Let’s face it, while we all had unlimited free time staying home in 2020, most of us didn’t really do much with it. While we were playing Clash of Clans online with friends and trying out viral TikTok trends, 2020 went by in the blink of an eye. And now that we’re into 2021, it’s time to brush off the crumbs and get back on the grind!
All this is easier said than done, though, especially with most of us working from home. There are simply too many distractions! But don’t fret because we’re here to save the day by sharing the top 10 productivity apps you should check out in 2021 to help you get your focus and motivation back!
Remember, not all of these apps will suit everyone because we all work differently. So, try some of these apps out to find the ideal one for yourself.
What Are Productivity Apps?
As PCMag explains, productivity apps are a type of software or application solution designed to help individuals, teams, or even organizations. These apps are designed to assist in keeping track of essential daily operations and ensuring things run optimally and efficiently. Each app comes with its own unique sets of features, including email management, notification reminders, calendar management, etc.
Other mobile productivity apps, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, further offer cloud-based data storage and the ability to share documents with other users and sync them.
Best Free Productivity Apps
1. Todoist
(Free for both Android and iOS)
If you are looking for a no-nonsense productivity app that will help you get the job done, Todoist is your solution. Todoist is a multi-platform planner, but what makes it stand out is the powerful natural language engine feature. With this feature, you can effortlessly transform jotted-down notes into tasks, which you can then organize accordingly right on the app. Todoist’s latest update is the Upcoming view, which gives a better visualization of scheduled tasks.
2. Trello
(Free for both Android and iOS)
Trello is the perfect productivity app if you are working in a team. Tasks are assigned in the form of cards, which are then presented in an organized, bird’s eye view, allowing you to visualize your daily schedule. Each card is tagged with an assignment, including attachments and color-coding, and you can also set deadlines. Plus, members can comment on each specific assignments to make sure everyone is on the same page.
3. Any.do
(Free for both Android and iOS)
With a gazillion things on our minds each day, it’s easy to lose track of things. That is why you need Any.do to keep you in check! Any.do is a to-do list where you can set notes and reminders, attach files, share your lists with others. With Any.do, you can work from any device, as it syncs seamlessly on all devices.
Don’t feel like writing things down? No problem! Take advantage of the voice-entry feature for when your hands are tied, or you simply can’t be bothered.
4. Otter Voice Meeting Notes
(Free for both Android and iOS)
Otter Voice Meeting Notes is a smart transcription app that automatically transcribes speech or audio into text in real-time! Your transcribed notes will be completed with great detail, including all necessary punctuation. Then, you can edit the transcripts, export them, and share them via view-only links.
5. 24me
(Free for iOS)
24me is like your personal, versatile, smart virtual assistant. All you need to manage in a typical business – such as taking notes, setting appointments, writing to-do lists – you can take care of in one place. To make sure you never miss out on any appointments or tasks, 24me smart will ping you ahead of time to get you in the right zone.
6. IFTTT
(Free for both Android and iOS)
IFTTT is an app like no other, as it has pre-built “applets” to automate mundane everyday tasks. If you have smart lights, you can also program them with the app to turn them on and off automatically! IFTTT also allows users to customize multiple tasks by using the “If This, Then That,” after which the app is named.
7. Slack
(Free for both Android and iOS)
If you do a lot of business or dealings via messages, Slack is a useful tool to help you keep everything organized in real-time. With Slack, you can set up tasks for each specific topic, share files, and also integrate with a host of cloud storage applications like Zendesk, Asana, and Google Drive.
8. Asana
(Free for both Android and iOS)
So many emails, so little time! These days, we receive so many emails that it is actually taxing to process them one by one. What happens subsequently is a bunch of missed appointments and opportunities. This is where Asana comes in! Asana keeps your entire project operations and communications all in one accessible platform. Asana is perfect when working in a team, as team members can quickly lookup tasks specific to each team member and comment on them.
9. Adobe Acrobat Reader
(Free for both Android and iOS)
Adobe Acrobat Reader is not a new app in town, but it has to be mentioned because it is a big part of most of our day-to-day working routines. This app is excellent for managing PDF files, as you can quickly locate specific subsections or words, even with long documents. You can also annotate, comment, highlight, add sticky notes, add signatures, and much more.
10. Microsoft Office
(Free for both Android and iOS)
For a manual yet customized method of staying productive, you can also count on good old Microsoft Office programs like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. These programs are not only necessary for daily activities, but the free app versions today come with useful features to help you work better.
Bonus: Signal
(Free for both Android and iOS)
While staying productive with the awesome free apps we outlined is great, you also have to make sure you protect your online privacy while you’re using them. In fact, 85% of Americans believe one or more tech companies are spying on them. That’s why we decided to include a free privacy app to go along with the productivity apps of your choice.
The signal is a fantastic, much praised privacy app, which encrypts end-to-end all your text, voice, and video communications (for those Zoom meetings). The open-source app is intuitive and easy to use, and it’s won endorsements from a number of large corporations and organizations.
In fact, the 82nd Airborne Division, which deployed in the Middle East in January 2020, uses Signal. And if it’s good enough for the US military, you can rest assured it’s good enough for you.
Well, there you have it – the top 10 free productivity apps that will help you stay on top of your goals. The secret to success is not just working hard, but working efficiently!
