For some time, the secret to ultimate productivity was thought to be nothing more than a stopwatch and sheer willpower. Thanks to more modern research, we now know that the right approach to boosting productivity is different for everyone. For most people, however, a great starting point to maximizing focused work time is trying a productivity app.
From professionals to students, anyone looking to boost their productivity can benefit from these apps. They offer a structured approach to task management, reducing stress and increasing efficiency. Best of all, these tools are often free or charge a small fee, allowing anyone to get started in minutes.
In this article, we'll wrap up the year and explore the best productivity apps for 2025. We'll compare their features, usability, and benefits to help you choose the best one for your needs. We'll also go over IFTTT, our free automation tool that has helped millions across the globe make the most out of each day.
Why am I struggling to be productive?
If you are reading this right now, you are likely looking for some productivity tips, either for personal goals or the demands of a stressful job. Maybe you feel as though your attention span has lessened, or you find yourself checking social media too often.
Productivity struggles are all too common, and they can stem from a variety of factors. Anxiety, lack of motivation, poor time management skills, and distractions are some of the most prevalent issues that individuals face when trying to increase their own productivity.
Anxiety can manifest in many ways, such as worrying about deadlines, feeling overwhelmed by tasks, or being apprehensive about one's ability to complete work effectively.
Lack of motivation, on the other hand, might arise due to unclear goals, insufficient rewards, or a general feeling of disinterest in the task at hand. Poor time management skills can result in an inability to prioritize tasks, causing individuals to become overwhelmed and lose focus.
In this guide, we will go over some apps that can help assist you in creating better productive habits. With dedication and the right approach, you can overcome these challenges and unlock your full potential.
Do productivity apps work?
The effectiveness of productivity apps depends on how they are used. These tools are not magic solutions but can act as powerful enablers when paired with good habits and an understanding of one’s goals.
Productivity apps work by providing structure and organization, which are essential for managing tasks efficiently. Features like task lists, reminders, and calendar integrations help users break down large projects into manageable steps, so nothing falls through the cracks. Apps like Trello, Notion, and Todoist are great at helping users visualize their workload and prioritize tasks.
Keep in mind an app that works wonders for one person might feel overwhelming or irrelevant to another. For instance, someone who thrives on visual organization might prefer a Kanban board system, while others might benefit from apps focused on simplicity and quick task entry.
Another factor in their effectiveness is consistency. Simply downloading an app won’t boost productivity unless it’s actively integrated into daily routines. For instance, users must commit to regularly updating task lists, setting realistic deadlines, and reviewing progress to make the most out of these tools (unless you automate with IFTTT).
Productivity apps can work when chosen wisely and used thoughtfully. They work best when combined with a growth mindset and strategies for personal growth.
Changing how we focus with IFTTT
Before we dive into our top picks, we'd like to introduce IFTTT, our free automation platform that helps professionals, students, and everyday people like you become their most productive selves.
The basic idea behind IFTTT is to create "Applets" or sets of instructions that trigger when certain conditions are met. This can be turning on the lights automatically when you enter your house, for example. Our powerful system can be expanded to complex automation, such as forwarding emails automatically or linking tasks within different systems.
Founded in 2011, IFTTT has since been used by over 30 million individuals around the globe to automate both business and home tasks, saving time and increasing efficiency. It's used to connect over 1000 different services and systems, making all products and services work well together in a way that instills user confidence. Best of all, it's free and only takes a couple of minutes to set up.
Keep your eye out throughout the article for our Applet bubbles, which are small pre-packagaed automations we offer for each tool on the list. Simply click on one to get started.
The 6 Best Productivity Apps
1. Todoist
Price: Free, premium features start at $4 per month.
A user-friendly task management app, Todoist is perfect for organizing personal and professional projects. Todoist is our favorite all-around productivity app, and is used by professionals, students, and anyone managing multiple projects. With natural language input, project templates, collaboration features, and all the other bells and whistles, Todoist is great choice.
