10 Best Productivity Tools for Agencies and Teams in 2024

In today’s fast-paced business environment, agencies must leverage the right tools to stay ahead of the competition. Productivity tools are essential for streamlining workflows, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring efficient project management. As we enter 2024, the demand for robust productivity tools continues to rise. Agencies seek solutions that boost efficiency and foster innovation and growth.

This article highlights the ten best productivity tools for agencies in 2024, providing a comprehensive guide to help you choose the right tools for your business.

What Should You Look for in Productivity Tools?

Choosing the right productivity tools is crucial for agencies to function smoothly and efficiently. The right tools can save time, reduce stress, and improve productivity. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting productivity tools:

Ease of Use

A productivity tool should have an intuitive interface. It should be easy to navigate and require minimal training. The goal is to enhance productivity, not complicate workflows. Tools that are too complex can lead to frustration and wasted time.

Integration Capabilities

The ability to integrate with other software is essential. Look for tools that can seamlessly connect with your existing systems. Integration ensures that data flows smoothly between different platforms, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing errors.

Collaboration Features

Collaboration is critical for agencies. Choose tools that offer robust collaboration features, including real-time communication, file sharing, and collaborative editing. These features help teams stay connected and work together more efficiently, regardless of location.

Customization Options

Every agency has unique needs. Customizable tools allow you to tailor features and workflows to suit your specific requirements. This flexibility can significantly improve how well a tool fits into your agency’s operations.

Scalability

As your agency grows, your productivity tools should grow with you. Look for solutions that can scale up to accommodate more users, more extensive projects, and increased data volume. Scalability ensures you won’t need to switch tools as your agency expands.

Security

Data security is a top priority. Ensure that the productivity tools you choose have robust security measures in place. This includes data encryption, regular security updates, and compliance with relevant regulations. Protecting your agency’s and client’s data is non-negotiable.

Cost-Effectiveness

While free tools can be tempting, they may only sometimes meet your needs. Consider the total cost of ownership, including any subscription fees, training costs, and potential productivity gains. Choose tools that offer good value for money and fit within your budget.

Customer Support

Good customer support can save you a lot of headaches. Choose tools backed by responsive and helpful customer service teams. This support can be crucial when encountering issues or needing assistance with the tool’s features.

The 10 Best Productivity Tools for Agencies to Use in 2024

1. Corexta

Corexta is a powerful business management platform designed to meet the diverse needs of agencies. It integrates various functions such as task management, project coordination, client relations, human resources, payroll, financial tracking, and asset management. Corexta aims to streamline operations, making it easier for agencies to manage their workflows efficiently.

Corexta provides an all-in-one solution that integrates multiple aspects of agency management into one cohesive system. This integration reduces the need for multiple tools, saving time and money. With Corexta, agencies can improve collaboration, track projects, manage client relationships, and handle financials all within a single platform.

Corexta Best Features

1. Task and Project Management: Corexta offers tools to create, assign, and monitor tasks and projects. Its visual project planning features, like Kanban boards and Gantt charts, help organize and track progress.

2. Client Management: The platform includes robust client management features, allowing agencies to keep detailed records of client interactions, manage contracts, and ensure timely follow-ups.

3. Financial Tracking: Corexta’s financial management tools help track expenses, manage budgets, and generate invoices. This ensures that agencies have a clear view of their financial health.

4. Human Resources Management: The platform supports HR functions such as recruitment, employee records management, payroll processing, and leave tracking, simplifying human resources management.

5. Integration Capabilities: Corexta integrates with other popular tools, allowing seamless data flow and reducing the need for manual data entry.

6. Customization and Scalability: Corexta is highly customizable, allowing agencies to tailor the platform to their needs. It is also scalable, making it suitable for agencies of all sizes.

7. Real-time Collaboration: The platform supports real-time communication and collaboration, ensuring team members can work together efficiently, regardless of location.

Corexta stands out for its comprehensive feature set, making it an ideal choice for agencies looking to streamline their operations and improve productivity. Its user-friendly interface and robust capabilities help agencies achieve better efficiency and growth.

