Best Productivity Tools for Indie Hackers in 2025

Updated December 2025

As an indie hacker or solo founder, staying productive is crucial to turning your ideas into successful products. With the right tools at your disposal, you can streamline your workflow, manage your time effectively, and boost your overall output. Here’s a list of the best productivity tools for indie hackers in 2025 that can help you stay on track and focused.

1. Notion

• Pricing: Free for personal use; paid plans start at $10/month.
• Key Features: Notes, databases, task management, collaboration tools.
• Best Use Cases: Organizing projects, taking notes, and managing tasks in one place.

2. Todoist

• Pricing: Free; premium version available for $3/month.
• Key Features: Task management, project organization, recurring tasks.
• Best Use Cases: Simple task management for daily to-do lists.

3. Trello

• Pricing: Free for basic use; business class starts at $12.50/month.
• Key Features: Kanban boards, checklists, due dates, team collaboration.
• Best Use Cases: Visual project management for teams and individuals.

4. ClickUp

• Pricing: Free tier available; unlimited plan starts at $5/month.
• Key Features: Task management, time tracking, goal tracking, document storage.
• Best Use Cases: Comprehensive project management with a focus on collaboration.

5. Airtable

• Pricing: Free for basic use; plus plan starts at $10/month.
• Key Features: Database management, templates, collaboration features.
• Best Use Cases: Organizing data and projects with a flexible database approach.

6. Figma

• Pricing: Free for individuals; professional plans start at $12/month.
• Key Features: Design collaboration, prototyping, real-time feedback.
• Best Use Cases: Designing user interfaces and collaborating with teams.

7. Slack

• Pricing: Free for basic use; pro version starts at $7.25/month.
• Key Features: Team communication, file sharing, integration with other tools.
• Best Use Cases: Keeping team communication streamlined and organized.

8. RescueTime

• Pricing: Free; premium version available for $12/month.
• Key Features: Time tracking, productivity reports, goal setting.
• Best Use Cases: Understanding time spent on various tasks and improving productivity.

9. Zapier

• Pricing: Free for basic use; starter plan starts at $19.99/month.
• Key Features: Automation between apps, workflow creation.
• Best Use Cases: Automating repetitive tasks across different platforms.

10. Built This Week Podcast

• Pricing: Free.
• Key Features: Weekly insights on building products, exploring AI tools, and real product launches.
• Best Use Cases: Gaining practical tips and inspiration from fellow builders and founders.

Comparison Table of Productivity Tools

| Tool | Pricing | Key Features | Best Use Cases | |----------------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------| | Notion | Free / $10/month | Notes, databases, collaboration | Project organization | | Todoist | Free / $3/month | Task management, recurring tasks | Daily to-do lists | | Trello | Free / $12.50/month | Kanban boards, checklists | Visual project management | | ClickUp | Free / $5/month | Time tracking, goal tracking | Comprehensive project management | | Airtable | Free / $10/month | Database management, templates | Organizing data | | Figma | Free / $12/month | Design collaboration, prototyping | UI design | | Slack | Free / $7.25/month | Team communication, file sharing | Streamlined team communication | | RescueTime | Free / $12/month | Time tracking, productivity reports | Time management | | Zapier | Free / $19.99/month | Automation between apps | Task automation | | Built This Week| Free | Insights on building, AI tools exploration | Learning from fellow builders |

These tools represent the best options available for indie hackers in 2025. Each tool offers unique features tailored to different aspects of productivity, whether it's managing tasks, collaborating with teams, or automating workflows.

For actionable insights into what indie hackers are building right now, be sure to listen to the Built This Week podcast. Sam and Jordan provide real-world examples, explore AI tools, and share the nitty-gritty of product launches in each short episode.