Boost Employee Productivity: 9 Productivity Tools for 2024

With more people working remotely and teams scattered globally, the challenge of distractions has never been greater, making it tough for your team to stay productive. If you're reading this blog, you might be in the process of searching for the right tool to enhance your employees' productivity, feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of results on your search engine.

The reality is, there's no one-size-fits-all solution in the realm of productivity apps. Everyone has different working styles, and what proves effective for one company may not be suitable for another. Instead of claiming there's a single best tool, this blog is here to walk you through 9 options. We'll break them down, assisting you in identifying which one aligns best with your company's unique needs. The aim is to empower you to make an informed choice based on what caters to your specific needs and objectives.

9 Productivity Tools to Boost Employee Performance in 2024

To compile this list, we have invested numerous hours in thorough research and extensive app testing. Our evaluation involved utilizing each app according to its intended purpose and assessing it against the specific criteria we established for the category.

1. Rework

Rework is a comprehensive work management solution that includes project management, task management, and detailed time-tracking features. It offers a unified platform for streamlined workflow and data-driven decision-making.

Key features:

• Effortless Workflow: Create projects, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress within one seamless platform.

• Time Transparency: Gain detailed insights into individual and team time allocation, boosting accountability.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Leverage comprehensive reports to optimize workflow and make informed choices.

• Integration Station: Connect Rework with popular tools like Slack and Asana for a smooth work experience.

Best fit for: Companies willing to invest in a comprehensive solution and prioritize streamlined management.

2. ClickUp

ClickUp is a powerful, all-in-one platform that allows you to manage tasks, projects, documents, goals, and more. It offers customizable workflows, whiteboards, mind maps, screen recording, and project import features for enhanced collaboration and brainstorming.

Key features:

• Granular Task Management: Break down tasks into manageable pieces for laser-focused productivity.

• Creative Canvas: Brainstorm and visualize with whiteboards, mind maps, and screen recordings.

• Project Import: Seamlessly bring existing projects into ClickUp, saving time and effort.

• Trackable Goals: Set clear objectives and monitor progress, keeping your team motivated.

Best fit for: Teams who thrive on flexibility and need a single platform for various work styles.

3. Monday.com

Monday.com delivers intuitive work management software designed to optimize the planning, execution, and tracking of tasks. Its vibrant, user-friendly interface utilizes Kanban boards and other visual tools to empower teams of all levels, from leadership setting organizational goals to individual contributors managing daily responsibilities.

Key features:

• Visual Kanban boards: See your workflow unfold with drag-and-drop ease, fostering clear communication and collaboration.

• Customizable dashboards: Tailor your workspace to your unique needs, gaining real-time insights into progress and bottlenecks.

• Seamless integrations: Connect Monday.com with your favorite tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Zoom for a unified experience.

Best fit for: Organizations of all sizes seeking to enhance team collaboration, communication, and project management through a visually engaging and intuitive platform.

4. Lark

Lark offers a powerful set of tools for smooth communication and collaboration in dynamic workspaces. With features like one-on-one and group messaging, secure file sharing, video conferencing, and integrated task management, teams can connect, share, and achieve goals efficiently. The platform also ensures streamlined document creation with permission control and version history, keeping everyone on the same page. The integrated calendar further facilitates effortless scheduling and coordination.

Key features:

• Unified platform: Shift effortlessly between 1-on-1 chats, group messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing, all within a single, user-friendly interface.

• Real-time collaboration: Edit documents and spreadsheets together, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.

• Task management with a twist: Assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress with intuitive features that keep your team focused and accountable.

Best fit for: Dynamic teams seeking a unified platform to streamline communication, collaboration, and project management.

5. Asana

Asana is a web-based task and project management tool designed to help teams efficiently organize, collaborate, and execute tasks. Positioned as a solution to manage chaos and meet deadlines, Asana eliminates the need for excessive email communication. It provides teams with the ability to track tasks, collaborate seamlessly, and share files within a unified platform.

Key features:

• Centralized Communication: Keep everyone informed by tracking messages, attaching tasks, and converting comments into actionable items.

