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20 Must-Have Apps for Productivity in 2024

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If you're anything like me, you're always on the lookout for ways to streamline your day, boost focus, and get more done. I've explored tons of productivity apps, and these 20 have been absolute game-changers for 2024. Give them a try—you might find ...
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Canva

Okay, it’s technically a design tool, but Canva saves me so much time when I need quick, professional-looking visuals for presentations or projects.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Whenever I need a quick, professional-looking design, Canva is my go-to. It’s saved me so much time on presentations and projects.
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone

Miro

Miro is amazing for brainstorming and planning visually. I use it for mind maps, team projects, and even just sketching out ideas.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Miro is perfect for brainstorming. I use it to map out ideas visually when I’m planning something big.
Miro | The Innovation Workspace

Forest

I love Forest for staying off my phone. It’s so satisfying to grow a virtual tree while staying focused—and the guilt of killing one keeps me disciplined.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Forest keeps me off my phone and focused on my work. Plus, I love seeing my little forest grow as I stay productive.
Get Productive - Forest App

ClickUp

 
Don Waters profile picture
ClickUp is a powerhouse for organizing everything in one place. It’s helped me streamline my personal and work tasks like nothing else.
ClickUp™ | The everything app for work

Microsoft OneNote

OneNote is like my digital sketchpad. It’s great for brainstorming or just jotting down random ideas that pop into my head.

 
Don Waters profile picture
I use OneNote to jot down ideas and sketch out plans. It feels like a digital notebook I can take anywhere.
Microsoft OneNote | The digital note-taking app for your devices

Serene

When I’m feeling distracted, Serene is my go-to. It helps me focus on one task at a time and blocks out all the noise.

 
Don Waters profile picture
When I need to focus deeply, Serene is my go-to. It blocks distractions and reminds me to stick with one task at a time.
Serene: The macOS App for Laser-Focus

Zapier

I don’t have time for repetitive tasks, so I let Zapier handle them. It connects all my apps and automates the boring stuff.

 
Don Waters profile picture
I love using Zapier to automate repetitive tasks. It connects my apps and saves me hours every week.
Zapier

Evernote

This is where I stash everything: meeting notes, article clippings, ideas for later. It’s my digital junk drawer—but in a good way.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Evernote is my digital notebook for everything—important documents, meeting notes, or even recipes I want to try.
Best Note Taking App - Organize Your Notes with Evernote

Grammarly

If you write anything, you need Grammarly. It’s saved me from so many embarrassing typos and helps me polish everything I send out.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Whenever I write something important, Grammarly is my safety net. It catches errors and helps me sound polished and professional.
Grammarly, Inc.

Habitica

Turning productivity into a game? Yes, please. Habitica makes staying on track fun, and I love leveling up by completing my tasks.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Turning my tasks into a game has been surprisingly motivating. Habitica makes even the most boring chores feel rewarding!
Habitica

Clockify

I started tracking my time with Clockify, and wow—it’s been a game-changer for productivity. It’s like having a personal accountability coach.

 
Don Waters profile picture
I started using Clockify to track my work hours, and it’s been amazing to see how I spend my day. It’s helped me work smarter, not harder.
Clockify™ - FREE Time Tracking Software

RescueTime

I thought I was good with my time—until I started using RescueTime. It’s been eye-opening (and slightly scary) to see where my hours really go.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Seeing a breakdown of where my time actually goes has been a huge wake-up call. RescueTime has helped me cut out distractions and use my time wisely.
RescueTime

Focus@Will

This app is a lifesaver when I need to focus. It plays music specifically designed to help you concentrate—and it works.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Sometimes I struggle to concentrate, but Focus@Will puts me in the zone. The music is specifically designed to help me stay on track.
Focus@Will

Asana

When I’m juggling big projects, Asana keeps me sane. Its timelines and task assignments make even overwhelming projects feel manageable.

 
Don Waters profile picture
When I have a big project with lots of moving parts, Asana helps me break it down and actually get things done without feeling overwhelmed.
Manage your team's work, projects, & tasks online • Asana • Asana

Google Keep

Whenever I have a random thought or need to make a quick list, Google Keep is there. It’s so simple, but I use it constantly.

 
Don Waters profile picture
For quick notes or reminders, Google Keep is perfect. I’ve got shopping lists, brainstorming notes, and even random ideas stored there.
Google Keep

Slack

If you collaborate with others, Slack is a must. It keeps all my work conversations in one place and cuts down on endless email chains.

 
Don Waters profile picture
I rely on Slack to keep my work conversations separate and streamlined. It saves me from sifting through endless emails.
Slack: AI Work Management & Productivity Tools

Trello

I’m a visual person, so Trello’s drag-and-drop boards are perfect for me. I use it to plan everything from blog posts to personal goals.

 
Don Waters profile picture
Trello’s visual boards make it so easy to track progress. I love how satisfying it is to move a task from 'To-Do' to 'Done'!
Trello: Manage Your Team's Projects From Anywhere

Todoist

For simple, straightforward task management, Todoist is my go-to. I love how easy it is to jot things down and organize them on the fly.

 
Don Waters profile picture
When I need a quick, no-fuss way to manage my tasks, Todoist is my first choice. It keeps my to-do list under control no matter how crazy things get.
Todoist | A To-Do List to Organize Your Work & Life

Notion

I can’t imagine my life without Notion. It’s where I organize everything: tasks, ideas, projects, even meal plans. It’s like my second brain.

 
Don Waters profile picture
I use Notion for everything—from planning my week to tracking long-term goals. It’s where all my chaos turns into clarity.
Notion: Your connected workspace for wiki, docs & projects

Otter.ai

Otter.ai is a transcription app that records audio and converts it into text in real time. It’s perfect for meetings, interviews, and brainstorming sessions, offering searchable transcripts and playback for easy reference.

 
Don Waters profile picture
I’ve started using Otter.ai to transcribe meetings, interviews, and brainstorming sessions. It’s like having a personal assistant that never misses a word. Plus, it saves me so much time when I need to revisit important discussions or pull-out key id...
Otter.ai - AI Meeting Note Taker & Real-time AI Transcription