Indie Productivity tools

81 productivity products built by independent developers and small teams.

Looking to replace something? Gmail · Microsoft Outlook · Adobe Acrobat · Airtable · Apple Mail · MindManager · MindMeister · Smallpdf · Spark · Alfred · Delicious · Google Docs

Airmail

Customizable email client for Mac and iOS

A configurable email client for Apple devices with integrations, actions, snooze and support for many account types.

Free plan · Mac, iOS · Website ↗

Arq

Encrypted backup to your own cloud storage

Arq backs up Mac and Windows computers with encryption to cloud storage you choose, such as S3, Backblaze B2, Google Drive or a NAS.

Paid · Mac, Windows · Website ↗

aText

Affordable text expander for Mac and Windows

A text expander that replaces abbreviations with frequently used phrases, images and scripts.

Paid · Mac, Windows · Website ↗

AutoHotkey

Free scripting language for Windows automation

A free, open-source scripting language for creating hotkeys, text expansion and automating tasks on Windows.

Free · Windows · Website ↗

Betterbird

Fine-tuned fork of Thunderbird

A free, open-source fork of Thunderbird with extra features and bug fixes for desktop email.

Free · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

Canary Mail

Secure email client with encryption and AI

An email client with PGP encryption, read-receipt blocking, a unified inbox and AI assistance for any email provider.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Coda

Docs that work like apps, with tables, formulas and automations

A document editor that combines text with interactive tables, buttons, formulas and integrations so teams can build lightweight tools inside docs. For teams replacing scattered docs and spreadsheets.

Free plan · Web, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Coggle

Simple collaborative mind maps and flowcharts in the browser

A web app for creating and sharing mind maps and flowcharts with real-time collaboration.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

Cold Turkey

Website and app blocker for focus

Cold Turkey Blocker blocks distracting websites, apps or the whole computer on a schedule, with locks that are hard to bypass.

Free plan · Windows, Mac · Website ↗

CopyQ

Open-source clipboard manager with advanced features

CopyQ is a free clipboard manager that saves text, images and more in searchable, editable tabs, with scripting support.

Free · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

CryptPad

End-to-end encrypted, open-source collaboration suite

An encrypted office suite with collaborative documents, spreadsheets, presentations, kanban, whiteboards and forms; usable on public instances or self-hosted.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Diarium

Private journal and diary app for all platforms

Diarium is a journaling app that collects entries with photos, ratings and tags and can pull in data like calendar events and locations.

Free plan · Windows, iOS, Android, Mac · Website ↗

Ditto

Clipboard manager for Windows

A free, open-source clipboard manager for Windows that saves clipboard history and syncs it across computers.

Free · Windows · Website ↗

Documenso

Open-source DocuSign alternative for e-signatures

An open-source document signing platform for sending and signing documents electronically, available as cloud or self-hosted.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted, API · Website ↗

eM Client

Email client with calendar, tasks and contacts

A desktop and mobile email client with integrated calendar, tasks, contacts, chat and PGP encryption.

Free plan · Windows, Mac, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Espanso

Open-source, cross-platform text expander

Espanso replaces typed keywords with snippets, dates or script output across all apps, configured with simple text files.

Free · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

Everything

Instant file search for Windows

A free Windows utility that finds files and folders by name instantly by indexing the file system.

Free · Windows · Website ↗

Fastmail

Private, ad-free email, calendar and contacts

A paid email service with custom domains, masked email addresses, calendar and contacts, without ads or tracking.

Paid · Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Files

Modern file manager for Windows

An open-source file manager for Windows with tabs, dual panes, tags and previews.

Free plan · Windows · Website ↗

Flow

Pomodoro timer for Mac

A Pomodoro focus timer for Mac, iPhone and iPad with session tracking and optional app and website blocking during focus.

Free plan · Mac, iOS · Website ↗

Flow Launcher

Open-source quick launcher for Windows

Flow Launcher is a free keystroke launcher for Windows that finds apps, files and bookmarks and supports community plugins.

Free · Windows · Website ↗

Focusmate

Virtual coworking sessions for accountability

A virtual coworking service that pairs you with another person for a video session where you each work on your own task. For people who work better with accountability.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

Forest

Stay focused by growing virtual trees

A focus app that grows a virtual tree while you stay off your phone or distracting sites; leaving the app kills the tree.

Free plan · iOS, Android, Browser extension · Website ↗

Freedom

Block distracting websites and apps across devices

An app and website blocker that blocks distractions on all your devices at once, with scheduled and recurring sessions.

Paid · Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension · Website ↗

Freeplane

Free, open-source mind mapping and knowledge management

A free, open-source desktop app for mind mapping and organizing information, a fork of FreeMind with scripting and add-ons.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Granola

AI notepad that enhances your own meeting notes

An AI meeting notepad that transcribes calls on your computer without a bot joining and turns your rough notes into clean summaries.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, iOS · Website ↗

Grist

Spreadsheet-database hybrid with Python formulas

A relational spreadsheet that combines the flexibility of a spreadsheet with the structure of a database, with Python formulas, linked widgets and access rules. Open source and self-hostable.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

HEY

Email service with screening and a calmer inbox

An email service from 37signals that screens first-time senders, separates newsletters and receipts and blocks spy pixels.

