Best Work From Home Apps and Tools to Boost Your WFH Productivity

Hi, dear fellow pajama WFH warrior.

You and I both know that “work from home” sounds glamorous until you realize your cat is your new coworker and work bestie, your couch seems to be calling your name every time you pass by it, and your productivity wants to take a staycation. There’s nothing glamorous about it, and we all need a productivity boost from time to time, no matter how responsible and accountable we are as adults.

I’m not here to bore you with meh apps that do nothing but look pretty on your desktop. In this article, you’ll go through 10 best tools that actually boost your WFH productivity and game, so you can go from “kind of working” to “kind of thriving 💃”.

Get ready to scroll, click, type, and feel like a responsible adult all day long, apps included.

Let’s go through the actual tools right away.

Memtime—best automatic time tracking app

Time tracking can feel like pulling teeth. Who wants to track their time and feel like they’re being monitored?
But when your time tracker is as automatic as your coffee machine and as private as your Telegram messages, that’s when the game changes.

Memtime is our automatic time tracker that works silently in the background (on Windows, macOS and Linux), capturing every moment of your digital day without you lifting a finger. It’s more of a memory assistant (memory + time, right?) that follows everything you do and presents you with your daily choices so you can decide what to do with them.

Memtime comes with heaps of features that actually work:

• Memtime runs 24/7 in the background (as soon as you turn on your computer), capturing every program, file, email, and tab you interact with. It captures even phone call duration via popular VoIP services or your iPhone. It’s like having a digital Tom Riddle’s diary that writes itself (and is not a Horcrux).
• You get Memory Aid, an automatic timeline that helps you recall exactly what you were working on and when. Think of it as a rewind button for your workday.

• You can view your day in 1-60 minute intervals, zooming in to see the granular details or out for the big picture.
• Your data stays on your device—there’s no cloud, no prying eyes. It’s your time, your time data, and your rules. No raw activity data (like URLs or file names) is ever shared with another user, unless you explicitly choose to export it as a time entry in a project management app.
• You can turn all your activity into time entries.
• You can export time entries and sync with 100+ tools, including Asana, Jira, and more. Memtime connects to all these tools via a 2-way sync: you can import projects (and tasks) into Memtime and then export time entries back to those projects and software.

So, how does Memtime actually boost productivity?

Glad you asked. The answer is by making your day-to-day life more manageable:

1. When you see where your time actually goes, you can start to optimize workflow, improve estimates, and learn to bill accurately (eventually boosting your profitability).
2. By organizing your day visually and capturing forgotten tasks, Memtime removes all the cognitive load of remembering deadlines and what you’ve already done. That clarity gives you less stress and more focus.
3. When you see how your work hours are distributed, you can better set boundaries to avoid overworking, plan breaks, and improve your routine.

Sounds like something you would give a shot? If that’s the case, try Memtime free for 2 weeks; it’s on us. No credit card required; simply click the button below.

Noiz.io—best YouTube AI summarization app

Noiz.io is such a random tool that can save you hours on work and research. You’ll thank me later.Noiz.io is a well-rounded, AI-powered productivity platform that primarily functions as a YouTube video summarizer and transcript generator. It allows you to capture the key points from lengthy videos (up to 12 hours long) in a single click. Basically, this means that you can convert hours of video content into concise reading in just seconds, freeing up your schedule for more productive tasks.

All you need to do is install the browser extension (or mobile app), go to any YouTube video, and click the “Summarize video” button. The AI Summary Generator will provide a concise summary of the video’s content. The app delivers summaries, transcripts, and insights across 41 languages, which is great for multilingual users and global content.

Beyond just summarizing videos, Noiz.io offers other AI-based summarization and content creation tools, like summarizers for PDFs, articles, books, slides, research papers, web pages, and more.

Here are some of Noiz.io features that can help you save time:

• The app offers flexible output formats, like bullet lists, Q&A, timestamped outlines, essays, X threads, and Markdown.
• The app handles YouTube videos up to 12 hours long, which is great for lectures, webinars, and training materials.
• Files and data are processed and deleted in real time; there’s no storage, no lingering data.
• You can use note taking apps like Notion, Obsidian, or OneNote to paste or export summaries for further analysis.

