Our phones can take near-professional quality photos, they have a calendar to keep us on track, AI tools to boost our productivity and they are a handy communication device too! But, joking aside, a less jam-packed smart phone can solve a lot of problems and make our lives much easier. There are the apps that everyone has heard of and those that are lesser known and yet they are surprisingly useful. Quality over quantity, as they say!
How to Choose the Best Underrated Apps
Finding new apps is easy, the hard part is finding out which ones are actually useful and not downloading something that clutters up your device. We’ve all heard about apps that will change our lives and a few weeks later we can’t remember why we downloaded it. There is a solid formula that can help you to find apps that are winners.
- Identify Friction Points: These are minor annoyances that hinder our daily lives, such as: copy-pasting quotes, searching for emails, forgetting passwords and many more. Once you’ve identified a few of these issues, look for an app that’s designed to save you time and stress.
- Exportability and Longevity: Make sure that the app saves in the most common formats, such as: Markdown, PDF and CSV. It should sync to the services you use and trust and you need to know that it will be with you for the future. It’s a sad fact that some small apps vanish entirely which can leave you in a bind.
- Style and Function: Many apps are freeform in nature and some are more structured. This is intentional to serve differing philosophies and functions. The tools you choose need to complement how you think and work.
- The 30-second Rule: If you can’t work out how to use the app within 30 seconds, it’s probably not a good fit for you. All the hidden app gems included on the list below are intuitive and easy to use.
- Purposeful Experimentation: Avoid downloading multiple apps at the same time and any apps you’re interested in should be used for at least two weeks. This will give you ample time to discover if it is making your life easier. If you can’t notice a difference, then uninstall it and look for an alternative.
- Respect Your Home Screen: The apps that you use on a daily or weekly basis deserve a place on your home screen real estate. Anything else can reside in a folder or the cloud until you need to use them.
Now that you know how to evaluate an app here are twenty apps that you may want to try.
20. Obsidian
This app is a note taking tool that goes far beyond a simple folder of files that you’re unlikely to look at any time soon. Obsidian adds graph views, back-linking, local-first storage and more to your favorite mobile device. Ideas can be brought into your phone to form connections that can be linked to other thoughts to form cohesive patterns.
This is an excellent app for those that need searchable notes in a portable plain-text (markdown) format. The app can be extended with plugins and it can act as your own personal wiki that grows with you.
The best way to get started is with a small daily note habit of 1-3 sentences with a single link to a longer note. This will build tiny webs that will expand faster than you may imagine.
19. Tasker
This is an Android only app that is a phone automation marvel. Perhaps you want your phone to automatically go silent when the calendar is showing a meeting? Maybe you need the WiFi to turn off when you leave your home? What about an automated text to warn you if your battery drops under 10%? Tasker can do all this and more with triggers, variables and conditions for those who hate constant screen tapping. Tasker can even turn a device into a context-aware assistant with its own learning curve.
18. Drafts
This is an iOS app that works as a “capture layer” for the iPhone for writing, dictating and sending that data to a document, message, task manager or for automation purposes.
This removes a great deal of the friction that often hinders the connection between that initial thought and action. Most native note apps prompt you to select a storage location, but Drafts assumes it’s important and offers a range of actions. This is an excellent app for writers, frequent sharers and those with multi-step workflows.
17. Focuster
There are numerous Pomodoro apps that range from minimal to gamified interfaces to help the user boost their productivity. Focuster is a focus management tool that features timers, session analytics, task linking and more. It can take up to 24 minutes to regain focus after an interruption and Focuster can help you limit distractions. For the best results pair this app with a small reward for each task you complete.
16. Readwise
If you read articles and books but you cannot locate highlighted sections later, you may find that Readwise fits your needs. This app collects highlights from articles, ebooks, PDFs and other sources and resurfaces them with repetitive spacing. This makes the material easier to read and search to build an archive of your own.
This is an excellent app for those that want to turn passive reading into something more useful, such as: project insights, quotes, study reminders and more. Use the Readwise share extension to clip interesting paragraphs from the app or your browser and the highlights are automatically imported.
