Top 10 Underrated Productivity Apps (2023 List)

In today’s fast-paced world, productivity apps have become essential tools for individuals and teams to stay organized, manage tasks, and enhance their efficiency. These apps offer a range of features that streamline workflows, facilitate collaboration, and help users make the most of their time.

Here, we will explore 10 popular productivity apps and delve into their key features, use cases, and final thoughts.

1. Todoist

Todoist is a powerful task management app that allows users to create, organize, and prioritize their to-do lists. With its intuitive interface, users can easily add tasks, set due dates, create subtasks, and assign labels and priorities. Todoist also offers integrations with various platforms, enabling seamless synchronization across devices.

Key Features:

• Task Management: Create and organize tasks, set due dates, and add labels and priorities.
• Collaboration: Share tasks and projects with others, assign tasks, and track progress.
• Reminders and Notifications: Receive reminders and notifications to stay on top of deadlines.
• Productivity Tracking: Analyze productivity trends and visualize task completion.
• Integrations: Sync tasks with other apps and platforms like Google Calendar, Slack, and more.

Todoist is ideal for individuals, teams, and freelancers looking for a flexible and efficient task management solution. Whether you’re managing personal projects or collaborating on group assignments, Todoist helps you stay organized and focused.

Few Use Cases For Todoist:

• Personal Task Management: Keep track of personal to-do lists, appointments, and deadlines.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate and assign tasks within a team, ensuring everyone stays aligned.
• Project Planning: Plan and manage complex projects with milestones, subtasks, and deadlines.
• Goal Setting: Set and track goals, breaking them down into actionable tasks.
• Academic Organization: Stay on top of assignments, exams, and study schedules.

2. Calendly

Calendly is a popular scheduling app that simplifies the process of arranging meetings and appointments. It eliminates the back-and-forth communication typically involved in scheduling by providing a personalized booking link that syncs with users’ calendars and allows invitees to select available time slots.

Key Features:

• Customizable Scheduling: Set your availability preferences, buffer times, and meeting types.
• Automated Notifications: Send automatic reminders and confirmations to participants.
• Calendar Integration: Sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, or other popular calendar apps.
• Time Zone Conversion: Automatically convert time zones to prevent scheduling conflicts.
• Team Collaboration: Coordinate team availability and set group event scheduling.

Calendly is a valuable tool for professionals who frequently schedule meetings, interviews, or consultations. By automating the scheduling process, Calendly saves time and ensures efficient coordination.

Few Use Cases For Calendly:

• Client Meetings: Allow clients to schedule meetings based on your availability.
• Job Interviews: Streamline the interview process by allowing candidates to select available time slots.
• Sales Calls: Provide prospects with a simple way to schedule sales calls or demos.
• Coaching Sessions: Enable clients to book coaching sessions at their convenience.
• Webinars and Events: Facilitate event registration and manage attendee schedules.

3. ClickUp

ClickUp is a comprehensive project management app that combines task management, collaboration, and productivity features in one platform. It provides a centralized workspace where users can organize tasks, set goals, collaborate with team members, and track progress.

Key Features:

• Task Management: Create tasks, set due dates, assign responsibilities, and track progress.
• Collaboration: Share tasks, assign comments, and collaborate in real-time.
• Customizable Workflows: Customize task statuses and create workflow templates.
• Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks and projects for accurate reporting.
• Integrations: Connect ClickUp with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive, and more.

ClickUp caters to teams of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, offering a flexible and customizable project management solution.

Few Use Cases For ClickUp:

• Agile Project Management: Utilize Agile methodologies with customizable workflows and sprint planning.
• Marketing Campaigns: Coordinate marketing campaigns with tasks, subtasks, and deadlines.
• Remote Team Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration among remote team members with real-time updates.
• Event Planning: Organize and manage events, from initial planning to execution.
• Personal Task Management: Organize personal projects, goals, and to-do lists.

4. Hive

Hive is a collaborative productivity platform that integrates project management, chat, and file sharing to streamline workflows and enhance team collaboration. It offers a range of features designed to simplify project tracking, communication, and task management.

Key Features:

• Project Tracking: Visualize project progress using Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and calendars.
• Team Collaboration: Communicate and collaborate within tasks using built-in chat and file sharing.
• Time and Expense Tracking: Track time spent on tasks and manage project expenses.
• Analytics and Reports: Gain insights into team performance, task completion, and resource allocation.
• Integrations: Connect Hive with popular apps like Slack, Google Drive, and more.

Hive is particularly well-suited for teams looking to centralize their project management and collaboration tools, allowing for seamless communication and efficient task management.

