Do you want to get more done in a day? We all do. But, instead of solely relying on self-discipline and secrets to boost your productivity, why not get an assist with the following 20 productivity apps.
1. Calendar
How many hours have you wasted trying to schedule an appointment with a prospective client or a colleague? If you believe that it’s several hours, then you need to download the Calendar app ASAP.
Calendar is a smart and intuitive scheduling app that eliminates back-and-forth emails when setting an appointment. Just share your calendar through email or embedded links, and the other party selects the best date and time. Once scheduled, the event is automatically added to everyone’s calendar.
Because Calendar can tap into the power of machine learning, it can even make smart suggestions on when, where, and which type of meeting to schedule. There’s also an innovative map view so that you can view your calendar at a glance.
2. Any.do
The free app is available on iOS and Android that makes sure you’ll never forget any of your daily tasks or chores. That’s because you can use to keep all of your todo lists, reminders, and notes in one convenient location. You can also share this information and assign tasks with others so that you can keep your team or family on-the-same-page.
If you need to add a note, task, or event, you can do so just by speaking into the app. Because Any.do offers cross-platform support, you can seamlessly sync between phone, desktop, web, and tablet to keep your lists updated to the minute.
3. FocusList
FocusList is more than just a to-do-list app. It uses the Pomodoro Technique to help you focus. It achieves this through a timer where you work in 25-minute sessions with five-minute breaks in between. The list keeps your brain fresh and productive.
You can use the app to see how you spent your time on specific tasks. This way, you know when you’re most productive throughout the day.
FocusList costs $4.99 and is only available on the iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch.
4. Newton
For those who are serious about their email, Newton has long been a favorite platform. It features email scheduling, snooze, read receipts, sender profiles, and Tidy Inbox that automatically deletes distracting messages. It supports Gmail, iCloud, Exchange, and IMAP and integrates with SalesForce, ZenDesk, and OneNote.
Newton works across all devices, but there is a $49.99/year subscription fee.
5. YouMail
Have you been in the zone only to have a solicitor or robocall disrupt you? If so, give YouMail a spin.
It’s a powerful app that blocks annoying calls. But that’s not all. YouMail can also convert voicemails to emails or texts, provides free conference calls, and unifies your work, home, and cell voicemails for $5/month
The Professional plan at $10/month gives you the ability to create recorded greetings, voice message routing, live to connect call routing and respond to missed calls immediately.
6. Buffer
Managing multiple social accounts can be extremely time-consuming. Instead of manually updating all of your social media channels, you can automate the process with a tool like Buffer.
With Buffer, you can schedule posts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+ in advance. That puts your social media efforts on autopilot. The free account allows you to schedule 10 posts. The Premium plans will enable you to record more posts, as well as additional features like content creation tools, link shortening, and analytics.
7. Buddhify
We’re expected to plugged-in 24/7. While that can be convenient at times, it also means that there are more distractions, and fewer opportunities to disconnect. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult to recharge and refocus.
Thankfully, the Buddhify app resolves this problem.
It’s a meditation app that always has a meditation regiment still on standby. When you need quiet time to refresh your brain and keep distractions at an absolute minimum — it’s ready.
8. Trello
Trello is a handy app that makes managing your team workflows a breeze. With this project management tool, all tasks are visualized as “cards.” These cards can be grouped into “boards” and assigned to specific team members. Trello allows you to see who’s working on which project quickly.
Cards can be updated to include comments, links, attachments, and other information your team needs to complete a task. Whenever there’s an update, automatic notifications are sent out.
While the paid-for plans offer enhanced security and larger attachment sizes, the free edition should work just fine for most organizations.
Trello works on Android and iOS devices.
9. Hours
Do you have a terrible time keeping track of and logging your working hours, shifts, and schedules? If so, you can download this free time-tracking app.
Hours offers frictionless time tracking, as well as a visual timeline and reminders. This way, you can stay on top of tasks while also identify where you’re wasting time. It can be used for personal or team use.
