Trying to stay organized and productive without the right tools can feel like a losing battle. While you may be doing your best, it can be hard to know what to do when you’re up against an ever-changing array of tasks, people, and resources.
Technology has made it easier than ever to manage all of your projects—but with so many options, it can be difficult to decide which program is the best fit for your needs. To help you get a handle on your organizational life, we’ve put together this guide to some of the best apps for organization and productivity on the market today. Take a look at these top picks and get started taking control over your productivity—one app at a time!
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Organization And Productivity
Productivity is personal. You can read advice from others about how they get things done, but productivity tips that work for one person might not work for you and your work style. The same goes for productivity apps. With so many different apps and tools available, it’s important to identify what exactly you are looking for. Maybe you are an efficient note-taker, but you have a really hard time staying focused on tasks. Or perhaps you have a great system to communicate with teammates and contacts, but you don’t have an effective way to schedule meetings with them.
Here at Hive, we’ve done some research to help you narrow down all of the apps out there. In this article, we are breaking down the best productivity apps for each of your different needs. From digital notebooks to project management tools, here are the best productivity apps that can help address your needs and ultimately get things done faster.
- Hive
Best For: Project management
Hive Mobile App
Hive’s productivity platform is one of the best tools on the market. When synced with Hive’s desktop and web applications, the mobile app provides yet another way to improve work ethic and productivity throughout the day. With Hive, team members can check their to-do lists, communicate with one another in real time, collaborate on schedules, share files, and check up on the latest project progress.
In addition to the mobile app, Hive’s desktop and web applications have even more features to boost productivity. Every project can be viewed in multiple ways depending on someone’s personal work style– including Gantt Chart, Kanban Board, Calendar, and more. Updates are reflected across all project views so everyone can work how they want, and the whole team stays informed. Tasks assigned to you across all projects also populate in your own personal to-do list, therefore holding you accountable and helping you prioritize upcoming tasks.
👉 Did you know that Hive just made Capterra’s list of top 9 project management platforms in the world? Get started for free today to see why Hive scored 100 out of 100 in popularity among its customers – the highest score of all tools on the market. It’s the only project management platform built for users, by users.
Cost: Free to download. Hive Teams begins at $12/month per user. Hive Solo is free forever for up to 2 users. More on pricing here.
Download For: iOs, Android and Desktop
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- Todoist
Best For: Managing your to-do lists
todoist app
Todoist is a simple task manager app that allows you to record and group tasks together based on projects. Consider this an upgraded version of your traditional to-do list. In addition to recording and organizing your own tasks, you can use the app to collaborate with other people by sharing and assigning tasks.
Cost: Free for the basic version (limited number of projects); Premium version is $3.99 monthly or $35.99 annually
Download For: iOS, Android, Mac and Windows Desktop
- Google Docs
Best For: Collaborating on documents
google docs app
Google Docs is one of the best tools for sharing documents and collaborating in real-time. This online word processor eliminates the need to save and send files back and forth throughout the writing and editing process. Depending on your settings, documents can be shared inside and outside of your organization. This lets team members work together from anywhere, reduces redundant documents, and helps minimize miscommunication. Google Sheets has similar benefits, such as the ability to import CSV into Google Sheets, which lets you keep all of your documents in one online hub.
Google Docs also has a comment feature for highlighting and making notes about a specific piece of text. Comments directed at specific users will also trigger an email notification to make sure everyone stays in the loop. To protect privacy and security, Google lets the document owner determine the editing capabilities of each user shared on the doc. You can online download the documents as PDFs and edit them online.
Cost: Free
Download For: iOS and Android
- IFTTT (If This Then That)
Best For: Automating tasks
ifttt app
If This Then That (IFTTT) is an automation tool that seamlessly connects different apps and experiences. You can set up a range of different automations in IFTTT, from everyday tasks to more niche occurrences. For example, you can have google add a reminder to your calendar if it’s going to rain tomorrow or set a reminder to drink more water. If you want to get really creative, you can also do things like set it up to get a notification every time the International Space Station passes your house.
This app helps you automate repetitive tasks, which ultimately gives you more time to focus on other, more important aspects of your work.
Cost: Free
Download For: iOS and Android
- Calendly
Best For: Scheduling meetings
calendly app
Calendly helps you schedule meetings without the back-and-forth emails.
