Top Productivity Apps for 2024

The headline of this article might seem a bit silly, but I promise it’s not clickbait.

You’re probably here because you searched for “Top Productivity Apps.” I totally get it—you want to get more done in less time, which is something we all want at work. But here’s the thing: productivity is a personal thing, and the term “productivity tools” can mean different things to different people. What works great for one person might not work at all for someone else. After spending more than a decade writing about productivity software, I’ve come to believe there’s no such thing as the “best” productivity app for everyone.

That said, I do think there are types of tools that can help you become a better version of yourself. Some of these tools work well for most people, while others might not be necessary for everyone. It’s more important to know what kinds of apps are out there and what to look for in an app rather than searching for the “best” one in each category.

But you’re here for software recommendations, not my thoughts on productivity. So, I’m going to break down the main types of productivity apps that I think everyone using electronic devices at work should know about. I’ll explain why each category matters, suggest a couple of apps that I believe will work well for most people, and provide links to more options if you want to dig deeper.

Just keep in mind: the specific app isn’t what’s most important. The best productivity app is the one that works best for you. The key is having a system that works. Sound good? Let’s dive in.

The Top Productivity Apps at a glance 

Category	Best for	Pricing
Todoist	To-do list app	Balancing power and simplicity	Free version available; paid version from $5/month
Google Calendar	Calendar app	Seamless integration with other calendar services	Free with a Google account; Business Starter for Google Workspace starts at $6/user/month
Reclaim.ai	AI scheduling assistant	Protecting your habits	Free with a Google account; Business Starter for Google Workspace starts at $6/user/month
Microsoft OneNote	Note-taking app	A freeform (and free) experience	Free for up to 5GB of notes; $1.99/month for 100GB
Freedom	Focus app	Blocking distractions on all your devices at once	$3.33/month (billed annually) or $8.99/month (billed monthly); $199 for a lifetime subscription
Streaks (iPhone) / HabitNow (Android)	Habit tracker app	Building and maintaining habit streaks	Streaks: $4.99 for the app; HabitNow: Free for up to 7 habits, $9.99 for unlimited habits and  more features
Pocket	Read it later app	Easily saving articles for later	Free plan available; $4.99/month for Pocket Premium
Loom	Screen recording app	Quickly recording your screen to share with others	Free for 25 videos up to 5 minutes; Business plans from $12.50/month/user
1Password	Password manager app	Easy password management across devices	$36/year for Personal account; $60/year for Families (up to five accounts)

The Top Productivity Apps for organizing to-do lists

Todoist

We all have tasks to handle—both at work and in our personal lives. But keeping them in your head is a bad idea. It’s stressful because you’ll randomly remember something you were supposed to do, and that can lead to panic. Writing down everything you need to do lets you make a plan and, most importantly, avoid that last-minute stress.

Not everyone needs a dedicated to-do list app. Some of the most productive people I know use sticky notes, email inboxes, or even spreadsheets. That’s perfectly fine as long as you have a system to keep track of what needs to be done.

For most people, I recommend Todoist. It’s easy to use, has a lot of useful features, and can be installed on just about any device, so your to-do list is always with you. You can set due dates, organize tasks by project, or even use a Kanban board view. But you don’t have to use all those features if you don’t want to, which makes it a great option for anyone new to to-do list apps.

Todoist also integrates with Zapier, so you can automatically create tasks whenever something happens in one of your favorite apps. You can check out some ideas for automating Todoist with Zapier or start with one of these templates.

If Todoist doesn’t suit you, take a look at our list of the best to-do list apps—we’ve got plenty of recommendations. Personally, I use TickTick because it’s super easy to add tasks, and it also made our list of the best to-do list apps for people with ADHD. And if you’re an Apple user, Things is fantastic for its simplicity. The key is finding a tool you like and remember to use. After all, an app full of tasks you never check isn’t going to help you.

As for pricing, Todoist has a free version, with a paid version starting at $5 per month.

The Top Productivity Apps for managing your calendar

Google Calendar

We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so we need to manage our time wisely. That’s where a calendar comes in handy. While you could use a paper wall calendar, a calendar app offers more flexibility—like inviting others to events and storing Zoom links or meeting locations in one place.

For most people, especially those already using Gmail, Google Calendar is the best choice. It’s easy to access on any device, offers multiple view options, and makes inviting people to events or meetings a breeze. Google Calendar has tons of features, and I’ve written several articles about them. It does everything you’d expect from a calendar app—and more—while still being user-friendly.

If you want to get even more out of your calendar, you can connect Google Calendar to your favorite apps using Zapier. This lets you do things like automatically create calendar appointments from spreadsheets. You can learn more about automating Google Calendar or try out one of the pre-made workflows.

