“What’s the most underrated iOS productivity app you’ve discovered? Why do you think it’s overlooked and what’s one standout feature that makes it valuable?”
Here is what 5 thought leaders had to say.
Things 3: Powerful Simplicity Behind Premium Price
Things 3 is an underrated iOS productivity app often overlooked due to its higher one-time purchase cost and minimalist design. While many users gravitate towards more feature-rich alternatives like Todoist or Trello, they may underestimate Things 3’s capabilities, assuming its simplicity limits functionality. This perception, combined with the absence of a free tier, can deter those seeking budget-friendly or subscription-based task management solutions.
Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo
Bear: Minimalist Note-Taking App Hides Powerful Features
Bear is a minimalist note-taking app that combines simplicity and versatility, making it a valuable yet underrated tool for productivity, especially in affiliate marketing. Its powerful features often go unnoticed due to limited brand visibility compared to popular competitors like Evernote and Notion. Bear excels in text formatting and organization, but its niche functionality may deter users who prioritize more mainstream options.
Michael Kazula, Director of Marketing, Olavivo
Drafts: Capture Text Now, Decide Purpose Later
The most underrated iOS productivity app I’ve discovered is Drafts. It’s often overlooked because its interface appears overly simple at first glance, but that simplicity hides its real power.
The standout feature is the ability to instantly capture text and then decide later what to do with it — whether that’s sending it to email, reminders, a project management tool, or simply organizing it. This eliminates the bother of figuring out where an idea belongs in the moment, making it very useful for busy professionals.
George Fironov, Co-Founder & CEO, Talmatic
Things 3: Elegant Task Management Without Excess
The most underrated iOS productivity app I’ve discovered is Things 3. It’s often overshadowed by bigger names like Todoist or Notion, but I think it’s overlooked because it’s not as flashy or feature-heavy. What sets Things 3 apart is its simplicity and elegance—it’s incredibly easy to use, and yet highly powerful. The standout feature for me is its “Today” list, which smartly organizes tasks based on urgency and deadlines without overwhelming you. It’s a simple interface that lets me focus on what really matters each day, which is exactly what I need when managing multiple projects. The lack of clutter and intuitive design help me stay productive without wasting time setting things up. I’ve found it to be one of the most effective tools for staying organized, especially for people who prefer minimalistic approaches to task management.
Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen
Drafts: Distraction-Free Capture With Powerful Actions
Drafts is the most underrated iOS productivity app I’ve used. It opens directly to a blank page and syncs instantly. That’s it. No distractions. You type, then decide what to do with it. Send it to email, create a task, move it to a note, or just keep writing. It respects your workflow without trying to shape it.
Most people skip over Drafts because it looks too simple. That’s the point. Simple tools that stay out of your way create fewer delays. In my role at EcoATM, where fast decision-making meets constant context switching, I need a reliable place to capture quick thoughts. Drafts gives me that. I’ve jotted down everything from weekly campaign goals to a phrase for a headline, all while walking between meetings.
The standout feature is the customizable actions. You can create quick send-offs to Slack, Google Docs, or Asana. One tap, and the note’s where it needs to be. It turns short notes into fast actions. No bloated interface. No forced templates. Just input and output. Drafts isn’t flashy, which is why it gets ignored. But when you need speed and flexibility, nothing else comes close.