Corexta Limitations

While Corexta offers robust project management and collaboration features, some users may need more advanced reporting capabilities. The pricing plans may also be relatively high for smaller agencies with limited budgets.

Corexta Pricing

• Life Time Free plan with limited reports
• Small Business $9.99 per month
• Medium Business $19.99 per month
• Enterprise $29 per month

2. WorkFlowy

WorkFlowy is a simple yet powerful tool for managing lists and organizing information. It is designed to help users capture and structure their thoughts in a clear, hierarchical format. Agencies can use WorkFlowy to create to-do lists, outline projects, and manage tasks efficiently.

WorkFlowy’s minimalist interface makes it easy to focus on the content without distractions. It supports personal and collaborative use, making it versatile for various agency needs. You can create nested lists, allowing for detailed task and project organization. This flexibility makes WorkFlowy a valuable tool for brainstorming, planning, and executing projects.

WorkFlowy Best Features

1. Hierarchical Lists: WorkFlowy allows you to create lists within lists, enabling detailed organization of tasks and ideas. This nested structure is perfect for breaking down complex projects into manageable parts.
2. Search and Tagging: The tool includes powerful search and tagging features, making it easy to find specific items or categorize tasks. This helps in keeping everything organized and accessible.
3. Collaboration: WorkFlowy supports real-time collaboration, allowing team members to work together on lists and projects. This feature is essential for agencies where teamwork is crucial.
4. Cross-Platform Access: WorkFlowy is available on multiple platforms, including web, mobile, and desktop. This ensures you can access your lists and tasks from anywhere, anytime.
5. Simple Interface: WorkFlowy’s minimalist design reduces distractions and helps users focus on their tasks. The clean interface is easy to navigate, even for new users.
6. Export and Backup: You can export your lists and data from WorkFlowy, ensuring your information is safe and can be backed up regularly.

WorkFlowy limitations

• The Free plan comes with minimal features
• Workflowy doesn’t provide integrations with other tools
• Workflowy prioritizes minimal UI, which makes it difficult for individual users to personalize it

WorkFlowy pricing

• Free forever
• Pro: $4.99/user per month

3. Google Keep

Google Keep is a versatile note-taking and organization tool. It allows users to quickly create, edit, and share notes and lists. For agencies, Google Keep offers a straightforward way to capture ideas, set reminders, and keep track of tasks.

Google Keep integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace apps, making it a convenient choice for agencies already using Google’s ecosystem. The tool supports both text and voice notes, which adds to its versatility. With Google Keep, you can organize your notes using labels and colors, making it easy to find and categorize information.

Google Keep Best Features

1. Cross-Platform Sync: Google Keep syncs across all your devices, ensuring your notes are accessible wherever you are. This feature is essential for staying organized on the go.
2. Labels and Colors: You can organize your notes using labels and colors, making it easy to categorize and find specific information. This visual organization helps in managing tasks efficiently.
3. Collaboration: Google Keep allows you to share notes and lists with team members, enabling real-time collaboration. This feature helps coordinate tasks and projects within an agency.
4. Reminders and Alerts: You can set reminders for your notes, ensuring that essential tasks are not forgotten. These reminders can be time-based or location-based, adding flexibility to managing your tasks.
5. Voice and Text Notes: Google Keep supports text and voice notes, allowing you to capture ideas in any format quickly. This versatility helps capture thoughts on the go.
6. Integration with Google Workspace: Google Keep integrates seamlessly with other Google apps, such as Google Docs and Google Drive. This integration enhances productivity by allowing easy information transfer between apps.

Google Keep limitations

• Google Keep comes with limited text formatting options
• There is no revision history
• Limited features when compared to other apps in the category

Google Keep pricing

• Google Keep is free to use within Google Workspace.

4. DeskTime

DeskTime is a time-tracking and productivity-monitoring tool designed to help agencies manage their time more effectively. It provides insights into how time is spent on different tasks and projects, helping to identify areas where productivity can be improved.

