Microsoft has announced the winners of the Microsoft Store Awards 2025, recognizing standout Windows apps that push what’s possible across AI, productivity, creativity, gaming, and more. The Microsoft Store Awards highlight how developers are taking advantage of native Windows capabilities, from Copilot+ NPUs to IT policy integration, to deliver faster, more secure and more integrated experiences. Each winner will also receive a Microsoft Store Awards Winner badge, making it easier for users to discover trusted, high‑quality apps in the Microsoft Store.
What the Microsoft Store Awards celebrate
The Microsoft Store Awards focus on apps that meaningfully improve user experience, boost productivity and unlock creativity on Windows devices. Winners are selected for technical excellence, user satisfaction and how well they embrace platform features such as desktop integration, security and accessibility. For developers, the program doubles as a signal that deep, native Windows integration and thoughtful design can translate into visibility and growth inside the Store.
AI Assistants: Perplexity and ChatGPT share the crown
Perplexity by Perplexity AI
This year’s AI Assistants category ended in a tie, with both Perplexity and ChatGPT taking home top honors. Perplexity’s Windows app leans into native voice dictation, multi‑modal AI search and tight desktop integration, pairing Pro Search and guided deep research modes with enterprise‑friendly IT policies and keyboard shortcuts. That positions Perplexity as a powerful research companion for both consumers and businesses, especially when accessibility and quick, in‑context answers matter.
ChatGPT by OpenAI
ChatGPT for Windows mirrors the web experience but layers on uniquely Windows‑centric features such as an Alt + Space companion window, direct file and image uploads, and robust privacy controls tailored for enterprises. Its focus on IT policy alignment and a privacy‑first approach makes it appealing to organizations that want generative AI capabilities without compromising compliance. Together, these two winners underscore how central AI assistants have become to everyday workflows on Windows.
Business and automation: Invoice Maker and Manus
Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Invoice by Moon Technolabs Pvt. Ltd.
In the Business category, Moon Technolabs’ Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Invoice won for simplifying finance workflows for freelancers and small businesses. The app offers customizable invoice templates, instant printing and sharing via channels like WhatsApp and email, as well as dashboard analytics for tracking payments, expenses and cash flow in real time. Support for multiple payment gateways and formats, plus secure record‑keeping and multi‑channel communication, makes it a comprehensive toolkit for business owners who need to move fast without losing control.
Manus by Manus AI
On the automation front, Manus took the Computer‑Using Agents (CUA) category with a sandboxed architecture that lets it autonomously operate a Windows environment while keeping tasks isolated and secure. It can execute complex, multi‑step workflows—running code in Python, JavaScript or Bash, controlling headless browsers, managing files and deploying apps—while exposing a “Manus’s Computer” interface so users can watch, pause or guide actions in real time. A multi‑agent system coordinates planning and execution, allowing long‑running data analysis, content creation and reporting tasks to resume after interruptions with full context preserved.
Creativity and music: n‑Track Studio and Moises Live
n-Track Studio by n-Track S.r.I.
For creators, n‑Track Studio captured the Creativity category by effectively turning Windows PCs into full recording studios with unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, advanced effects and custom sound import. The app’s cross‑platform workflow means musicians can start a project on one device and continue on another, while AI‑powered tools, VST plugin support and reliable export options cater to both professional producers and hobbyists. This combination of depth and accessibility is exactly what Microsoft is keen to showcase in modern Store apps.
Moises Live by Moises Systems, Inc
For non-Copilot+ PCs, try Moises: The Musician’s App
In the Music category, Moises Live stood out by using real‑time AI audio separation at the system level, allowing users to isolate vocals, instruments and dialogue across any app on Windows. With its Karaoke mode, system‑wide audio controls and latency‑free mixing, Moises Live gives performers, educators and casual listeners studio‑style control over any audio playing on their device. On Copilot+ PCs, the app taps into the NPU for accelerated, local processing, meaning no cloud uploads, improved privacy and instant results even during complex, dynamic volume adjustments for music, movies and calls.
Developer, education and gaming: ngrok, Scratch 3 and Castle Craft
ngrok by ngrok
Developer productivity is represented by ngrok, which won the Developer Tools category for bringing secure tunneling and remote access neatly into the Windows ecosystem. The Windows app supports automatic updates, integrates with Windows Defender, and can run as a background service, making it easy for developers to expose local services securely during development and testing. Its alignment with Microsoft security and management tools helps teams move faster without sacrificing compliance or protection.
Scratch 3 by Scratch Foundation
On the education side, Scratch 3 took the award for helping students learn computational thinking through interactive stories, games and robotics projects that use visual block‑based coding. The app works well even on lower‑end hardware thanks to an offline editor, and supports hardware extensions like micro:bit and LEGO so teachers can connect coding lessons to real‑world sensors, motion and data experiences. Features that encourage rapid testing, iteration and peer feedback reinforce problem‑solving skills and creativity in classroom and after‑school settings alike.
Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd
The Game category winner, Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd, showcases how Windows hardware can drive smooth, visually rich strategy gameplay with dynamic resource merging and time‑travel mechanics. Players build kingdoms, take on quests and explore a colorful world, with adaptive controls and scalable performance ensuring it runs well across a wide range of devices and age groups. Microsoft also highlights the game’s security and family‑friendly design, which align with the company’s emphasis on safe, accessible gaming experiences.
Productivity spotlight: Notion on Windows
Notion by Notion Labs Inc
Rounding out the list is Notion, which earned the Productivity award for consolidating notes, tasks, databases and documentation into a single searchable workspace. On Windows, Notion leans into native integration with taskbar pinning, quick‑launch and offline access so users can jump into key projects without losing context. Teams can automate routine work with templates that convert meeting notes into action items, auto‑assign tasks from backlogs and sync status across projects, freeing more time for planning and decision‑making.
These template‑driven workflows are a strong fit for Windows‑based organizations looking to standardize project management without heavy custom development. Microsoft’s decision to spotlight Notion in the Store Awards underscores how third‑party apps can complement Microsoft 365 and Copilot by filling specialized collaboration and knowledge‑management gaps.
Why these awards matter for Windows users and devs
Every winner will carry a Store Award Winner badge inside the Microsoft Store, signaling that the app has been vetted for quality, innovation and user satisfaction. For everyday Windows users, that badge is a shortcut to discovering reliable apps across AI, business, education, creativity and more, especially as the catalog continues to grow. For developers, the 2025 lineup sends a clear message: deep Windows integration, strong privacy and security, and tangible real‑world impact are what make apps stand out beyond the Microsoft Store.
For highlights from the Microsoft Store Awards in China, check out the official WeChat blog.
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