Few Use Cases For Hive:

• Marketing Campaign Management: Plan, track, and execute marketing campaigns with team collaboration.
• Product Development: Streamline product development processes and monitor progress.
• Creative Projects: Facilitate collaboration and feedback on design, photography, or video projects.
• Client Services: Manage client projects, deadlines, and communication in one platform.
• Event Coordination: Coordinate event planning, logistics, and task assignments.

5. Brain.fm

Brain.fm is a unique productivity app that leverages neuroscience and music to enhance focus, relaxation, and sleep. It offers a selection of scientifically optimized music tracks that stimulate specific brainwave patterns, aiding in concentration, creativity, and relaxation.

Key Features:

• Focus and Productivity: Access music tracks designed to enhance focus and boost productivity.
• Relaxation and Sleep: Choose calming music for relaxation or soothing sounds for better sleep.
• Offline Mode: Download tracks for offline use, eliminating the need for an internet connection.
• Timer and Session Customization: Set timers for work sessions or customize music loops.
• Scientifically Backed: Music tracks are developed based on scientific research and neurofeedback.

Brain.fm is an excellent tool for individuals seeking to improve their focus, concentration, and relaxation through the power of music.

Few Use Cases For Brain.fm:

• Work and Study: Use music tracks to enhance concentration and productivity during work or study sessions.
• Meditation and Mindfulness: Incorporate calming music to aid in meditation and mindfulness practices.
• Sleep Aid: Listen to soothing sounds or relaxation music to improve sleep quality.
• Creative Work: Utilize music tracks to stimulate creativity and inspiration during artistic endeavors.
• Stress Relief: Access calming music to alleviate stress and promote relaxation.

6. Google Docs

Google Docs is a cloud-based word processing and collaboration tool that allows users to create, edit, and share documents in real-time. It offers a range of features that streamline document creation, enable seamless collaboration, and enhance productivity.

Key Features:

• Real-time Collaboration: Multiple users can edit a document simultaneously, with changes synced instantly.
• Version History: View and restore previous versions of documents, ensuring no data is lost.
• Comments and Suggestions: Add comments and suggestions to documents for easy collaboration and feedback.
• Offline Editing: Access and edit documents even without an internet connection.
• Integration with Google Drive: Save and organize documents in Google Drive for easy access and storage.

Google Docs is an excellent choice for individuals and teams looking for a cloud-based, collaborative word processing solution that promotes efficient document creation and collaboration.

Few Use Cases For Google Docs:

• Team Document Collaboration: Collaborate on reports, project plans, and other documents in real-time.
• Writing and Editing: Create, edit, and format articles, blog posts, or academic papers.
• Note-taking and Documentation: Take notes, create documentation, and store information in an organized manner.
• Remote Work Collaboration: Facilitate collaboration among remote team members on documents and projects.
• Meeting Agendas and Minutes: Prepare meeting agendas and capture meeting minutes for effective communication.

7. IFTTT (If This Then That)

IFTTT is an automation app that allows users to create custom connections between different apps, devices, and services. It enables users to automate tasks and create workflows by defining triggers and actions based on specific conditions.

Key Features:

• App and Device Integration: Connect various apps, devices, and services to create custom workflows.
• Triggers and Actions: Define triggers (if this) and actions (then that) to automate tasks.
• Customization and Recipes: Create and customize workflows using pre-existing recipes or by building your own.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Connect and automate tasks across different platforms and services.
• Applets and Widgets: Utilize pre-built applets or create custom widgets for quick access to workflows.

IFTTT is a powerful tool for automating routine tasks and connecting disparate apps and services to streamline workflows and save time.

Few Use Cases For IFTTT:

• Smart Home Automation: Automate tasks like turning on lights, adjusting thermostats, or controlling appliances.
• Social Media Management: Automate posting, content sharing, or syncing between different social media platforms.
• Email and Notification Management: Automate email forwarding, notifications, or filtering based on specific conditions.
• Data Backup and Sync: Automatically back up data or sync files across different cloud storage services.
• Task and Event Management: Create automated reminders, task creation, or event scheduling across different apps.

8. Internxt

Internxt is a secure cloud storage platform that focuses on privacy and encryption. It provides users with a secure and private space to store and share files while ensuring end-to-end encryption and zero-knowledge architecture.

Key Features:

• Privacy and Security: Files are encrypted and stored securely, with zero-knowledge architecture.
• Cross-Device Synchronization: Sync files across different devices for seamless access and collaboration.
• File Sharing and Collaboration: Share files securely with others and collaborate in real-time.
• Version Control and File Recovery: Restore previous versions of files and recover deleted files.
• End-to-End Encryption: Files are encrypted from the moment they are uploaded until they are accessed.

