12 Best Productivity Apps for iPhone in 2025
Looking for truly native iPhone productivity apps? This guide covers iOS-first tools—from Things 3 to rivva—built for Apple’s ecosystem.
Your iPhone deserves better than apps that feel like Android ports.
You know the feeling: you download a productivity app with great reviews, open it, and immediately sense something’s off. The gestures don’t quite work. The interface feels foreign. It doesn’t integrate with Shortcuts. The Apple Watch app is an afterthought.
iOS-native apps are different. They feel like they belong on your iPhone—smooth animations, familiar gestures, deep ecosystem integration. They leverage features Android users can’t access: Live Activities, StandBy Mode, iCloud sync that actually works, Handoff between devices, Shortcuts automation.
The difference isn’t subtle. Native iOS apps respect Apple’s design language, work seamlessly with your Watch and Mac, and feel fast because they’re built with iOS-specific technologies. They’re worth paying premium prices for—and iPhone users consistently do.
This isn’t a list of “apps that work on iPhone.” These are tools built specifically for the iOS ecosystem, designed to make your iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Mac work together as one integrated productivity system.
What Makes a Great iPhone Productivity App
Before diving into specific apps, let’s talk about what separates truly native iOS experiences from everything else.
Native design language. Great iPhone apps follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. They use system fonts, familiar gestures (swipe, long-press, drag-and-drop), and navigation patterns iPhone users intuitively understand. Opening them feels like opening a first-party Apple app.
Apple Watch integration. Your Watch isn’t just a notification device—it’s a productivity tool. The best iPhone apps have thoughtful Watch complications, quick actions, and voice capture that makes capturing thoughts hands-free actually work.
Shortcuts support. iOS Shortcuts might be the most underrated productivity feature Apple offers. Native apps expose their key actions to Shortcuts, enabling powerful automation: “When I arrive at work, open my work task list” or “Every morning at 9am, show me today’s schedule.”
Widget excellence. Lock Screen widgets, Home Screen widgets, StandBy Mode support—native apps treat widgets as first-class features, not afterthoughts. They provide genuinely useful information at a glance.
Handoff and Continuity. Start something on your iPhone, continue on your Mac without friction. Native apps use Apple’s Continuity features to make device-switching seamless—your clipboard syncs, your cursor moves between devices, your work flows naturally.
iCloud sync that just works. Not Dropbox sync. Not Google Drive sync. iCloud sync—instant, reliable, built into the OS. Open an app on your iPhone, and changes appear on your iPad within seconds.
Siri integration. “Hey Siri, add ‘call dentist’ to my task list” should just work. Native apps integrate with Siri properly, making voice control actually useful instead of frustrating.
Quick Comparison: Best iPhone Productivity Apps
rivva
Things 3
Fantastical
GoodNotes
Structured
Shortcuts
Drafts
Bear
Streaks
Due
Timery
Apple Reminders
1. rivva – Native iOS Workspace with Apple Health Integration
The AI productivity app that treats your iPhone as a personal health device.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
rivva is built with native iOS technologies from the ground up. It feels like an Apple app should—fast, fluid animations, thoughtful gestures, and deep integration with Apple Health that no cross-platform app can match.
The Apple Health integration is game-changing: rivva uses your sleep data, activity levels, and heart rate metrics to understand your energy patterns and schedule demanding work during peak performance windows. Your iPhone becomes a personal performance coach.
Key Features
Apple Health & Watch integration: Uses sleep and activity data to understand energy patterns
Native iOS design: Built with iOS-first interactions and gestures
Automatic task extraction from email: Pulls action items from emails, meeting summaries, and notification emails (e.g. GitHub, Notion, Linear)
Two-way calendar sync with time blocking: Tasks planned in rivva appear on your Google Calendar so others don’t book over your focus time
Multi-account support: Connect multiple email addresses and calendars across work, personal, and side projects
Handoff-ready: Start on iPhone, continue seamlessly on Mac via web app
Best For
Professionals who want premium iOS experience, Apple Watch owners who want their health data to inform their schedule, and anyone tired of cross-platform apps that feel foreign on iPhone.