Noiz.io can turn hours of video and document content into readable summaries. You can use it to learn faster, and there’s no fluff or setup hassle.

Brain.fm—best music-based cognitive performance tool

Brain.fm is an AI-based, neuroscience-backed soundscape app created to help you focus, relax, sleep, or meditate.

Unlike traditional music apps, Brain.fm’s tracks are engineered to synchronize with your brain’s neural patterns, promoting flow, reducing distractions, and optimizing your current mental state. This means that the app uses techniques like neural phase-locking and 3D audio to provide you with music your brain will enjoy listening to.

Shortly put, Brain.fm provides tracks that benefit your brain and also sound pleasing to your ears.

Here are some of the app’s features:

• A few tailored modes are available, including Focus, Relax, Sleep, and Meditate, and Brain.fm gives you music that supports your mental goals.
• Tracks are crafted using AI and acoustic principles validated through EEG, fMRI, and attention-based studies, so the tracks “feel good” to your brain.
• You can customize the strength of the cognitive effect of the music, such as low, medium, or high, depending on what your focus level requires.
• Several options for tracks are available, including Atmospheric, Lo-Fi, Electronic, Cinematic, or even nature sounds.
• The app also comes with a timer with several options. Infinite Mode in which the music runs continuously, showing elapsed focus time, Interval mode which is best for work/break cycles and Custom Timer so you can set any duration.
• You can replace the timer with motivational quotes.

Brain.fm is not your standard background music app; the tool gives you performance-enhancing sounds engineered specifically for your brain.

Canary Mail—best AI email client

Canary Mail is an AI email client available on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and watchOS. It’s designed as a tool that should speed up your email workflow.

It’s privacy-oriented and keeps productivity in mind, combining AI with high-level encryption.

Here are some of the tool’s features worth noting:

• Canary’s AI assistant helps you draft replies, summarize long email threads, and prioritize urgent messages.
• You can combine Gmail, iCloud, Office 365, Yahoo, ProtonMail, and IMAP accounts into one inbox to avoid app hopping.
• Canary is big on privacy, mentioning they support PGP encryption (with full key management) and their own SecureSend option for HIPAA compliance, to ensure email confidentiality.
• You can know when your emails are opened, snooze emails for later handling, and pin key conversations.
• You can use smart filters, bulk cleanup tools, and one-click unsubscribe to declutter.
• Templates are also available, and the Attachment Browser lets you quickly locate files across emails.
• You can schedule events from emails.

Overall, Canary Mail can save you time and mental effort. Plus, the unified, intelligent inbox can help you reduce clutter. Templates, summaries, scheduling, and filters can also come in handy when you want to streamline repetitive tasks.

Joplin—best free note taking app

Joplin is an open-source note taking and to-do app that you can run on all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s often mentioned as a privacy-focused alternative to Evernote or OneNote.

Here are some of Joplin’s key features worth mentioning:

• You can write notes in Markdown or use the rich text editor. Math expressions, tables, code blocks, and diagrams are also available.
• You can embed images, audio, videos, PDFs, handwritten photos (from mobile), and more into your notes.
• The notes are always stored locally. You can sync across devices using Joplin Cloud, or some other app like Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, or WebDAV.
• The app comes with robust encryption that keeps your data private; not even Joplin can't access it.
• You can structure information with nested notebooks and sub-notebooks, use tags, and create to-do lists or reminders.
• You can find notes quickly inside attachments, PDFs, and images, thanks to integrated OCR.
• You can customize your notes with plugins (like Kanban boards, calendar views, diagrams, tables of contents, note tabs, etc.) and themes.
• Since the tool is open-source, GitHub and Discourse communities are where you can find updates and support.

Joplin is a free, flexible, and privacy-first app that could work well with your workflow. It’s useful if you like jotting down a quick thought on your phone or desktop.

Caveday—best deep work community to improve focus

Caveday is a virtual work community where members join focus sessions called “caves” to remove distractions and be more intentional and productive with their work. The structure of this app is based on psychology, sociology, and biology research that suggest having rhythms is proven to sustain focus and energy.

