Microsoft Teams is a complete solution for instant company communication. But its potential doesn't end there. Several Microsoft Teams tools (apps) are available for every need and goal, from project management to visualization, to internal communication and teamwork.

Below, we have compiled a list of the best apps for Microsoft Teams, for companies that want to boost productivity.

We based our list on our experience, the top apps featured in Microsoft Teams, and keeping in mind the main needs that companies face to keep organized (and productive) every day. 

These are the top 5 Microsoft Teams apps that, in our opinion, will help companies boost productivity. Let's dive in!

Benefits of using productivity apps

Productivity apps offer numerous benefits for those who want to improve. Firstly, they provide ways to automate, share files, and collaborate on projects in real time. This eliminates the need for endless email threads and ensures that everyone is on the same page.

Secondly, productivity apps can be added within Microsoft Teams, just by adding them from the store. Installation in simple and hub can turn the Microsoft Teams interface into a truly productivity and management 

Furthermore, productivity apps enhance productivity by adding features like time tracking, which usually aren't included in Teams' basic features.

Overall, productivity apps can significantly improve collaboration, streamline workflows, and boost productivity. By leveraging the right tools, teams can achieve better results, complete projects on time, and ultimately drive business success.

What apps can you add to Microsoft Teams?

The answer is, so many!

Microsoft Teams apps are available for any need, whether it's for managing projects, managing hours and team members, or managing tasks and keeping meetings on track.

To add an app in Microsoft Teams, you can simply go to the Apps section for the Microsoft Teams desktop apps, and then scroll through the different categories to pick the one you need.

Types of apps you can add to Microsoft Teams:

• Time management/productivity tracking apps
• Forms and submissions
• Automation apps
• Task management, project management apps
• Communication and Collaboration
• Data management apps

1) Timeneye App for Microsoft Teams: for Time tracking & Timesheets

At first glance, the Timeneye app for Microsft Teams may seem just a quick, easy way to track time and fill timesheets. Which is already great in itself.

But Timeneye offers more than that. Because Timeneye is a project-based Time tracking tool, with the app you can also visualize a project overview to keep track of the time spent on projects, the budgets, and the phases. You can check if your project is within its budget.

And you can run productivity reports, right from Microsoft Teams: you'll know which project is taking most of your time, and how to invest in the profitable ones. All of this can be done directly inside the Teams Desktop app! If you're looking for a simple time tracking solution for Microsoft products, this is the one.

App link

Price: multiple pricing plan, Starter plan from $9 per user

Pros: brings time tracking and timesheets directly in Microsoft Teams with no need to switch apps to track time

Cons: doesn't allow selecting start and end time for your time entries

2) Jotform: for dynamic forms, scheduling and easy data collection

With Jotform’s Microsoft Teams forms, users can seamlessly organize, share, and manage their forms and send their submissions to the Teams platform. This tool is perfect for teams that rely on collaboration and quick feedback, from HR and project management to customer service and event planning. You can send submissions to standard and private channels, automatically send private channel messages, and create meetings on your Teams calendar. 

With Jotform, users can easily create and organize forms, gather responses in real-time, and collaborate with the team on important data. It’s designed to make data collection and automated workflows as smooth as possible.

Price: Free version available; paid plans starting from $34 per month.

Pros: Easy-to-use interface but advanced features, automation capabilities

Cons: Lower-tier plans have limits on numbers

3) Tasks by Planner and To Do: task management inside Microsoft Teams

This app made by Microsoft will keep all your individual tasks in one place. If you're a Microsoft Planner or Microsoft To Do user, with the Tasks app you can create, assign, and track tasks individually or collaboratively with your team, and see everything in one place.

Team members need to know what they're supposed to work on every day. Tasks show up in a tab at the top of a chat or channel. In the tab you can keep all the tasks in one place, can update their status, and manage priorities and deadlines.

Price: included in Microsoft Teams

Pros: Keeps all your tasks in one place

Cons: good for basic task management, but doesn't allow for complex task dependencies

4) Power Automate: remove repetitive tasks with automation

Who hates repetitive, menial tasks that take up too much time of your day? We sure do!

Automation can help people reduce wasted time and optimize daily workflows. Power Automate, another product by Microsoft, lets you connect different apps via triggers and actions. When a certain trigger is activated in an app, some action that you have set happens in the other app. The real upside of this app is that it's basically no code: everyone can build workflows without having to bother a developer.

Price: both monthly and pay-as-you-go options available, starting from $15 and $0.06, respectively

Pros: virtually no code is required

Cons: figuring out how to make the triggers work can take some time

5) Power BI: quick access to visualize data

The best decisions are data-driven decisions.

If you could actually see and share those data in a beautiful, visual way, then the whole company can be sure to optimize time, take smarter steps, and focus on the most important KPI.

Power BI is a data visualization tool made by Microsoft. Now you can bring it inside Microsoft Teams to have easy and quick access to your data. No more switching back and forth between tabs while looking for that chart you needed to show in the meeting. It will be already there inside your Microsoft Teams app.

Price: basic free version available, Power Bi PRO starting from $9.99

Pros: visual and beautiful for the data-savvy of the company

Cons: requires quite the learning curve and can be intimidating at first

6) Polly: instant feedback from the team

Polly, an engagement and survey tool, is one of the most popular apps for Microsoft Teams at the moment. After all, a happy and engaged team is a productive team!

With the Polly app from Microsoft Teams, you can send questions, polls, and quizzes to your team members. The app is very versatile and you can use it for gathering feedback from your team, preparing meetings (by asking your team members what they need to discuss), onboarding employees, and even sending little trivia and quizzes as icebreakers in your virtual meetings.

If you have a hybrid or distributed workforce, Polly will definitely help you keep it engaged.

App link

Price: free basic plan with limited features, paid plans start at $49/month

Pros: simple yet versatile for purposes like engagement, onboarding, meeting management and product development

Cons: some reviews point out that the setup is not as straightforward as it should be