The best apps for productivity help you stay on task, get your work done, and gain peace of mind. Here are our top recommendations.
Almost any type of professional or creative work can be done in front of a computer or a smartphone. But, dealing with routine, manual tasks can be annoying, especially if your company is remote and you’re just sitting at home all day.
Thankfully, good software makes these a tad easier and, dare I say, enjoyable. Whether it’s automating basic smaller tasks, filing payroll or expenses, or collaborating with your team on a big project, there’s always an app for that.
But the question still remains: which ones are the best?
Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered with this list of the best apps for productivity. Keep reading through my top picks to see what can lighten your burden.
Best Productivity Apps for iPhone
We’ll start with iOS — most people are very familiar with the iPhone and love its simplicity and speed (as long as you don’t have last year’s model, wink wink).
From secure password managers to interactive team management tools, here are some of the best productivity apps for iPhone.
1Password
1Password is one of the best password managers available for Apple devices, hence the name. It’s packed with great features like passkeys, auto-filling, and data recovery.
It also offers four plans that fit either personal use, business use, enterprise use, and even a plan for developers. Users can also create, save, and delete passkeys for an easy way to keep logins and other private information secure.
You can also set up shared password vaults so families or teammates can access the software they need — no problem!
The best part about this productivity app is that its autofill function extends to iPhone apps, Mac apps, and macOS systems. Gone are the days of dealing with multiple login credentials.
Todoist
Todoist is the perfect companion to organize everything on a daily basis. It’s practically an automated virtual assistant.
Considered the number one task manager application in the iOS market, it has a “quick add” option where users can just type anything into the field, and it instantly fills the list.
Its other notable quality is the perfect syncing between Mac and iPhone. You can get reminders and view their tasks whenever, wherever they are.
It does, however, have limited browser plugin features, but that can be easily mitigated by simply downloading and installing the app itself.
Evernote
Evernote offers a simple interface, perfect for people who don’t like overly techy automation or would like to stick to their current organization methods.
It has everything you need to record, capture, and arrange in-person to-dos, from setting up meetings to planning vacation itineraries. It can also scan documents so everybody can have their paperwork handy.
It has both a web and app version where users can write down notes, add images, and even integrate with Google Drive, Outlook, and more.
Its keyword search function lets you easily find the files you’re looking for. The only downside is its lack of AI integration, but for someone who likes to be manually in control, then Evernote may just fit the bill. And to be fair, some of the newer features are a little above my head. Simpler is better, oftentimes.
Google Docs
Google Docs is a writer’s best friend and can be easily accessed on an iPhone or a desktop browser. It’s part of the tech giant’s suite of online productivity services and a step up from the ol’ Microsoft Word.
It works like any other word-document software, with its basic grammar and spell check characteristics, but it also has an autosave function. Users can also pause and continue their written work no matter where they are (assuming they have wifi), and it’s saved in the cloud.
Additionally, creators can share their work with other collaborators by simply adding email addresses or getting a shareable link, minimizing the need to use multiple copies.
Mistakes are easily mitigated as users can return to a previous version of the document, even if they accidentally saved and closed it. Its major disadvantage, though, is that while you can use Docs without an internet connection, only changes made prior to the loss of connection will still be saved.
Best Productivity Apps for Android
Android users tend to value customization and options over a straightforward, simple device. And the same goes for their apps. These are some great choices for productivity apps for Android operating systems.
Trello
First up in this category is Trello. It’s a simple app for productivity that makes use of a drag-and-drop interface as a way to manage assigned tasks up to completion.
Its main view has boards that can be categorized into project names or teams. “Cards” represent the task, ideas, or any notes that need action, while the “List” option can stand for the progression from “To-Do” to “Doing” to “Done.”
Users can drag the cards to the appropriate list while managers can upload additional data like documents or images. Its other great attribute is its ability to link other tools through plugins.
This app may still be prone to mistakes, as others may drag their card to the wrong list, so it’s always best to be careful when using it. Other than that, it’s a neat and affordable management tool, perfect for jobs that deal with loads of files.
Slack
Slack is a unique (though not young) productivity tool that prioritizes team communication and collaboration vs. being a project management tool. Its interface appears similar to the gaming communication software Discord but adds a few features to make workflow easy and automated.
It comes with the usual messaging options, channel organization, etc., but also provides video meetings and clip-recording functions. It has the capacity to deliver documents from a computer’s internal hard drive or even a cloud storage service.
It also has a workflow builder that automates everyday tasks and app integration so teams can access all their tools in one place. Its security is packed with single sign-ons, domain claims, as well as data encryption to keep all confidential information from leaking out.
It doesn’t offer anything outstanding compared to some other software, but it’s super user-friendly — what more could you need? Its strict privacy and security make it a solid choice for both small businesses and big enterprises.
Any.do
Any.do acts as a simple to-do list management agent that can record and remind its users about upcoming tasks. It includes a daily planner and widget options that automatically sync across all devices, from desktops to mobile phones.
It also offers a family and teams option where anyone who uses the app can be in one group, all having the ability to view their schedules and assignments on a given day. Chat options are also available for efficient and effective communication.
The team version also uses a Kanban board view to easily manage any project and a calendar view to track due dates and deliverables. Clients can also choose from over a hundred templates so they can customize their boards and use the ones they’re comfortable with.
Although its free version is quite limited and lacking compared to its paid counterpart, this product is still great for keeping in touch with personal goals, family activities, or even managing small businesses.
