12 Remote Work Apps for Staying Productive in 2024

This list of remote work tools and travel apps will help you get more done on the go whether you're a remote worker, a digital nomad, or a mobile entrepreneur.

Face it. If you’re working remotely, you likely sometimes struggle to stay focused and productive. Thankfully, there’s a growing number of remote work apps and tools available to boost employee productivity and facilitate collaboration among remote teams.

Here’s a carefully curated list of the best remote work apps and tools that can help you be more effective at your job, whether you’re working from the comfort of your couch or on the back of a barge heading to Bora Bora.

12 Best remote work apps for staying productive

1. Todoist: Manage tasks from anywhere
2. Evernote: Capture ideas on the go
3. ProofHub: Track time spent on various tasks and activities
4. Trello: Keep remote teams connected
5. Asana: Stay organized while working remotely
6. Slack: Facilitate communication with your team
7. Google Workspace: Create, communicate, and collaborate
8. Zoom: Host free video conferences
9. WiFi Map: Find free Wi-Fi near you
10. ChatGPT: Get instant answers, learn something new
11. Brain.fm: Tune out distractions
12. Workfrom: Find work-friendly environments near you

1. Todoist: Manage tasks from anywhere

When you set a due time for a task, Todoist automatically sets a reminder for you

A versatile task management app, Todoist provides a centralized platform for managing tasks, making it easy for remote workers to create, organize, and prioritize work.

In addition to the standard task-app fare (organizing tasks, setting due dates, assigning labels and priorities), you can share with and assign tasks to your teammates while staying up to date with real-time task tracking and productivity statistics.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

2. Evernote: Capture ideas on the go

In Evernote, it’s easy to search for and view tasks by assignment, note, or due date.

Inspiration can strike at any moment. With Evernote, a robust note-taking app, you can easily record your ideas at any time, from anywhere, in any format, on any device and share with colleagues (even if they don’t use the app). Evernote integrates with several popular apps, including Google Drive, Gmail, and Outlook, so you can attach documents and emails to your notes for reference later.

Evernote also offers over50 easy-to-install remote work templates for all sorts of useful tasks, including trip planning, tracking milestones, and note taking. The templates are fully customizable and reusable and can be saved as notes that can then be shared with teammates.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

3. ProofHub: Track time spent on various tasks and activities

Use timesheets to set estimates and track time spent on projects.

While ProofHub offers a platform for all project-related needs, its time-tracking features set it apart. As a manager of a geographically dispersed team, you can set and communicate how much time it should take to complete a task and then measure your team’s efficiency against project estimates. You can also use timesheets to track client billing and payroll processing.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

4. Trello: Keep remote teams connected

Trello utilizes a visual board, list, and card system that can help you organize just about any type of project (or team), from event planning to product development. Drag and drop files and paste images from your clipboard onto cards and then organize your cards into lists. You can attach Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive links to your cards to keep both assets and ideas in one place to share with your distributed team or keep for yourself.

Trello’s Remote Work templates cover everything from daily planning and team bonding to brainstorming and building a remote team culture.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

5. Asana: Stay organized while working remotely

Monitor and track team initiatives in Asana.

Asana is a flexible project management tool that offers multiple ways for remote workers to view and manage projects and tasks, from a Kanban board and calendar to simple to-do lists and timelines. You can also switch between views to gain another perspective and set up custom dashboards which help you stay on top of your team’s progress.

Finally, Asana’s free version supports up to 15 members, along with unlimited task and project creation.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

6. Slack: Facilitate communication with your team

Slack makes it easy to stay on the same page and communicate with your team.

A messaging app, Slack makes asynchronous communication a snap. You can message anyone inside your organization and collaborate in real time (just like you would in person). Additionally, you can create channels (or rooms) on the fly for different purposes, such as customer support tickets and social media mentions.

Want to find support and connect with like-minded folks outside your organization? Slack Communities is the answer. As a remote worker, consider joining a community of telecommuting enthusiasts, such as We Work Remotely, Digital Nomad, and Remotely One.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

7. Google Workspace: Create, communicate, and collaborate

Google Workspace combines productivity and collaboration tools.

Workspace provides centralized access to Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides—essential apps for creating and editing documents and collaborating with your team in real time.

Need to talk something over quickly? You can join and host meetings from anywhere in the world with Google Meet. And of course, with Google Calendar, you can keep track of all your events, share and view group calendars, and keep your work and personal lives on track. Plus, with Google Drive, you can store, access, and share all your files in one secure place.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

8. Zoom: Host free video conferences

Zoom mobile app with integrated chat.

