Best Free iPhone Apps 2010: See The 9 Most Popular Apps

2010 was a year of explosive growth in mobile apps. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the choice and wondering which chart-topping apps to recommend this holiday, Apple has released the iTunes Rewind 2010, a list of apps that iOS users can't get enough of.

The year-end iTunes Rewind reveals the most popular downloads in entertainment and mobile apps. Apps are divided into subsets for iPhone or iPad and are further separated into groups for the most popular free apps, the most popular paid apps and the highest grossing apps of the year.

We've put together a slideshow of the year's most frequently downloaded free apps, most of which are games. There are a couple surprises, however: A reference app takes the #8 spot and a weather app holds #6. It should come as no surprise that a social networking app is #1, but you'll have to check the slideshow to see which one it is. (As if you haven't guessed already!)

Browse our slideshow of the top 9 free iPhone apps from 2010 (below) and vote for your favorites. Do you take issue with Apple's list? Share your thoughts in the comments. To see Apple's pick for "best iPad app of the year," click here.

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#9 - ROCK BAND FREE

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This free version of the popular Rock Band game challenges users to tap along to the rhythm of "Learn To Fly" by the Foo Fighters. [via iTunes]

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This free version of the popular Rock Band game challenges users to tap along to the rhythm of "Learn To Fly" by the Foo Fighters. [via iTunes]

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Total comments: 105 | Post a Comment

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This App

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Never heard of it It's the best!

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Comments

[StartingMom]

05:08 AM on 12/17/2010

Let me just add a free app made for moms, Intuition (www.iconapps.com). It is excellent in sorting and even delegating mommies busy schedules. I really enjoy using it.

[Donsta]

08:48 AM on 12/14/2010

Where's the Droid list?

[Draekia]

12:23 AM on 12/13/2010

Skype, not Doyle. Silly iPhone.

[Draekia]

12:23 AM on 12/13/2010

Doyle caption is wrong. Skype doesn't do video on iPhones... Unless that very recently changed.

[Evan Fox]

09:04 AM on 12/12/2010

this was a lame article - bing, facebook, weather channel, two rock band shizits, skype

everyone knows this

[Complex757]

09:00 AM on 12/12/2010

I was browsing the store for my Touch last week and iPhones/Touch free selection sucks.

Glad I have an Android phone. I don't have to pay for Angry Birds or Angry Birds Seasons.

[RattleCat]

09:08 AM on 12/12/2010

I'm glad I don't even know what Angry Birds are.

[mairs]

10:50 AM on 12/12/2010

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ANGRY BIRDS ARE? QQ!!!!

I don't either.

[FPhoebe]

12:20 PM on 12/12/2010

You're missing out!

[bisbeeornotbisbee]

07:24 AM on 12/12/2010

I hate to get off topic, but HELLLLPPPPP!  When I am reading HuffPo, usually when I scroll down, my Safari disappears.
 
This happens only when I'm on HuffPo.  I have an iMac (Intel), made in 2007.  Does anybody else have this problm?
 
I keep reporting this and it doesn't get better.  It happens very frequently, so much so that I can't read all that I want to read at this site.

[RattleCat]

11:22 AM on 12/12/2010

By disappears, you mean the window closes?

Probably a bad script causing problems for Safari.  H P doesn't do a great job testing before releasing changes.

Make sure you are up to date on all patches, make sure safari is the latest release.  Clear the cache, then try again.  If that doesn't work, you may need to use a different browser until H P fixes the site.

[bisbeeornotbisbee]

03:33 PM on 12/12/2010

Oh, RattleCat, fanned and faved!  
 
Yes, the window suddenly closes.  I'll try what you've suggested.  Thank you so much for your time and help.  

[dubster]

05:21 AM on 12/12/2010

Android offers all those apps free too, or is that not worth noting?

[cmonppl]

03:53 AM on 12/12/2010

What about 'Carl'? Great fun, esp for entertaining kids. ♥

[oldandintheway1]

01:37 AM on 12/12/2010

I don't own a smart phone, mainly because i don't have any use for a smart phone. The only thing i need from a phone is the ability to make phone calls, and receive phone calls, and receive voice mail when i can't answer my phone, so would someone tell me WHY i need to waste my time
on apps that i dont need on a phone i don't need?

[buddhistMonkey]

02:13 AM on 12/12/2010

((( "...would someone tell me WHY i need to waste my time on apps that i dont need on a phone i don't need?" )))

Sure, if you'll first tell me why you waste your time commenting on an article about apps that you don't need on a phone you don't need.

[billysixx]

03:47 AM on 12/12/2010

How dare he! Take a break.

[FPhoebe]

12:21 PM on 12/12/2010

I don't mind not having a smart phone, but I have an iPod touch and I can get all these apps on it.

[FunkSands]

11:33 PM on 12/11/2010

Angry Birds may yet ruin my life.  How I love it so.

[Hank26]

01:07 AM on 12/12/2010

OMG, I was just coming on here to post that my favorite app is Angry Birds! Last night I was playing it on my iPad for so long, my kids had to finally rip it from my hands so I could put them to bed. LOL I love the expressions on the pigs that just miss getting blown up.

[solea]

09:47 PM on 12/11/2010

Who cares about IPhone apps if AT&T coverage sucks? I returned my phone today before my 30 day trial period is up and went back to Verizon..Best IPhone app is rootmetrics it compares the coverage and data area for Verizon,Sprint,Tmobile and AT&T

[jerry cusick]

09:15 PM on 12/11/2010

My favorite Free app for iphone or ipad is isurgeon talked about on MTV as Heidi Yourself. The plastic surgery tool lets you take a picture of yourself or friends and change the facial or body features. It for sure should be in the top 10. It's really amazing!

[Paros]

10:58 PM on 12/11/2010

Very clever name.
My little boy and I just bought out first I-pod Touch.
I hope there is a version for an I-pod.

[oldandintheway1]

01:38 AM on 12/12/2010

WHY??

[HappyMarsden]

08:54 PM on 12/11/2010

How come no 'Faceback' app? The one that lets you see the back of a guy's head, when you only have the front?

[Putty Apps]

06:33 PM on 12/11/2010

boo, good ones didn't make the list

3 FREE Chappelle Apps, 1 Phonetics, 1 PC Acronyms and Soccer 101 app.

6 great apps for free!

http://puttyapp.com/icons/ for the free iphone/ipod touch/ipad apps!

[Paros]

10:59 PM on 12/11/2010

awesome - thanks for sharing.