15. Spark Mail
This email app organizes your inbox using smarter categorization, such as: personal, pinned, newsletters and more. The swipe actions are powerful and the collaborative emails and shared drafts are ideal for teams. The quick filters make the elusive tip to “Inbox Zero” feel like an achievable objective.
Spark Mail offers the opportunity to triage your email at a glance and it’s easy to pin important threads and archive material. The quick replies feature can take care of shorter emails with a single tap.
14. AppyFlowy and Anytype
We’ve paired these two apps together because they’re both open-source and privacy-focused alternatives to commercial wikis and note taking apps. Both have modular interfaces which allows you to design notes, relationships and databases.
They offer a level of control and ownership that many new and commercial productivity tools lack. These apps are still evolving, but they work well as a single-sourced index that can be linked to other day-to-day capture apps.
13. CollaNote
This is a mobile friendly app which is primarily designed for iPad use. It offers a smart way to scribble notes, record audio and sketch ideas quickly. Users will combine typing, recording and handwriting into a single budget-friendly package. It’s easy to write, export and collaborate for creatives and students that enjoy tactile note-taking.
The audio-sync feature is a great way to take lecture notes because you scrub the audio later to find where your handwriting jumped to a key moment.
12. CapCut
This is a mobile video editing studio that’s been around for a long time. Over the years, it has evolved into a pro-level powerhouse with multi-track editing, filters, export presents and keyframe animations. It’s a beginner-friendly app for those that want to polish their phone footage clips or make short-form videos.
CapCut can turn most phones into a tiny movie studio. Many influencers rely on this app, but it’s often overlooked by casual creators. To speed up batch editing, save project templates for YouTube Shorts, TikTok’s, IG Reels and other formats.
11. 2FAS Auth
This is a simple and secure two-factor authenticator that offers a viable alternative to Aegis, Authy and other apps. Some authenticators are hard to navigate and clunky to use. This lesser-known app has a clean UI, passphrase protections, cloud-free backups and more.
For those that want enhanced security and solid backup for their next phone switch, 2FAS Auth has a lot to offer. The codes can be exported or scanned as a QR backup to set up critical accounts to avoid lockout for a device change.
10. LumaFusion
This is a mobile-first iOS pro-level video app for iPad and iPhone creatives. It has color correction, multi-track timeline control and solid export options. This is a go-to app for many video editing professionals that work on a tablet or phone screen. This is desktop-grade editing on the go that’s flown under the radar of most non-professionals. The LumaFusion storyboards can be used to arrange clips rapidly before detailed trimming to save time.
9. Taskito & GoodTask
These two apps are Android and iOS respectively and they offer smart ways to rethink how you make a simple to-do list. Many native reminders work fine for a simple list, but as that list expands into more complex projects they can become confusing.
Both Taskito and GoodTask have a timeline, context-aware sorting, recurring rules and other features that don’t descend into complex PM tools. Using a project template for repetitive workflows such as: “Weekly Plans” or “Move House” works very well with these apps.
8. Flow by Moleskine & Infinite Painter
These two apps are ideal for those that want a smooth pen to draw with, layering and robust export features. For those that want a simpler and mobile-friendly alternative to Photoshop with all the key features they need to doodle and illustrate, these apps fit the bill. Flow by Moleskine is an elegant sketchbook with a minimal interface that inspires creativity. Infinite Painter offers perspective tools, infinite-canvas workflows and natural-feel brushes. For the best results, try a stylus or Apple Pencil to get the most out of the pressure-sensitive brush stacks.
7. Castbox & Pocket Casts
These two apps are excellent podcast players that offer smart playlists, cross-device sync, and skip silences/accelerated playback. For true podcast aficionados the Pocket Cast discovery and tag system is an extremely underrated feature. A solid tip is to build a smart “Listen Later” playlist that you can add episodes at any time.
6. Microsoft Math Solver and Photomath
These interesting apps allow you to take a photo of an equation and get the step-by-step solution to solve it. This is a real game changer for students and parents that don’t want to grapple with a typed equation. These scanning apps offer a real learning opportunity because you can see the methodology behind the final answer.
If you want to use these scanners as learning tools, read the steps carefully and apply them to fresh problems. Then re-scan to see how you did and gradually you will notice that your math skills are improving.
