Productivity tools

Also known as productivity software and productivity suite, productivity tools are software or services that help you complete tasks more efficiently when using a computer. Productivity software makes creating, editing, viewing, and processing information easier, which helps increase your overall output or reduces the time it takes to accomplish a task. This software is especially useful in an office environment, where most workers deal with information about a company, its products, and its customers.

What is productivity?

Productivity is a measurement of how many goods, services, or work are produced from a unit of labor. If labor hours stay the same, but the quantity of goods, services, or work increases, then there's a net increase in productivity.

For example, when writing a letter, a person with a pen and paper would be less productive than someone using a typewriter. However, a person on a typewriter would be less productive than a person on a computer with a word processor. Generally, as technology increases, so does productivity.

Productivity software

Below lists productivity software and services. Some of these programs may be included as part of a suite (a collection of programs bundled together), while others are standalone programs. Many of them are also available online and accessible from a computer or mobile device.

AI chatbots

Chatbots incorporating AI (artificial intelligence) technology provide strong productivity and efficiency gains. AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot help users with research and writing content. Questions and context are provided by users, and the chatbots construct content to answer those questions and incorporate the supplied context.

Word processors

Word processing programs, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, help create letters, reports, and other text-based documents.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet software, like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, helps organize, list, analyze, and store data in a tabular format. These programs are great for planning, tracking spending, and data analysis.

Presentation software

Presentation software, like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides, helps convey information in a way that's more visually appealing than a standard document.

E-mail

E-mail programs, like Microsoft Outlook, and services, like Gmail, help with creating, sending, receiving, and organizing e-mail messages.

Calendar

There are many different types of calendar apps. However, Google Calendar is free and one of the best available today.

Note-taking apps

Programs like Microsoft OneNote and Evernote help users record their ideas or maintain lists. These notes can also be shared with other users for collaborative purposes or distribute knowledge.

Project management tools

Platforms like Asana, Jira, and Trello, and software like Microsoft Project help organize and keep track of projects and keep everyone working on the same project up-to-date.

Communication tools

Programs like Discord, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Webex, and Zoom are tools that allow team members to communicate with one another. These tools can be especially useful when workers are at different locations.

Time management tools

Tools like RescueTime or Toggl can keep track of how you spend your time while on the computer and help you focus more if you become distracted.

Business terms, Software terms, Spreadsheet terms, Word processor terms, Workgroup productivity packages