Pricing
Monthly: $13.99/month
Quarterly: $31.50/quarter ($10.50/month, billed quarterly)
7-day free trial
Pros for iOS
Exceptional iOS-native experience comparable to Things 3 quality
Apple Health integration makes energy-based scheduling actually work
Fast, fluid—feels like a first-party Apple app
Works beautifully on iPhone, iPad, and Web
Cons
Requires wearable for full energy features (works without, but less powerful)
Newer app compared to long-established tools like Things 3 or Fantastical
2. Things 3 – The Gold Standard of iOS Task Management
If rivva is the future, Things 3 is the current standard it’s measured against.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Things 3 is what every iOS app aspires to be: beautifully designed, perfectly animated, and so well-crafted that using it feels rewarding. Every tap, swipe, and gesture has been obsessively refined.
The animations alone—checkboxes that satisfyingly explode when completed, smooth transitions between views, tactile haptic feedback—provide enough dopamine to make task management feel joyful instead of stressful.
Key iOS Features
Stunning interface: Liquid smooth animations, tactile haptic feedback
Apple Watch app: Quick Capture with voice, glanceable today view, complications
Shortcuts integration: Full automation support for task management workflows
Today widget: Beautiful, useful widgets for Home Screen and Lock Screen
Handoff support: Start on iPhone, finish on Mac seamlessly
Magic Plus: Quick entry with natural language parsing
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS: Single purchase unlocks across all Apple platforms
iCloud sync: Instant, reliable syncing that just works
Siri: “Hey Siri, add to Things” works perfectly
Best For
People who appreciate exceptional design, users fully invested in Apple ecosystem, anyone who needs dopamine-friendly task management that makes completing tasks feel satisfying.
Pricing
iPhone & Apple Watch: $9.99 one-time
iPad: $19.99 one-time
Mac: $49.99 one-time
Total for all platforms: ~$80 one-time (no subscription!)
14-day free trial (Mac only)
Pros for iOS
Most beautiful task manager on iOS—design sets the standard
Satisfying animations and interactions provide dopamine hits
One-time purchase (no subscription anxiety)
Fast, reliable, never crashes
Simple enough to use immediately, powerful enough to grow with you
Cons
Apple ecosystem only (no Android, Windows, web)
Expensive upfront ($80 for iPhone + iPad + Mac)
Limited collaboration features
Not as customizable as Amazing Marvin
3. Fantastical – Best Calendar App for iPhone
Apple Calendar, but actually good.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Fantastical is what Apple Calendar should be. Natural language input (”Dentist appointment May 29 at 2pm”) creates events instantly. The design is thoughtful—weather forecasts inline, time zones handled elegantly, meeting templates for recurring formats.
The iOS-specific features shine: widgets that actually show useful information, Apple Watch complications that display your next event, and Calendar Sets that switch contexts automatically using Focus Modes.
Key iOS Features
Natural language parsing: Type events naturally, Fantastical handles formatting
Apple Intelligence integration: Uses iOS 18+ AI for complex event recognition
Calendar Sets: Switch between work/personal/family calendars automatically
Focus Filters: Integrate with iOS Focus Modes to show relevant calendars
Apple Watch: Complications, quick event creation, time-to-leave notifications
Widgets: Beautiful Lock Screen, Home Screen, and StandBy widgets
Live Activities: See upcoming events in Dynamic Island
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS: Seamless experience across all Apple devices
Handoff: Start creating event on iPhone, finish on Mac
Shortcuts: Powerful automation for calendar management
Best For
People who live in their calendar, professionals managing multiple calendars (work, personal, side projects), and Apple users who want the calendar experience Apple should provide.
Pricing
Free: Basic features
Flexibits Premium: €5.49/month (~$57/year)
14-day free trial
Pros for iOS
Natural language input is genuinely fast and accurate
Calendar Sets + Focus integration is brilliant
Apple Intelligence makes event creation even smarter (iOS 18+)
Beautiful design feels native to iOS
Weather integration is surprisingly useful
Cons
Expensive subscription ($57-72/year depending on region)
Task management requires third-party integration (Apple Reminders, Todoist)
Moved from one-time purchase to subscription (unpopular with longtime users)
Some features feel dated compared to Motion/Reclaim
4. GoodNotes – Premium Note-Taking with Apple Pencil
Digital note-taking that actually feels like paper.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
GoodNotes is optimized for Apple Pencil on iPad, but the iPhone version excels for quick note-taking and reviewing notes on the go. The handwriting recognition is excellent—write naturally, and GoodNotes makes it searchable.
