Productivity is huge—but elusive in our digital, always-on world. The internet lets us work from anywhere, yet constant pings, feeds, and targeted ads can derail even the best of intentions. That’s why the top online productivity apps are more popular than ever: they help you focus, track your time, build better habits, and get deep work done without the noise.
This guide breaks down our best picks—what each app is great at, who it’s for, and how to choose the right tool for your style.
What Makes a “Top Online Productivity App”?
- Real focus support (timers, do-not-disturb, website blocking)
- Insightful tracking (time logs, trends, reports)
- Low friction (fast to start, works on your devices)
- Sticks with you (motivating rituals, gamification, reminders)
- Plays well with others (integrations with calendars, email, or task tools)
The Picks: Top Online Productivity Apps (by use case)
1) Focus Booster (Now Time Stream)— Best for Pomodoro + Automatic Timesheets
Built on the Pomodoro Technique, Focus Booster encourages 25-minute sprints of uninterrupted work followed by short breaks—grouped into sessions with longer rests to avoid burnout. It automatically logs your time, so you can create instant timesheets and review clean charts to see where your day really goes.
Platforms: Web, macOS, Windows, mobile
Why it’s great: Minimal setup, excellent time data, great for freelancers/consultants who bill time
Tip: Use the analytics weekly to spot “leak points” in your schedule.
2) Focus Keeper — Best iOS Timer When You Want Simple & Free
Think of Focus Keeper as the streamlined cousin to Focus Booster. It’s a clean, iOS-only Pomodoro timer with a gentle rhythm: set 25-minute timers, define goals, and let the app nudge you into momentum.
Platforms: iOS
Why it’s great: Incredibly simple; “prevent lock screen” turns your iPhone into a desk timer
Upgrade path: Focus Keeper Pro unlocks longer-term data views
3) Flora — Best for Gamified Focus (with Friends)
Flora for iOS adds a surprisingly effective twist: you “plant a tree” for each focus session. Leave the app early? The tree dies. Stay focused? Your tree thrives. You can even team up with friends or colleagues to grow a forest together.
Platforms: iOS
Why it’s great: Friendly peer pressure; playful visuals; optional real-world tree planting
Android alternative: Forest, a similar focus game with cross-platform options
4) Fabulous — Best for Routines & Habit-Backed Behavior Change
Fabulous goes beyond timers. It guides you through evidence-based “Journeys”—stacking small habits that compound into better energy, focus, and wellbeing. From sleep and hydration to deep work, it nudges you with science-backed routines.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Why it’s great: Behavioral design, habit stacking, structured programs
Heads up: Subscription-based; pricing and feature tiers can change—check the official site
Expanded Picks to Round Out Your Toolkit
To make this a definitive list of top online productivity apps, here are additional standouts that pair beautifully with the four above:
5) Microsoft To Do — Best for Simple, Cross-Device Task Lists
A clean task manager that syncs across devices and integrates with Outlook and Microsoft 365. Great for daily priorities, recurring tasks, and shared lists.
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Why it’s great: Seamless with the Microsoft ecosystem, lightweight, and reliable
6) OneNote — Best for Notes, Docs, and Project Capture
A flexible notebook for meeting notes, project plans, and research. Use sections, tags, audio notes, and handwriting—then link tasks to To Do or Outlook.
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Why it’s great: Powerful capture + organization; excellent for mixed-media notes
7) RescueTime — Best for Automatic Time Tracking & Focus Sessions
RescueTime runs quietly to measure where your time actually goes and provides focus sessions with distractions minimized.
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS/Android companion
Why it’s great: Eye-opening reports; helps you protect deep work blocks
8) Notion — Best All-in-One Workspace (Docs, Tasks, Wikis)
Build your own project dashboards, task boards, and knowledge bases. Templates abound, and teams love it for docs + tasks in one place.
Platforms: Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Why it’s great: Highly customizable; replaces a tangle of separate tools
9) Forest — Best Cross-Platform Focus Trees (Android-Friendly)
The cousin to Flora who works on more platforms. Plant a tree, stay off your phone, and grow a forest as you focus.
Platforms: iOS, Android, browser extension
Why it’s great: Visual motivation; supports real tree planting initiatives
10) Viva Insights (Microsoft 365) — Best for Protected Focus Time at Work
For Microsoft 365 users, Viva Insights schedules Focus Time on your calendar, silences notifications, and shares insights about meeting overload and after-hours work.
Platforms: Outlook, Teams, Microsoft 365
Why it’s great: Enterprise-grade focus support; works where you already work
Quick Comparison
| App | Best For | Platforms | Standout Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus Booster | Pomodoro + timesheets | Web, macOS, Windows, mobile | Auto-logged time + reports |
| Focus Keeper | Simple iOS focus timer | iOS | Minimal, effective, “prevent lock screen” |
| Flora | Gamified focus with friends | iOS | Social accountability + real tree planting |
| Fabulous | Habit building & routines | iOS, Android | Behavioral Science Journeys |
| Microsoft To Do | Simple tasks + Outlook | Web, iOS, Android, Win, Mac | Microsoft ecosystem sync |
| OneNote | Rich note-taking | Web, iOS, Android, Win, Mac | Versatile capture & organization |
| RescueTime | Auto time tracking | Desktop + mobile companion | Focus sessions + reports |
| Notion | All-in-one workspace | Web, iOS, Android, Win, Mac | Customizable docs/tasks/wiki |
| Forest | Cross-platform focus game | iOS, Android, extension | Fun, visual focus loops |
| Viva Insights | Calendar-protected focus | Microsoft 365 | Schedules do-not-disturb time |
Pricing note: Many apps use freemium or subscriptions. Pricing changes frequently—confirm current plans on each official site before you publish.
How to Choose the Right App (Fast)
- If distraction is the problem: Start with Focus Booster, Focus Keeper, Flora, or Forest.
- If you need better planning, try Microsoft To Do (tasks) + OneNote (notes).
- If you want data on your day, install RescueTime for automatic tracking.
- If you need behavior change: Go with Fabulous for structured habit Journeys.
- If you’re on Microsoft 365: Turn on Viva Insights for calendar-protected deep work.
FAQs: Top Online Productivity Apps
What are the top online productivity apps for focus?
Focus Booster, Focus Keeper, Flora/Forest, and Viva Insights help protect deep work time via timers, focus modes, and do-not-disturb scheduling.
Which productivity app works best for teams?
Notion is excellent for shared docs and tasks; Microsoft To Do is great for lightweight shared lists; Viva Insights supports healthier team rhythms in Microsoft 365.
Are Pomodoro apps effective?
Yes—short sprints with breaks reduce burnout and increase output. Apps like Focus Booster and Focus Keeper make the cadence effortless and trackable.
What’s the best free online productivity app?
Microsoft To Do, OneNote, and Forest (with optional upgrades) offer strong free tiers; Focus Keeper is a great free iOS timer.
How do I pick between task apps and habit apps?
Use task apps (To Do, Notion) for “what to do” and habit apps (Fabulous) for “how to show up consistently.” Many people use one of each.
Charles Lobert, has been in the Detroit Metro Area’s IT industry for over two decades & with VCS since ’04. Throughout the years, Lobert has held nearly every position at VCS & is responsible for several major organizational shifts within VCS.