When you register for an account with Calendly, you’ll be asked to sync your calendar and choose your availability preferences, including time slots (15 min/30 min/45 min/etc) when you’re available. Then, when you need to schedule a meeting, you simply give the person your Calendly link and they can choose the best time slot for them. No back and forth. How amazing? There are also a number of Calendly alternatives you can check out which offer different functionalities at various price points.
Cost: Free for Basic Plan users. Upgrade to the Premium Plan for $8/month and the Pro plan for $12/month
Download For: iOS and Android
- Brain.fm
Best For: Focusing with music
brainfm app
Brain.fm is an app that plays music designed for the brain to enhance focus, relaxation, meditation, naps and sleep within 10 to 15 minutes of use. It’s not a myth, certain types of music really can help you focus, relax and sleep better. Brain.fm uses scientific research to design and play music based on your desired outcome. Just turn on some tunes and let this app do the rest.
Cost: Free to download. Upgrades to Pro versions starting at $6.99
Download For: iOS and Android
- Evernote
Best For: Taking and organizing notes
evernote app
If you prefer to take notes digitally, or often find yourself with a mix of handwritten and digital notes, Evernote is for you. Evernote is one of the best tools on the market for collecting all of your ideas and thoughts in one place. One cool aspect of Evernote is that it allows users to take photos of written notes and upload them to the app, in addition to taking notes directly on your device. The search function lets users browse all of their files– written or typed– thanks to handwriting analysis. Once your notes are in the app, you can organize them in notebook systems and filter them by adding tags. Evernote syncs seamlessly across your devices so you never “forget your notebook” at home.
Cost: Free to download. Premium versions starting at $4.99
Download For: iOS and Android
⭐ Want to continue your research? Check out our guide to the top Evernote alternatives to learn about other similar tools on the market.
- Forest
Best For: Staying focused
forest app
Forest is a great app for people who have a hard time putting down their phones and focusing on a single task. Whenever you want to focus, simply open the Forest app and plant a tree. This tree will grow as long as you are focused and not touching your phone. If you do exit the app at some point before the task is completed, your tree will die. Users can eventually turn these trees (and hard work) into an entire forest. To make it more fun, players are rewarded with additional tree species and calming sounds to accompany their forest collection. Even better, Forest has partnered with Trees For The Future, letting users redeem earned coins to plant trees in real life.
Cost: $1.99 with option for additional in-app purchases
Download For: iOS and Android
- Toggl
Best For: Time tracking
Toggl
Toggl is known for its clean and simple interface, which sets it apart from other time-tracking tools and makes it really easy and intuitive for users. Toggl Track, it’s specific time-tracking tool, is great for all different types of users, including developers, artists, and organizations of all size. In addition to basic time tracking tools, it offers features like custom reports and and billable hours, which can help improve any business. Using Toggl lets your business quantify how much time is spent on different activities and therefore help identify workflow inefficiencies. It’s also easy to use on-the-go, with apps available on mobile, desktop, and even on your browser.
Cost: Free for up to 5 users. Starter plan for teams beginning at $8 per user
Download For: iOS, Android, and Desktop
- Engross
Best For: Pomodoro Timer
engross app
Engross is a time management app that helps improve your focus and manage distractions. One of the most notable features of the app is it’s Pomodoro technique timer. The Pomodoro technique helps improve productivity by breaking down work into smaller intervals, typically in the range of 25-30 minutes, which are each separated by mini breaks of just a few minutes. Engross’s timer lets users customize the intervals based on how long they want to work and how long they want to break.
Another helpful feature is the distraction tracker. Simply press a button on the screen every time you get distracted, and the app will compile statistics about when you are most distracted throughout the day.
Cost: Free for the basic app download.
Download For: iOS and Android
- MindMeister
Best For: Mind Mapping
mindmeister app
MindMeister is a digital mind mapping tool that is perfect for everyday business situations. Mind mapping tools like MindMeister are helpful for visualizing data, planning projects, and brainstorming ideas. MindMeister can be used on an individual level, or it can be used among teams to collaborate and share ideas in real time.
The tool includes many pre-set map themes, or you can customize your map with colors, styles, formatting, and images that best fit your needs. If you’re looking to start an LLC for example, you can create custom branding for your brainstorms and planning. With all information stored in the cloud, this tool lets you digitally access your map without worrying about saving or sending in advance.
