Essential Apps to Add More Hours to Your Day

You’re a busy person and you have a lot to get done in your day. Sometimes you feel 24 hours aren’t enough and you struggle trying to make the most out of your limited time.

To make things easier, there are tons of productivity apps out there to help you with everything from managing your tasks, to storing files.

With so many apps, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. That’s why we’ve devoted a lot of time and energy to research, test, and find the very best apps for you.

Here is our list of staff favorites apps that we consider to be “Must Have”.

These apps range across several different categories, all to help you get the most out of your device and your day.

One thing you’ll notice is that all of these apps are easy to use. They are helpful for focusing on what matters. They are also delightful apps. And they’ll help you stay as organized, focused, and efficient as possible.

Notion: The Best Productivity App

Notion logo

We’ve tested and used a lot of productivity apps over the years, and Notion is by far our favorite productivity app. It’s an incredibly flexible tool. You can use it as a note-taking app, task management tool, workflow calendar, database, checklist, and so much more.

Before Notion, we’ve been using a specific app for each category, which was pretty inefficient and kind of defeating the purpose. It was an overwhelming experience with so many apps. With Notion, we have everything in one place, and everyone has access to the information that they need.

Notion can initially seem dense and daunting. Don’t fret; give it some time, and once you get the hang of it, you’ll never look back.

Want to learn more from Notion.so? Check out this awesome guide to getting started with Notion!

Get the app: Mobile | Desktop | Web Clipper

Spark: The Best Email App

spark mail logo

There are a lot of great options available in this golden age of email applications, but we believe that Spark is the cream of the crop. Spark has a great combination of powerful features and a clean, well-designed user interface. In our opinion, it’s the best email app for a clutter-free user experience to take control of your inbox. Check out our Spark email review to see why it made it to our essential apps.

Get the app: Mac | iOS | Android

1Password: The Best Password App

1Password logo

If you’re looking for the best password manager app for generating and saving strong unique passwords, then by far and away the best password app is 1Password.

It’s available on almost every major platform (Mac, iPhone & iPad, Windows, and Android) and has powerful and seamless syncing between devices as well. That means you get access to your passwords on any device you’re using, even when you’re switching back and forth. All your passwords are with you, no matter which device you’re on.

Get the app: Mac | iOS | Windows | Android

Google Drive: The Best Cloud Sync App

Google Drive logo

Clunky physical hard drives are things of the past. Using a cloud storage app is the best way to manage all your files on the go. One reason we love Google Drive is its seamless integration with Google’s apps. Besides that, it’s feature-rich, and the most generous cloud storage and syncing services, with excellent productivity suite collaboration capabilities.

Get the app: iOS | Android | Desktop

Zoom: The Best Video Conferencing Software

Zoom logo

There are many very good options for video conferencing software to host online meetings, but we think that Zoom is the best for most people because it has a beautiful design, is easy to use, even the least tech-savvy among us can handle.

Zoom is available for every major desktop and mobile operating system, it has an easy-to-access Web app, and it delivers smooth video and audio with many other useful features. Follow this step-by-step guide to get you started with Zoom.

Get the app: Zoom Download Page

Apple Shortcuts: The Best Automation App

Apple Shortcuts logo

You spend an incredible amount of time on your phone completing tasks across a variety of apps. Imagine if you could automate all these tasks or accomplish complicated tasks in less time. Apple’s Shortcuts app can help you do all of that and more. Here’s how to create your first shortcuts to boost your productivity.

Download the app: iOS

Forest-Stay Focused: The Best Anti-Distraction App

Forest-Stay Focused logo

You can’t help it. You check your phone constantly, which makes you a less productive person. Don’t worry technology can help you with your phone addiction. One reason we love Forest-Stay Focused is its unique approach, ease of use, and minimal design. It keeps you focused on your work instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media accounts. This app will hold you accountable for your screen time.

Download the app: iOS | Android

aText: The Best Text Expander App

aText logo

Think about how much time you’d save if you could automatically replace abbreviations with frequently used phrases. aText is a godsend to those who want to enhance their workflows. This tool makes our job much easier by allowing us to create quick shortcuts for anything that we type often.

Download the app: Mac | Windows