The Best Business Productivity Tools You Should Be Using Going Into 2025
Every year brings a new wave of productivity tools, each calling itself the next big thing and promising to revolutionize the way we work. With so many options out there, how do you know which tools will actually make a difference for you and your team?
With 2025 underway, Reena Cruz, PDF Productivity Expert at Xodo, a comprehensive PDF and document management platform, breaks down the top productivity apps you’ll want to have in your business toolkit this year.
1. Todoist
This task management app lets you easily create, organize, and prioritize your to-dos. Whether you’re managing a personal project or collaborating with your team, Todoist helps you stay on top of everything. You can set deadlines, assign tasks to others, and even get a clear view of your tasks using different management views like Kanban boards. It’s perfect for keeping your business on track, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks, and enabling smooth teamwork.
2. Calendly
No more endless back-and-forth trying to set up meetings – Calendly syncs with your calendar to automatically display your availability, letting others book time with you in just a few clicks. It checks for conflicts and sends reminders so you never double-book or forget an appointment.
“It also integrates seamlessly with Zoom, Teams, and other platforms, meaning you can spend less time organizing and more time doing,” Reena tells us.
3. Evernote
With Evernote, you can capture ideas, manage projects, and keep everything you need in one organized space. This note-taking app goes beyond just text; you can add images, audio clips, and even scan documents. Evernote’s powerful search feature lets you quickly find anything you’ve saved, and its ability to integrate with other tools like Google Drive and Slack makes it an essential part of any productivity toolkit, helping your team stay organized and in sync.
4. Xodo
Xodo is perfect for businesses that deal with a lot of documents. Whether you need to annotate PDFs, convert documents, or fill in forms, Xodo does it all. It also allows you to securely view, edit, and sign documents on any device, anytime, anywhere, and is available on both iOS and Android devices.
Need to make changes on a PDF or merge multiple files? Xodo’s got you covered. With its AI-powered AskPDF feature, you can even chat with your PDFs to get quick summaries and answers to your questions. “Xodo is perfect for businesses looking to streamline their document workflows and strengthen team collaboration,” says Reena.
5. Harvest
When it comes to tracking billable hours, managing expenses, and creating invoices, Harvest is the perfect solution for businesses large and small. This intuitive app lets you track time with just a click, making sure you stay on top of project budgets and client billing.
The platform also integrates with tools like Asana and Trello, so that all your time tracking fits seamlessly into your existing workflow. Plus, Harvest offers comprehensive reports that help you understand how time is being spent.
6. Basecamp
Basecamp’s all-in-one approach allows teams to manage tasks, share files, discuss projects in real-time, and track deadlines—all in one place. “Basecamp’s simplicity makes it easy for teams to get started, and its broad range of features keep everything organized,” says Reena.
7. RescueTime
For businesses looking to optimize their team’s time, RescueTime is a must-have. This app runs in the background, automatically tracking where and how time is spent on devices. It generates detailed reports to help identify productivity patterns and potential distractions.
With features like goal-setting and real-time alerts, RescueTime helps employees stay on track and improve their focus. It’s a great way for businesses to ensure that their teams are spending their time efficiently and making the most of their workday.
“Having the right tools in place can make all the difference to your business. You shouldn’t jump at every trendy app out there—it’s better to be strategic and find what works best for your unique needs.
“If your team struggles with communication, a messaging platform like Slack might be just what you need. If you’re having trouble with project tracking, Asana or Trello could give you the structure and clarity to stay on top.” Reena recommends.
“The best part? Tools like these help you reclaim time and focus, letting you zero in on the important stuff. The key is understanding what your business needs right now and picking the tools that are truly going to push it forward.”