Asana

Asana is a to-do list app that allows you to create projects. Within each project, you can add to-do list items, and for each item, you can give it a due date, a priority (high, medium, low), a description, a subtask, and an assignee (the person who will complete the task). You can keep some projects private, so only you, and the people you’ve added to the project, see them. You can add different people to each project, or you can not add anyone at all. The to-do list items disappear after you press the check circle, but you can find them again if you filter for completed tasks.

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Good for making a basic, personal to-do list 
• Has a priority feature

Cons

• Can only see subtasks once you click on the bigger task
• Task name, assignee, priority, and due date do not all fit in one phone screen

 

Conclusion

I will continue to use Asana for personal to-do lists because I can see a clear, color-coded priority and the due date beside a shortened version of the task names, but I wouldn’t use this app for collaborative efforts.

Trello

Trello is another to-do list app that works best for collaborative efforts, or projects with a timeline. You can create a workspace, add people to the workspace, then create “workspace boards,” a project, and everyone in the workspace will be able to access them. In each workspace board, you can add a card with a subtask, its start date, its due date, and its assignee. You can also add color-coded labels, attachments, and checklist items to each card. 

Pros

• Don’t have to add everyone to projects each time you make a new one 
• Assignee’s initials, start date, and due date fit in one phone screen
• Can view workspace board’s activity (which tasks have been added/completed, who has been added, etc)

Cons

• No option to prioritize tasks  
• Harder to mark tasks/cards as completed
• Harder to find which tasks have been completed

Conclusion

Though it is difficult to keep track of which tasks have been completed, the workspace board activity somewhat makes up for that by acting as a history for the board. I recommend using Trello for collaborative pursuits. This app works well for a large project with many subprojects that have time-sensitive tasks. Trello is perfect for creating project timelines and establishing who’s responsible for tasks.

Focus Keeper 

Focus Keeper is an app that helps you study using the Pomodoro Method. If you’re not familiar with the Pomodoro Method, you will study for one Pomodoro which is 25 minutes, take a five minute break, then do another Pomodoro, and repeat until you have finished four Pomodoros. Every four Pomodoros, you will take a longer break, often between 15 and 30 minutes. The Pomodoro Method  helps you maximize focus and productivity during your study periods.

Pros

• It already has the 25 minute Pomodoro set.
• It has the 5 min short breaks and 25 min long breaks preset. 
• It allows you to set a goal for how many Pomodoros you want to do in a given session.

Cons

• If you want to change the goal from the default of 12, you have to pay for the premium version of the app.
• If you want to change the length of your breaks or Pomodoros, you have to pay for the premium version of the app.

Other Things to Know

• While you are studying or on break, the clock ticks for the entire 25 or five minutes. If you don’t like the ticking, you can always turn your volume off, but if you do, you will not be able to hear when the alarm goes off. 
• The app will go straight from the 25 minute counter to the 5 minute counter and back to the 25 minute counter. You do not have to press anything to transition from a break to a Pomodoro.
• You can pause or skip your breaks and Pomodoros. 
• You can see a chart showing how many Pomodoros you’ve done over the last 3 days, and if you want to see a chart for a longer period, you must pay for the premium version.

Flora

Flora is an app that allows you to set timers for Pomodoros and breaks. This app uses positive reinforcement and punishment to incentivize you to not use other apps on your phone during Pomodoro sessions (by growing you a tree during your session and killing it if you do not complete the session). The app also lets you create to do lists, and it can send reminders to complete your to do list items. 

Pros

• You are able to change the number of minutes in your Pomodoros and breaks for free.
• Your seedling grows into a virtual plant if you finish your Pomodoro, so you get some sort of reward for your focus time. 
• You can make your to do list and set goals for hours of productivity for free.
• You can use Flora with friends and grow plants together during your focus sessions.

Cons

• After each Pomodoro, you will have a “story.” This story is like a post on your feed, and it will say, “Killed a tree,” if you did not complete your Pomodoro. However, it does help incentivize you to finish your Pomodoros.
• If you want to see new plants grow during your Pomodoros, you must purchase the Amazon Rainforest world tour for $2.
• You cannot pause the clock. You can pause the session, but the clock will keep going, and your screen will change from green to grey.

Other Things to Know

• If you leave the app during your Pomodoro, your story will say you killed a tree.
• This app does not make noise during the Pomodoros or the breaks, and it does not sound an alarm when they are finished.
• When you begin a Pomodoro, you will see messages under the clock. Some are positive, such as, “You are amazing, you are brave, you are strong,” and some are scolding. For example, “Don’t you dare leave this room!”

Conclusion

After using both apps, I think Focus Keeper is good if you have solid self-discipline and want the clock ticking in the background as you study. However, if you need an incentive to stay off your phone while you study, Flora is the better choice. (Alternatively, if you find the ticking noise in Focus Keeper annoying, or you want to change the number of minutes in each Pomodoro and break, I recommend using the basic clock/timer app on your phone).