These “caves” are available 24/7 via Zoom and are designed to keep you accountable through expert guidance.

Here are some of the tool’s key features:

• Caves are available in 1-hour or 3-hour blocks, and each consists of work sprints (usually lasting between 45 and 52 minutes) with short breaks.
• Each focus session is led by a “cave guide” who initiates check-ins, signals transitions between work and break phases, and ensures the flow of the group remains upbeat.
• The method of work in caves prioritizes one task at a time (no multitasking). Participants should also mute notifications, close apps, and eliminate any potential interruptions before entering the cave.
• Weekly workshops help members plan their time, but there are also On-Demand tools. A 24/7 Focus Lounge is available for solo sprints, or motivation boosts.

Overall, Caveday is worth a shot because it works:

• You schedule focus so you can build sustainable discipline over time.
• Sprint length and breaks match optimal energy patterns.
• Knowing others are working alongside you reduces isolation.
• You can join caves when you need to study or work on creative projects; it’s up to you.

I’d say Caveday is like a motivational, focus-based ecosystem. If you’ve ever struggled to get into flow or just needed one (or more) accountability buddy, Caveday could be the app for you.

Miro—best AI visual collaboration platform

Miro is an AI visual collaboration system designed for teams that want to brainstorm, plan, design, and execute projects. It’s like an infinite virtual whiteboard that can take any idea from conception to execution.

Here are some of the platform’s features worth mentioning:

• You get a limitless digital workspace so you can add maps, diagrams, and wireframes.
• You can automate routine tasks like generating mind maps, adding sticky notes, drafting user stories, and summarizing content.
• There are over 300 customizable templates available.
• You can collaborate live with your team using shared cursors or asynchronously with features like videos, timers, voting, and private mode.
• You can integrate Miro with Jira, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, and others. 
• You can convert boards into presentations or even workshops with built-in polling and voting features.
• The feature Spaces let you organize boards by team or project, and Sections group related content for better navigation and clarity.

And if you are worried about your team’s ideas being shared with the public, know that Miro doesn’t sell customer data. Boards, projects, and content are considered your intellectual property, and Miro explicitly states that they don’t own or resell it.

Overall, Miro is like a comprehensive workspace that is supposed to speed up team collaboration and creative processes. You can give it a shot if you want to grow ideas and move your team forward.

Habitica—best free habit-building app

Habitica is a free, open-source task management app that gives a gaming twist to your life. It transforms your day into a role-playing game, so your real-world tasks become quests. Once you complete the quests, you get gold and loot, or you get penalized for slipping up. How fun is that? 🙂

Here are some of the app’s key features that can boost your productivity:

• You can track positive or negative habits (no matter if they are work-related or not). Completing positive ones grants XP and gold while slipping costs you health.
• You can set recurring tasks that reset daily. You miss one, and your avatar takes damage, and if you miss enough, you get defeated.
• You can add one-off tasks to check them off. Completing them disappears the task and rewards you.
• Once you earn enough XP, you can level up, unlocking new features and restoring health.
• You can outfit your avatar with gear, pets, mounts, and accessories.
• You can team up with friends to tackle shared challenges and fight monsters together. You can also join themed communities or public challenge groups for extra motivation.
• The app makes it easy to see how consistent you’ve been with visual indicators (like color-coding and streak counters). There are also charts and analytics that let you reflect and spot patterns over time.
• The app is available on web, Android, and iOS, and there are dozens of third-party integrations.
• Besides in-game gear, you can set custom rewards, like watching Netflix, to keep yourself motivated.

Overall, I’d say Habitica puts a playful twist on productivity; it’s fun to think your real-world actions can be rewarded  with RPG mechanics. That said, if you prefer minimalist or more corporate productivity tools (like I do), Habitica’s game-based and overly friendly interface may not be that appealing.

IFTTT—best automation app for your business and home

IFTTT, short for If This Then That, is a zero-code automation platform. It connects your favorite apps, devices, and services, allowing you to create automations (called Applets) that trigger actions based on specific conditions.

Every Applet contains a trigger and an action, like “every time I star an email in Gmail (trigger), add it as a task in Todoist (action). It’s pretty simple.

