Optimistic Organizing: The 9 Best Organizational Apps to Try This Year

What would it be like if you could get things done without being busy all the time?

You don’t need interdimensional travel – you just need to be well-organized and productive.

Getting more done so you can be less busy is possible with organizational apps. But not all apps are made the same. From minimalist to fully-integrated apps, we produced the best applications that will never leave you wondering if you forgot something.

1. Best For You: Wunderlist

Are you struggling to juggle your personal, professional, and social life? Get it all on the calendar with Wunderlist.

We like Wunderlist because it creates spaces for both your work and personal obligations through Folders. You can also access it from all your devices, which means you can use it at home on your iPad or on your work phone.

Our favorite feature is the Mail to Wunderlist task. Turn your e-mail inbox into a productive space by forwarding your emails and letting Wunderlist do the rest.

2. Best For Groups: Asana

Working in a group or on a team? Organize, plan, and schedule everything through Asana.

We like Asana because it works so well both as an app and on a desktop site. Unlike other organizational apps, Asana built its interface for teams rather than teamwork as an afterthought.

Asana allows you to follow tasks from introduction to completion so that you always know where you and your team are at.

3. Best For Getting Things Done: Be Focused

Do you rock at organizing your to-do list but find yourself so lost in organizing that you forget to get anything done?

Be Focused is a Pomodoro style timer that goes further than traditional timers. It allows you to add your to-do list to the timer. You’ll see how much time you dedicate to each task and track your process as you work on a project.

Unfortunately, the app is only available to iOS users.

4. Best Reminders: Remember the Milk

Remember the Milk is an organization app for people who have lots of small tasks to complete but tend to get bogged down in the details.

When you enter your list into the app, you can add the due date, priority, and add tags to group tasks together. It will also send you reminders to virtually any account from Twitter to Skype to text to keep you on top of your game.

We like that you can break down larger tasks into subtasks (and those subtasks into more subtasks) and set reminders for each.

5. Best All-in-One: Evernote

Are you an ideas person? Then you need Evernote.

Evernote keeps your thoughts and ideas in one place – and organized. Whether you prefer text or voice memos, Evernote stores them all and keeps them organized. Your database is also searchable, so you don’t need to scroll endlessly.

In addition to the search function, we like that the app is a multi-purpose app. it captures notes, projects, and lists indiscriminately so that you can stay on top of everything in one place.

It’s hard to find an app that captures your grandest ideas and tiniest thoughts all in one place. If you’re looking to consolidate and organize your apps, you’ll get it done with Evernote.

6. Best Password Organizer: LastPass

Are you resetting your passwords weekly not because you’re security conscious but forgetful?

Keep all your passwords secure in one place with LastPass. All you need to do is log in with your master password, and you’ll find those passwords that you don’t use regularly.

Plus, you can give your friends and family access (if you dare) in case they ever need to get into your account on your behalf.

7. Best Habit Builder: Habit List

Is your list a mile long and continuously growing? Make ticking items off your list one of your good habits with Habit List.

Habit List won’t track your to-do list, but it complements those apps. It’s half motivation app and half productivity tracker, and it helps you build the routines you need to get those repeat tasks on your calendar done.

It’s ideal for professional or personal use because it allows flexible scheduling for those workday and weekend habits.

We recommend it for those who are already focused because although the app is helpful, it’s not hard to see how you could get lost in the details.

8. Best For Keeping Thoughts: Pocket

Sure, you have three apps that organize your essential (and non-essential) tasks. But what do you do with all the things you encounter on your travels across the internet (or elsewhere)?

Put them in Pocket, which lives on your phone (in these custom cases) and your browser.

Pocket is an app and extension that saves all those interesting articles and pages that you saw but don’t have time to skim.

Once you add the link to your Pocket, you can read it anytime and anywhere – even offline.

9. Best For All Your Bits and Bobs: Shoeboxed

Does your accountant look at your box of receipts in horror every tax season? Stop terrorizing your bookkeeper and start using Shoeboxed.

Shoeboxed is an app that allows you to scan and organize your receipts to keep them all in one place – and organized.

Unlike other apps, Shoeboxed isn’t free, but it will save you hours of organizing and searching if you’re a freelancer or small business owner. Plus, unlike your phone, it creates images that the IRS will accept.

There’s even an offline feature that allows you to stuff a pre-paid envelope with receipts and send it off to Shoeboxed to upload for you. No, you didn’t dream it!

Make It Happen with Organizational Apps

Whether your goal is to be less busy or take over the world, you can make it happen with organizational apps.

These apps keep everything in one place, help you share your burden, and keep track of your progress, so you’re never in the dark.

Want to apply the same organizational principle to your travel goals? Check out our guide to the best travel apps.