Cost: Free for up to 3 basic maps. Personal plans start at $4.99/month; Pro plans start at $8.25/month
Download For: iOS and Android
- Hootsuite
Best For: Social Scheduling
hootsuite app
Hootsuite is a comprehensive tool that lets companies schedule posts and campaigns across all of their social channels. Once social posts are planned and scheduled, you also have an option to view them in a single comprehensive calendar, which is extremely helpful for aligning your campaigns, organizing your social media channels, and seeing the bigger picture.
In addition to planning and publishing content, Hootsuite also helps companies engage with their audience and create connections with potential customers. Hootsuite users can monitor post performance, respond to questions, boost positive comments, and share other posts– all within the platform. With options to assign customer inquiries to specific team members and filter incoming messages based on priority, this tool has many features to increase your team’s productivity.
Cost: Free 30 day trial. Professional plan starts at $29 per month for up to 10 users, increasing from there.
Download For: iOS and Android
- FacileThings
Best For: GTD Method
facile things app
FacileThings is an app that helps people organize and manage daily tasks based on David Allen’s GTD (Getting Things Done) method. The GTD Method consists of 5 steps that help people keep their mind free and feel that everything is under control, so that you can reach maximum productivity without stress and anxiety.
This app helps users kickstart their own personal GTD system. The app guides users through the process of learning GTD, ultimately helping people incorporate these habits into their daily routines. The app is available on most mobile platforms, which means you can also take it with you wherever you go. It also integrates with other top platforms, allowing relevant tasks and information to be imported right into the app.
Cost: Free 30 day trial. Monthly subscription starts at $12, with discounts for multiple month purchases.
Download For: iOS and Android
- Due
Best For: Setting reminders
due app
Due is a simple, easy-to-use app that helps you set due dates (get it?) and reminders in your schedule. This app is great for people who forget things easily and need extra help remembering what needs to happen when. Due has customizable options that lets users choose when they want to receive notifications about a specific item, with options to snooze or dismiss them as they come up.
Whats even better? Due will continue to send you notifications until you mark the task complete, making it almost impossible to miss among all of your various pings and nudges. You can easily react to these reminders right from the notification itself, quickly allowing you to snooze or change the due date without even opening the app. The Due App also syncs seamlessly between your Apple iPhone, watch, and desktop, so you never miss a reminder ever again.
Cost: $6.99 for the mobile app and $14.99 for the desktop app
Download For: iPhone and Mac Desktop
- Krisp
Best for: Noise cancellation
krisp app
Krisp noise cancelling app is a communication tool that has recently emerged on the market. It’s an AI-powered app that removes all kinds of background noises during a call in real-time and allows people to communicate with each other professionally. You can use Krisp with over 800 communication, conferencing, messaging, podcasting and recording apps and you can pair it with any headphones, speakers and microphones that you prefer. Krisp can be used as both Mac and Windows noise cancellation software at any given time.
Cost: Free personal plan for up to 120 minutes per week. Pro plans start at $5 per month
Download For: Windows and Mac Desktop
- Everhour
Best For: Team time-tracking
everhour
Everhour is a complete time tracking software that helps teams work more efficiently than they ever dreamed. Alongside being a handy time monitoring tool, Everhour’s intuitive functionality integrates seamlessly with project management tools such as Basecamp, Jira, Asana, GitHub, ClickUp and more, to allow stress-free project and budget management. What else is inside this time tracking tool? Opening Everhour, teams can find:
Reporting features to ensure all is going to plan;
Invoicing tools that make billing so much simpler;
Visual planning features to review projects at just a glance;
Project budgeting to keep time and budget on track side by side.No extra fat! Just simple time tracking that makes managing a project effortless. Deliver solid results with no extra staff training to get started.
Cost: Plans start at $8.50 per user, including a pricing discount if you pay annually instead of monthly. Everhour also offers a free 2-week trial before committing to a paid plan.
Download For: Browser extensions and iPhone
- Last Pass
Best for: Storing and managing passwords
last pass
How much time do you waste every day manually signing into various accounts? Last Pass is a password management app that helps you store all of your digital passwords in one place, making it easier to log into all of your various accounts while also keeping your digital information secure. Last Pass has a browser extension to keep everything secure on your computer, but their mobile app is a life-saver for people who are constantly on the go.