Paid · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Highlights

Highlight PDFs and export notes to Markdown

Highlights is a PDF reader for Apple devices that collects your highlights and annotations and exports them to Markdown, notes apps and more.

Free plan · Mac, iOS · Website ↗

iLovePDF

Online tools to merge, split, compress and convert PDFs

A set of online and desktop PDF tools for merging, splitting, compressing, converting, OCR and signing PDF files.

Free plan · Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android · Website ↗

LeechBlock NG

Free browser extension to block time-wasting sites

A free, open-source browser extension that blocks distracting websites during set times or after a time limit.

Free · Browser extension · Website ↗

LibreOffice

Free, open-source office suite

A free office suite with a word processor, spreadsheet, presentations, drawing and database tools that opens Microsoft Office formats. For anyone wanting an offline Office alternative.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Linkwarden

Open-source bookmark manager that preserves web pages

Linkwarden is a self-hostable bookmark manager that saves links with screenshots, PDFs and archived copies, with collaboration features.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted, Browser extension · Website ↗

Listary

File search and app launcher for Windows

A Windows tool for searching files and launching apps quickly, integrated into file dialogs and Explorer.

Free plan · Windows · Website ↗

Llama Life

Timed to-do list that helps you focus on one task at a time

A to-do list where each task gets a countdown timer, helping you work through tasks one by one. Built with people with ADHD in mind.

Paid · Web, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Loop Habit Tracker

Free, open-source habit tracker for Android

Loop Habit Tracker is an ad-free, open-source Android app for creating and tracking habits with charts and statistics.

Free · Android · Website ↗

MailMate

Keyboard-friendly IMAP email client for Mac

MailMate is a standards-focused IMAP mail client for macOS with Markdown composing, powerful search and smart mailboxes.

Paid · Mac · Website ↗

Mailspring

Free, fast desktop email client

An open-source desktop email client with a unified inbox, snooze, send later and optional paid features like read receipts.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, Linux · Website ↗

Markmap

Turn Markdown outlines into interactive mind maps

An open-source tool that renders Markdown documents as interactive mind maps, with a web editor, VS Code extension and CLI.

Free · Web · Website ↗

Milanote

Visual boards for organizing creative projects

A tool for arranging notes, images, links and tasks on visual boards, used for mood boards, planning and creative projects.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Mimestream

Native macOS email client for Gmail

Mimestream is a Mac email app built specifically for Gmail, using the Gmail API to support labels, filters and multiple accounts.

Paid · Mac · Website ↗

MindMeister

Online collaborative mind mapping

A web-based mind mapping tool for brainstorming, note-taking and planning with real-time collaboration and presentation mode.

Free plan · Web, iOS, Android · Website ↗

MindNode

Mind mapping and outlining for Mac, iPad and iPhone

A native Apple app for creating mind maps and outlines to brainstorm and organize thoughts, with themes and export options.

Free plan · Mac, iOS · Website ↗

Okular

KDE's universal document viewer

An open-source document viewer from KDE for PDF, EPUB, comic books and more, with annotations and form filling.

Free · Linux, Windows · Website ↗

one sec

Adds a pause before opening distracting apps

An app that interrupts you with a short breathing pause before you open social media or other distracting apps, to reduce mindless usage.

Free plan · iOS, Android, Mac, Browser extension · Website ↗

ONLYOFFICE

Office suite and collaborative editors compatible with Microsoft formats

An office suite with document, spreadsheet, presentation and PDF editors, available as free desktop apps and as online collaboration servers. For people and teams needing strong DOCX/XLSX compatibility.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Opal

Screen time and app blocker to help you focus

A screen time app that blocks distracting apps and websites on schedules and helps build better phone habits.

Free plan · iOS, Android, Mac, Windows · Website ↗

PDF Expert

PDF editor and reader for Mac, iPhone and iPad

A PDF app from Readdle for reading, annotating, editing text and images, filling forms and signing PDFs.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, iOS · Website ↗

PDF24 Tools

Free online and desktop PDF tools

A free collection of PDF tools for merging, compressing, converting, editing and OCR, available online and as a Windows desktop app.

Free · Web, Windows · Website ↗

PDFgear

PDF reader, editor and converter

A desktop and mobile PDF app for reading, editing, converting, merging, signing and chatting with PDFs.

Free · Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

PDFsam

Desktop app to split, merge and rotate PDFs

A desktop application for splitting, merging, extracting pages, rotating and mixing PDF files offline; the Basic edition is free and open source.

Free plan · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

Pinboard

Minimalist bookmarking service with no ads

Pinboard is a fast, no-frills social bookmarking site for saving and tagging links, with optional archiving of saved pages.

Paid · Web, API · Website ↗

Pomofocus

Simple online pomodoro timer with task list

Pomofocus is a customizable pomodoro timer that runs in the browser, with a simple task list and focus reports.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

Raindrop.io

All-in-one bookmark manager

Raindrop.io saves links, articles, images and videos into collections with tags, full-text search and apps for every platform.

