The best productivity apps for iPhone and iPad actually have very little in common.
Some are designed to grant you access to the world’s smartest calendar. Some help you perform seemingly impossible calculations. Others just want you to know exactly how much time there is in the day.
There are two things that each of these apps has in common, though. All of them are designed to make your workdays a little easier and all of them take advantage of the iPad in some way.
When trying to identify the best productivity apps out there, we considered both of those factors. All of these apps will make something that you face when you’re trying to accomplish your goals that much easier. All of them also help turn your iPad into the coworker that you never knew you really needed in your life.
These are some of the best productivity apps for iPhone and iPad that you can download today.
Scanbot
This wouldn’t be the first time that we’ve recommended Scanbot, and it probably won’t be the last.
Scanbot allows you to scan a variety of documents. Once the text is in place, you’re able to convert them, alter them, and send them in just about any way that you can dream up.
There are very few professionals that can’t make use of Scanbot’s functionality in some way. It’s an incredibly versatile app that so happens to be easy to use no matter how you choose to use it.
Gladys
Do you ever wish that you could just take digital information and put it on a shelf? Maybe not literally but rather find a way to isolate and store pieces of information? Gladys is all about letting you do just that.
Gladys is a drag-and-drop information saver that lets you store virtually anything. If you’re the type of user that bounces between apps and sites, Gladys is one of the best options out there for keeping all your information organized.
Gladys is essential for power users, but even casual iPad workers can take advantage of its incredible abilities.
Things 3
For years, Things has been considered one of the best iOS task managers. Despite some impressive competition, the app arguably retains that crown.
There’s nothing complicated about Things, but that’s kind of the point. Things allows you to manage as much as possible while using as little as possible. Organizing everything from work tasks to vacation plans is as easy as writing a grocery list.
Things is so essential that we’re shocked iPads don’t come preloaded with it installed.
Focus Keeper
Often times, productivity is another way to say “time management.” So far as that goes, there are few better time management apps than Focus Keeper.
Focus Keeper helps you turn assign tasks to what time you have during the day. By divvying up your day into 25 minute chunks, Focus Keeper makes it much easier to…well…focus. It turns even the most hectic days into manageable chunks of workflow.
If you’re looking to develop good habits or just keep things in order, Focus Keeper is a brilliant companion.
Airmail
Airmail is another one of those apps that isn’t exactly complicated. It’s actually just one of many ways to manage multiple email accounts across multiple devices.
However, Airmail on iPad is really something quite special. The app’s split screen and multitasking features make it an incredibly versatile tool that takes advantage of the iPad’s screen real estate.
The result is an app that truly lets you manage multiple e-mail accounts on a single screen. It’s something that’s hard to live without once you’re used to it.
Wikipanion
Despite what your high school teacher may have told you, there’s nothing wrong with relying on Wikipedia. The user-run encyclopedia is one of the most important (and most used) websites on the internet.
What Wikipanion does is make it that much easier to use Wikipedia efficiently. It allows you to easily search and categorize Wikipedia articles in ways that aren’t otherwise possible.
What Wikipanion is really good at, though, is ensuring you don’t get lost in a Wikipedia binge. Anything that helps us stay focused in productive on Wikipedia has to be a good thing.
Any.do
As we’ve said, there’s no shortage of task manager apps out there. However, even the best of these apps can feel like they’re trying to do to much. Sometimes, you really just want a better sticky note.
Any.do is just that. It offers a nearly seamless way to link various apps together in a way that helps you stay on top of everything. It won’t dominate your workflow with constant reminders but rather help ensure that you don’t forget about anything.
For a non-invasive way to keep it all together, Any.do will do.
Otter Voice Notes
Don’t underestimate the power of dictation. Sometimes, it’s just easier to relay a lot of information by speaking rather than writing it all down.
Otter Voice Notes makes it pretty clear how helpful dictation can be. It not only converts voice to notes but allows you to share recordings in ways you’ve never imagined. From embeds to automatically generated summaries, Otter Voice Notes sometimes feels like magic.
Honestly, there’s no going back from Otter Voice Notes. It’s worth its higher subscription price.
Bear
We’ve come a long way from Microsoft Word. Modern document apps should give you a lot more than just a blank page to work with.
That’s what Bear does. It’s an elegant writing app that turns even the simplest text documents into something beautiful. More importantly, its tag and search systems help you to more easily explore the content of your creations.
Simply put, there’s a good chance that Bear is better than whatever document app you’re using right now.
