If you're someone who likes to organize things, you'll always be looking for new tools or apps that can help you work efficiently. However, over the years, many people have realized that paying for Pro versions of free productivity apps is not worth it.
1. The free versions are surprisingly good
When it comes to productivity apps and keeping things organized, the free versions usually cover the essentials quite 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 breaking the bank.

These apps have powerful features, like creating to-do lists, organizing notes, and syncing across devices without users having to pay a penny. For many users, these core features are more than enough to increase productivity without having to pay for unused additional functionality.
2. Alternatives can fill the gap
Instead of paying for premium versions, combining different free tools can often fill any gaps found. 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 integrations.
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 an app offers for free versus paid. If you don't see yourself using at least 2 to 3 of the app's capabilities, then find a free app that does that instead. You will save a lot of money in the long run.
3. Pro features are often targeted to 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, regular users can usually achieve their goals with the free versions.
4. Free trial and Freemium model let you try it first
One advantage of many productivity apps is that they often offer free trials or adopt a freemium model. This allows users to try out premium features before moving on 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 productivity and workflow. In fact, there are many features that you will not use or do not want to use instead of familiar features.

Notion, a favorite app for productivity planning, 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 properly decide whether the Pro version is worth it or not.
5. Increase registration fees
Subscribing to many different productivity apps can quickly add up to unexpected costs. Spending a few hundred per app a month may seem like a small amount at first, but when you calculate the annual cost, that number can add up to more than a few million.
By using the free versions, you can avoid subscription costs and allocate your resources wisely.
Finally, free versions of productivity apps have enough good features to keep users from having to subscribe to paid versions. By combining different free tools and strategizing how to use them, you'll still maintain high levels of productivity without having to pay extra. So before you swipe your payment card, try out those free versions and see how far they take you!