Free plan · Web, Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension · Website ↗

Raycast

Extendable launcher with clipboard history, snippets and AI

A Mac and Windows launcher for opening apps, running commands, managing windows and clipboard history, with an extension store and AI features.

Free plan · Mac, Windows · Website ↗

Rectangle

Manage Mac windows with keyboard shortcuts

Open-source Mac window manager: snap windows to halves, thirds and corners via shortcuts.

Free · Mac · Website ↗

RescueTime

Automatic time tracking and focus insights

A tool that automatically tracks time spent in apps and websites, shows where your time goes and helps protect focus time.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android · Website ↗

SeaTable

No-code database and spreadsheet for teams

A spreadsheet-style no-code database for organizing data with views, forms, automations and scripts, available in the cloud or self-hosted.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Sejda

Online and desktop PDF editor and toolkit

Sejda lets you edit, merge, split, compress, convert and sign PDFs in the browser or with a desktop app.

Free plan · Web, Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

Session

Pomodoro focus timer with reflection and stats

Session is a focus timer for Mac, iOS and Android that uses the pomodoro technique, blocks distractions and logs what you worked on.

Free plan · Mac, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Shortwave

AI-powered email client for Gmail

An email client for Gmail with an AI assistant that searches, summarizes and drafts emails, plus bundles and to-do style inbox management.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Shottr

Small, fast screenshot tool for Mac

Tiny, fast Mac screenshot app with scrolling capture, OCR and annotations.

Free plan · Mac · Website ↗

SimpleMind

Cross-platform mind mapping app

A mind mapping app for organizing thoughts and ideas with free layout, images and syncing across devices.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Skim

Free PDF reader and note-taker for macOS

Skim is an open-source PDF viewer for the Mac designed for reading and annotating scientific papers, with notes and highlights.

Free · Mac · Website ↗

Smallpdf

Online PDF tools: compress, convert, edit and sign

A web-based PDF toolkit for compressing, converting, merging, editing and e-signing PDFs, also available as desktop and mobile apps.

Free plan · Web, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

SoftMaker FreeOffice

Free Microsoft Office-compatible office suite

A free office suite from SoftMaker with TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations that read and write Microsoft Office file formats.

Free · Windows, Mac, Linux · Website ↗

Spark

Smart email client for individuals and teams

An email app from Readdle with a smart inbox, snooze, send later, shared drafts and AI writing tools, working with any email provider.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Stackby

Spreadsheet-database with API integrations and templates

A no-code spreadsheet-database tool that combines tables with API connectors, automations and templates for marketing, sales and project tracking.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

Stirling PDF

Open-source, self-hostable PDF toolkit

A locally hosted web app with dozens of PDF operations such as merge, split, convert, OCR, compress and sign, so files never leave your server.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

Streaks

Habit tracking to-do list for iPhone and Apple Watch

Streaks helps you build habits by tracking up to a set of daily tasks, with Apple Health integration and Apple Watch support.

Paid · iOS, Mac · Website ↗

SumatraPDF

Lightweight, open-source PDF and ebook reader for Windows

A small, fast, open-source reader for PDF, EPUB, MOBI, XPS, DjVu and comic book files on Windows.

Free · Windows · Website ↗

Superhuman

Fast, keyboard-driven email client with AI

A premium email client for Gmail and Outlook built for speed with keyboard shortcuts, split inbox, reminders and AI writing.

Paid · Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Syncthing

Open-source continuous file sync between your devices

Syncthing syncs folders directly between your computers and phones peer-to-peer, without a central cloud server.

Free · Windows, Mac, Linux, Android · Website ↗

Teable

Open-source, Postgres-based no-code database

A no-code database with a spreadsheet interface built on PostgreSQL that handles large datasets, with views, AI features and self-hosting.

Free plan · Web, Self-hosted · Website ↗

TextExpander

Text snippets and expansion for individuals and teams

A text expansion app that turns abbreviations into snippets of text, with shared snippet libraries for teams.

Paid · Mac, Windows, iOS, Browser extension · Website ↗

Thunderbird

Free, open-source email, calendar and contacts app

A free, open-source desktop and mobile email client from MZLA/Mozilla with calendar, contacts, chat and add-ons, working with any email account.

Free · Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS · Website ↗

tldraw

Free, simple online whiteboard

A free online collaborative whiteboard for sketching diagrams and ideas, also available as an SDK for developers building canvas apps.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

Ulauncher

Application launcher for Linux

A fast, open-source app launcher for Linux with fuzzy search and extensions.

Free · Linux · Website ↗

Whimsical

Flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps and docs in one place

A visual collaboration tool for flowcharts, wireframes, mind maps, sticky notes and docs. For product and design teams thinking visually.

Free plan · Web · Website ↗

WPS Office

Office suite for documents, spreadsheets, slides and PDFs

An office suite with Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation and PDF tools compatible with Microsoft Office formats, plus cloud storage and AI features.

Free plan · Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android · Website ↗

Xmind

Mind mapping and brainstorming app

A mind mapping app with many map structures, outline mode, presentations and AI-assisted brainstorming. For planning, note-taking and brainstorming.

Free plan · Web, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android · Website ↗

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