DeskTime automatically tracks time spent on various activities, categorizing them as productive or unproductive. This data helps agencies understand how their time is utilized and where improvements can be made. The tool also includes project management and employee monitoring features, making it a comprehensive solution for enhancing productivity.

DeskTime Best Features

1. Automatic Time Tracking: DeskTime automatically tracks the time spent on different tasks and applications. This feature provides accurate data on time management and helps identify productivity gaps.
2. Productivity Analysis: The tool categorizes activities as productive or unproductive, providing insights into time spent. This analysis helps agencies focus on high-value activities and improve efficiency.
3. Project Management: DeskTime includes project management features that allow you to track time spent on specific projects. This helps manage project timelines and ensure that resources are allocated effectively.
4. Employee Monitoring: DeskTime offers employee monitoring features, providing insights into individual productivity. This data can be used to support performance reviews and identify areas for improvement.
5. Reports and Analytics: The tool generates detailed reports and analytics on time usage and productivity. These reports help agencies make data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency.
6. Integrations: DeskTime integrates with various project management and productivity tools, allowing seamless data transfer and enhancing functionality.

DeskTime limitations

• The free plan supports only one user
• DeskTime doesn’t provide granular access levels
• Calls don’t get tracked, which means any time spent in meetings isn’t calculated as productive time

DeskTime pricing

• Lite: Free
• Pro: $5/user per month
• Premium: $7/user per month
• Enterprise: $14/user per month

5. Calendly

Calendly is a scheduling tool that simplifies meeting setup. It integrates with your calendar, allowing others to book time without emailing back and forth. This tool is handy for agencies that need to coordinate meetings with clients, partners, and team members efficiently.

Calendly’s straightforward interface makes scheduling quick and easy. You can set your availability preferences, and the tool automatically generates a booking link to share. Recipients can choose a time that works for them from your available slots. This reduces the hassle of scheduling conflicts and improves overall productivity.

Calendly Best Features

1. Calendar Integration: Calendly integrates with Google Calendar, Outlook, Office 365, and iCloud. This ensures that your availability is always current and avoids double bookings.
2. Customizable Scheduling Options: You can customize your availability, meeting lengths, and buffer times between appointments. This flexibility helps you manage your time more effectively.
3. Automated Reminders and Confirmations: Calendly sends participants automated reminders and confirmations, reducing no-shows and keeping everyone on the same page.
4. Group and Round Robin Scheduling: The tool supports group scheduling and round-robin events, making it easy to coordinate meetings with multiple participants or distribute meetings among a team.
5. Time Zone Detection: Calendly automatically detects and adjusts for different time zones, ensuring that meetings are scheduled correctly for all participants.
6. Integration with Other Tools: Calendly integrates with various other tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Zapier, enhancing its functionality and making it a versatile scheduling solution.

Calendly limitations

• Meeting scheduling pages come with minimal customization and branding options
• Locations can’t be changed or updated after a meeting is booked
• No custom workflows on an organizational level

Calendly pricing

• Free:  Free
• Standard: $12/seat per month
• Teams: $20/seat per month
• Enterprise: Starts at $15,000 per year

6. Zapier

Zapier is an automation tool that connects your favorite apps and services, allowing them to work together seamlessly. It automates repetitive tasks by creating workflows, known as “Zaps,” that trigger actions between different apps. By automating routine processes, Zapier can save time and reduce manual work for agencies.

Zapier supports over 2,000 apps, making it a highly flexible tool for integrating various services. You can set up triggers and actions without coding knowledge, making automation accessible to everyone on your team. By automating tasks, Zapier helps agencies focus on more strategic work.

