We've tested dozens of productivity apps so you don't have to. Here are the tools that actually make a difference — not just the ones with the best marketing.
Task Management
Flowya — Best Floating Todo List
Price: Free
Flowya is a floating todo list that stays on top of all your windows. Unlike traditional task managers that require you to switch apps, Flowya keeps your tasks visible while you work. It's perfect for people who forget tasks the moment they're out of sight.
Best for: Anyone who wants their tasks always visible without context switching.
Things 3 — Best Traditional Todo App
Price: $49.99 (one-time)
If you prefer a full-featured task manager with areas, projects, and tags, Things 3 is the gold standard on Mac. Beautiful design, rock-solid reliability, and no subscription.
Best for: People who need comprehensive project management.
Todoist — Best Cross-Platform
Price: Free / $4/month Pro
Todoist works everywhere — Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, web. If you switch between platforms frequently, it's the most versatile option.
Best for: Multi-platform users who need sync everywhere.
Focus & Distraction Blocking
One Sec — Best for Social Media
Price: Free / $4.99/month
One Sec adds a breathing exercise before opening distracting apps. That small friction is enough to break the mindless scroll habit. Works on iOS and Mac.
Best for: Breaking social media addiction.
Cold Turkey — Most Aggressive Blocker
Price: Free / $39 Pro (one-time)
When you really need to focus, Cold Turkey is the nuclear option. It can block websites, apps, and even the entire internet. The blocks are unbreakable — not even restarting your Mac will disable them.
Best for: People who need strict accountability.
Window Management
Rectangle — Best Free Option
Price: Free (open source)
Rectangle lets you snap windows to screen halves, quarters, and thirds using keyboard shortcuts. It's free, open source, and does exactly what you need.
Best for: Everyone — it should be built into macOS.
Raycast — Best Launcher + More
Price: Free / $8/month Pro
Raycast is Spotlight on steroids. Search files, control apps, run scripts, manage windows, and more — all from one command bar. The extension ecosystem is massive.
Best for: Power users who want to control everything from the keyboard.
Note-Taking
Obsidian — Best for Knowledge Management
Price: Free (personal use)
Obsidian stores notes as local Markdown files with powerful linking between them. Your notes become a connected knowledge base. No vendor lock-in since everything is plain text.
Best for: Building a second brain with interconnected notes.
Apple Notes — Best for Simplicity
Price: Free (built-in)
Don't overlook Apple Notes. It's fast, syncs with iCloud, supports folders, tags, and scanning. For quick capture and simple organization, it's hard to beat.
Best for: People who want simplicity without setup.
Automation
Keyboard Maestro — Most Powerful
Price: $36 (one-time)
If you can imagine an automation, Keyboard Maestro can probably do it. Record macros, trigger scripts, manipulate windows, expand text — the possibilities are endless.
Best for: Automation enthusiasts willing to learn.
Shortcuts — Best Built-In
Price: Free (built-in)
Apple's Shortcuts app is more powerful than most people realize. Create automations with a visual interface, trigger them from the menu bar, keyboard shortcuts, or Siri.
Best for: Getting started with automation without extra software.
Our Pick: Start with These
If you're overwhelmed by choices, start with this minimal stack:
- Flowya — Keep tasks visible (free)
- Rectangle — Manage windows (free)
- Apple Notes — Quick capture (built-in)
- Focus mode — Block distractions (built-in)
These four tools cost nothing and cover the essentials. Add more only when you hit specific limitations.
Ready to try a floating todo list?
Keep your tasks visible while you work. No switching apps.
Download Flowya — Free