Why not pay for the Pro versions of free productivity apps?

If you're someone who likes to organize things, you're always on the lookout for new tools or apps that can help you stay productive. However, over the years, many people have realized that paying for Pro versions of free productivity apps isn't worth it.

1. The free versions are surprisingly good

When it comes to productivity apps and staying organized, the free versions often cover the essentials pretty well. For example, free task managers like Notion or note-taking apps like Evernote Basic.

In fact, many people absolutely love Notion, especially when it comes to monthly tasks. It allows you to work on productivity and planning without spending a fortune.

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These apps offer powerful features like to-do lists, note organization, and syncing across devices without costing users a dime. For many users, these core features are more than enough to boost productivity without having to pay for additional features they don't use.

2. Alternatives that can fill the gap

Instead of paying for premium versions, combining different free tools can often fill any gaps you find. For example, using Google Calendar and a free to-do app is enough to provide seamless scheduling and task management without the need for premium integration.

If you take advantage of free apps in this way, you can save a lot of money while maintaining high levels of productivity.

Take the time to sit down and consider what a free app offers versus a paid app. If you don't see yourself using at least 2 or 3 of the app's capabilities, then look for a free app that can do that instead. You'll save a lot of money in the long run.

3. Professional features are often targeted at specific users

Many times, premium features on productivity apps are designed specifically for 'productivity users' or businesses with larger, more specific needs. For the average user, these extra features aren't really necessary or relevant to what they want to do.

Things like advanced analytics, custom branding, or team collaboration tools are great options for those who need them (like Trello). However, casual users can often achieve their goals with the free versions.

4. Free Trials and Freemium Models Let You Try First

One advantage of many productivity apps is that they often offer free trials or employ a freemium model. This allows users to try out premium features before committing to a full subscription.

There are cases where you try the Pro version for free and find that the additional features don't really impact or benefit your productivity or workflow. In fact, there are many features that you won't use or don't want to replace the features you're already familiar with.

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Notion, a beloved productivity app, has a free version that's great for anyone who just wants to create a daily, monthly, or weekly schedule. There's no reason to buy the more powerful version, no matter how well it works for teams and businesses.

So by taking advantage of the free trials, you can make an informed decision whether the Pro version is worth it or not.

5. Increase registration fee

Subscribing to multiple productivity apps can quickly add up. Spending a few hundred dollars a month on each app may seem like a small amount at first, but when you calculate the annual cost, it can add up to hundreds of dollars.

By using free versions, you can avoid subscription costs and allocate your resources wisely.

Ultimately, the free versions of productivity apps are good enough to justify subscribing to the paid versions. By combining different free tools and being strategic about how you use them, you can maintain a high level of productivity without having to pay extra. So before you swipe your card, try out those free versions and see how far they get you!

Marvin Fry

Update 01 January 2025