When you download the Last Pass password manager app for your tablet or smartphone, you will be able to Sync your data across all platforms. Once you’ve added an account to Last Pass, utilize the automated app fill on mobile devices to remove the hassle of typing on small mobile keyboards. You can also log into Last Pass with your fingerprint swipe, making it easier than ever to access your information. Last Pass has options for personal or business accounts, depending on how you want to use the app.
Cost: Last Pass has a free plan, but it does not include syncing across all devices. Premium plans start at $3/month for personal use, and $4/month for business teams.
Download for: Browser extension, iOS, and Android
- Hypercontext
Best for: More productive meetings
hypercontext
Hypercontext is a solution that empowers managers and their teams to be high-performing by streamlining meetings, goals, and morale into one workflow. The meeting agenda app allows you to build collaborative meetings agendas for one-on-one, team, and cross-functional meetings, access hundreds of conversation starters, and hold everyone accountable for sharing feedback every single meeting. It’s a dedicated space for employees and managers to exchange feedback, document decisions, and track goals, all while driving engagement up across the company.
Cost: There’s a free forever version, a Pro plan, which is $7/user/month, and a Business plan priced at $11/user/month. Small teams of up to five can take advantage of their starter team pack priced at $5/month total for the first five users.
Download for: Chrome extension, iOS, Android, Teams, Zapier
- TroopMessenger
Best For: Organizing business communications
Troop Messenger not only helps its global users to communicate and collaborate on work on a unified digital workspace, but it is also has many productivity features that help users work faster. With its Global Search filters, users can search files shared across 1:1 messages and group chats, saving time typically spent scrolling through the entire chat list to find people, projects, groups, guest users, and exited employees. This feature lets users retrieve text files, images, videos and URLs without digging through the ocean of chat conversations.
This business messenger tool also has an exclusive file management functionality that stores all the shared files of 1:1 and group chats at a central repository for faster and easy access. This is another way that users can save time when trying to revisit past conversations or find important information. In addition, users can upload the files from their PC to Troop Messenger cloud to access them anywhere anytime.
Cost: One-month enterprise free trial, Premium@ $2.5 per user per month, and Enterprise@ $5 per user/per month.
Download for: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS powered devices.
- Scribe
Best for: Explaining processes and creating “how to” guides
scribe
Scribe is a documentation tool that turns any process into a step-by-step guide. Users can streamline and standardize their knowledge share for enhanced productivity across teams. This saves hours in manual documentation and almost entirely eradicates the need for scheduled training sessions. Imagine what you could do with the hours you spend explaining complicated processes to others.
While Scribe isn’t an app, it’s a Google Extension that helps you create how-to guides for all of the other apps and platforms you use on a day to day basis. To develop a Scribe, simply click “Record” via the browser extension and continue your workflow in another app. Scribe will automatically create a how-to guide with written instructions and screenshots highlighting each click. A Scribe can be shared easily via a link, within the platform’s shared workspace, or when embedded into any CMS or knowledge base.
With Scribe, you can save time, eliminate redundancies, and ensures consistency for substantial benefits in productivity and growth.
Do you have a favorite productivity app that everyone should know about? Leave us a comment below and tell us how it makes you more productive.
aesthetic productivity apps
Struggling to be productive these days? There’s an app for that! When it comes to living your best work life, it’s not always easy to stay on task — especially when there are so many distractions around you 24/7. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best productivity apps to help you become organized (see our organizing tips!), focused, and on task to become successful in 2020 and beyond. Whether you’re struggling to be productive while working from home or need a little help keeping up with your personal projects, these useful apps will help you manage your schedule and daily tasks — and will definitely help make life a little easier when it comes to getting things done.
Wondering what kind of apps can help you become more productive? Our list spans everything from time management apps and online planners, to others designed to improve your focus, fix your bad habits, and even prevent you from procrastinating and getting distracted. No matter what kind of app you decide is best for you, though, you’ll soon be on your way to checking off everything on your to-do list — especially with a little inspiration from the best life quotes and motivational podcasts. And of course, after downloading these apps, be sure to follow our best tips on how to become more productive — and then get to work on your most successful year yet.
1
Todoist
todoist app displayed on iphone
APPLE
If you’re looking for a simple way to organize and keep track of your daily to-do list, Todoist is a great task management app to use. It allows you to organize and sort tasks, set due dates and reminders, and even track your progress and collaborate on projects with others. Other useful features include location-based reminders as well as options to sort tasks according to priority and tags!
