The best Chromebook apps and extensions to enhance your Chromebook (2023)

The humble Chromebook can do a lot more than you might realize when you first get your hands on it. Despite not beingfully equipped laptopsin the traditional sense, these portable devices are still incredibly capable, especially when upgraded with useful apps and extensions.

To help you get the most out of yoursnovi Chromebookwe're here to share our favorite things to download and use on your Chromebook. Use these apps and extensions withour tips and tricksand you really want to get the most out of your device.

Google/Valve

Steam on ChromeOS-u

You might not have realized it, but it is actually possible to download Steam on (some) Chromebooks.

Few modern Chromebooks have enough processing power for gaming, which means it's possible to download Steam and access some of your favorite games.

We have described in detailhow to install Steam on your Chromebook here. There are some caveats as you need a supported Chromebook and game, but if you check these boxes, you can use your Chromebook to play!

Google/waffle

Steam Link to local streaming

If your Chromebook doesn't support Steam directly, don't worry because you always candownload Steam Link instead. If you have a gaming PC at home but want to play games on the couch or in bed while your PC is out of reach, Steam Link is a useful option.

With Steam Link installed on your Chromebook, you can transfer games from your gaming PC to your Chromebook relatively easily. You'll need a good home network and a compatible controller, but this is a great way to play games on your Chromebook while at home without much hassle.

We wrote a guide abouthow to stream games via Steam Link here.

Google

Google Translate

Google translate isa powerful toolin many different ways. If you regularly try to browse content in another language, talk to other people who don't speak the same language, or simply want to be able to translate content on the fly, then it's worth grabbingAn extension of Google Translate.

With this added to your Chromebook, you can quickly click to translate entire web pages, sections of text, and more.

Google

Google One

The obvious downside to Chromebooks is often the lack of internal storage compared to a regular laptop. That's why Chromebooks usually come with itbenefits that include Google One cloud storage. Google One is a great option for backing up all your important files when using a Chromebook, and it will also allow you to access files remotely.

We wrote onea step-by-step guide to Google Onehere, but you can toodownload the here.

DevaDevaDeva

Camelizer

If you regularly use your Chromebook to shop on Amazon and want to make sure that what you're looking at is actually the deal that Amazon claims it is, then you shouldCamelizer.

This is an extension that adds a clickable button to your browser to quickly check the price history of what you're looking at on Amazon. It will show you all-time highs and lows, as well as a look at current price trends. Sometimes this can save you paying for something that looks like a good buy but was actually significantly cheaper a few weeks ago and isn't as good as it first appears.

Adobe

Adobe Lightroom til Chromebook

You might think you can't edit photos professionally on a Chromebook. Well, that's just not the case. Adobe's Lightroom is available on mobile phones andiPad for a while, but it's also available for use on your Chromebook. It is a photo and video editorcan be installed hereand has many of the same powerful features you would expect to see in a full Adobe product. It is good enough for most users and will help you edit your photos on your Chromebook quite easily.

Google's own Snapseedis a good alternative if you want something with a simpler interface.

Nvidia

Nvidia GeForce now

A few years agoNvidia announcedwas madeGeforce noavailable on ChromeOS. This is another Chromebook gaming add-on that allows users to stream premium games through their Chromebook without the need for high-end hardware to run it.

If you don't already know, Nvidia GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service where the games you play are hosted remotely and then streamed to your Chromebook. You have to pay for the best access to the service, but this is a way to play games on your Chromebook without having to worry about power under the hood. You caninstall it hereand learn more aboutGeForce Now in our complete guide.

Google/YouTube

YouTube Music

If you have a Chromebook, you might want to fully immerse yourself in the Google ecosystem andYouTube Musictherefore it makes a lot of senseadd to your Chromebook. This is an excellent music streaming platform with a lot to offer. There are oftentrials of YouTube Premium and YouTube Musicalso included as a perk with your Chromebook, so they're worth considering.

Of course if you preferuse Spotify insteadthen you can also do it on your Chromebook. Many major streaming services haveapplication he compatible.

WhatsApp for web

There are many different ways to use WhatsApp to stay in touch now. You can simply useWhatsApp on the web and on desktopbut you can also use it on your Chromebook. To do this, simply download itthrough the Google Play Storeand link your account. This makes it easy to stay in touch with people without worrying about being directly distracted by your phone while using your Chromebook.

Google

Google Meet on Chromebook

As you would expect from a Google productGoogle Meetis one ofbetter video calling appsfor use on a Chromebook. It works well on a Chromebook and lets you easily create and join meetings to chat with friends or colleagues, share your screen, or simply hold an important face-to-face meeting digitally. it isreally easy to downloadand use on a Chromebook and one of the easiest ways to stay in touch.

Bitwarden

Bitwarden password manager

If you are not already usingpassword manageryou really should be. These are almost essential tools for the modern age to ensure that your online accounts are safe and protected from prying eyes. Password managers allow you to create and store secure passwords for all your different accounts without the hassle of remembering what they all are.S Bitwardenomyou can encrypt and secure your passwords, but also auto-generate and auto-fill passwords, so logging into websites is virtually painless. There are many password managers available, but Bitwarden is an excellent option.

Netflix

Netflix for Chromebook

You probably know that you can access Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and other streaming services directly from the web via your browser. So you can easily access all these streaming services just using your Chromebook. You can also downloadThe Netflix appand use it directly. It is worth noting that youit will not get the highest resolutionif you use the app compared to browsing through the Chrome browser, but it gives you the added convenience of quickly immersing yourself in your favorite shows and movies.

ToDoIst

Todoist

Maintaining tasks can be a task in itself, and this is where tools like Todoist come into play.This is an extensionthat you can add to your Chromebook that can help you make things like creating a to-do list for the day, setting reminders, or just organizing your digital life a little easier. It's a great tool and easy to use.