Here are some of the platform’s features that can help you boost productivity:

• You can create automations, like syncing calendar events, logging work hours, or posting across platforms, in seconds.
• You can filter alerts and pings, like getting only key notifications via SMS, Slack, email, or mobile push, while ignoring the rest of the notifications.
• You can keep task trackers and calendars in sync.
• You can publish content once and let IFTTT distribute it across multiple platforms.
• You can connect your digital and physical world, like turning off lights when you leave home.

All in all, IFTTT is always ready to make your life a bit easier. With multiple integrations and a simple setup, it can save you time, streamlining workflow and leaving you free to focus on the work that matters.

DocuSign—best platform for managing digital agreements

DocuSign is a cloud-based platform for managing digital agreements. In DocuSign, you can create documents and e-signatures. It enables legally binding signatures across devices, streamlines workflows, and ensures compliance with global regulations.

Beyond standalone e-signatures, DocuSign also offers Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM), which is an AI system for end-to-end contract workflows.

Here are some of the tool’s key features:

• You can upload, tag, and send documents for signature without printing or scanning.
• You can build templates for common docs (NDAs, HR forms, MSAs) or generate self-service signing pages via PowerForms.
• You can create multi-step, conditional signing flows, smart routing, and triggers to keep documents moving quickly.
• The IAM platform includes contract analytics, obligation tracking, and compliance checks.
• You can know exactly when documents are opened, signed, or pending. You can also send automated reminders, so there are no manual follow-ups.
• DocuSign connects with over 350 platforms and supports signing in 44 languages, with timestamps across time zones.
• The app also offers CLM capabilities, like authoring, negotiation, redlining, obligation tracking, and renewal automation.

DocuSign can help you speed up client sign-offs and ensure your contracts are governed properly. The tool is speedy, accurate, and can help you control every step of the document lifecycle.

Wrapping up

So, what do you think? These are all the tools we at Memtime believe can boost your WFH productivity. Hopefully you find them useful.

And sure, you could keep relying on sticky notes, Slack rabbitholes, and the hope that in the future you will somehow get more organized. Or—here’s a crazy idea—you could actually use tools designed to make your life easier. 🙂

With these apps, you’ll get things done and might even impress your boss enough that they forget you’ve been “taking calls” from your kitchen or bathroom since 2020.

My dear pajama warrior, may your Wi-Fi be strong, your matcha latte stronger, and your excuses for missing deadlines non-existent. Cheers to achievable work from home productivity! 🥂

FAQs

What are the best tools to boost work from home productivity?

There are many apps designed to make your WFH life easier, from automatic time trackers to AI summarizers. Tools like Memtime can help you see exactly how your time is spent, remove cognitive load, and optimize workflow. Apps like Brain.fm, Noiz.io, and Habitica complement your productivity by improving focus, summarizing content, or gamifying habits. Combining these tools lets you work smarter, not harder.

How does Memtime help with time management?

Memtime runs silently in the background, capturing every task, program, and activity on your computer. It creates visual timelines that show where your time actually goes, helping you organize your day and avoid forgotten tasks. By automating time tracking, it reduces stress and gives you more focus.

Are there free productivity tools that work as well as paid ones?

Absolutely. Apps like Joplin, Habitica, and the free tiers of Noiz.io or IFTTT offer excellent functionality with no cost. Memtime also offers a 2-week free trial so you can experience automatic time tracking before committing. Free apps often cover essential tasks, while paid options unlock advanced features for serious workflow optimization.

How can I maintain focus while working from home?

Focus can be tricky with distractions at home, but tools can help. Apps like Brain.fm use AI soundscapes to enhance concentration, while Caveday offers structured, guided focus sessions. Combining these with automatic trackers like Memtime lets you see how your work habits align with your goals, making it easier to stay on track.

Are these productivity apps safe and private to use?

Most modern productivity tools prioritize user privacy. Memtime, for instance, stores all your data locally unless you choose to export it, ensuring your activities stay private. Other apps, like Joplin and Canary Mail, use encryption and secure cloud options, letting you boost productivity without compromising your personal or business data.