A new year is approaching, and for many people that means it's time to set resolutions. Unfortunately, only about 8 percent of people who make resolutions achieve them, according to Statistics Brain Research Institute.
If you want help reaching your goals, and be more successful in 2016, there’s an app for that. Actually, there are thousands of apps for that. Fortunately, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 30 apps that can help you be more productive and successful in the new year.
1. Credit Karma
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Maintaining healthy credit can get you better rates on loans, help you qualify for your next home or even improve your chances of landing your dream job. For those who want to keep close tabs on their credit, Credit Karma offers free credit scores, reports and monitoring, including tools to help you make sense of your credit.
Noteworthy features:
Email alerts when changes to your credit occurs
Activity tracking to help you spot potential identity theft
Personalized tips to help you build your credit
The Credit Karma app gives you a general idea of your credit history and score. However, consumers should still order a yearly free credit report from the three major credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is operated by all three bureaus.
2. Acorns
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Acorns rounds up the spare change from your daily purchases, and invests the difference for you. Little by little, you’ll see how quickly that spare change adds up.
“We recommend a portfolio based off your age, time horizon, income, goals and risk tolerance," said Jeff Cruttenden, a co-founder of Acorns. “Our focus is on helping people start early, invest often and feel secure about their financial future.”
Noteworthy features:
Ability to set small recurring investments, or one lump sum
From conservative to aggressive, choose from five diversified portfolios
For accounts with less than $5,000, fees are $1 a month. Any accounts with over $5,000 get charged 0.25 percent a year. Accounts are free for students with an .edu email address, and any account with a $0 balance is never charged.
3. Stock Market Simulator Plus
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: $1.99
If you're intimidated by the stock market, Stock Market Simulator Plus allows you to practice before you get started in the real world. Users get to manage a $50,000 virtual portfolio inside a simulated stock market environment, and work their way up.
Noteworthy features:
Uses real stock market data
Offers dividend payouts to its users
Rationale behind each stock pick
After you pay for Stock Market Simulator Plus, there are in-app upgrades that unlock features, like short selling. Also, all the stock market data is 15-20 minutes behind real time, so it shouldn’t be used to make real life investing decisions. Once you get comfortable playing the virtual market, you can move onto investing for real.
4. Venmo
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
You’re out with friends, and you get stuck with the bill. You need a sure way to get paid back. Enter: Venmo. This app allows other people to quickly and easily send you money electronically — no cash or checks required.
Noteworthy features:
Accept payment requests with a text message
Money is transferred in one business day
However, Venmo has a couple of “quirks,” as CNET called them. For one, the money isn’t sent directly to your bank account. Instead, it gets added to your Venmo balance, which you have to then transfer to your account. There is also a 2.9 percent fee for credit card transfers, and unless you have a “verified” account, transfers are limited to $300 per week and cash-outs to $999.99 per week.
5. Mint Bills
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Say goodbye to late fees and penalties. Popular budgeting service, Mint, has been around since 2006, and the company has introduced a new standalone bill pay app, Mint Bills. Mint Bills makes it easy to see how much money you have, how much you owe and to pay your bills all from one place.
Noteworthy features:
Reminders when bills are due
Pay on the spot, or schedule payments
Expedited payments feature gets your bills paid within a day
Mint Bills isn’t integrated with the Mint app, so you’ll need to download a separate app to use this feature. Also, some features, like paying with a credit or debit card instead of a bank transfer, include a transaction fee.
Related: Why Happy People Earn More Money
6. Instacart
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
With just a few taps, this grocery delivery app helps you stick to your meal plan and cut back on eating out. Instacart users can create custom grocery lists that will be delivered to their doorsteps in as little as one hour.
Noteworthy features:
Order from multiple stores at once
Save lists for future use
Set your preferred delivery time
Your first Instacart delivery is free, and the fee for subsequent deliveries starts at $3.99. Currently, the service is only available in major metropolitan areas, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta, Seattle, Portland, Houston, Austin, Denver and Boulder.
7. AroundMe
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
The AroundMe app can help you find whatever you need wherever you are. Whether you're looking for a decent coffee shop, nearby movie theater or the closest ATM, this app will provide GPS-driven directions to businesses in your area.