5. Stocard
This app digitizes your loyalty and membership cards into a single location to free up pocket space. Using Stocard will speed up the checkout speeds at the stores and let the cashier scan any barcodes quickly. The setup is minimal and payoff is immediate. If you scan the cards when you collect receipts you can clean up your wallet in less than five minutes!
4. Habitica and Fortune City
Gamified habit trackers are a welcome relief from stale apps that feel like a chore to use. Tying RPG and city-building mechanics into real world habits that can be tracked as you progress can feel very rewarding. For many users, these types of apps can be the difference between “I should” and “I want to”. Pairing a new gaming habit app with a small and tangible reward can further boost the formation of positive habits.
3. Steno & Noted
These and other similar apps can turn recorded conversations into timestamped and searchable notes. Taking meeting notes with timestamped audio is extremely useful because you can skip to the precise moment when an important point arose.
For anyone that’s tried to capture a lecture, interview or a private brainstorming session, it’s easy to see how this can be a gamechanger. To highlight key moments in realtime, tap the star to find it later and it will be easy to locate it.
2. Juno
This AI-powered app sits in on your online meetings, transcribes the audio, summarizes the key points and then pulls out the actionable items. This data is then sent automatically to your Google Calendar or Slack for future reference. This is ideal for people that don’t want to take notes and replay an entire meeting.
1. Brain.fm
This app generates AI-composed music that’s tailored to help you relax, sleep or focus. The audio is backed up with cognitive research to create a perfect compromise between complete silence and music that’s too distracting. Brain.fm utilizes neuroscience-inspired sound canvases that are designed to optimize the rhythm of the human brain. The best way to get started with this app is to select a “Focus” session for studying or work and see how the subtle beats direct your attention without becoming overwhelming.
The Small Ways that Apps Alter Our Phone Habits
An initial glance at this list of twenty apps may reveal some that look like they would be nice to have. But, this first impression can be deceptive and after using them and living with them for a while you may notice positive shifts in how you’re using your phone. Let’s take a look at how good underrated apps can alter our habits for the better.
The Focus Tool
One of the main reasons why some people dislike smartphones is that they perceive them to be a distraction device. It’s easy to understand why; the doomscroll is real and it’s amazing how much time can be lost. But, installing an app that tracks time can transform the phone into a focus tool that keeps you on track. Instead of TikTok you can load up a soundscape or timer to help you be productive.
Automation
An app like Tasker can negate the need for multiple micro-actions to remove mental clutter and save time. There is no need to copy-paste, toggle WiFi and repetitive tapping becomes a thing of the past. The app just works automatically and finally your phone is working for you and not demanding your attention.
How Underrated Apps Flip Your Phone Habits
| App Energy | What It Changes | Why It Feels Like a Glow-Up | The Long-Term Vibe Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Time Saver | Cuts down endless scrolling or repetitive tasks | More free time without the guilt | You feel in control of your day |
| The Hidden Skill Builder | Turns downtime into quick learning moments | Feels like leveling up without trying | Random talents that actually come in handy |
| The Creativity Spark | Unlocks new ways to express yourself | Makes your phone feel like a playground | More “look what I made” moments |
| The Brain Unclutterer | Organizes chaos in two taps | Instant stress relief | Calmer headspace, clearer focus |
| The Life Optimizer | Tracks or upgrades little routines | Tiny tweaks that add up fast | Healthier, smoother daily flow |
| The Connection Booster | Creates new ways to bond or share | Makes social time more intentional | Stronger relationships that stick |
A Creative Outlet
Installing apps like Infinite Painter and CapCut can transform your phone into a creative outlet. This is infinitely preferable over scrolling on a passive device. Perhaps you can edit a fun clip, make a meme, draw a cartoon or anything else you can imagine.
Discovering an underrated app that really makes a positive change in your life can be a revelation. Perhaps it changes how you take notes, make lists, schedule tasks and make you smile. The best apps are intuitive, they often work in the background and after using them you can’t imagine how you used to get along without them. The apps on our list and others you have yet to discover can turn your phone from a distraction device into a handy sidekick that always has your back.
