The Top 12 Best Time Management Tools and Apps for Smarter Productivity

Without a doubt, technology has enabled us to connect, perform, improve, and maximize our resources in ways beyond what was once imaginable, and one of the most significant ways is through time management apps. But with so many apps to choose from, how do you know which ones to use? The easiest method to find an app is to consider your present time management issues. Do you become easily distracted and never finish a task? Or perhaps you end the day without doing anything and wonder where your time went? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! We’ve compiled a list of the best time management tools to help you increase productivity and achieve your goals. So, put on your focus face, and let’s get organized!

“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” – Theophrastus

Best Time Management Tools for Time Tracking

1. Toggl

Toggl saves time by allowing you to effortlessly track and monitor how much time you spend on various jobs and projects. You can properly monitor the time spent on various jobs and projects by using the app’s timer function and then utilize that data to see where you may be wasting time or where you can improve your productivity. Toggl also has capabilities like tracking billable hours and creating thorough reports that can help you streamline your productivity and manage your time better. Overall, Toggl helps you save time by giving you visibility into how you are spending your time and providing you with the tools to make data-driven decisions about how to optimize your workflow.

Unique Features

• Task categorization
• Billable Time Tracking
• Idle detection

2. Clockify

Clockify is a time-tracking and time management program that allows you to track productivity and approve time off requests in real-time. Employees can use Clockify’s cloud-based technology regardless of where they work. It enables users to start and stop timers, manually log hours, and provide extensive data on how time is spent. Clockify is intended to be simple to use and may be viewed via a web browser or a mobile app. It also integrates with other programs like Trello, Asana, Jira, and others. It is a free tool with enhanced capabilities available to paid customers. Users can quickly track billable hours and generate bills using Clockify, as well as boost team productivity and efficiency.

Unique Features

• Automatic tracking
• Unlimited number of users and projects
• Time rounding

3. RescueTime

RescueTime is a popular time management tool that helps users understand and improve their daily tech habits. It runs in the background and tracks time spent on apps, websites, and more. It provides detailed reports and helps users identify productivity patterns and set goals to improve their time management. This provides users with a detailed breakdown of how they are spending their time on digital devices, allowing them to identify areas where they may be wasting time and make more conscious choices about how they use technology.

Additionally, RescueTime offers a range of features such as daily highlights, alerts, and “Focus Mode”, which blocks distracting websites, to help users stay on task and increase productivity. Another aspect that users find appealing is that it offers a lite version of the app which is free and gives an idea of what the user can expect from the full version.

Unique Features

• Website and App blocking
• Alerts for prolonged specific website usage
• In-depth activity reports

Top Task Management Apps That Save Time

4. Todoist

Todoist is a simple and easy-to-use task management tool that allows you to create to-do lists and organize tasks by project or priority. It also has a calendar feature that helps you schedule tasks and see upcoming deadlines. Todoist stands out from other productivity tools due to its focus on simplicity and flexibility. It offers a clean, minimalistic design and a wide range of features, including task organization, collaboration, and integration with other apps and services, while also being available across multiple platforms. Additionally, Todoist offers advanced features such as natural language input and the ability to set up custom filters and labels, which allows for highly customized task management.

Unique Features

• integration with other apps and services
• Sub-tasks
• Natural language input

5. Tick Tick

TickTick is a task management and to-do list tool that helps users stay organized and on top of their chores. It has capabilities like making to-do lists, setting reminders and deadlines, and tracking task progress. The software is available on a variety of platforms, including web, iOS, and Android, and it includes a calendar and time tracking function. Users can also work together on assignments and projects. Overall, TickTick is a versatile and user-friendly tool that assists users in increasing their productivity and successfully managing their time.

Unique Features

• Task and Notes
• Flexible Recurring Tasks
• Built-In Pomodoro Timer

*Bonus: Monday.com

Monday.com is the bee’s knees for managing projects and keeping your team organized. It offers a variety of features such as task assignments, timelines, and communication tools that make it easy to collaborate and stay in sync with your team. It’s intuitive, user-friendly and just makes everything run smoothly. It’s got a ton of useful features, like Gantt charts and custom workflows, that help you stay on top of your workload and hit your deadlines.

6. Trello

Trello is another popular task management tool that uses a visual “board” format to organize and prioritize tasks. You can create cards for different tasks, assign them to team members, and track progress with checklists and labels. Trello also allows you to utilize the calendar power-up to view your tasks in a calendar format, the Due Date feature to set deadlines and prioritize tasks and so much more.

