Productivity & To-Do Apps for Entrepreneurs, Startups & Small Businesses

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These apps help people be more productive, organize their thoughts, and keep track of goals and completed tasks. Generally, these are for the solo entrepreneur or the busy executive. You’re either a fan or not of these things. If you use them, you really use them and can’t live without them. For solutions that work across multiple people to keep them on track, you should look at the project management category, which can track multiple projects across multiple locations and teams.

Most of the solutions below feature mobile apps and integration with your email or calendaring system, some feature Siri, Alexa or Google Home interaction as well (“Alexa, add an appointment with Tom at 4:00 pm tomorrow”) and note-taking capabilities. We’ve listed major vendors below, but you can find thousands more on the app stores.

• Microsoft To-Do: Formerly Wunderlist, it has some tight integration with Outlook. Its a free to-do list and task application that has mobile app versions. Great option for people already integrated into the Mircosoft Office Eco-system.
• Evernote: well-known productivity and note taking app, it also includes task and to-do functions. Popular for people doing research, it lets you clip web pages, keep a journal and scan in documents (including handwritten notes, which you can later search). There is a free version, paid plans, business plans and a student discount option.
• Todoist: Free version and also 30-day trials of the paid versions. Students and educator discount.
• Omnifocus: Pro level software with no free version. The biggest draw here is the deep integration with the Mac and iPhone ecosystem, far beyond what others offer. If you’re into that, this might be a good fit.
• Remember the Milk: Simple to-do app. There is a free version, and the pro version can do some nice things, like integrate with your Apple Watch.
• Any.do: Another tasks app. They have a free version, and the paid version has some nice features, like location-based reminders.
• Notion: It combines to-do app functionality with a whole suite of productivity and self-improvement features. Their main focus is the enterprise market, so this product is free for personal use, but you can upgrade to a personal pro version.

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