Features:
- Create and categorize tasks with deadlines and priorities.
- Share projects and tasks for collaboration.
- Syncs across all devices for seamless use.
2. Trello
Price: Free, premium features start at $5 per month.
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks. This tool is an excellent pick for the more left brained or visual workers, as Trello's interface is easy to use and designed beautifully. Boards, lists, and cards keep everything organized and an AI Butler can help you automate tasks.
Features:
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy task reorganization.
- Integration with team tools like Slack and Google Drive.
- Great for collaborative projects and brainstorming.
3. Google Calendar
Price: Free.
Ah, Google Calendar, the trusted app for time management and scheduling. This classic is still one of the biggest players in the productivity game. With all the features you need and none you don't, millions turn to Google Calendar to schedule out their days. Best of all, this calendar app integrates with all other Google apps, as well as Zoom, Todoist, and IFTTT.
Features:
- Create events and reminders with custom notifications.
- Sync with multiple devices and platforms.
- Share calendars for better collaboration.
4. Evernote
Price: Limited free plan, premium features cost $13 monthly.
Evernote is a comprehensive note-taking app that helps capture and organize ideas. Ideal for both the quick jotter and the lengthy planner, Evernote allows for text notes, attached images, audio, or PDFs. Users enjoy Evernote's pre-built templates for meeting notes, to-do lists, and project planning. We'd say this is the perfect choice for a word-heavy profession like an author or professor.
Features:
- Create notes, lists, and attachments in one place.
- Sync across all devices for on-the-go access.
- Search feature to quickly find specific notes or tags.
5. Slack
Price: Free, premium features start at $7.25 per month.
Slack is one of the most used apps by organizations worldwide. It's a chat-based communication platform that doubles as a productivity hub for teams. Members can organize discussions into focused topics or projects or send direct messages in separate rooms. Slack can connect with over 2,000 apps, including Google Drive, Trello, and IFTTT, for task and workflow management.
Features:
- Channels for different projects or teams.
- Integrations with a vast array of apps, from file storage to project management tools.
- Real-time messaging and video calls.
6. IFTTT
Price: Free forever plan, Pro Plan costs $2.92 per month.
IFTTT isn't just a productivity app; it's so much more. Since our founding, the number one goal of IFTTT has been to save you time, through automations that help streamline everyday tasks. IFTTT integrates with over 1000 of your favorite services, meaning we can connect Trello to Todoist, Slack to Zoom, Google Calendar to your home's smart lights, and any other combination you could dream of.
Features:
- Free automations for top productivity apps
- Webhook and RSS feed capabilities for building custom workflows
- Time tracking and Pomodoro integrations
- Supports customer relationship and project management platforms
What is the best choice for me?
Choosing the best productivity app depends on your specific needs, workflow, and personal preferences. Remember, the best app will be the one that you use over and over, and will help you stick to good productivity habits. Everyone deals with productivity differently, so one solution may likely be better than another for your needs.
If you're looking for an app to help you organize your tasks efficiently, prioritize deadlines, and collaborate on projects, Todoist is an excellent all-around choice. It’s simple, intuitive, and ideal for both personal and professional use. Trello’s Kanban board system makes it perfect for people who think visually, and Google Calendar helps the minimalists who live by the calendar.
Evernote is the top choice for capturing, organizing, and retrieving notes across various formats. If you’re someone who jots down ideas constantly or works on detailed project notes, this app will keep you on track. For collaborative work environments, Slack is the best for teams and organizations that need real-time communication and project-focused discussions.
Lastly, we believe that IFTTT is a great option for anyone, regardless of habits or working styles. With millions of integrations with smart home, workflow apps, health and fitness, entertainment, and more, you are guaranteed to find something you like. You can enable IFTTT with just a few clicks and can even create your own custom automation to fit specific tasks. Try us for free today and see why we are the most trusted automation platform for professionals, students, startups, and everyday people worldwide.
Productivity
Most popular productivity apps for 2025
November 25, 2024
