How can time management apps such as toggl and hours help you increase productivity?

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Using a time management app is one of the easiest ways to get more of something we wish we all had: time. From to-do lists and calendar reminders to shopping lists and meetings, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the number of places we keep reminders and tasks. Thanks to time management apps, you can easily keep track of everything in one place, not only helping you reach goals faster, but also saving you time in the long run.

While time management apps aren’t new, some of the technology and accessibility are, giving new meaning to the phrase, “There’s an app for that.” Whether you are a manager hoping to assign employees tasks or a parent who manages the calendar for the entire family, there is a time management app out there with functionality built with you in mind. And research shows that successful time management helps build confidence and reduce anxiety.

Here, we've rounded up the best time management apps available, all with the goal of making you more productive, so that you spend less time planning and more time doing (especially if that means more time for yourself!).

Best Time Management Apps of 2022

  • Best Overall: Todoist
  • Best for Work Schedule: Toggl Track
  • Best for Personal Life: TimeTree
  • Best for Multiple People: Trello
  • Best Additional Resources: Calendar
  • Best Multiple Platforms: Remember the Milk

Best Overall: Todoist

Why We Chose It: Todoist is used by more than 25 million people and consistently ranks among the top time management apps on the market, thanks to its comprehensive suite of tools.

Pros

  • Available on multiple platforms

  • Offers templates to help you quickly get started

  • Integrates with other tools you already use including Gmail and Slack

Cons

  • Limited free offerings

  • Functionality may be more than some people need

  • Customizations are doable but take time

Todoist is highly rated for a reason: It is one of the most comprehensive time management apps available. Because the app was first developed in 2007, there is a wide range of features that have been built out over time, keeping its user base in mind.

Whether you are looking to set personal goals or launch a new business offering, Todoist has features for both personal and professional use. Create and track tasks (and subtasks), easily delegate duties to others, and see everything on your plate all at a quick glance, making prioritizing—and communicating—even easier.

There is a free offering, however; features are fairly limited, meaning the average person will need to upgrade to a Pro membership for about $3 per month ($5 for business use). 

Todoist is available on basically every device out there, from iOS to Android, macOS, Windows, and more, meaning you can seamlessly transition between your phone and computer and have confidence everything is up to date.

  • Price: $3 for pro version; $5 for businesses
  • Free Version Available: Yes
  • Available on: iOS, Android

Best for Work Schedule: Toggl Track

Why We Chose It: Created with professionals in mind, Toggl Track can be used by freelancers, small businesses, and corporate teams alike thanks to its tailored features, like integrating with other tools.

Pros

  • Free account for up to 5 users

  • Track time directly in tools you already use thanks to integrations

  • Support team answers in mere hours

Cons

  • Users report lack of “quick edit” features, making some entries tedious

At its core, Toggl Track is time tracking software, but thanks to other features (and integrations with other Toggl products), it serves as so much more. Of course, it has the functionality to track your time on tasks and run reports to see what you spend the most time on to help you become more efficient. 

Additionally, you can plan out chunks of your day thanks to its calendar functionality—meaning you won’t overbook yourself—and you can even run reports for easy invoicing at the end of each month. Larger teams can use the service to see what everyone is working on (as well as how much time they are estimated to have left), so you don't need to nag your coworkers for projects you’re waiting on.

There are multiple pricing tiers ranging from free (for five users) to $18 per user for larger teams, and thanks to integrations with Gmail, Asana, and more, Toggl can easily be added to your current tools. Users love how seamlessly it syncs across devices, working with iOs, Android, macOS, and Windows, with plug-ins on both Google Chrome and Firefox.

  • Price: $9 monthly for starter; $18 monthly for premium
  • Free Version Available: Yes
  • Available on: iOS, Android

Best for Personal Life: TimeTree

Why We Chose It: With the ability to seamlessly share calendars and memos between users, TimeTree is perfect for families hoping to keep everyone’s schedules in one place.

Pros

  • Free

  • Works across multiple devices

  • Ideal for blended families or split households

Cons

  • Users must be signed up and actively using TimeTree for calendars to sync

  • Reviews say support is hard to reach

  • May seem redundant if you’re using other calendars (such as the one built into iOS)

TimeTree notes its goal in creating its time management app was to take every single calendar you use—wall, work, and social—and put all of that information in one place. It did just that, and now you can easily share calendars with your spouse, siblings, coworkers, and more, so you’ll never miss out on an important event again. 