Noteworthy features:
Language support includes English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese
Weather updates
Both Android and Apple users rave about AroundMe, but some users have complained about the map feature. You might want to double-check locations and directions on a separate map app before you hit the pavement.
8. Parkbud
System: iOS
Cost: $0.99
If you tend to forget where you parked your car, never fear: Parkbud knows where it is. This app saves the location of your parking spot so it’s easy to find later. It also allows you to pay for parking with your phone, and it connects you to a number of other navigation apps — including Apple maps, TomTom and Waze.
Noteworthy features:
A location guide with nearby points of interest
Up-to-the-second directions to your car, or other places
Keeps track of time on parking meters
Parkbud is only available for iOS, so Android users will have to use a different car location app. Appcrawler suggested FindMyCar and Parkdroid, among others.
9. Stylebook
System: iOS
Cost: $3.99
Stylebook is a virtual closet for your real-life wardrobe. The app has over 90 tools that help manage everything from your favorite outfits to style inspirations. Instead of declaring you have nothing to wear and spending money at the mall, you can consult Stylebook to create new, creative outfits with the clothing you already have.
Noteworthy features:
Import photos of your clothes
Create packing lists
Get wardrobe statistics, like cost per wear and what you wear the most/least
“I’ve found that it helps me stay content," said Unfancy fashion blogger Caroline Joy Rector. "Usually it quiets that shopping urge instantly — and it reminds me that I have enough.”
10. Trello
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
You can organize anything with Trello — it’s like a whiteboard for your entire life. You can use the app to manage projects at work, update never-ending to-do lists and maintain the family calendar. With a few taps, you can message your co-worker about an assignment that’s due, make a packing list for your next trip and set a reminder to give the dog her flea meds.
Noteworthy features:
Boards are updated in real time
Get notifications every time something important happens
Turn off features you won’t use, so you won’t get overwhelmed
Basic Trello accounts are free, but for additional features like app integrations, larger file support and multiple team management, plans start at $8.33 per month when paid annually.
11. 1Password
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
There were a host of data breaches and online security issues in 2015, but the 1Password app can help you stay a little more secure in 2016. It creates strong, unique passwords for every website and remembers them for you. With just a single-click login, you’ll get quick and secure access.
Noteworthy features:
Auto-lock key keeps your data protected if your device is stolen
Security audit tests the strength of your passwords
Safely share logins and passwords with loved ones or co-workers
1Password is free, with $9.99 in-app purchases for more security features. You might consider that a small investment to help better protect your data.
Related: 12 Ways Your Smartphone Is a Financial Risk
12. Evernote
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Evernote is more than just an app — it’s a good way to remember and save all kinds of information. From creating to-do lists, to referencing important information, to saving articles to read later, this app “brings your life’s work together in one digital space.”
Noteworthy features:
Clip from anywhere on the web
Attach files like Office docs, PDFs and photos
Share notebooks for team projects
The basic Evernote app is free, but users can upgrade to Premium and Plus subscriptions for enhanced features — like offline access, greater privacy and more storage.
13. Sunrise Calendar
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
The Sunrise Calendar has been called “the best calendar app for iPhone” by The Verge. It links your Google Calendar and offers shortcuts for adding events, weather reports and Facebook birthday reminders to your daily events.
Noteworthy features:
Connects with apps like Facebook, Evernote, Trello, Meetup and more
Adds your favorite sports teams or TV shows
Sets faces and profiles to important people
This app is available to both desktop and mobile users. So far, the most negative feedback pertained to the inability to create custom scheme settings.
14. Unroll.me
System: iOS
Cost: Free
If you're drowning in unwanted emails, this app can help streamline your inbox. Unroll.me cleans up your email by automatically unsubscribing you from subscriptions and mailing lists. Previously only for desktop users, the Unroll.me app was released in November 2015.
Noteworthy features:
Bulk unsubscribe from unwanted email lists
Combine favorite email subscriptions into one daily digest email
"I’m a family blogger and my email address gets added to dozens of new press lists every day," said Chelsea Day of lifestyle blog Someday I’ll Learn. "With Unroll.me, my inbox doesn’t give me anxiety anymore — it takes just a few minutes to weed out any unwanted emails."