Internxt is an excellent choice for individuals and businesses seeking secure and private cloud storage solutions that prioritize data privacy and encryption.

Few Use Cases For Internxt:

• Personal File Storage: Store personal files, documents, photos, and videos securely.
• Confidential Document Sharing: Share sensitive documents with colleagues or clients securely.
• Team Collaboration: Collaborate on projects and share files securely within a team.
• Backup and Recovery: Back up important files and recover them in case of data loss.
• Compliance and Data Protection: Ensure compliance with data protection regulations by storing files securely.

9. Evernote

Evernote is a versatile note-taking and organization app that allows users to capture ideas, take notes, create to-do lists, and organize information in a structured manner. It offers a range of features that promote efficient note-taking, organization, and collaboration.

Key Features:

• Note Organization: Create notebooks, tags, and hierarchies to organize notes and information.
• Web Clipping: Save web pages, articles, and research for easy reference and offline access.
• Note Syncing: Sync notes across devices, ensuring seamless access and updates.
• Collaboration and Sharing: Share notes and collaborate with others in real-time.
• Search and Organization: Quickly find notes using keywords, tags, or advanced search filters.

Evernote is an indispensable tool for individuals and teams looking to capture and organize information effectively, whether for personal or professional use.

Few Use Cases For Evernote:

• Personal Note-Taking: Capture ideas, create to-do lists, and save information for personal use.
• Research and Study: Organize research materials, lecture notes, and study resources.
• Project Management: Create project plans, task lists, and track progress within Evernote.
• Meeting Notes and Minutes: Take and share meeting notes, capture action items, and follow-ups.
• Content Creation: Collect and organize content ideas, drafts, and reference materials.

Final Thoughts: Evernote’s comprehensive note-taking and organization features make it a valuable tool for individuals and teams seeking an efficient way to capture, organize, and collaborate on information. Its cross-platform accessibility and robust search capabilities contribute to a productive workflow.

10. Forest

Forest is a unique productivity app that combines time management techniques with a gamified approach to help users stay focused and minimize distractions. Users can plant virtual trees that grow while they stay focused, and the app discourages phone usage during designated focus sessions.

Key Features:

• Focus Timer: Set custom focus sessions and track time spent on tasks.
• Gamification: Earn virtual coins and unlock new tree species by staying focused.
• Distraction Blocking: Set focus sessions where certain apps or notifications are blocked.
• Track and Analyze: Monitor productivity and track focus streaks.
• Social Accountability: Join friends or colleagues and engage in productivity challenges.

Forest is an excellent choice for individuals who struggle with distractions and need a visual and interactive way to enhance focus and productivity.

Few Use Cases For Forest:

• Study and Work Sessions: Use Forest to stay focused during study or work sessions.
• Limit Phone Usage: Minimize distractions by setting focus sessions that discourage phone usage.
• Pomodoro Technique: Utilize Forest as a tool for implementing the Pomodoro Technique and managing work intervals.
• Time Blocking: Plan and allocate time for specific tasks or projects using the focus timer.
• Mindfulness and Productivity: Incorporate Forest as a mindfulness tool to enhance focus and reduce distractions.

FAQs

1. Are these productivity apps available on multiple platforms? Yes, most of the productivity apps mentioned are available on multiple platforms, including web, mobile (iOS, Android), and desktop (Windows, Mac).

2. Can these apps be used for personal and professional purposes? Absolutely! These productivity apps cater to both personal and professional use cases, allowing individuals and teams to enhance their productivity and streamline workflows.

3. Are there any free versions or trial periods available for these apps? Many of these apps offer free versions with limited features or trial periods to allow users to explore their functionality before committing to a paid subscription.

4. Can these apps integrate with other popular apps and services? Yes, most of these productivity apps offer integrations with other popular apps and services, allowing for seamless synchronization and collaboration.

5. Do these apps require an internet connection to function? While some apps may offer offline capabilities, many of them rely on an internet connection for full functionality and synchronization across devices.

Conclusion

Productivity apps have revolutionized the way we manage tasks, collaborate with teams, and optimize our time. From task management and project collaboration to note-taking and focus enhancement, these 10 productivity apps offer a wide range of features to suit various needs and preferences. Whether you’re an individual seeking personal organization or a team striving for efficient collaboration, these apps can help boost productivity and streamline workflows. Explore the features and use cases of these apps to find the ones that best align with your goals and start maximizing your productivity today.