10 Apps to Keep You Organized and Productive

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Organization and productivity are valuable traits in all facets of life, but they’re essential in the business world. Without them, you can’t effectively keep track of the important details, tasks, and contacts that help you run a streamlined operation. Whether you’re in the process of starting a small business and getting your name out there, or simply want to reduce the clutter and refresh your corporate outlook, there are several apps designed to keep you organized and make life so much simpler. Here are ten that you should know.

1Password

If you’ve ever received one of those dreaded emails informing you that one of your frequently used passwords was included in a data breach whose information is now posted all over the Dark Web, then you have good reason to download 1Password. The handy app is great for anyone who is rightfully concerned about the digital security of the business. It’s simple: The manager stores all your passwords, helps you change them to stronger ones, and makes them accessible only to you on all your devices. It’s free for 30 days and $2.99 per month thereafter.

Evernote

Unless you’re a little bit old-school and in the habit of jotting down notes with a pen and pad you handily shove into your pocket or purse, you’re not likely to have much luck remembering all the little nitty-gritty details that you need to. Enter Evernote, which was designed precisely to enhance your organizational skills easily and seamlessly. You can use this well-designed app to handle so much, whether you’re adding a to-do list, sending yourself a reminder to call a VIP, or maintaining records for your business. It’s easy to use and completely free, although you can upgrade to a premium plan for under $8 a month.

Remember the Milk

Managing those mundane tasks can be a hassle when you’ve got a business to run. Who’s really thinking about the milk? Remember the Milk does the remembering for you so that you can free up valuable space for what’s right in front of you. You can use the app to jot down important reminders, add due dates to tasks, and even connect it to your Google Calendar, Gmail, and Evernote accounts. It’s completely free to use, but you can upgrade to a premium $39.99 per month option if you want to receive push notifications.

Dropbox

If you have a small business, you may already have a Dropbox account. The cloud storage app provides far more than what you might expect. It’s the ultimate spot to back up your files — even the really large ones — with no problem. You can also use it to seamlessly share files with colleagues, and you can access it from any device. The ease and simplicity of the app can help boost your staff’s productivity and make it easier to collaborate with other companies thanks to its seamless sharing design. A standard business account is $12.50 per month for a year.

TravelBank

Truly essential for the savvy business nomad, TravelBank is a free app designed to simplify life on the road. You can use the app to book your hotel, flight, and car and track your travel expenses easily. Members are also privy to significant savings on some hotels around the world. Perhaps most impressive is access to 24-hour travel agents who can help you out when you’re in a serious bind — such as when your flight is delayed and you need to reach a certain city by a certain time or you miss a meeting with a VIP. Enter the TravelBank team, who will find you an alternate option that fits within your price range.

FreshBooks

You’ll quickly realize the need for an intuitive app that helps you manage your finances with ease. FreshBooks is one of the best options out there. The cloud accounting app is designed with convenience in mind: You can use it to create invoices, arrange automatic billing, and keep track of all your expenses. This is one of the most valuable features for business owners because it provides you with a smart way to stay on top of your spending. You can try it free for 30 days, then upgrade to a choice of plans ranging from $15 to $50 per month.

Square Point of Sale

If you’re in the business of selling, then you need an efficient system to accept payments. Square Point of Sale is one such option that is incredibly intuitive in so many ways. Not only can you swipe cards on your phone using the Square device, but you can also use the app to keep track of your sales and inventory, manage payroll, and get valuable support at any time. It’s a user-friendly product that can be used in a wide range of industries, from retail to enterprise. Signup is free; a percentage of your sale is taken when you accept a payment.

Venmo

Venmo is all about establishing a simple way to pay others or to have them pay you, simply by adding funds or linking your debit card or bank account. From a business owners’ perspective, it’s a marketing dream: Think of it as a financial-meets-social app where people can share their purchases and give your brand name a little recognition at the same time.

Hootsuite

You may soon find that managing your various social media channels is a real challenge. Hootsuite makes it exceedingly simple to maintain your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and other pages. The beauty of this handy organization app is in its clean interface. You can use a single page to post and keep track of all your social accounts and respond to user comments from within the system too. Best of all, you can schedule posts for the week or even months away with just a few quick clicks. The first month is free, after which you’re charged $29 per month.

Slack

Collaborating with others is easy when you download Slack. It’s a favorite of some of the world’s biggest corporations, but this product doesn’t discriminate — you can easily customize it to make running your small operation a breeze. It’s perfect for establishing communication with colleagues who aren’t in the same area or who have a tough time keeping up with their emails. It essentially organizes everything — projects, important announcements, unrelated conversations — and helps people keep track of what’s most important to them. You can even share documents and videos. Plans range from free to $6.67 per month for a year.