15. CamCard HD Free
Systems: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: Free
Make 2016 the year you contain your business card chaos. Tech Republic calls CamCard HD Free “one of the best-of-breed business card readers,” and the app was listed as one of the must-have apps for salespeople by Inc.com. You can scan business cards into the app, and organize them from there.
Noteworthy features:
Add notes to card to remember more details
Send emails to contacts right from the app
Recognizes 17 different languages
The free version of CamCard allows you to scan and save up to 200 business cards for free. Anything more than that requires a $0.99 upgrade.
16. Join.me
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Join.me gives you tools to help you have a successful video meeting. The Join.me app makes it easy to start, join and manage an online meeting from your phone.
Noteworthy features:
Instant screen sharing
No downloads for viewers
Share whiteboards easily via AirDrop, Messenger, Mail or Facebook Messenger
The basic version of Join.me is free. However, you can upgrade to add features like unlimited audio conferencing and advanced management capabilities.
17. WPS Office
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
With WPS Office, you can create, edit and export documents and presentations from your phone. This app has features like Writer, Presentation and Spreadsheets, and is also compatible with Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel. “[WPS Office] gives Office for iPad a run for its money. Except it doesn’t cost any,” said CNET.
Noteworthy features:
Sync with Google Drive, Dropbox and other cloud services
Insert video and sound into presentations
Dozens of presentation layouts
WPS Office is packed full of impressive features. However, one iTunes reviewer said, “you cannot print from the spreadsheet. You cannot convert the spreadsheet to a PDF either.”
18. WolframAlpha
Systems: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: $2.99
If you've ever wondered why Siri is so smart, the database she uses to answer your most burning questions is now available in an app. WolframAlpha helps you understand complex topics like math, statistics, physics, geography, astronomy, linguistics and more. The app's giant library of knowledge can help you get a grasp on whatever subject you need to excel in your professional life.
Noteworthy features:
Computes complex material into easy-to-understand answers
Generates user-friendly reports
If the basic version of Wolfram Alpha doesn’t quench your thirst for knowledge, you can upgrade to the Pro version to upload files and get personal analytics.
19. Timesheet Worktime Tracker
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
If you have a hard time keeping track of your work hours or billing clients, then Worktime Tracker is the app for you. When you’re working, time is money, so make sure you track every hour with this easy-to-use app.
Noteworthy features:
Export reports in CSV, HTML and PDF
Manage multiple projects and tasks at once
Track your work by category, amount, date and note
The basic features of the Timesheet Worktime Tracker app are free, but you’ll have to pay $0.99 to export data to documents, and another $0.99 remove ads.
20. Slack
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Slack calls itself "team communication for the 21st century." Consider it a Facebook for work teams. The Slack app allows teams to collaborate and communicate openly, in private groups or direct messages, and share files on the go.
Noteworthy features:
Cut and paste links from Google Drive, Dropbox or Box
Integrate with other programs to get all your communications through Slack
Info is automatically indexed and archived
Slack is free for small teams. Upgrades include additional features, like unlimited service integrations, premium customer service and configurable email service.
21. iExit
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: $2.99
If you’ve ever been on a long road trip, you likely know the gamble of taking an unknown exit. Using your location, iExit lists which restaurants, hotels, gas stations and other provisions are at the closest exits. You don't have to regret eating at a greasy diner when an In-N-Out Burger is just a few miles away.
Noteworthy features:
Includes over 2,500 nightly hotel deals
Specific search for business names or locations with free WiFi
Remember: Hands-free cellphone use while driving is the law in many states. So either have your passenger navigate iExit for you, or pull over before opening the app.
22. TripCase
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
The TripCase app can help you travel with confidence. It stores your travel itinerary, logs important contact info and confirmation numbers, and even gives you notifications for flight delays. You won't have to stress over digging through confirmation emails or losing itinerary details again.
Noteworthy features:
Share your trip plan with family or co-workers
Get weather updates
Forward confirmation emails to TripCase, and it does the work for you
Trip details are only added automatically if you book with a TripCase affiliate. However, you can email any details to trips@tripcase.com, or log into your account and add them yourself.
