🧠 Top 5 productivity apps
Ever wondered how to turn an ordinary day into a successful one? Sometimes we just need a little push to take a step towards productivity. There are many tools that can help you cope with tasks and improve your time management. Here is a selection of 5 apps that will help you focus and work on your habits, offering fresh approaches to solving problems.
🎯 Streaks: Play with habits and win
The Streaks app for iOS is your new friend in building healthy habits. Success is in the game approach: instead of putting pressure on yourself with strict rules, Streaks offers gamification. The app makes it easy to track tasks, such as daily walks or other small actions. Example: you need to walk 10,000 steps every day. Add this goal to the list, and when it is reached, Streaks will automatically extend your streak of successful days. However, if you miss a goal, your “streak of victories” is reset. This approach motivates you not to give up and continue to do what you planned. 
How to increase productivity: Add habits gradually and record each achievement to stay motivated.
🔄 IFTTT: Automate Your Routine
(iOS/Android) is a real magic for those who want to automate everyday processes. IFTTT allows you to connect different services and applications, creating automatic scenarios. For example, you can set up Instagram photos to be automatically saved to Dropbox, or send reminders to a general chat at a set time. This is especially useful for those who want to simplify their routine as much as possible and focus on what is important. You can connect applications so that they work as a single system. 
How to increase productivity: Identify tasks that can be automated and start with them. For example, setting up automatic sending of reminders will save you from having to manually control trifles.
⏳ Pomotodo: Effective Time Management
When it comes to time management, the multi-platform Pomotodo service for iOS, Android, Windows, and Chrome is a great helper. It combines the Pomodoro technique with a task management system, which helps divide the workday into sessions with fixed work and rest times. Built-in timers, statistics, and other tools allow you to analyze how effectively you allocate your time. Pomotodo offers convenient metrics and reports, thanks to which you can see your progress and mistakes. It is a great way to cope with large projects without overloading yourself. How to increase productivity: Plan your workday, breaking it into intervals with breaks. This will help you avoid overwork and maintain concentration.
| Application | Operating systems | Peculiarities | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaks | iOS | Habit Tracker, Gamification | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| IFTTT | iOS, Android | Automate tasks | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pomotodo | iOS, Android, Windows, Chrome | Pomodoro + task management | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Forest | iOS, Android | Managing Focus Through Play | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noisly | iOS, Android | Background Sound Generator | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
🌳 Forest: Plant a tree and focus
Looking for a fun way to beat procrastination? Forest offers a unique, game-like approach to problem solving. The app helps you focus by offering to “grow” a virtual tree when you start working on a task. If you get distracted by notifications or open other apps, the tree begins to wither. The more focused you are on your work, the higher the chances of growing a real digital forest. This approach is especially effective for those who need extra motivation to avoid distractions. 
How to increase productivity: Use the power of small steps. Create a reward system that will help you avoid getting distracted by trivial things.
🎶 Noisli: Find the perfect sound for your work
For those who like to work with the sounds of nature or the world around them, Noisli is the perfect tool. It is a background sound generator that helps create the right atmosphere for productive work or relaxation. You can choose the sound of a forest, rain, a coffee shop or a train – any sound that helps you concentrate. Noisli also allows you to combine sounds, creating unique sound backgrounds. The app is available for free online or for a fee as an app on iOS and Android. 
How to increase productivity: Use different sounds for different types of tasks. For example, the noise of a cafe is suitable for creative work, and the sounds of nature are suitable for concentration.
⁉️🤔 Popular questions and answers
- How does Streaks help with habit formation?
The app makes it easy to track your daily tasks, offering a gamified approach to motivate you to not miss days of completion.
- Can IFTTT be used for teamwork?
Yes, IFTTT can be set up to send tasks to a shared chat or to sync actions across different apps.
- How is Pomotodo different from a regular timer?
Pomotodo combines the Pomodoro technique with task management, making it more effective for planning your workday.
- How does Forest help you focus?
The app motivates you to ignore distractions as you grow virtual trees while working on tasks.
- Is it possible to add custom sounds to Noisli?
No, but you can combine existing sounds to create the perfect soundscape.
- Is there a free version of Noisli?
Yes, the service is available for free online, but the full version of the app requires payment.
- Which is better to choose: Forest or Streaks?
Both apps are useful for increasing productivity, but Forest is more motivating through game mechanics, while Streaks helps you develop sustainable habits.
💎 Results and conclusions
These five apps are powerful tools for anyone looking to improve their productivity and beat procrastination. Whether you prefer time management, automation, or focus through sounds, each of these services offers a unique approach to working on yourself. Choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and work.