More than just a calendar, the added functionality of memos replaces the traditional pen-and-paper to-do list, so you have a dedicated place for managing your busy life. Users note this is especially great for blended families, managing schedules for their children with easy-to-see reminders, eliminating the need for any back-and-forth about schedules.

This free app works on iOS, Android, and desktop, meaning no matter if you’re on the run or at your desk, you can add events and see what is coming up in your day. Because it's free, it is easy to get everyone on board using the app, so everything can be kept in one place.

  • Price: Free
  • Free Version Available: Yes
  • Available on: iOS, Android

Best for Multiple People: Trello

Why We Chose It: No matter how you prefer to track projects and time, Trello allows you to easily see who is doing what at a quick glance, so you’ll never drop the ball on an important project.

Pros

  • Free version packed with features

  • Extremely customizable

  • Integrates with other tools such as Google Drive and Dropbox

Cons

  • Paid version billed annually with higher fee if billed monthly

  • No seamless time tracking

If you’re looking for a way to easily manage projects and tasks at a glance, Trello is it—especially if you have coworkers. Trello was made with collaboration in mind, meaning projects and tasks are meant to be viewed and assigned across teams. 

Visually, Trello is appealing, with color-coding, taskbars, and avatars showing who is working on what, so everyone can be on the same page without having to do a deep dive into each stage of a project (though you can do that, too).

The free version has a huge list of features, including unlimited storage, though for roughly $10 per user per month (billed annually), or about $13 per user per month (billed monthly). And additional dashboards and calendar views are available.

With companies such as eBay and Fender on its user list, Trello can work for a wide range of teams and projects, syncing between web, mobile (iOS and Android), and desktop apps (macOS and Windows).

  • Price: $5 monthly for standard; $10 for premium $7.38+ for enterprise (for 5,000 users)
  • Free Version Available: Yes
  • Available on: iOS, Android

Best Additional Resources: Calendar

Why We Chose It: Thanks to its robust analytics resources, Calendar helps you see just how much time you spend in meetings, so you can structure (or re-structure) your time to prioritize what’s most important to you.

Pros

  • Detailed analytics so you can see where you spend your time

  • Wide user base, from freelancers to large teams

  • Connects all of your calendars in one place

Cons

  • Free version can only connect one calendar

  • Free users only receive help center access with no phone support

  • SMS capabilities still in development

If you feel like you’re always in meetings, you probably are; Calendar can help you see where you’re spending most of your time. More than just a place to keep your appointments, Calendar also offers analytics, making it easy to see just how much time you spend in meetings, in the office, and more, so you can re-adjust your time based on your goals. 

Calendar is great for people who want all of their calendars in one place, though the added Analytics are really what makes this time management app shine. You can also add locations and people to tracking, meaning not only will you be able to see how much time you spend on meetings and at work, but you can see where and with whom. 

Calendar is definitely geared toward for professional use and allows for you to see when multiple team members all have time free should you need to meet. Users note that it is easy to get started and integrate into current workflows, making the free trial period offered worth the risk (especially with the highest Pro tier pricing coming in at around $8 per month, per user).

  • Price: $6 monthly for standard; $8 monthly for pro
  • Free Version Available: Yes
  • Available on: iOS, Android

Best Multiple Platforms: Remember the Milk

Why We Chose It: Remember the Milk has been around for more than 15 years and works across multiple devices, integrations, on wearables, and even has widgets, so you can manage every part of your busy day in one place.

Pros

  • One of the most trusted apps, with a long lifespan

  • Choose how you receive reminders (such as via email, text or even on Twitter)

  • Attach files directly to tasks

Cons

  • Reminders via mobile apps only on Pro version

  • No free trial to test additional features of Pro account

  • Robust and may be overwhelming for some people

While there are other apps that are on multiple platforms—such as web, desktop, and app—Remember the Milk sets itself apart thanks to extra features that allow you to choose how you receive reminders and tasks.

This to-do list app allows you to easily organize tasks (and subtasks) that you need to do either in the app itself or even by sending a short tweet or asking (or possibly shouting at) Siri or Alexa. For those users with an Apple Watch, it also has the capability to add and review tasks right from your wrist.

Remember the Milk takes the simple to-do list to the next level, with built-in themes so you can make the app your own—and keep things visually appealing. Functionality exists to attach files to your tasks, so everything is truly in one place (you can even easily save text from emails as task notes.) 

Most people will enjoy the free option, but all of the bells whistles come at a cost of $39.99 per year for the Pro version. This allows for list sharing between an unlimited number of users, great for those who want to use the app for both personal and professional tasks.