What would we do without Zoom—even in a post-pandemic world? With a free basic account, you can schedule an unlimited number of video conferences and invite up to 100 participants per meeting. During the call, you can share screens and whiteboards and chat with teammates.

It’s easy to join a Zoom call on the go—whether you’re dialing in from your home office or on a train heading to Hamburg. With a free account, you’ll need to create and stick to an agenda, since meetings timeout after 40 minutes. But that’s a good thing, right?

Platform: iOS, Android, web

9. WiFi Map: Find free Wi-Fi near you

With WiFi Maps, it’s easy to find free Wi-Fi hotspots and get internet access on the go.

A stable internet connection links you to the rest of the world. Without it, remote work would not be an option. That’s where WiFi Map comes in. Through the magic of crowdsourcing, WiFi Map compiles more than 150 million free hotspots in over 200 countries around the world (along with passwords and internet speeds submitted by users).

From Germany to Jamaica, the app also supports eSIM and VPN and allows you to download and access Wi-Fi maps offline.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

10. ChatGPT: Get instant answers, learn something new

ChatGPT interface on iPhone

No doubt, artificial intelligence is changing the world. Unleashed in 2022, ChatGPT is hands down the most-talked-about app today (not to mention the #1 productivity app in the App Store). Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT combines "chat” and "GPT” (a generative pre-trained transformer) into a natural language processing tool.

Ask it anything. Chat GPT will reply with smart suggestions and recommendations based on deep learning and neural networks. ChatGPT can help you brainstorm, translate text and documents, conduct research—it’s endlessly useful.

Platform: iOS, Android, web

11. Brain.fm: Tune out distractions

Brain.fm streams custom music to help you achieve your ideal mental state.

Working remotely can be distracting. Dogs yipping. The smell of popcorn. UPS delivery. Can music help you focus? Brain.fm and the National Science Foundation believe so. Brain.fm designs music with your brain in mind. Its patented technology identifies the optimal Hz range for a given mental state and translates it into volume modulations within certain areas of its music. 

When you sign up for the free trial, there’s a short quiz that helps Brain.fm adjust the music so your brain won’t feel bored or over-stimulated.

Platform: iOS, web

12. Workfrom: Find work-friendly environments near you

Workfrom interface in the browser, showing place to work in San Francisco

As a remote worker, you might need to establish a temporary base of operations to concentrate for hours at a time. Workfrom makes that easier by crowdsourcing local recommendations from a large community of remote workers.

Whether it’s a coffee shop, bar, or co-working space, you can find locations near you based on priorities such as good Wi-Fi, manageable noise levels, and power outlet availability. Each venue gets a “workability score” from one to four to help you choose the best place to work. Plus, as a member, you can contribute your own favorite spots too.

Available for: iOS, Android, web

Overcoming the challenges of remote work

Regardless of profession, remote workers of all kinds share many of the same challenges, whether it’s locating a steady internet connection or simply finding the focus to get things done. 

By embracing a few (or all) of the apps above, you can also embrace the benefits that come with remote work—namely, the freedom to choose the setting you work in and the flexibility to live a fuller life.

Remote work apps FAQ

What is remote work software?

Remote work software (RWS) includes applications and tools that allow employees (and contractors) to manage and collaborate on projects from anywhere in the world. A wide variety of software types and purposes fall within the RWS category, including hosted video platforms (for meetings), cloud storage (for sharing files), communication apps (for email and real-time chat), and apps for collaboration and project management.

What are the best remote working apps?

1. Todoist: Manage tasks from anywhere
2. Evernote: Capture ideas on the go
3. ProofHub: Track time spent on various tasks and activities
4. Trello: Keep remote teams connected
5. Asana: Stay organized while working remotely
6. Slack: Facilitate communication with your team
7. Google Workspace: Create, communicate, and collaborate
8. Zoom: Host free video conferences
9. WiFi Map: Find free wifi near you
10. ChatGPT: Get instant answers, learn something new
11. Brain.fm: Tune out distractions
12. Workfrom: Find work-friendly environments near you

What are the easiest jobs to do remotely?

• Customer support representative 
• Online tutor
• Recruiting specialist
• Transcriptionist
• Translator
• Travel agent
• Social media marketer 
• Content creator 
• Online therapist 
• Blogger
• Insurance agent 
• Photo/video editor
• Online events coordinator 

What are the benefits or remote work apps?

Remote work apps are often free or low-cost and can help you increase productivity, enhance communication, streamline workflows, increase transparency, and keep remote teams on track and organized.

How do you choose the best remote work app?

When choosing the best app, there’s no one-size-fits-all. It’s important to search for an app based on your requirements. Evaluate the features and limitations of the app to determine whether it aligns with your remote work needs.