2025 is a whole new year to get your goals done. In order to get the year started right, here are a few apps and platforms that you need to try to keep you on track once the power of New Years Resolutions goes away and the next few seasons of Law and Order SVU calls your name.
I get it, there are a million apps on the marketplace that promises you results. I’m always so excited when the new shiny app hits the market because maybe, just maybe, it is exactly what I need to change my life entirely. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out. Sometimes you just end up wasting your time learning an app just to realize a month later that it takes too much effort to use.
I’m including six apps and platforms that will help with productivity. These are the apps that I will be bringing into the new year for different purposes like time blocking, tracking, organization, and creativity.
Table of Contents
6 Productivity Apps to Bring into 2025
Sunsama
Before even diving into apps, it is important to understand where your time goes. When I first started using Sunsama, I couldn’t believe that so much of my time was going into chores and miscellaneous to-dos and not enough on actual work. As a small business owner, this knowledge was important to know early on.
Sunsama helps users identify what tasks are taking the biggest portion of the day and helps the user visualize how time is divided. Users are then able to make informed decisions on how days are divided.
The app allows for integrations with different apps like gmail for calendar integration, apple calendar, and notion, to name a few.
I am still attempting to master Sunsama, I would say that I’m still at the beginner level. Learning all the various integrations would help streamline my entire workflow. I need to connect it to my Notion and update my calendar settings. I also wish that the app would integrate with TickTick. Sunsama is currently working with users to identify worthwhile integrations through a whiteboard platform to gauge demand.
Try Sunsama for a month.
Notion
I have been on and off Notion for years now. Sometimes, I overcomplicate Notion by attempting to use fancy templates I buy off Etsy. What I have found in the past few months is that my brain likes using simple and minimal templates better. Simple templates removes the significant decision fatigue that may come with picking the right colors and templates.
I use Notion for data collection. Not so much for articles or photos, but more so for building lists for later reference. For example, I created a database for my skincare and beauty products that I’ve been testing. I included vital information like first impressions, date started, links and price points. This database allows me to identify which products work well with my skin and which ones break me out. The information is also readily available for when I am writing a blog post, giving me more accurate information in comparison to relying strictly on memory alone.
Try out Notion.
Airmail
Airmail is technically just a mail app but I do really enjoy the interface. I tried several mail apps like the Spark app, Apple Mail, Edison Mail, and Outlook. These apps just did not work well with my needs and I didn’t like their functionality. Airmail makes it easy to work with email whether it be on my Macbook Pro, my phone or my iMac.
Previously, I would have issues with connectivity regularly. Though I still have issues with Airmail connectivity sporadically, it’s nearly not as frequent. I pay for Airmail Pro, yearly around $30. For me, it was well worth the subscription price. Some users have said that they were able to use the app without signing up for the subscription. I have been using the Pro version for two years now so I can’t remember the differences between plans. According to reddit, the main difference is just the ability to sync on different devices as well as additional theme availability.
Try out Airmail.
Canva
I use Canva almost everyday. Canva is another app that I think is worth the price point. I pay around $15 a month, but you can save by paying for the whole year upfront for $120. I use Canva for various facets of the business including invoicing, creating blog graphics, and creating various designs.
Other people have even leveraged Canva to sell templates and printables on their website or on Etsy. I’ve done one template myself, a UGC template, and though I haven’t really invested much in marketing it, I have been able to have a sale on my website and two sales on Etsy.
In 2025, I am planning on creating more templates using Canva. My goal is to dive into the world of printables as well, designs that could be easily created through the website.
Try out Canva
Ticktick
Ticktick was a great discovery for me. When it comes to task managers, it is the one that I have used the most within the past year. Ticktick has a variety of features that helps the app standout. It has integrations to apps like Gmail and Outlook. It has features like habit tracking and a pomodoro timer.
Users are also able to flag to-dos by importance. Alerts can be set up in order to remind users of the pending tasks. The habit tracker is another feature that I truly enjoy. It also enables certain portions to appear as widgets for easy access on your phone or tablet.
I like using Ticktick for specific projects. For example, each campaign can be listed separately and within the individual to-do, subtasks can be delegated under. I cannot recommend testing this app out before you try other apps such as Asana or Click Up.
Try out Ticktick
Goodnotes
I am coming back to Goodnotes after a significant hiatus. The last thing I used Goodnotes for was to read through a saved article. If you’re not familiar, Goodnotes is a note taking app. I’ve used it for several things including digital planning.
Recently, I’ve been enjoying using it like a digital scrapbook. I don’t typically print out photos, so having a digital scrapbook just makes more sense in comparison. I created my 2025 Vision Board on Goodnotes. Even though I could have created the same thing on Canva, it seemed a lot easier to use Goodnotes in comparison.
I’m also planning on using Goodnotes as a monthly gratitude journal. I wanted to ensure that I remembered all the great moments. Doing so only makes the harder days easier, and puts you more in the vibration of your highest self. Gratitude in general only brings positive things mentally (and sometimes physically).
I’m also attempting to use a digital planner again, but since I’m already using my Hobonichi Techo and my Hobonichi Weeks, it may be the planner that meets the chopping block. I’ll keep trying in January and reassess next month.
Try out Goodnotes
New and Noteworthy
Complex.so
Complex.so is a task management system that can be used by individuals and teams for collaboration and planning. I’ve tried several task management systems in the past including Asana, Monday.com, Airtable and Click-up. The last system I tried before Complex.so is Airtable. Though both platforms essentially do the same thing, but even from just a couple days of use, I already have a preference.
Design is really important to me. I just love how Complex.so looks on all platforms, especially in comparison to other project management applications. For example, one thing that I dislike is the color palette offered to free users. More options are available to paid users of Airtable, but for some reason I couldn’t convince myself to bite the bullet and actually purchase a subscription. Now, the options for colors on Complex isn’t the best either, but the options were preferable.
Since the platform focused more on simplistic options, it was easier to get started on creating and logging to-do lists and projects. I have only learned about Complex.so when the team reached out to me and I wish I learned about it sooner. I’ll continue testing out the platform to see if there are any features missing or lacking particularly as a free user. I might do an update once I’ve used it for at least a month, but so far, so good!
Try out Complex.so
Cosmos
If you think about a combination of Pinterest and mymind, it would be Cosmos. I do enjoy both Pinterest and mymind, but when it comes to Cosmos, it just screams created for the creative. This app is something that you should try if you’re a creative looking for inspiration without the advertisements and without the fuss, then this platform would definitely suit you.
Try out Cosmos.
Last thoughts
Ooof! That was such a long blog post in comparison to my others. These are the productivity apps that made the list and onto 2025. I will be testing them out to see if they still work out for me. I’m planning on reevaluating in six months. What is the best productivity app for you? Have you tried any of these apps?