Avid readers will get a kick out of the Pocket app — it’s everyone’s “private corner of the web” to read quality content. It has a built-in audio playback where users can switch from reading to listening just by inserting earphones at the press of a button.
It’s basically a social media site for anyone who wants to fill their head with news, interviews, recipes, or even an engaging, informative blog — just like this one! The best part is that readers can save their favorite pages with just a click of a button.
Forest
Forest is another popular one of many productivity tools for the Android market. Its main job is to help individuals beat phone addiction and improve their real-time management skills through a credit system.
Once installed, consumers can earn credits by not using their mobile devices and can use them to plant real trees around the world. The trees planted are recorded on their page.
Killing two birds in one stone, it aims to let everyone focus more on the important aspects of life like family, financial gains, or even physical health rather than spending hours scrolling on social media.
It doesn’t offer much else other than an innovative way to get folks off their devices, but it’s nice to know that there are people out there still trying to live in the real world.
Apploye
Apploye is a tracking app meant to automate and monitor team productivity. It has an accurate time tracker while also incorporating manual adjustments in case of mistakes.
It has an operational command center where managers can remain updated with key metrics of their teams’ performance and make data-driven decisions. There’s also a neat optional GPS tracker to help locate staff, which is especially important for in-person services.
Apart from the usual attendance monitoring and clock management, this software also integrates a calendar view so team leaders can easily assign duties and schedule project-based deadlines.
Most of its characteristics focus on monitoring employees and their performance to the point of even having a screenshot feature. This may make some workers feel uncomfortable, but it is a good option for companies with high production demands, ensuring that everyone earns their hours.
Best Productivity Apps for Desktop
These work best on bigger screens.
Zapier
You know how there are those things you do, whether it is in Gmail or Sheets, that you think It would be so nice if someone could just do this for me, it’s so boring and repeatable. That’s what Zapier is for.
Using if-this-then-that logic, Zapier lets you build custom “workflows” that integrate with all kinds of apps. Think, “If I get an email from this person, create a Google Doc and share it with them,” type automation.
Yeah, it’s super cool. If you just want to try it out without paying, the company also gives you a few trial automation.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace is an online service for entrepreneurs who end up using a lot of Google’s tools already, from Docs to Sheets, and want it all centralized. This virtual room integrates everything the tech giant has to offer, from emails cloud drives, and even video conferencing.
Formerly known as G Suite, Workspace is the industry standard for email management and provides clients with a custom address for business and marries it with other useful utilities.
One of its best features is its reasonable pricing, where individuals and enterprises can choose the plan that fits their budget and needs without having to break the bank. It also recently integrated with Duet AI, which acts as a coach and productivity booster while also protecting confidential data.
You probably already use Google Workspace in one way or another.
Asana
Asana is a beloved treasure in the best apps for productivity. It offers enhanced security features on top of its management tools — from controlling access to organization data to managing users through a central hub.
It also provides a total of five project views, so managers and employees can work in whatever way they find comfortable. It allows them to easily prioritize workloads while staying focused on their current duties.
This program lets personnel know who they’re working with on a particular task, improving communication and team collaboration while also reducing the need for weekly stand-up meetings.
Everyone also gets timely prompts when there are changes in plans or deadlines that get pushed back. It’s packed with tons of technical surprises, and beginners may get overwhelmed using it, but once you ease into it, you’ll have the easiest time working with teams, whether on-site or offshore.
Notion
Some guys prioritize customization more than features, and Notion is an answer to that call. It’s a cost-efficient, all-in-one work tool that lets users customize their digital workspace from scratch.
Bringing speed and clarity, this app uses fully customizable “blocks” to create team spaces and add projects. There are also attractive templates to use for added convenience.
Notion also has an integrated AI that lets people find the answers they need through a simple Q&A process. It also auto-fills tables and gives writing suggestions for better communication.
It can be tough to master at first, given that users will often start with a blank slate, but it’s an interesting productivity tool to use. It can have the potential to be more attractive to others in the market because of its adaptability.
FAQ
Here are answers to some common questions about productivity apps:
Are Productivity Apps Worth It?
Productivity apps are definitely worth it, in my mind. They can automate time-consuming routines and let you focus on more revenue-generating efforts.
They are a cost-effective solution to running a business. They can save entrepreneurs more money by merely paying a small subscription fee as opposed to hiring a workforce to do them manually.
What Is the Best App for Personal Productivity?
iPhone fans may find Todoist an attractive option as its natural language recognition capability can instantly fill the errand list. Its customization options can make the board as simple or as complex and detailed as you want it to be.
Pretty much any ‘.do’ app is great for Android users who just want a regular reminder of their work for the day. Users can just write down their daily tasks and use the widget and alarm system to remind them of their projects.
Conclusion: Productivity Tools to Help You Achieve Your Goals
Choosing the best apps for productivity ultimately hinges on your needs and the goals you want to achieve for you and your company. Most of these cost money, so it’s better to go with a subscription that can solve all your problems in one go.
Google Workspace is our overall best app for productivity, especially if you only have one choice. It’s a great choice for business owners as it incorporates email management, video calls, and a whole bunch of office apps.
From setting up calendars to assigning tasks, it does a great job of automatically notifying all concerned personnel.
It also provides a secure cloud drive where people can store all the information and necessary documents online. Its wide range of plans and pricing makes it attractive to freelance individuals and big corporations alike.
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