If Google Calendar doesn’t suit you, don’t worry—we’ve got a list of the best calendar apps with other great options. Microsoft Outlook is a strong alternative, and the Calendar app that comes with Apple devices is another solid choice.

You might also want to check out meeting scheduling apps, especially if your calendar is packed with meetings. These apps let others book time with you easily. Calendly is a popular option that syncs with Google Calendar and offers plenty of customization. For more details, take a look at our list of the best meeting schedulers.

As for pricing, Google Calendar is free with a Google account, but if you’re looking for more, Google Workspace starts at $6 per user per month with a one-year commitment.

The Top Productivity Apps for AI-powered scheduling

Reclaim.ai

If you struggle to stick to habits like your morning meditation or afternoon walk, an AI scheduling assistant can help you stay on track without the hassle of managing your schedule.

Reclaim.ai is a solid choice for this. It’s user-friendly, powerful, and strikes the right balance between features and simplicity.

But it’s not the only option out there. You can explore more choices in our list of the best AI scheduling assistants. Try using one for a few weeks and see if it helps you manage your time better—you might be surprised at how much more productive you become.

As for pricing, Reclaim.ai offers a free plan that includes 2 calendars, 3 habits, and limited features. Paid plans start at $8 per user per month, giving you access to unlimited calendars, habits, and more advanced features.

The Top Productivity Apps for taking notes

Microsoft OneNote

I’m always taking notes—whether it’s before or during meetings, while researching an article, or even when I’m brewing beer. And I think everyone has some bits of information they’ll need later that don’t quite belong in a full-blown document. Who wants to deal with a messy pile of folders for all that?

That’s where note-taking apps come in handy. They let you quickly jot things down so you can easily find them later and (hopefully) follow up. They’re also great for personal journaling or keeping files related to a specific project.

Microsoft OneNote is a solid first choice for most people. It’s free (as long as you don’t exceed your OneDrive storage) and offers plenty of ways to organize your notes—from notebooks to sections and sub-headers. Plus, its search function is powerful enough to find text even in images or PDFs you add to your notes.

With OneNote’s Zapier integration, you can automate tasks to save time, like automatically creating notes in OneNote whenever you add a new task, note, or calendar event in another app. You can try out some pre-made workflows to get started.

But OneNote isn’t the only option. Check out our list of the best note-taking apps for more choices. If you were a fan of Evernote back in the day, you might like Joplin, a completely free and open-source alternative. Personally, I’m a big fan of Obsidian, which turns your notes into a connected database, complete with internal links and tons of plugins.

There are plenty of great note-taking apps out there—find one that lets you capture your thoughts and easily dig them up later.

OneNote pricing: Free for up to 5GB of notes; $1.99/month for 100GB.

The Top Productivity Apps for blocking distractions

Freedom

I’ve never tried working in the middle of an amusement park, but I can imagine it’s pretty distracting. The internet? It’s even worse. You’ve got everything imaginable at your fingertips, and it’s all designed by clever engineers to keep you hooked. So, if you find it hard to stay focused, you’re not alone—and that’s where focus apps that block distractions come in handy.

Freedom is one of the best tools for this. It works on all platforms and can block distracting websites and apps across all your devices. So, you won’t be able to block TikTok on your computer only to pick up your phone and scroll there instead. With Freedom, you can create multiple block lists and set timers for each one. Check out our list of the best focus apps for a full review of Freedom or to discover other options.

Personally, I’m a fan of Serene, which mixes distraction blocking with a to-do list. You set what you want to achieve and how long it’ll take, then start a distraction-free session to get it done. There’s also Cold Turkey Blocker, which can go as far as preventing you from changing your computer’s time settings to bypass the block. And if you’re a Mac user, you’ve got even more choices.

Remember, the internet is designed to be distracting. There’s no shame in using a tool to help you stay disciplined.

Freedom pricing: $3.33/month billed annually or $8.99/month billed monthly; $199 for a lifetime subscription.

The Top Productivity Apps for tracking habits

Streaks (iPhone), HabitNow (Android)

My dentist told me to brush my teeth twice a day, and I believed him, but I usually only brushed at night. Using a habit tracker helped me change that.

Habit trackers might seem like to-do lists, but they’re actually quite different. Instead of adding individual tasks, you add recurring ones. The goal is to commit to doing something regularly and then track how often you stick to it. As you build a streak, you’re more motivated to keep going until the habit feels natural. It might sound silly, but it works.

If you’re interested, I recommend checking out Streaks for iPhone and HabitNow for Android. These apps stay on your phone—where you’re most likely to see them. They help you create a list of habits you want to build, remind you to follow through, and show your progress in different ways.