Unique Features

• Visual Workflow Representation
• Visual Task cards
• “Power-Ups” (fancy word for adding map and calendar view of projects)

Best Communication Tools for Managing Time Effectively

7. Slack

Slack is a team communication tool that allows users to send direct messages, create channels for specific topics, and share files. It offers a free version as well as paid plans with additional features and can be used on desktop and mobile devices. The slack team sees their products as an improved version of the good ol’ email. Yep, according to their website “Even though landlines still work, we prefer to do everything on our smartphones. It’s not surprising. Better technology allows us to move faster, accomplish more and connect more easily. That’s exactly what Slack provides …”.

Unique Features

• Team Communication
• Searchable Knowledge base
• Takes headache away from team chat

8. Signal

Signal is a messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption for secure communication. It is available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices. It allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, and share files with other Signal users. The app is open-source, which means its code is publicly available for anyone to review and improve upon. Signal is known for its strong privacy features and is often recommended by security experts as a secure alternative to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

Unique Features

• ENCRYPTED messaging
• Voice and video calls
• Streamlined and bloat-free

Focus Focused Time Management Tools

9. Focus@Will

Oh, you want to know about Focus@will? It’s basically like a magic potion for productivity, but instead of turning you into a frog, it turns background noise into background music specifically designed to boost your focus and help you get things done faster. So, you know, no big deal. Just a little time-saving hack. No, it’s actually a big deal! Focus@will is a music service that utilizes neuroscientific research to provide music that is specifically designed to increase focus and productivity. By eliminating distractions and promoting a state of flow, It can help users save time by allowing them to work more efficiently. Additionally, the service offers a variety of different music channels catering to different activities and preferences, making it easy to find the perfect background music for any task. While the idea of using music to save time may seem ironic, the science behind Focus@will is solid and the service has helped many individuals increase their productivity.

Unique Features

• Using music for Productivity
• 7-Day Free Trial
• Uses actual science

10. Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey is a productivity tool that helps users block distracting websites and apps for a set period of time. It allows users to set custom blocklists, schedule blocks, and even lock themselves out of their computers for a set amount of time to increase focus and productivity. By eliminating distractions, Cold Turkey helps users save time and be in the zone more efficiently.

Unique Features

• Block Apps and Websites
• Pause and Resume those Blocks
• Export Stats to CSV

Best Note-Taking Apps to Streamline Your Day

11. Notion

Notion is a powerful tool that can help you increase your productivity and manage your tasks and projects more effectively. One of the main benefits of using Notion is its flexibility, as it allows you to create custom workspaces and templates that can be tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, Notion offers a wide range of features, including task management, calendars, note-taking, and more, all in one place. It also has a powerful search function that makes it easy to find what you’re looking for, and it allows you to collaborate with your team in real time. Overall, if you’re looking for a comprehensive tool that can help you manage your tasks, projects, and notes more efficiently, Notion is definitely worth checking out.

Unique Features

• All-in-one workplace
• No storage Limit
• Easy to build from simple to complex

12. Things 3 (Mac)

Things 3 is a task management app designed specifically for Mac users. It offers a sleek and intuitive interface that makes it easy to organize, prioritize, and complete tasks. With Things 3, you can create to-do lists, set reminders, and schedule projects with ease. Additionally, the app allows you to break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps and even includes a built-in calendar for quick scheduling. Whether you’re a busy professional or a student, Things 3 is a powerful tool that can help you stay on top of your to-do list and increase your productivity. With features like tagging and filtering, Things 3 makes it easy to keep track of your tasks and stay organized.

Unique Features

• Create To-Do
• Apple Shortcuts on Mac Integration
• Very Clean design

Key-Points

• Toggl: time-tracking on different tasks and projects
• RescueTime: understand how you spend your time on your devices
• Todoist: ask a management tool with to-do lists
• Focus@Will: background music tracks designed to help you focus
• Notion: Probably one of the best productivity apps out there

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

In conclusion, time management is crucial for achieving goals and reaching success. The right tools and apps can make all the difference in staying organized, focused, and productive. From task management apps like Todoist and Trello to time tracking apps like Toggl and RescueTime, to distraction management tools like Cold Turkey and Focus@will, there is a wide range of options available for every need and preference. Those top 12 tools and apps will help you make the most of your time and achieve greater success. So, it’s time to say goodbye to procrastination and hello to a more organized and productive life!