The 10 best productivity apps to try in 2026
Talking about personal productivity might seem like a dry topic, but it's more relevant than ever.
The term productivity itself, can mean a range of different things... and while our list is not exhaustive, we've provided a list with recommendations to enhance different areas of your daily life.
The best productivity apps can go beyond squeezing more tasks into your day, or boosting efficiency. They aim to simplify your life in some way - whether it's helping you sleep, remember passwords, or managing your to-do list, these apps can make these processes smoother and less time-consuming.
In this article, we'll explore top productivity apps (from our opinion!) that are worth adding into your productivity systems.
The 10 best mobile productivity apps
Sectograph let's you visualize your calendar in sectors on a pie chart.
Llama Lifelet's you set countdown timers on tasks to help you focus and work through your todo lists.
Focus Friendis a cozy, gamified focus timer app designed to keep you off your phone.
Todoist is great for managing all of your to-do lists across multiple areas of your life across work, home and beyond.
YNAB (You Need A Budget) is a friendly and flexible method for managing your finances.
Fantastical will help you manage your calendar and events seamlessly.
HabitKit lets you track habits in a simple and beautiful grid format.
Dumbify will declutter your home screen and minimize screen time.
Walkr transforms your fitness activity / steps in real life into energy you can use in a planet-collecting game. We included this in productivity apps because staying active helps energize the body and mind.
Sleeptown will help you focus on your sleep by gamifying it - you'll build houses when you hit your set goals, which get knocked down when you don't.
What makes an app great?
What makes any app or platform, or any tool that you use for that matter, great? The same principals apply here.
Firstly, it needs to add value to your life by using it.
It needs to help simplify something that can be complicated for you, remind you of things you may forget, speed up a process that may take you a long time, or help support you where you need.
It needs to be easy for you to use, not overwhelm you! And you should be able to personalize it for your preferences if needed.
Sectograph
Sectograph is a daily planner that provides a different way to view your day. If you're a big fan of pie charts, then this app is for you. For some, viewing how their day is broken up in sectors on a pie, can help see time more clearly.
Android: $2.59 - $139.99 per item
Family sharing available
Llama Life
Llama Life is a productivity and focus tool that's designed to help you work through your to-do list (vs creating neverending ones).
You can set countdown timers on tasks, create presets for routines you do often, and has a range of features to help you start and breakdown tasks when you're finding it hard to get motivated.
It has a simple, whimsical design with lots of colors, emojis and dopamine, to help you work through your task list with less stress, and more fun.
Free 7 day free trial
iOS, Android and desktop web
Annual plan US$39
Monthly plan US$6
Focus Friend
Focus Friend is designed to help you focus on a task in real life by keeping you off your phone.
You set a timer to focus, and when you focus, your Bean Friend will also focus. If you interrupt your Bean by turning off the timer they get sad and the session ends without any reward - complete the session, and the Bean will give you prizes to buy decorations to help furnish their room.
Monthly US$3.99
Annual US$19.99
Todoist
Todoist is a task manager which provides a space for all of your to-do lists. You can create projects, share your tasks with others, add reminders, and more!
Free version available
Pro plan starts from US$5 p/m
YNAB (You Need A Budget)
Being able to manage your finances well, will help to reduce stress! And therefore, improve productivity. Imagine your life without wondering how or where, you're spending your money? YNAB is a tool that comes highly recommended from our community!
Available for Web, Mobile - iOS (iPhone and iPad) & Android, Apple Watch and Alexa by Amazon
Try for free for 34 days
Can share one subscription across 6 people
Monthly plan $14.99 paid monthly
Annual plan $109 paid yearly
Fantastical
There are many calendar apps available out there! Fantastical works across all your Apple devices, ensuring all of your events and tasks stay in sync. It also has a Focus Filter and a large rang of widgets.
14 days free trial
Individual plan starts at $8.34 p/m
HabitKit
HabitKit is an app designed to help you form good habits, and it looks beautiful too. You're able to see your progress laid out in an easy and visually appealing grid format. You can also set reminders, and customize habits with different colors and icons.
Free version available
$1.69 - $62.99 per item
Dumbify
Dumbify is a minimalist home screen launcher for iPhone. It's mission is to help reduce your screen time down by simplifying your home screen. You can personalize which apps are most important to you, and show those in a clean launcher on your home screen.
$4.99 to download
Walkr
Walkr is a mix of a fitness game and an adventure game which keeps track of the steps as players walk around. It then uses those steps to move players around the game universe, with a goal to help players reach 10,000 steps per day. I've included it here because having an active body (and mind) is key to being productive.
Free to download
In app purchases from $1.99 (but can also play free)
Sleeptown
Sleeptown is a fun, engaging, and simple way to create healthier sleep habits. When you achieve your bedtime and wake-up goals, you'll construct buildings - up to your own village!
$2.99 to download
There are a plethora of iOS apps available out there to help improve productivity across all areas of your life - give these a go and let us know your thoughts! And your recommendations.
You may also be interested to read:
The best focus tools to help you manage your attention in 2024
The best free websites to help you focus, de-stress or have fun