What makes it special: you can mix typed text and handwriting anywhere on the page, move elements around later, and the flexibility makes it perfect for visual thinkers.
Key iOS Features
Apple Pencil support: First-class support for both Apple Pencil 1st and 2nd generation
Handwriting recognition: Searchable handwritten notes
iCloud sync: Notes sync instantly across iPhone, iPad, Mac
PDF annotation: Import and mark up PDFs with Apple Pencil
Custom templates: Blank, ruled, Cornell, checklists, planners
GoodNotes Marketplace: Download templates and stickers from creators
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iPhone + iPad + Mac: Full sync across devices with iCloud
Apple Pencil: Best-in-class stylus support
Files app: Export and share PDFs easily
Best For
Students who take handwritten notes, visual thinkers who need flexible note layouts, anyone with iPad + Apple Pencil who wants premium note-taking.
Pricing
Free: Up to 3 notebooks
Full version (Apple devices): $11.99/year or $35.99 one-time
Android/Windows: $6.99/year
Pros for iOS
Best handwriting experience on iOS
Mix typed text and handwriting anywhere on page
Beautiful, intuitive interface
PDF annotation works brilliantly
Affordable annual subscription or one-time purchase
Cons
Requires iPad + Apple Pencil for best experience
No audio recording (unlike Notability)
Limited collaboration features
Typing experience not as polished as handwriting
5. Structured – Visual Timeline Task Manager for iOS
See your day. Actually see it.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Structured solves time blindness with a visual timeline that shows your entire day. It’s designed specifically for iOS—gorgeous, smooth, and leverages iPhone features like Live Activities to show your current task in the Dynamic Island.
The AI feature is particularly clever: you can tell Structured your plans via voice or text (”Meeting at 2pm, then gym, then dinner with friends”) and it builds your schedule automatically.
Key iOS Features
Visual timeline: See your entire day as colored time blocks
Live Activities: Current task appears in Dynamic Island and Lock Screen
Apple Watch: Quick glances at your schedule, complications
Shortcuts integration: Automate daily planning routines
Drag-and-drop: Rearrange your day with smooth iOS gestures
Structured AI: Voice/text input to create your daily schedule
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS, iPadOS, macOS: Beautiful apps on all Apple platforms
iCloud sync: Instant sync via iCloud
Apple Watch: Persistent complications and quick task overview
Best For
Visual thinkers, people with time blindness who need to see their day, iPhone users who want iOS-specific design excellence.
Pricing
Free: Basic features
Pro: $19.99/year or $49.99 lifetime
7-day free trial
Pros for iOS
Visual timeline is perfect for time blindness
Live Activities integration is brilliant
Drag-and-drop feels natural and satisfying
iOS design language throughout
Apple Watch app actually useful
Cons
Apple ecosystem only (no Android or web)
Limited integration with other task managers
Calendar import but not full two-way sync
Some basic features require paid tier
6. Apple Shortcuts – The Most Underrated Productivity Tool
iOS’s secret weapon for automation.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Shortcuts isn’t just an app—it’s iOS’s native automation engine. And it’s criminally underrated. You can automate almost anything: “When I leave work, text my partner my ETA” or “Every morning, show me today’s tasks and weather.”
The best part? Since it’s built into iOS, every native app supports it. Things 3, Drafts, Bear, rivva—they all expose their core actions to Shortcuts, enabling powerful workflows.
Key iOS Features
Native automation: Built into iOS, not a third-party app
App integration: Most quality iOS apps support Shortcuts
Siri integration: Run shortcuts with voice commands
Widget shortcuts: Add shortcut buttons to Home Screen
Focus Mode automation: Trigger shortcuts when Focus Modes activate
Back Tap: Run shortcuts by tapping back of iPhone
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS + macOS: Shortcuts sync between iPhone and Mac
Apple Watch: Run shortcuts from Watch face complications
HomePod: Voice-activated shortcuts throughout your home
Best For
Power users who want automation, people comfortable with light programming, anyone wanting to make their iPhone work harder for them.
