Apps can make your life in Argentina much easier from day one. Whether you’re navigating Buenos Aires, managing payments, ordering food, or staying in touch with locals, having the right digital tools is essential. Argentina has its own unique ecosystem of platforms, and knowing which ones to use will save you time, money, and frustration while helping you integrate seamlessly.
Transportation: Getting Around Without the Guesswork
For general walking and driving directions, Google Maps remains highly effective. However, for precise public transport navigation, Cómo Llego is indispensable. This app, developed by the Buenos Aires city government, provides detailed directions for colectivos (buses), the Subte (subway), and trains, including real-time bus stop locations and estimated arrival times (Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, 2025a).
When it comes to taxis, Cabify and DiDi are widely used and often preferred by locals. While Uber also operates in Argentina, there are alternatives that locals rather use such as mentioned. (La Nación, 2023).
To pay for public transit, you’ll rely on the SUBE card. Although direct top-ups with foreign credit cards through the official app can be challenging, the Carga SUBE app allows you to load credit and then activate the balance using your phone’s NFC (Near Field Communication) feature, provided your device supports it (Ministerio de Infraestructura, 2024).
Communication: Staying Connected
Argentina truly lives on WhatsApp. You’ll find yourself using it for nearly everything: inquiring about apartment rentals, placing food orders, communicating with coworkers, or scheduling a haircut. Landlords, teachers, and businesses widely expect to be contacted via WhatsApp, making it often more crucial than email for everyday interactions (Rest of World, 2022).
For quick translations, DeepL remains incredibly useful, especially its camera feature for deciphering menus and official paperwork, even local slang (Lunfardo). However, online resources such as the WordReference Forums (WordReference.com, 2025) or specialized Lunfardo dictionaries are often more insightful for real-world conversations.
Money & Payments: Banking Without Borders
If your stay extends beyond a few weeks, setting up a local digital wallet is a must. Mercado Pago, the fintech arm of the e-commerce giant Mercado Libre, is Argentina’s most popular cashless payment platform (Infobae, 2024).
You can use it to pay bills, send and receive money, scan QR codes for payments at numerous businesses, and even top up your SUBE card (MercadoPago, 2024).
Foreigners can also consider opening an account with mobile-first banks like Brubank or Ualá. These apps function like traditional banks and typically only require a passport and local address to get started. Both offer prepaid Mastercards, convenient bill payment options, and sometimes even virtual dollar accounts, offering a flexible banking solution for non-residents (iProUP, 2023).
Food & Delivery: Dining In with Ease
PedidosYa is Argentina’s go-to answer to international food delivery giants. It connects you to a vast network of restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets, and liquor stores for prompt delivery. It is widely adopted across the country and accepts various payment methods, including Mercado Pago and cash (PedidosYa, 2025).
For direct grocery delivery, major supermarket chains like Jumbo, Carrefour, and Coto offer their own dedicated apps, though stock availability can vary by region. For faster and more personalized local service, many residents prefer to order directly via WhatsApp from neighborhood almacenes (small grocery stores) or verdulerías (greengrocers) (La Nación, 2022).
Bills: Managing the Paper Trail
While paying bills in Argentina might initially feel somewhat traditional, robust digital options are readily available. PagoMisCuentas is considered the gold standard for paying utilities (electricity, gas, water), taxes, and even private tuition fees. It integrates seamlessly with most Argentine banks, allowing you to track payment receipts and conveniently schedule auto-debits (PagoMisCuentas, 2025a).
If you are earning income, freelancing, or applying for residency, the AFIP app (from the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos) is essential. It enables users to access tax-related documents, file returns, and register their CDI (Clave de Identificación) or CUIL (Código Único de Identificación Laboral), which are crucial for any financial activity (AFIP, 2025a).
The Mi Argentina app is your official digital ID hub. Once registered, you can access your digital DNI (National Identity Document), health records, and driver’s license. It also serves as a portal for official communications, such as alerts about renewals or vaccination campaigns (Argentina.gob.ar, 2024).
Language & Integration: Blending In Smoothly
If you’re embarking on your Spanish learning journey, Duolingo can be a great starting point for foundational vocabulary and grammar. However, apps like Clozemaster or LingQ often offer a more contextual and real-world approach to language acquisition. For deeper immersion and practical linguistic and cultural exchange with locals, consider platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk. These apps facilitate direct conversations with native speakers, helping you to understand how Argentines genuinely speak, including their unique slang and accent
Your Smartphone Is Your Soft Landing
Life in Argentina becomes significantly more manageable and even more exciting when you’ve got the right apps at your fingertips. From navigating local customs and handling digital banking to ordering groceries and connecting with new friends, these tools are your gateway into everyday Argentine life. They bridge the gap between being a foreigner and living like a local, offering a seamless way to integrate, communicate clearly, and thrive confidently.
So whether you’re sipping mate in a Palermo café, catching a colectivo to Tigre, or efficiently paying your gas bill from your phone, these apps help you do it like a local, minimizing stress, confusion, and maximizing your reasons to stay and explore.
Video Tutorials for Apps in Argentina
How to Use Mercado Pago
Learn how to manage payments, send money, and handle personal finances using Mercado Pago in Argentina.
Watch on YouTubeHow to Use Pago Mis Cuentas
Step-by-step guide for paying utility bills and taxes quickly and securely using Pago Mis Cuentas.
Watch on YouTubeHow to Pay with Rapipago & Pago Fácil
Practical guide to using Rapipago and Pago Fácil to pay your bills and reload services in cash.
Watch on YouTubeTop Apps to Thrive in Argentina
Cómo Llego
Essential app for navigating Buenos Aires public transport, including buses, subways, and trains with real-time info.
Visit Cómo LlegoMercado Pago
Argentina’s most popular digital wallet for cashless payments, money transfers, and topping up your SUBE card.
Visit Mercado PagoPedidosYa
Food delivery app connecting users with restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies across Argentina.
Visit PedidosYaPagoMisCuentas
Official app for managing and scheduling payments of utilities, taxes, and tuition fees efficiently.
Visit PagoMisCuentasMi Argentina
Official government app for accessing your digital DNI, health records, driver’s license, and official notifications.
Visit Mi ArgentinaDeepL Translator
Powerful translation app, perfect for translating menus, documents, and local slang in real time.
Visit DeepL