Zapier Best Features

1. Extensive App Integration: Zapier connects with over 2,000 apps, including popular tools like Google Workspace, Slack, Trello, and Asana. This broad compatibility allows for seamless automation across your existing tools.
2. Easy Workflow Creation: You can create workflows using a simple drag-and-drop interface. No coding skills are required, making setting up and managing automation easy.
3. Multi-Step Zaps: Zapier supports multi-step workflows, enabling you to chain multiple actions. This allows for complex automation that can handle a variety of tasks.
4. Conditional Logic: The tool includes conditional logic, allowing you to set workflow rules. This ensures that actions are only triggered under specific conditions, providing more control over your automation.
5. Real-Time Data Transfer: Zapier transfers real-time data between apps, ensuring your information is always current. This is crucial for maintaining accuracy and efficiency in your workflows.
6. Error Handling: Zapier includes error handling features, alerting you to any issues with your workflows and helping you troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly.

Zapier limitations

• It can get expensive if you run automation with a lot of zaps, tasks, or actions
• Some workflows and integrations have limited triggers and actions
• Some users report difficulties in finding errors and debugging automation 

Zapier pricing

• Free Forever
• Starter: $29.99 per month
• Professional: $73.50 per month
• Team: $103.50 per month
• Company: Custom pricing

7. Slack

Slack is a communication platform designed to streamline team collaboration. It offers real-time messaging, file sharing, and integrations with various other tools. Agencies can use Slack to improve internal communication, manage projects, and keep everyone connected in the office or remotely.

Slack organizes conversations into channels, which can be based on teams, projects, or topics. This structure makes it easy to find information and stay on top of ongoing discussions. With its extensive integration capabilities, Slack is a central team communication and collaboration hub.

Slack Best Features

1. Channels: Slack’s channels help organize conversations by project, team, or topic. This makes it easy to find relevant discussions and reduces clutter in your communication.
2. Direct Messaging: The platform supports direct messaging for private conversations between team members. This feature is helpful for quick, one-on-one communication.
3. File Sharing and Collaboration: Slack allows you to share files directly within the platform. You can also collaborate on documents and provide feedback in real time.
4. Integration with Other Tools: Slack integrates with many tools, including Google Drive, Trello, Asana, and Zoom. This centralizes your workflows and reduces the need to switch between different apps.
5. Search Functionality: Slack’s powerful search feature allows you to find messages, files, and conversations quickly, helping you retrieve important information when needed.
6. Notifications and Alerts: Slack provides customizable notifications and alerts, ensuring you stay informed about critical updates without being overwhelmed by unnecessary messages.

Slack limitations

• The audio-visual quality of calls in Slack isn’t as good as other advanced video conferencing apps.
• The Slack Navbar may feel overwhelming if you have many channels and DMs
• The app could get more expensive, especially with additional costs from subscriptions to third-party extensions and integrations. 

Slack pricing

• Free Plan: Free forever
• Pro Plan: $8.75/user per month
• Business+ Plan: $15/user per month
• Enterprise Grid: Custom pricing

8. Asana

Asana is a project management tool that helps teams organize their work and collaborate more effectively. It is designed to manage projects, track progress, and ensure everyone stays on the same page. Asana offers agencies a visual platform to map out tasks, set deadlines, and monitor project timelines.

Asana’s user-friendly interface allows you to create and break projects into tasks and subtasks. You can assign tasks to team members, set due dates, and add comments and attachments. This makes it easy to track who works on what tasks are due and when they are due. Asana also offers various views, such as list view, board view, and calendar view, to help you visualize your projects in the way that works best for you.

Asana Best Features

1. Task Management: Create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and add details with descriptions, comments, and attachments.
2. Project Tracking: Track the progress of projects with different views, such as list view, board view, and calendar view.
3. Collaboration: Collaborate with team members through comments, mentions, and attachments within tasks and projects.
4. Integrations: Integrate with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Microsoft Teams to streamline your workflow.
5. Timeline: Use the Timeline feature to create project plans and ensure tasks are completed logically.
6. Custom Fields: Add custom fields to tasks to capture specific information relevant to your projects.
7. Automation: Automate routine tasks and workflows with Asana’s automation features to save time and reduce manual work.