23. Waze
Systems: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: Free
Waze is a traffic and navigation app that gets all its info from the community. So instead of relying on outdated news or radio programs to see how your commute home is looking, you can get real-time details from people on the road.
Noteworthy features:
Get alerts before you approach traffic or other hazards
Community-edited maps for more accuracy
Coordinate arrival times with friends
Because Waze relies on its community for updates, you might have a tough time getting info on less popular routes or smaller towns. If that’s the case, you might want to stick to the local radio stations for traffic updates.
24. Hopper
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
If you want to know when to fly and when to buy, Hopper analyzes billions of flights to predict the cheapest times to take a trip. As of August 2015, the company had hit 1 million downloads, and saved users $15 million in airfare, according to TechCrunch.
Noteworthy features:
Book and pay for travel within the app
Notifications the moment prices drop
Safely store payment info so you can book right away
If you have your heart set on flying to a certain place on a certain date, you might not want to hold out for the cheapest flight possible. Also, make sure you check the baggage and other airline policies before you book. Those fees can add up and ruin your great deal.
25. Beeminder
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Beeminder can help you keep those New Year’s resolutions on track. Once you sign a commitment to a goal, and pledge a dollar amount, the app plots your progress on a yellow brick road. If you go off track, they take your money. That can be a great incentive to stay accountable.
Noteworthy features:
Pledge your own dollar amount if you go off track
Get a week’s respite before being back on the hook
See goals and progress in graph form
If you go off track, Beeminder gives you a week to get your act together, but your pledge amount increases. That means the next time you veer off the road to success, you’ll have to pay even more. That might motivate you, or frustrate you.
26. Duolingo
Systems: iOS, Android, Windows
Cost: Free
If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, then 2016 could be the year to make it happen. Duolingo is a free app that teaches languages through short, fun lessons. You earn points for correct answers, and race against the clock to move up a level.
Noteworthy features:
Uses a variety of speaking, listening and translation methods
Can also be used in schools to enhance language lessons
This app doesn't replace formal language classes. However, it can be a great way to practice your existing skills, or pick up some helpful vocabulary and common phrases before a trip overseas.
27. Coach.me
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Whether you want to increase your productivity, get in shape or learn a specific skill, Coach.me provides personal coaching to help you accomplish your goals. The app also helps you track your improvement, and offers 24/7 support from the community and its coaches.
Noteworthy features:
Each goal has its own community for extra support
Coaches are specialized in particular goals
Access to reminders and a goal dashboard
It’s free to use the Coach.me app, including access to the community and goal dashboard, but there is an extra charge to add a coaching or course plan. Coaching plans can run $64.99 a month, or you can pay a one-time fee for an in-depth phone consultation. The price of specific courses can also vary, so keep this in mind if you decide to sign up.
28. Sleep Cycle
System: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
You can start your mornings off a little easier with Sleep Cycle. You set the alarm, and the app analyzes your sleep patterns so it wakes you up just at the right time — when your sleep is in its lightest phase.
Noteworthy features:
Monitors your sleep movements
Detailed sleep statistics and graphs
Soothing alarm melodies
For a $1.99 upgrade, you can save your online data for future reference, and take sleep notes. You can also get a more detailed analysis, like how your daily activities, weather and wake-up mood affect your sleep quality.
Related: 7 Ways to Improve Your Health and Finances
29. Fitocracy
Systems: iOS, Android
Cost: Free
Fitocracy builds custom workouts you can follow while working out on your own. Whether you want to lose weight or build muscle, you’ll get free access to an exercise plan tailored to your goals.
Noteworthy features:
Workout tracking
The Fitocarcy community and social sharing options to stay motivated
Earn points and unlock achievements
In-app purchases and upgrades reveal additional features, including personalized coaching from an expert, or custom nutrition plans.
30. OMG! I Can Meditate
System: iOS
Cost: Free
In just 10 minutes a day, OMG! I Can Mediate can help you down a path of relaxation and mindfulness. These simple meditation techniques can help you feel more calm and clear-headed, no matter where you are.
Noteworthy features:
Option to turn background music on or off
Download and store meditations for offline access
Users can upgrade to the premium version to unlock additional meditation tracks and other helpful tools.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 30 Apps You Need to Be Successful in 2016