  • Price: $39.99 annually for pro
  • Free Version Available: Yes
  • Available on: iOS, Android

Final Verdict

Whether you need a time management app for personal or professional use or both, there is something out there that will work for you. It may take some trial and error to see which app will seamlessly integrate into your day-to-day habits (or if you need to create new ones to increase productivity). Whether you’re a parent looking to manage the family calendar at a glance or you manage a team of 50 people at the office and need an efficient way to keep them on task, a time management app can help you spend less time tracking things and people down. More time saved on managing your life means more time for other things.

Compare Providers

Best Time Management Apps
Time Management AppsWhy We Chose ItCostOperating SystemApp Store Rating
Todoist Best Overall Free and paid versions (roughly $3 to $6 monthly) available iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Web, and Apple Watch 4.8/5 (App Store), 4.5/5 (Google Play)
Toggl Track Best for Work Schedule Free and paid versions (about $9 to $20 monthly) available iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Web 4.8/5 (App Store), 4.6/5 (Google Play)
TimeTree Best for Personal Life Free iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Web 4.8/5 (App Store), 4.5/5 (Google Play)
Trello Best for Multiple People Free and paid versions (roughly $10 to $13 monthly) available iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Web 4.5/5 (App Store), 4.5/5 (Google Play)
Calendar Best Additional Resources Free and paid versions (around $6 to $8 monthly) available iOS, Android, and Web 4.4/5 (App Store), 3.6/5 (Google Play)
Remember the Milk Best Multiple Platforms Free and paid versions (about $40 annually) available iOS, Android, macOS, Blackberry, Windows, Web, and Apple Watch 4.7/5 (App Store), 4.6/5 (Google Play)

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Time Management App?

A time management app is a solution to help you better prioritize your time with to-do lists, time trackers, reminders, calendars, and/or a mix of these. Additional features often include calendar or task sharing, project tracking, and analytics to better help you see how your time is spent and how to prioritize.

What Are the Costs Associated With a Time Management App?

Costs associated with time management apps vary, though there are many free and low-cost options available. Most apps have a free version with limited features, with prices going up based on plans. The average monthly cost ranges from around $3 to $15 per month.

Are Time Management Apps Effective?

While most studies that set out to look at the benefits of time management study college undergraduate students as subjects, there is research on how time management can impact job stress. One study from 2013 noted that time management is an effective way to reduce stress, though identifying your major stressors is key before developing strategies to address and reduce stress. A 2021 research study found that when workers managed time better, they were more productive and also felt happier.

Can I Use a Time Management App for My Whole Family?

Most time management apps have functionality built in that can be used for the whole family, though some cater more to the category than others. If you are looking to use a time management app for your whole family, looking for apps that allow for multiple calendars or task lists and have sharing functionality is ideal for keeping each person’s schedule separate, yet accessible, all within one app.

Methodology

We researched a dozen time management apps available on multiple devices to develop a list of the best options. In addition to considering when each app was first developed, elements such as pricing, features, and accessibility were taken into consideration. We read through user reviews, as well as customer support responses, looking at how (and if) feature requests are addressed by the team. Because the need for time management apps varies by user, we included apps that function as to-do lists, calendars, time trackers, and more, offering a wide range of options based on personal and professional needs. Finally, we wanted these time management apps to work for both individuals and companies alike, so multiple uses and customizable functionality were factored in to developing this list.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Aeon B, Faber A, Panaccio A. Does time management work? A meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2021;16(1):e0245066. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245066

  2. Hosseini S, Nourbakhsh P, Sepasi H. Relationships between time management and job stress. Arch Appl Sci Res. 2013;5(1):301-307.

What are the benefits of time management?

12 benefits of time management.
Decreased stress. Learning to manage your time can reduce your stress levels. ... .
Increased productivity. ... .
Positive reputation. ... .
More energy for free time. ... .
Clear daily goals. ... .
Improved focus. ... .
Streamlined decision-making. ... .
Reaching goals faster..

What is the purpose of Toggl?

Toggl Track is a time tracking app that allows you to track your daily activities across different platforms; providing you with detailed insights and an opportunity to optimize your workflow by identifying areas where you can improve.

Why is time management important in the workplace?

By managing their time well employees will meet deadlines, improve their efficiency, be more productive, and deliver better work. They'll also have a greater level of job satisfaction because they'll feel less stressed, which will aid them with career progression and ultimately lower your business's staff turnover.

Why is Toggl good?

Toggl Track is an intuitive and easy-to-use service that gives you exactly the tools you need for tracking time spent on tasks. It's a top pick among time-tracking services for freelancers, thanks especially to its generous free tier.