Duet Display
There’s no shortage of great productivity apps for the iPad, but this is one of our absolute favorites.
What Duet Display does is allow you to turn your iPad into a second (or third, or fourth…) Mac screen. Impressively, it manages to do so with almost no noticeable lag. Those who use it for the first time typically express disbelief that something so essential works so well.
Duet Display maximizes the value of your iPad’s screen like few other apps do.
Trello
In recent years, individual users and a variety of corporations have turned to Trello for team task management. It’s no secret why that is the case.
Trello is an essential modern productivity app. It not only lets you manage and assign tasks but see an idea through from inception to completion. Indeed, there are workflow apps that don’t do what Trello does in that department quite as well.
Alongside Slack, Trello is one of the most essential workplace communication apps you can download.
Text Expander Keyboard
You might already know that the default iOS keyboard isn’t quite up-to-par. It’s not bad, but it’s not exactly exciting.
There are plenty of alternatives out there, but Text Expander is one of the best productivity apps so far as keyboards go. Text Expander not only allows you to more easily transfer and scan what you type, but it helps you make it all look more beautiful than ever.
Don’t underestimate that last feature. Sometimes, a few effects can make even the most monotonous text more exciting.
Due
We get it. You don’t need an app that’s going to manage your day. What you really need is an app that’s going to remind you of the million things you have to do.
That’s what Due is here for. It allows you to set any number of things you want to be reminded of then sends you a notification of them when you need it. There are other apps that do something similar, but few of them can match Due’s incredible interface and rich feature set.
Due is sure to become one of your most-used apps.
PCalc
A calculator? Do you really need a better calculator than the one that’s already on your iPad? Normally, we’d say no. However, PCalc is special.
Simply put, PCalc is the most versatile digital calculator ever created. Even if you’re not going to use its most advanced mathematical functionalities (which are great for students), you will appreciate how much easier it makes even daily calculations
Whether you opt for the premium or lite version, PCalc is simply the best in class.
Calendars 5
Some of the best productivity apps are as simple as a calendar. After all this time, it’s still one of the best ways to keep everything together.
Calendars 5 manages to separate itself from a sizeable pack due to its emphasis on focus. There’s very little fluff in this app. Instead, the events that you set in it are given the center stage. What that means is that you’ll actually be able to focus on what is coming down the road.
Calendars 5’s emphasis on what you add to it rather than what it adds to your day makes it special.
Copied
Back in the day, it was possible to just clip a story of the newspaper. We’re not back in the day, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still snip and clip.
Copied is one of the best pairs of digital scissors out there. Using a simple drag and drop interface, Copied lets you transfer, save, and reformat a variety of texts from many different sources.
When you’ve got to save something quickly, Copied is what you need.
Shortcuts
Shortcuts has been called one of the best additions to iOS in recent years. It’s hard to argue against that sentiment.
Shortcuts lets you create a series of custom shortcuts using Siri. What you use those shortcuts for is entirely up to you. Seriously, there’s almost no shortage of actions that you can create. If you find yourself wanting to simplify a common (or not so common) action, Shortcuts can do it.
Once you dive into the possibilities of Shortcuts, there’s really no going back.
Multitimer
How long does it take you send an e-mail? How long does it take you to get your morning coffee? Many of us don’t know the exact answers to these questions. If you do want to know, Multitimer is there to help.
Multitimer creates a series of timers that help you better understand time and time management. Whether you’re looking to take a quick nap or want to make sure that the meeting doesn’t run over this time, Multitimer is there to help.
While this isn’t the most universally necessary app, it’s a pretty great way to put a timer (or several) on your day.
Notability
We spoke about what makes Notability so special in our breakdown of the best note apps, so here’s our breakdown from there:
“Notability prides itself on its ability to streamline a variety of daily tasks. The entire app is designed to account for the most effective way to complete common note-taking tasks.
That may sound like a line, but it really works that well. The beauty of Notability isn’t its usability but rather how the app takes its many, many features and makes them all very usable. It’s handwriting options are good enough to work with the stubbiest of fingers and you never feel like you’re struggling against some bad design decisions when you’re exploring Notability’s many features. It’s about as good as it gets.”
Forest
Do you wish you could see a representation of all the hard work you put in? We’re not talking about money and promotions. We mean seeing a little progress occur every day.
That’s basically what Forest offers. It allows you to grow virtual trees and a forest simply by putting your phone down while you work. It allows you to take pride in the fact that you’re doing things and not just staring at your phone. We could all use more of that.
