Calling all procrastinators – take a look at the best time management apps promising to revolutionise the way you work.
Whether producing an assignment for a strict deadline or working on an important professional project, distractions frequently get the better of us all. However, with these best time management apps, wasted hours may become a thing of the past.
RescueTime
Winner of the PCMag Editors’ Choice award, RescueTime is the app that understands your timewasting habits.
As life races by, the pressure is on for us to stay ahead of the game. RescueTime aims to increase users’ productivity by evaluating patterns of behaviour when using technological devices.
Once downloaded, the free version of RescueTime accesses other programmes or apps and monitors users’ activity, subsequently generating reports of its findings.
Individuals then visit RescueTime’s website to view their results; from detailed reports to general overviews, the data collected provides thorough insight.
While critics feel that the free version is more than sufficient for most, the premium download tracks breaks, phone calls and meeting, and also prompts focus using on-screen notifications.
Described as ‘a wonderful tool for the modern workplace’, it seems that RescueTime is an ideal app for those easily distracted.
Toggl
Toggl is also one of the best time management apps, praised for its simplicity and attractive interface.
With one-click time tracking and the ability to convert reports of time distribution to professional emails or PDFs, Toggl is commonly relied on by freelancers needing to accurately invoice clients.
Toggl understands that users will forget to start their timers now and then – the app allows you to add past time records or edit existing records accordingly.
Whether used by an individual, or used by a team to document contributions to a project, Toggl is perfect for those who want a straightforward, efficient solution to time management.
Focus Booster
Based on the pomodoro technique, Focus Booster aims to improve efficiency and control distractions in order for users to get more done for the purchase fee of £4.
The pomodoro technique uses a timer to break down work into small intervals, typically 25 minutes in length. Focus Booster utilises this concept while using a dashboard to visualise progress and motivate users further.
The app promises to give users their lives back – by enabling individuals to finish work more quickly and exposing weaknesses, Focus Booster appears to encourage give users a stronger work/life balance.
Although criticised for the inability to label sessions, general consensus suggests that Focus Booster allows users to ‘enjoy the benefits of the [pomodoro] methodology’.
For those of you interested in trying a new concentration technique, Focus Booster is the clear choice.
Timeful
Acquired by Google in 2015, Timeful is unique in that it works with you to schedule tasks and habits by connects to calendars in other applications such as iCloud Calendars and Google Calendars.
The ability to personalise within this app is particularly popular. Users can apply different colours to tasks in order to differentiate between work, personal, fun etc.
Upon downloading Timeful, users are asked to input their most productive time of the day, allowing the app to encourage individuals to make the most of that period. Critics feel that this feature really does ‘help you find more time in your day’.
For those who want to boost productivity whilst maintaining control of their calendar, Timeful appears to provide the perfect balance.