Get it done: 5 apps for focus & productivity

Don’t let distractions or lengthy lists get you down: Our favorite productivity apps will keep you on schedule. From the ultimate task list to a planner for the whole family, there’s a tool for everyone.

This habit, task, and time management app packs a whole lot of features into a simple, intuitive app. Save time with smart task organization – type in "staff meeting at 12:30 Thursday" and your meeting will instantly appear on Thursday's list at 12:30pm. You can also add notes and reminders to any task, and break big projects into smaller subtasks.

Stay focused with this endearing take on the Pomodoro Technique (a practice of breaking work down into 25-minute intervals). Fill your virtual forest with trees that grow with each successful focus session. You can “plant” alone or start a joint session with friends – the coins you earn for achievements will go towards planting real trees.

Manage tasks and projects in an easy-to-use bulletin board-like interface, with each task placed on a card that you can drag between custom columns. While Trello’s beloved by companies, we think it’s also great for individuals and families – it's perfect for rotating tasks like laundry or taking out the trash.

Boosted is a deceptively simple, powerful time management tool. Organize your projects into tasks and get reports to see a breakdown of the time you spent on each. Premium subscription features include focus timers, automatic backups, and the ability to filter reports.

Taskade helps teams organize projects by breaking them into tasks and subtasks. Project managers can assign to-dos and set due dates with ease. Completion tags let everyone see the project workflow and their responsibilities at a glance. You can keep discussions, questions, links, and more in one place with project-based chats.