Pricing
Free (built into iOS)
Pros for iOS
Completely free and built-in
Incredibly powerful automation capabilities
Works with almost every quality iOS app
Regular updates from Apple
Community shares shortcuts freely
Cons
Steep learning curve for complex automations
Interface can feel clunky
Some actions require subscription apps (Toolbox Pro, etc.)
Debugging failed shortcuts is frustrating
7. Drafts – Lightning-Fast Text Capture
Where text starts on iPhone.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Drafts opens instantly to a blank page, keyboard ready. No friction. No choosing where to save. No naming files. Just capture the thought before it evaporates.
The iOS-specific magic: Apple Watch quick capture with voice, Siri integration that actually works (”Hey Siri, create a draft”), and widgets that let you start typing without opening the app.
Key iOS Features
Instant capture: Opens directly to blank page, keyboard ready
Apple Watch: Voice capture with complications—tap Watch, speak, done
Siri integration: “Hey Siri, create a draft” just works
Widgets: Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets for quick capture
Shortcuts: Extensive Shortcuts actions for automation
Actions: Send captured text to 100+ apps and services
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS: Universal app across Apple devices
iCloud sync: Instant syncing via iCloud
Handoff: Start draft on iPhone, finish on Mac
Best For
Writers, anyone who needs to capture thoughts instantly, people who use their Watch for voice capture, iOS power users who want extensibility.
Pricing
Free: Core features
Drafts Pro: $19.99/year or $3.99/month
Family Sharing supported
Pros for iOS
Fastest text capture on iOS—zero friction
Apple Watch voice capture is game-changing
Extensive Shortcuts integration
Powerful action system sends text anywhere
Clean, focused interface
Cons
Many power features require Pro subscription
Learning curve for action system
Can feel basic without customization
Pricing increased recently (now $19.99/year)
8. Bear – Beautiful Markdown Notes for Apple Ecosystem
The prettiest writing app on iOS.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Bear makes writing feel pleasant. The typography is perfect. The themes are gorgeous. The tag system (using #hashtags inline) feels natural and doesn’t require filing notes into folders.
It’s markdown-based, but hides the syntax until you need it—you can write in plain text and add formatting with keyboard shortcuts that feel native to iOS.
Key iOS Features
Beautiful design: Gorgeous themes, perfect typography
Tag-based organization: No folders—organize with #hashtags inline
Apple Watch: Quick note capture with voice
Widgets: Beautiful Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
Shortcuts support: Create notes, append to notes, search
iCloud sync: Fast, reliable sync across devices
Markdown support: Hidden until needed, keyboard shortcuts
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS: Seamless across all Apple devices
iCloud sync: Notes appear instantly everywhere
Handoff: Continue writing across devices
Best For
Writers who want beautiful interface, people who prefer tags over folders, Apple users who want markdown without complexity.
Pricing
Free: Core features (limited to 1 device and basic themes)
Bear Pro: $2.99/month or $29.99/year
7-day free trial
Pros for iOS
Most beautiful writing interface on iOS
Tag system feels more natural than folders
Markdown hidden until needed
Fast search across all notes
Excellent typography and themes
Cons
Free version very limited (1 device only, no themes)
No collaboration features
Apple ecosystem only
Export options limited compared to Notion
9. Streaks – Habit Tracking with Perfect iOS Integration
Habit tracking that actually sticks.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Streaks is obsessively focused: track up to 24 habits, mark them complete, maintain streaks. The simplicity is the point—it’s not trying to be a comprehensive habit app. It’s trying to help you check boxes daily.
The iOS integration is exceptional: Today widget shows your habits, Apple Watch complications provide gentle reminders, and iOS Health integration can automatically mark habits complete (like “Exercise 30 minutes”).