There are plenty of other options too. Take a look at our list of the best habit tracker apps for more ideas. Some to-do list apps even have built-in habit trackers. I personally use TickTick’s habit tracker and love it. Or, if you prefer something simpler, you can just use a paper calendar and mark an X for every day you stick to your habit.

Streaks pricing: $4.99 for the universal app.

HabitNow pricing: Free for up to 7 habits; $9.99 for unlimited habit tracking and more features.

The Top Productivity Apps for bookmarking articles to read later

Pocket

I could easily spend all day reading articles or watching YouTube videos—we all could. But sometimes, you need to focus on something else, even when your friend sends you a fascinating article. That’s where read-it-later apps come in handy. They let you save anything you want to read later so you can get back to it when you have the time.

Pocket is my go-to app for this. It’s free, has extensions for all major browsers, and comes with great mobile versions that sync your articles for offline reading. Plus, you can highlight sections and review those highlights whenever you want.

You can also use Zapier to connect Pocket with your favorite apps. For instance, you can automatically send articles from your RSS feed to Pocket or share your favorite content on Slack. If you’re interested, check out more ways to automate Pocket. Instapaper is another great option, and it even lets you send articles to your Kindle. But these aren’t your only choices—take a look at our list of the best read-it-later apps for more options.

Some people also use bookmarking or note-taking apps for the same purpose, and that’s perfectly fine—they both work well for saving things to check out later.

Pocket pricing: Free; $4.99/month for Pocket Premium, which includes a permanent backup of your saved articles, suggested tags, and full-text search.

The Top Productivity Apps for creating and sharing screen recordings

Loom

Whether you need to give a quick presentation or solve a problem, sometimes recording your screen and sharing it just makes things easier. Screen recording tools are perfect for this. They let you easily capture your screen, your voice, and even your face if you have a webcam.

Loom is a great tool to start with. It’s simple to set up, works on all major platforms, and makes sharing your recordings a breeze. Plus, you can include your face in the video using a webcam.

Personally, I use Zappy, which was originally an internal tool at Zapier. It’s the best screenshot tool I’ve ever used, and it’s free. If you’re on a Mac, it’s definitely worth trying. If you’re looking for more options, check out our list of the best screen recording tools. And remember, you can record your screen without any extra software if you’re okay with handling the files yourself.

If you want to share your screen live, you’ll need a screen-sharing app—Zoom is surprisingly good for that.

Loom pricing: Free for 25 videos up to 5 minutes each; Business plans start at $12.50/month per user with unlimited videos and recording length.

The Top Productivity Apps for managing your passwords

1Password

Coming up with a long, complex password is hard enough—because you are using one, right? But remembering all those unique passwords for every website can be a real headache. That’s where a password manager comes in handy.

Password managers make managing your passwords a lot easier. You only need to remember one master password, and the app takes care of everything else. With data breaches happening more often than you’d think, a password manager helps protect your accounts from unauthorized access and keeps your information secure.

1Password is a top choice in the password manager world. It’s user-friendly, super secure, and works across almost every browser and device, syncing your passwords seamlessly.

There are also other password managers with free plans available. Check out our list of the best options for more ideas. And if you want to step up your cyber security game, consider using a passkey instead.

1Password pricing: $36/year for a Personal account; $60/year for Families with up to five accounts. There’s also a monthly plan if you prefer.

Other productivity apps worth checking out

This article could go on forever because there’s always more great software out there, and I love diving into it. The categories we’ve covered should save you a ton of time and might take a bit to set up, but here are a few extra tools if you’re up for exploring more:

• Mobile scanning apps like Microsoft Lens let you scan documents with your phone and digitize text using optical character recognition (OCR). For more options, check out our list of the best mobile scanning OCR apps.
• Text expansion tools like PhraseExpress save you from repeatedly copying and pasting the same message. Learn more about text expansion software and how it can even help with dating.
• Dictation software such as Apple Dictation (for Apple devices) or Windows 11 Speech Recognition (for Windows) lets you type by talking, which can be a huge time-saver. Here’s our list of the best dictation software.
• Time tracking apps like Toggl Track help you monitor how long you spend on projects and ensure you’re not wasting time. Check out our list of the best time tracking apps to find the perfect one for you.
• Mind mapping software like Coggle helps you visualize connections between ideas while brainstorming. See our picks for the best mind mapping tools, or explore the top brainstorming tools overall.

These tools can make a big difference, so give them a try and see what works best for you!

Automate your productivity apps

Once you’ve got apps set up in these categories, you can kick your productivity up a notch with Zapier. Zapier helps you connect all your apps with custom workflows—no coding needed. It might not fix every problem, but it’s fantastic for linking tools that don’t work well together on their own. This means you can use the best tools for your needs, rather than just the ones that happen to be compatible. And it’s not just for productivity—you’ll soon find yourself automating even your most important business tasks.