Keeping up with your to-do list can feel impossible when distractions pile up. From surprise emails to impromptu meetings, it’s easy to end the day wondering where the hours went. Luckily, the right productivity apps can help you stay focused, streamline your processes, and make the most of your time.
Here’s a list of must-have apps for small business professionals and entrepreneurs who want to overcome task overload and achieve more.
1. Todoist
Simplify task management and never lose track of what matters.
Todoist is a streamlined digital to-do list tailored to fit your workflow. Easily add tasks, break them into subtasks, and stay accountable with reminders. Its intuitive interface makes organizing projects stress-free, allowing you to focus on execution, not logistics.
2. Inbox When Ready
Conquer email distractions and reclaim your focus.
Emails can sidetrack even the most disciplined professionals. Inbox When Ready, a browser extension, hides your inbox from view, helping you concentrate on your top priorities. Access what you need without being pulled into an endless loop of notifications.
3. Notion
Your all-in-one collaboration and project management workspace.
Notion provides a central hub to store documentation, manage tasks, and oversee projects across your team. With tools like project timelines and wikis, collaboration becomes seamless, and everyone stays aligned. Its flexible structure adapts to your workflow, ensuring efficiency.
4. Headspace
Clear your mind to maximize productivity
Stress and burnout can hold you back from achieving your goals. Headspace, a popular mindfulness and meditation app, empowers you to calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve focus. Regular use has been shown to enhance decision-making and productivity, making it a game-changer for busy professionals juggling multiple responsibilities.
5. Harvest
Track time with precision and improve project profitability.
Harvest simplifies time tracking, letting you focus on optimizing your workflow. Analyze billable and non-billable hours using its robust reporting tools to identify areas for improvement and maximize profitability.
6. Forest
Improve focus with gamification.
Forest is a mobile app encouraging focus through a clever reward system. Every work session you complete grows a virtual tree. Break focus, and your tree doesn’t grow. This gamified approach motivates productivity while making time management enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
These productivity apps can transform how small business owners and entrepreneurs tackle tasks and distractions daily. From project management to staying mindful, there’s a solution here for everyone.
This article was originally published November 2023. It was last updated June 2025.
