017 including a powerful photo editor, a great collaboration app, and more. Here are our best apps of December 2017.

The last month of 2017 saw the arrival of some impressive apps for Windows 10. They add some impressive features for users and also can replace some very popular apps.

Affinity Photo

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Affinity Photo

Affinity Photo (Image credit: Windows Central)

Affinity Photo is one of many powerful apps that came to the Microsoft Store in 2017. It's a professional-level photo editor that goes up against programs like Photoshop. It has everything from basic RGB color correction to advanced multi-layer editing. You can find out about more of its features in our full review.

The app performed very well in our testing and is also cheaper over the long run than full Photoshop. Affinity Photo is usually available on Windows 10 for $49.99 but is currently on sale for $39.99.

See in Microsoft Store

Whiteboard

Whiteboard is only in preview but when we took a look at it earlier this month we were very impressed. The app creates a virtual whiteboard that you can use for drawing, importing photos, and working together with friends and colleagues. That last feature is the most important as the app is centered around real-time collaboration between users on different devices.

Even in preview the app works very well and shows a lot of promise for where it will be in the future as a key tool in virtual offices and schools. The app's preview is available on Windows 10 for free.

See in Microsoft Store (opens in new tab)

Index Cards

Index Cards is a great study tool. It takes the simplicity of flash cards and infuses digital features such as inserting images, tags, and the ability to search for specific words. The design is easy to use and feels native inside Windows 10. We were very impressed with the app after reviewing it this month and it could easily slide in as a regular part of your study routine.

The app is also regularly updated by the developer based on user feedback so there's reason to believe the app will get even better over time. There is a free version of the app available but to use all of the features you'll have to upgrade to the premium version for $2.99.

See in Microsoft Store (opens in new tab)

Honorable mention: Groupy

We featured Groupy in last month's roundup because we got to review a pre-release copy in November, but the app is now available for the general public through Stardock's website.

See at Stardock (opens in new tab)

A solid year

These apps are some solid additions to an already impressive set of new apps in 2017. We'll be rounding up the best apps from the entire year soon so make sure to reach out with some of your favorites.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott brings nearly a decade of experience covering Microsoft and Windows news to Windows Central. He joined our team in 2017 as an app reviewer and now heads up our day-to-day news coverage. If you have a news tip or an app to review, hit him up at sean.endicott@futurenet.com (opens in new tab).

7 Comments
  • I heard that the Store is about to be closed. At first I thought NAH, can't be true but then I thought about how many things Nadella has dropped. Might be true after all. So folks better get these apps ASAP.
  • For chrissake! Is fake news a bug that's going around? Where did you hear this? Prove it!
  • How could it be? Did not Satya say that the downfall of Windows 10 Mobile was lack of apps?
  • That adds strebgth to the rumour. If there were not enough apps in the Store then it becomes a candidate for Nadella to drop it. Man, the rumour, silly as it sounds, seems to gather credibility. Can Windows Central follow up please?
  • There is no news that Microsoft is shuttering the Windows App Store. For some reason, some imbecile is trying to create a rumor. I guess some people get kicks out of that sort of thing. If you want to know the latest about the Windows Store, here:  https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-store-has-changed-home-powerful... Don't be sucked in.
  • Come on Tyler, if some clown is starting a rumour like this it's only because MS has become a bit of a figure of fun with all of its withdrawals from the marketplace. The fellow who raised it with me had his tongue firmly in his cheek. But, gee whiz, hasn't Nadella canned a few things during his tenure?. 
  • Interesting choices for top apps. Very little was said about ease of set up or ease of use. Most of these apps are geared toward a small workplace environment. They are of little interest to me as a home/home business user. Many of us are looking for simple, easy to master apps that add functionality to the things we actually do. What this short list does for me is to point up the paucity of interesting apps in Windows 10.