Apple’s iPads have built-in productivity tools such as Notes, Calendar, and Reminders. However, if you want to discover new methods to enhance productivity and manage your life, numerous apps are available for this purpose. Despite initially being designed for streaming content and browsing the web on the go, iPads have evolved into versatile computers capable of handling various personal, work, and school-related tasks. Consequently, numerous apps can help you centralize your life or maintain focus on daily tasks by eliminating distractions. We have compiled a list of some of the top apps available on the App Store.
Goodnotes
Goodnotes is a widely acclaimed iPad application known for its versatility and functionality. It is particularly favored by individuals who prefer to handwrite notes using an Apple Pencil. The app allows users to seamlessly integrate handwritten and typed text on a single page, and embellish their notes with images, stickers, and doodles. Users have the ability to create digital notebooks with customizable paper styles, such as blank or ruled, suitable for note-taking, checklists, planners, and more.
Additionally, the app facilitates the export of entire digital notebooks or specific pages into various file formats, including PDFs. In addition to note-taking, Goodnotes offers a conducive platform for drawing and sketching. Although it may not be as intricate as some dedicated creativity apps, such as Procreate, Goodnotes is user-friendly and ideal for quick sketches or diagrams.
For individuals attending classes or meetings, the app offers the functionality to record audio notes synchronized with handwritten notes. Furthermore, users can leverage AI technology to summarize notes and facilitate the note-taking process.
You can create three digital notebooks for free. If you want unlimited notebooks, you’ll have to pay $9.99 per month or pay a one-time fee of $29.99.
TickTick
If you don’t like the Reminders app on your iPad, or if you need a more advanced to-do list and task management app, TickTick could be a good option. It’s suitable for both professional and personal tasks.
The app allows you to synchronize tasks across all your devices and integrate with your preferred calendar app. You can make checklists, schedule recurring tasks, attach files to tasks, share task lists for collaboration, and more.
If you want to form a habit, such as meditating before bedtime, you can set your goals in the app and monitor your progress. Additionally, if you receive an email but can’t respond immediately, you can convert it into a task to remind yourself to reply later.
You can also assign tags to your tasks for better management, and prioritize tasks by marking them.
To concentrate on a specific task, you can activate the app’s “pomo timer,” which is based on the Pomodoro Technique that divides work into focused intervals to enhance productivity.
TickTick is free to use, but if you desire additional features such as the ability to add up to five reminders to a task or more lists and tasks, you’ll need to pay $3.99 per month or $35.99 per year.
Forest
Forest is a productivity app that incorporates gamification to enhance focus and contribute to environmental causes. The application is designed to aid individuals who struggle with maintaining focus and managing distractions.
Users can initiate a focused work session by “planting” a virtual tree within the app. The tree will grow as the user remains focused on their task and will wither if the user navigates away from the app before the session concludes.
The app allows users to create “Allow Lists” for productive applications, such as email or word processing software, and offers productivity tracking features.
As users consistently maintain focus and complete tasks, they build a digital forest that visualizes their productivity. They can also share their progress with others and potentially earn virtual coins, which can be used to support the real-world planting of trees through the Trees for the Future organization.
Forest is available for download at a cost of $3.99. Additionally, users have the option to purchase in-app boosts to expedite the growth of their digital forest and contribute to real tree planting initiatives.
Notion
Notion provides excellent functionality for note-taking, task and workflow management, list and habit organization, collaboration, and more. Instead of using multiple apps for calendar, task, and note management, you can handle all of these tasks directly within Notion.
You can merge various apps you use, such as Slack and Dropbox, to consolidate all your workflows in one location. Notion’s adaptability and customization options are notable features. It can be tailored to suit your requirements, whether for organizing personal or work life, schoolwork, or passion projects.
If you’re unsure where to begin, templates can be used to create items like a travel planner or product roadmap. Notion also incorporates an AI feature for aiding in writing and brainstorming. Notion’s AI can provide insights about your content and transform large volumes of data into manageable action items.
Notion offers a free plan for personal use. Additionally, the company provides a Plus plan priced at $8 per month for small groups, and a Business plan at $15 per month for companies. You receive 20 AI responses for free; beyond that, you pay $10 per member per month.
Crouton
Occasionally, figuring out what to eat can be time-consuming, leaving less time for other activities. This is where an app like Crouton comes in handy. Crouton is designed to simplify cooking and meal planning, making it easy to organize recipes and create grocery lists.
You have the option to import recipes from online sources or scan them from physical cookbooks. This consolidates all your recipes in one place instead of having them scattered across different platforms.
The app allows you to schedule your meals for the week, and if you’re unsure about what to cook on a particular day, Crouton can generate a meal plan for you. Once your weekly meals are planned, you can generate a grocery list that includes all the required ingredients.
Crouton also includes an in-app timer, eliminating the need to switch to a different app for time-specific recipe steps. Furthermore, you can easily share your recipes with others, whether it’s to inform your family about dinner or to pass on a recipe you know a friend will love.
While Crouton offers basic features for free, a $14.99 yearly subscription is available for unlimited recipes and additional features.
Freedom
Freedom is an excellent application for preventing distractions and enhancing productivity while working. You can initiate a Freedom session to block distractions on all your devices for a specific duration.
You have the flexibility to choose which websites and apps to block during Focus Mode. If you attempt to access TikTok on your phone while working on your iPad, you’ll encounter a green screen.
The app allows you to start a session immediately, schedule a future one, or establish a recurring session. If you have a specific time daily when you need to avoid distractions, you can set up a Freedom session to commence at that time.
For individuals who find specific sounds helpful for concentration, Freedom provides a variety of options to listen to. These include the sounds of a bustling city coffee shop in New York or Berlin, birdsong, soothing instrumental music, and more.
Priced at $3.99 per month, the app is user-friendly and also contains a range of articles offering advice on boosting productivity and gaining a better understanding of digital wellness.