Key iOS Features
Today widget: Home Screen widget shows all habits at a glance
Apple Watch: Complications, quick task completion, standalone app
Apple Health integration: Auto-complete habits based on health data
Shortcuts support: Automate habit completion based on triggers
Dark mode: Beautiful in light and dark themes
Negative habits: Track things you want to avoid doing
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iPhone + Apple Watch: Health data flows automatically
iPhone + Health app: Exercise, sleep, mindfulness auto-tracked
Shortcuts: “When I finish workout, mark exercise complete”
Best For
People wanting simple habit tracking, Apple Watch users who want glanceable habits, anyone who tried complex habit apps and gave up.
Pricing
$6.99 one-time purchase (iPhone + Watch)
Mac version: $9.99 separate purchase
Family Sharing supported
Pros for iOS
Simple, focused—does one thing extremely well
Beautiful iOS-native design
Apple Health integration is brilliant
One-time purchase (no subscription)
Apple Watch complications genuinely useful
Cons
Limited to 24 habits maximum
No habit history or insights
No collaboration or social features
Separate purchase for Mac ($9.99)
10. Due – Persistent Reminders That Actually Work
Reminders that won’t leave you alone.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Due has one job: make sure you don’t forget. Unlike Apple Reminders that notify once and disappear, Due keeps nagging until you mark it complete or snooze it.
The iOS-specific magic: Lock Screen widgets, Apple Watch persistent notifications, and Shortcuts integration that lets you create location-based reminders (”Remind me to buy milk when I’m near grocery store”).
Key iOS Features
Persistent reminders: Keeps alerting until you respond
Natural language: “Buy milk tomorrow at 5pm” automatically parsed
Apple Watch: Persistent alerts on wrist, quick snooze/complete
Widgets: Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets
Shortcuts support: Create location-based and time-based reminders
iCloud sync: Reminders sync instantly across devices
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS: All Apple platforms supported
iCloud sync: Fast, reliable syncing
Shortcuts: Powerful reminder automation
Best For
People who miss reminders constantly, professionals with time-sensitive tasks, anyone who needs aggressive reminder persistence.
Pricing
$7.99/year or $17.99 one-time (iOS)
Mac version: Separate purchase
7-day free trial
Pros for iOS
Persistent alerts actually work—won’t let you forget
Natural language input fast and accurate
Apple Watch persistent notifications brilliant
Quick snooze times (1 min, 5 min, 10 min, etc.)
Clean, simple interface
Cons
Aggressive notifications may feel overwhelming
No collaboration features
Basic compared to full task managers
Mac version separate purchase
11. Timery – Time Tracking with Shortcuts + Widgets
Toggl time tracking, made for iOS.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Timery is a Toggl client built specifically for iPhone. It’s faster, more beautiful, and more iOS-native than Toggl’s own app. The Shortcuts integration is exceptional—you can start timers based on location, Focus Mode, or any trigger iOS supports.
Widgets let you start/stop timers without opening the app. Apple Watch support means you can track time from your wrist. It’s time tracking that doesn’t feel like overhead.
Key iOS Features
Widgets: Start/stop timers from Home Screen, Lock Screen, StandBy
Apple Watch: Complications, quick timer start/stop
Shortcuts integration: Automate time tracking based on context
Siri support: “Hey Siri, start design timer”
Focus Mode integration: Auto-start timers when Focus activates
Live Activities: Current timer in Dynamic Island
Apple Ecosystem Integration
iPhone + Apple Watch: Start timers from wrist
iPhone + Shortcuts: “When I arrive at office, start work timer”
iPhone + Focus Modes: Auto-track focused time
Best For
Freelancers tracking billable hours, professionals wanting effortless time tracking, Toggl users who want better iOS experience.
Pricing
Free: Limited features
Timery Premium: $8.99/year or $2.99/month
Requires Toggl Track account (free tier available)
Pros for iOS
Best Toggl client on iOS
Shortcuts integration enables effortless automation
Beautiful, iOS-native design
Widgets make time tracking frictionless
Apple Watch app actually useful
Cons
Requires separate Toggl Track account
Free version quite limited
Only works with Toggl (not standalone)
Some features require Toggl paid plan
12. Apple Reminders – Underrated and Deeply Integrated
Don’t sleep on Apple’s native task manager.