Asana limitations

• The steep learning curve for new users can prove limiting for large teams
• A task can be assigned to only one user, which makes it challenging when multiple users are working on a task
• Asana projects can only be exported as CSV files and not JSON or Excel, which may limit flexibility

Asana pricing

• Personal: Free forever
• Starter: $13.49/user per month
• Advanced: $30.49/user per month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
• Enterprise+: Custom pricing

9. Hubspot

HubSpot is a comprehensive platform that provides tools for marketing, sales, customer service, and CRM (Customer Relationship Management). It is designed to help agencies attract, engage, and delight customers. HubSpot’s all-in-one platform allows you to manage your marketing campaigns, track sales, and provide excellent customer service from a single location.

HubSpot’s marketing tools include email marketing, social media management, and content creation. The sales tools offer lead tracking, email templates, and meeting scheduling. The customer service tools provide ticketing, feedback surveys, and a knowledge base. All these tools are integrated with HubSpot’s CRM, which helps you maintain a complete view of your customers and their interactions with your agency.

HubSpot Best Features

1. CRM: Maintain a detailed record of customer interactions and manage your contacts efficiently with HubSpot’s CRM.
2. Marketing Automation: Automate your marketing efforts with tools for email marketing, social media management, and content creation.
3. Sales Tools: Track leads, manage deals, and schedule meetings with tools designed to streamline your sales process.
4. Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service with ticketing, feedback surveys, and a knowledge base.
5. Integrations: To enhance your workflow, integrate with a wide range of tools, such as Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Slack.
6. Analytics and Reporting: Use detailed analytics and reporting features to measure the performance of your marketing campaigns and sales efforts.
7. Content Management: Create and manage content with HubSpot’s content management tools, which include blogging, landing pages, and SEO recommendations.

Hubspot limitations

• Hubspot may prove expensive for small and mid-sized teams as core features are available only in the Professional plan and other higher-tier plans
• Hubspot annual contracts lack flexibility
• A/B testing is not available in the lower plans
• Some technical knowledge (like that of CSS) is required when customizing Hubspot templates

Hubspot pricing

• Free
• Starter: $20 per month
• Professional: $800 per month
• Enterprise: $3600 per month (billed annually)

10. Miro

Miro is an online collaborative whiteboard platform that allows teams to brainstorm, plan, and collaborate visually. It is ideal for agencies conducting creative sessions, planning projects, and managing workflows. Miro provides a flexible canvas where you can add notes, images, diagrams, and other elements to represent your ideas and projects visually.

Miro’s templates and tools make it easy to get started with brainstorming sessions, mind maps, and project plans. You can collaborate with team members in real time, making it perfect for remote teams. Miro’s integration with tools like Slack, Asana, and Trello enhances its functionality and makes it a versatile addition to your productivity toolkit.

Miro Best Features

1. Collaborative Whiteboard: Use the whiteboard to brainstorm, plan projects, and create visual representations of your ideas.
2. Templates: Access a wide range of templates for brainstorming, mind mapping, project planning, and more.
3. Real-Time Collaboration: Collaborate with team members in real-time, regardless of location.
4. Integration: Integrate with tools like Slack, Asana, Trello, and others to enhance your workflow.
5. Visual Tools: Add notes, images, diagrams, and other elements to create a comprehensive visual plan.
6. Export Options: Export your boards in various formats to share with stakeholders or incorporate into presentations.
7. Security: Benefit from robust security features to protect your data and ensure safe collaboration.

Miro limitations

• Limited features in the free plan
• There’s no default option to save custom whiteboards as templates
• Some users find sessions expire randomly, causing them to lose work

Miro pricing

• Free
• Starter: $10/user per month
• Business: $20/user per month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right productivity tools can transform how agencies operate, making work smoother and more efficient. The tools listed here, from Corexta to Miro, offer diverse features that cater to different needs. They help with project management, team collaboration, task automation, and client relationship management. By leveraging these tools, agencies can streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and deliver better client results.

It’s essential to assess your agency’s needs and try different tools to find the best fit. With the right tools, achieving higher productivity and efficiency is within reach.