10. Clear
Unlike other to-do-list apps on this list, Clear takes a more bold and straightforward approach where you can create and cross-off your todos. You can also create separate lists so that you can keep your personal and professional tasks separated.
The app can be purchased for $4.99 at the App Store.
11. Grammarly
Whether you’re composing emails, social media updates, business plans, or blog posts, the platform you’re using already comes with a built-in spellchecker. As someone who has written hundreds of blog posts, this is a lifesaver. But sometimes spellcheckers don’t catch grammar errors.
That’s when this nifty Chrome and Firefox plug-in comes in handy. It spots common grammar usage errors, then makes suggestions as you type. There’s even an option to upload your pre-written documents to be analyzed.
Grammarly not only saves you from embarrassing mistakes, but it also saves you the time you used to spend editing your written content.
If there’s one gripe, it’s that Grammarly is on the expensive side at $30/month.
12. IFTTT
The days of daily, repetitive internet tasks are over — thanks to IFTTT.
This fee app automates everything from backing-up files and photos to updating your social accounts. It will turn on your smart lights when you approach your home due to pre-built “applets.” But, you can also create custom tasks by merging tasks and triggers in an “If This, Then That” structure — hence the name of the app.
13. Momentum
This app was inspired by Jerry Seinfeld’s “Don’t Break the Chain” productivity hack. The idea is that the longer you can keep a chain alive, the more routine your healthy habits become.
Momentum is only available at the App Store.
14. Scanbot
With this award-winning app, you can scan everything. You can scan documents, QR Codes, barcodes, receipts, labels, whiteboards, business cards, and sketchbooks. You can then save these documents as PDF or JPG so that you can fax them or ping them into a notebook on Evernote.
You can even use Scanbot to highlight key information and sign relevant documents electronically instead of waiting for them to arrive and return via snail mail.
15. Lastpass
Are you continually searching for all of your various logins and passwords? If so, LastPass is here to the rescue.
LastPass syncs all of your login information and fills out forms automatically for you. The app uses strong data encryption to ensure that your sensitive data remains secure.
The app works across all devices, and plans start at $2/month.
16. Slack
If you need to collaborate with a team, then you need Slack. The beloved instant-messaging and file-sharing app allow users to send either private or public messages or set up forums for specific projects. This way, everyone can stay in the loop while working on a project together since it streamlines workflows and simplifies communications.
Slack can be downloaded for free, but for larger teams, you’ll probably want to upgrade to one of the paid plans.
17. Nosili
If you’re going to stay more relaxed, focused, and productive at work, then Nosli is the perfect app for you. It plays “productive” tones from environments like a coffee shop or forest sounds and blocks out annoying background noises while helping get in the zone.
You can sign up for Nosili for free.
18. Evernote
This cross-platform app has long been a favorite productivity tool thanks to the ability to collect information and jot down notes. It’s also an ideal tool for teams since you can share information regarding a project with everyone involved.
Evernote can be used on any device for free. However, for teams, you’ll have to upgrade to an Evernote Premium for $69.99/year.
19. Todoist
If you’re looking to keep your life organized, then check out Todoist. It’s a robust todo list platform where you can create tasks, recurring events, and subtasks and attach priority labels. You can also share and discuss their items with friends, family, and colleagues.
The app also offers support for Amazon Echo and Google Home. Using two other supports, you can use voice commands to add and checklist items.
It’s available for free for iOS and Android.
20. Google Apps
Regardless if you’re a freelancer or SMB, the Google Suite of apps is an absolute necessity. It comes with everything you need to stay organized and productive, such as Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and Duo. There’s even Keep where you can write down your thoughts, ideas, and todos.
Put, with Google Apps, you can communicate and collaborate with others, while also receiving notifications and reminders for upcoming events and tasks.
Google is free to use unless you have a business. If so, you’ll need to purchase GSuite for $5/month.
Albert Costill
My name is Albert Costill and I'm a content marketer at Calendar. If I can help people become more productive in my journey, even better. If you ever have a question about your Calendar or how you can use it - - don't hesitate to reach out. I'm a Calendar Pro.