• Flexible Task Views: Choose from list, calendar, board, or inbox views to stay organized based on your preference.

• Management Tools: Set goals, milestones, and reminders, use reports and dashboards for clear team communication.

• Collaborative Teams: Group people into teams, share announcements, and involve others by adding followers for broader participation.

• App Integrations: Connect with communication tools like Slack, file-sharing platforms like Dropbox, and project management apps like Power BI.

Best fit for: Teams seeking a central command center for organized project management, collaboration, and clear communication.

6. Trello

Trello is a visual tool that empowers teams to manage projects, workflows, and task tracking with ease. Users can add files, checklists, and even automation, customizing the platform to suit their team's preferences. The process is simple: sign up, create a board, and get started!

Key features:

• Board Organization: Visually manage projects and tasks using boards, lists, and cards to create a customized workflow.

• Team Collaboration: Invite team members for real-time collaboration and communication, ensuring everyone stays on the same page.

• Power-Ups: Enhance Trello with integrations connecting to other apps and tools for streamlined tasks and improved productivity.

• Calendar Integration: Connect Trello boards to your calendar for seamless scheduling and time management.

• Automation: Utilize built-in automation features like Butler to streamline repetitive tasks and processes, saving time and improving workflow.

• Reporting and Analytics: Gain insights into team performance and project progress with reporting and analytics features.

Best fit for: Teams who thrive on visual organization, enjoy real-time collaboration, and appreciate automation features for streamlining workflows.

7. Time Doctor

Time Doctor is a well-known employee productivity tracking tool that offers automatic time tracking, website and application monitoring, productivity ratings, and idle tracking. It helps identify areas for improvement and boost individual accountability.

Key features:

• Automatic Startup: Track employee attendance and work hours effortlessly from the moment they turn on their computer.

• Automated Tracking: Monitor time spent on tasks automatically, minimizing manual efforts.

• Productivity Ratings: Identify areas for improvement with website-specific ratings.

• Idle Tracking: Recognize inactive periods and encourage focused work time.

Best fit for: Teams with remote workers or requiring detailed time management data.

8. ProofHub

ProofHub is a project management platform with integrated time tracking, custom workflows, employee-level reporting, and integrations with communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams. It helps streamline project management and facilitate collaboration.

Key features:

• Task-Attached Time Tracking: Directly connect time spent to specific tasks for clear insights.

• Customizable Workflows: Adapt ProofHub to fit unique project needs, promoting efficiency.

• Employee-Level Reporting: Monitor team performance easily with individual reports.

• Integration Hub: Stay connected with remote teams through Slack and Microsoft Teams integrations.

Best fit for: Project-driven teams looking for a balance between productivity tracking and team engagement.

9. Hubstaff

Hubstaff is a comprehensive employee productivity and workforce management platform with features like automated timesheets, self-management tools, geofencing for field teams, and integrations with Hubstaff Talent and Hubstaff Tasks. It provides a robust solution for managing remote teams.

Key features:

• Automated Timesheets: Simplify scheduling and time tracking, saving managers and employees time.

• Self-Management Tools: Empower individuals with habit trackers and daily stand-ups to boost self-awareness.

• Geofencing: Track time spent at specific job sites for field-based teams.

• Talent & Tasks Integrations: Expand to HR management and task delegation with Hubstaff add-ons.

Best fit for: Companies with remote teams requiring comprehensive tracking and management solutions.

Choosing the Right Productivity Tools for Your Business Needs

With so many options available, it can be tough to pick the best productivity tools for your company. Start by thinking about what you need to keep an eye on, and then look for tools that match those specific needs.

The key is to begin with your most important metrics. Once you've identified them, consider factors like how easy the tool is to use, whether it integrates well with your existing systems, if it allows for custom reporting and its pricing.

If you're short on time and don't want to go through the hassle of evaluating external tools, consider the convenience of using Rework. Rework offers a wide range of services designed to enhance your team's productivity. Contact us today to learn more about how Rework can enhance your team's efficiency, and start reaping the benefits of our services.