Why It’s Great on iPhone
Apple Reminders gets overlooked because it’s free and comes pre-installed. But it’s genuinely good—and the iOS integration is unmatched because Apple controls both the app and the OS.
Siri works perfectly. Shortcuts expose every feature. Location-based reminders actually trigger reliably. Sharing lists with family via iCloud works flawlessly. It’s simple, but it’s properly integrated.
Key iOS Features
Perfect Siri integration: “Hey Siri” commands always work
Location-based reminders: “Remind me when I leave work”
Sharing: Share lists with family/colleagues via iCloud
Smart Lists: Automatically organize by Today, Scheduled, Flagged, All
Subtasks: Nested task support with indent/outdent
Widgets: Lock Screen, Home Screen, StandBy widgets
Apple Watch: Full-featured Watch app with complications
Apple Ecosystem Integration
Perfect integration: Built into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS
iCloud sync: Instant, reliable—it’s made by Apple
Siri: Best voice control of any task manager
Shortcuts: Complete automation support
Best For
People wanting simple, reliable task management, families sharing grocery/todo lists, users who prefer native Apple apps, anyone wanting zero learning curve.
Pricing
Free (included with iOS)
Pros for iOS
Completely free with no limitations
Siri integration is perfect
Location-based reminders work reliably
Seamless across all Apple devices
Sharing lists is simple and works well
Zero learning curve—it just works
Cons
Basic compared to Things 3 or rivva
No energy-based or smart scheduling
Limited customization
No advanced project management features
Building Your iPhone Productivity Stack
You don’t need all 12 apps. Here’s how to build a stack that leverages iOS without overwhelming you.
The Essential Stack (Start Here)
Task Management: Choose ONE—rivva (AI-powered), Things 3 (beautiful), or Apple Reminders (simple)
Calendar: Fantastical (if you live in calendar) or Apple Calendar (if reminders are enough)
Quick Capture: Drafts (text capture) + Shortcuts (automation)
This covers 80% of productivity needs with proper iOS integration.
Nice-to-Have Additions
Add these as specific needs emerge:
Visual planning: Structured (time blindness)
Note-taking: GoodNotes (handwriting), Bear (writing)
Habits: Streaks (simple tracking)
Time tracking: Timery (if billing hours)
Persistent reminders: Due (critical tasks)
iOS Productivity Tips
Widget Strategies
Lock Screen: Reserve for time-sensitive information (next event, urgent tasks)
Home Screen: Place your most-used app widgets on first page
StandBy Mode: Perfect for desk setup—full-screen calendar or task list when charging
Focus Mode Setup
Work: Auto-launch rivva, enable work calendar in Fantastical, silence personal notifications
Deep Work: Hide all notifications except Due critical reminders, launch Drafts for writing
Personal: Switch to personal calendars, enable Streaks widget for habit tracking
Handoff Workflows
Email: Draft on iPhone during commute → finish on Mac at desk
Writing: Capture in Drafts on iPhone → expand in Bear on Mac
Planning: Review tasks on iPhone → detailed planning on iPad with Apple Pencil
The Bottom Line: iPhone Apps Are Worth Paying For
Cross-platform apps compromise iOS to work on Android. Native iOS apps embrace what makes your iPhone special: seamless ecosystem integration, thoughtful design, powerful automation.
The difference is tangible. Things 3 feels joyful to use. Drafts captures thoughts without friction. Fantastical makes calendar management elegant. rivva uses your Apple Watch data to understand your energy.
These apps cost more than their cross-platform competitors—and they’re worth it. You’re not just paying for features. You’re paying for apps that respect iOS design, leverage Apple ecosystem advantages, and feel like they belong on your iPhone.
rivva represents the next generation: iOS-native excellence combined with AI that understands your iPhone is more than a work device—it’s a personal health device that knows when you’re capable of your best work.
Your iPhone deserves apps built specifically for it. Your productivity deserves tools that work with your ecosystem, not against it.
Last updated: January 2026. Pricing and features subject to change. Always verify current details on App Store before purchasing.