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
2
Evernote
evernote app displayed on iphone
APPLE
As a popular notes organizer and planner app, Evernote is a favorite for taking notes and organizing all of your ideas in one place. The app allows you to capture notes not just with writing, but also with photos, audio, digital sketches, PDFs, and more — and it’s all instantly searchable (yes, even images!). Plus, you can sync all your notes across different devices for an easy way to keep it all on the go.
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
3
Forest
forest app displayed on iphone
APPLE
Do you easily get distracted on your phone? This unique app motivates you to put down the screen and stay focused on your task. The premise of Forest is simple: Plant a seed when you’re ready to get to work, then set a timer. If you stick to the task, your tree grows — but if you exit the app for whatever reason, your tree dies. Soon you can grow entire forests! (Plus, the app has also partnered with Trees of the Future to plant actual trees, so you can help the planet while helping yourself!)
Cost: $1.99
Get it for Android or IOS
4
Be Focused
be focused app displayed on iphone
APPLE
If you’re the type of person who works best with intermittent breaks, this app uses the Pomodoro Technique — which involves breaking your day up into 25-minute focus sessions followed by five-minute breaks — to help you get things done. With the app, users can manage their tasks to set work interval durations and break durations (you can even customize them to your own preference), all while tracking progress and goals throughout the day or week.
Cost: Free
Get it for IOS
5
Freedom
freedom app displayed on iphone
APPLE
We all know how easy it is to get distracted by social media and other websites — which is exactly where this useful app comes in. Freedom provides a way for you to block distracting and time-wasting websites and apps for a set time period. You can customize your own list of sites to block — or yes, even block your entire access to the Internet so you can keep your focus entirely in check.
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
6
Trello
trello app displayed on iphone
APPLE
This one’s great for managing your workflow — especially if your work requires collaborating with teammates or sharing information with clients. Specifically, Trello helps you organize projects with an easy-to-use layout. Smaller tasks can be grouped into “cards” and “boards,” all of which can be assigned to groups or team members — and then assigned a due date — for an easy way to manage progress.
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
7
Toggl
toggl app displayed on iphone
APPLE
Put simply, Toggl is a time tracking app that helps you keep track of how much time you’re spending on different tasks — the idea being that once you’re more aware of how you spend your time, you can learn to make the most of it and plan your schedule accordingly. Beyond the simple timer tool, Toggl also offers detailed reports of your data as well as easy scheduling to optimize your productivity.
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
8
Things 3
things 3 app displayed on iphone
APPLE
Few apps are as comprehensive or as aesthetically pleasing as Things, which also won an Apple Design Award back in 2017. Now in its new and improved third version, this popular productivity app offers everything from a dynamic calendar to a detailed to-do list, complete with a simple interface that makes managing your tasks truly a breeze.
Cost: $9.99
Get it for IOS
9
Habitica
habitica app displayed on iphone
APPLE
Habitica isn’t your typical habit-tracking app — it’s also a fun role-playing game! Like Forest, it uses gamification to help boost productivity and foster good habits in your daily life. After inputting your daily goals and desired habits, the app allows you to create a custom avatar; then, as you complete your tasks, you can “level up” your avatar and unlock cool features (including armor, pets, and quests!).
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
10
Any.do
anydo app displayed on iphone
APPLE
Here’s another great task management app that’s great for organizing your life. A to-do list, calendar, planner, and reminders app all in one, Any.do offers an easy system to keep on top of your tasks. Plus, it integrates nicely with your other calendars and offers syncing across all of your other devices — not to mention a useful voice-entry feature that lets you add items to your to-do list just by speaking.
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
11
Due
due app displayed on iphone
APPLE
If you’re the type of person who forgets things constantly, this one’s a great app to have at your disposal. Due essentially serves as a reminders app, allowing you to set important due dates and reminders in your schedule — and then providing you with such persistent notifications that you won’t ever forget that deadline or meeting ever again.
Cost: $6.99
Get it for IOS
12
Google Calendar
google calendar app displayed on iphone
APPLE
There’s a good chance that you already use this popular cross-platform app — but the truth is that there’s truly no better calendar app out there. With easy scheduling tools for setting tasks, appointments, and reminders, this online calendar service is a super easy way to keep on top of your daily tasks and events — and is basically essential for anyone with a busy schedule.
Cost: Free
Get it for Android or IOS
Conclusion
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