Top 10 Best Productivity Apps in 2021 (Evernote, Slack, and More)

Evernote is an all-purpose organizer that you can use for notes, tasks, and lists. It can also be used as a journal or to bookmark articles to read later. You can scan or add media in multiple formats and share specific notes with colleagues and friends.

The free version of the app has a limited number of functions. Additional features are available in subscription plans, with one being focused specifically on features for business.

A recent update to the Android version has been causing trouble for some loyal users. But reviewers like that they can assign different notebooks in the app for different purposes. They say it syncs well between devices and is easily backed up on cloud services. Reviewers praise the app for its variety of uses and the media it can hold.

With Todoist, you can quickly create to-do lists and share them with others. The app can also act as a habit and goal tracker and integrates with other tools such as Slack, Gmail, and Alexa. The free version has limited functionality. For extra features such as more people, tasks, and reminders, you will need to subscribe to Todoist Premium.

Reviewers like the flexibility of this app as it can be used in a casual manner, but will also fit alongside established methodologies such as the Getting Things Done (GTD) method. The ability to use it across platforms and integrate with Google Calendar is very popular with reviewers.

Forest is an app designed to keep you focused and free from distractions as you work. Trees grow as long as you work, but open a different app and the tree will die. You can unlock other trees within the app or even contribute towards planting trees in the real world!

This app is free on Google Play but costs $1.99 on iOS. There are also in-app purchases if you wish to unlock new trees more quickly.

Reviewers say Forest is very effective at keeping them focused while they work. Many reviewers comment that causing a tree to die makes them feel guilty! Reviewers also like the ability to grow different trees and to tag productivity sessions for different purposes.

Slack is a popular app for businesses as it allows colleagues to communicate and organize projects. Documents can be shared and edited within the app, and it integrates with programs such as Google Drive, Asana, and Twitter. The app has levels ranging from free to a more comprehensive service ideal for even the largest companies. 

Some users have issues with notifications, and a recent update on Android seems to be causing problems for many users. However, reviewers commend Slack for the ability to set up multiple channels and only invite whoever is necessary to each channel. They like how easy it is to connect people, no matter how big or small the group is.

With Trello, you can easily organize your to-do lists by creating cards that can be ordered, updated, and completed as needed. You can collaborate with other people and choose how your plans are displayed.

The free version of the app has limited functionality but may be enough for individuals or small companies. To have access to unlimited boards and different views, you will need a subscription.

Some reviewers found that it took some time to fully understand how to use Trello and to get the most out of it. Reviewers like how easy it is to reorganize tasks and that syncing between devices is quick. This app is used by businesses, students, and families for organization.

If you're looking for an app that will allow you to coordinate schedules with others, this may be a good choice for you. You can add events and tasks and share them with specific groups of people. The app is completely free to download and use, but has in-app ads.

Reviewers like that there is the option of keeping different aspects of their life separate through different calendars. They say that being able to color code different people or types of tasks makes it easy to see their calendar at a glance.

With Buffer, you can easily organize all of your social media posts from one app. It links to several social media platforms and allows you to schedule posts. The app has many tools specifically for Instagram, including scheduled posting to Instagram Stories.

The free version of the app only permits two social media accounts to be linked. You can also only line up eight scheduled posts. For more, you will need a paid subscription.

Some reviewers had occasional issues with linking their Instagram accounts. Reviewers like the ability to schedule posts in advance and say that this feature is very reliable. They say that the app is easy to use and is a definitive time saver.

The Asana app coordinates with the web version so that you can keep track of your projects. You can connect with other members of your team to allocate and monitor progress, as well as easily share information. Although the app itself is free and has no in-app purchases, some functions on the desktop version require a subscription.

Reviewers like that this app has a simple interface but still packs in a lot of important features. They like that progress on tasks can easily be seen and the ability to automatically convert handwriting into text is also singled out for praise.

The focus of this app is the management of group projects. The layout makes it easy to see what tasks are due, who they're assigned to, and what the status is. It is designed for collaboration and has many templates you can use to quickly set up projects.

Monday.com is free to download and use for 14 days. To use it past this, you will need to purchase a subscription that is billed per person.

Reviewers like that the app version integrates alongside the web version easily. It can link to other programs, such as Slack, which is also highly praised. Reviewers say the app is easy to use and reliable and can be quickly set up and updated.

This app allows iOS users to create to-do lists and notes. They can be organized in several different ways, highlighted with images or drawings, and kept safe behind encryption. Notes can be shared between devices and exported in most popular file formats. Many features are available for free, but a subscription offers full functionality.

Reviewers say that the search feature is lacking, as although Bear is able to search for specific notes it can't search within them. But they praise how easily the app syncs between multiple platforms and like that the app is simpler and cleaner than many similar apps.