Time-management seems to be one of those elusive skills that only a few are able to master. Unless you’re Mark Wahlberg, you’re probably not going to wake up at 2.30 am to get an extra workout in.

You might prefer to wake up when the sun actually rises–and that’s completely fine! You don’t need to box yourself into a strict schedule.

Turning to apps has been a solution for many but you might find that the conventional, cookie-cutter template of time scheduling and to-do lists doesn’t work for you. This is where the power of gamification comes in!

What Are Gamified Apps?

Man sitting on brain thinking

If you’re a creative or visual learner at heart you might find gamified apps are a better fit. Simply put, gamification is the process of incorporating gaming into other activities to make them more engaging and fun.

As gamification has gained momentum in the digital space, more and more developers have started to incorporate it into apps–specifically time-management apps.

Touted as the new creative way to tackle time-management, gamified apps have built a strong presence in the mobile app market.

The way gamified apps operate is simple; rewards and the chance to unlock new quests are redeemed once tasks and challenges are completed. This is exactly why gamification is such a great tool to use to help you reach your goals and manage your time–it offers instant gratification. And there is actually some scientific backing to all the claims.

Once you’ve completed a task and receive those rewards your brain releases dopamine; the ultimate happy hormone! The more you receive those dopamine hits each time a task is achieved, the more likely you are to actually want to stick to your goals and break bad habits.

Not sure where to start? If you’d like to give it a go, we’ve compiled a handy list of the top five gamified apps for time management to help you hack your productivity.

1. Habitica

When looking for ways to achieve your goals and reach milestones, you need to be able to master time-management. If you’ve exhausted the Pomodoro method or are just tired of simply allocating times to your to-do list–Habitica might be the solution.

Time-blocking doesn’t work for everyone but Habitica serves up something a little different. Offering a personalized and creative approach to time-management, the app revolves around a customizable avatar that grows with you. Create your to-do lists and daily goals and watch your XP grow as you accomplish your tasks; each tick-off will result in features such as armor, skills, pets, and quests being unlocked.

If you struggle with ownership, then this app has the perfect solution; a community of Habiticans” that keep each other in check. Join parties with other users to fight monsters and the more tasks you complete, the greater power your team will possess. Slack on your tasks and your team will be compromised meaning each player is held accountable for their actions.

Download: Habitica for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. SuperBetter

One of the first gamified time-management apps to be backed by clinical trials, SuperBetter was created to deliver results. Designed with a deep emphasis on science and psychology, creator Jane McGonigal’s idea sprung to mind after her experience dealing with a concussion.

Jane wanted to create an app that would help others like herself recover from concussions with improved resilience and determination. The result was a gamified time-management and productivity app that puts science at the heart of its strategy.

Focused on creating healthy habits and achieving goals, the app comes with ready-made, "power-ups," and "power-packs," that act as to-do-lists for your goals. Some of the current options available include completing power-packs that lower stress and others that focus on healthy eating and building stronger willpower.

Related: What Is Gamification and How Do Apps Use It to Keep You Hooked?

You also have the option to create your own power-ups, and as each activity is completed you’ll unlock new quests to help you build your resilience. The app even has a SuperBetter community you can become part of to help you track each other’s progress and share advice, meaning a greater chance of sticking to your goals!

If you’re still searching for reasons to join, just take a look at the results of the clinical trials run by the University of Pennsylvania and Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre:

Studies by both universities found that SuperBetter reduced depressive symptoms and anxiety in students.

Now that’s pretty impressive for an app.

Download: SuperBetter for Android | iOS (Free)

3. Level Up Life

When looking for ways to improve your time-management, you have to realize the importance of developing other soft-skills such as attention-management, prioritization, and multitasking.

Luckily, Level Up Life combines all three to create a gamified experience that will help you track your achievements and goals, all the while improving your goal setting and time-management.

Create your own avatar and start setting out specific goals. A total of 13 sub-categories are already provided that include career and finances, fitness, and health, and reading. Each time you complete a goal you’ll be rewarded with extra XP which will help your avatar level-up and unlock new quests. Those that have a competitive spirit will also have the chance to work against other players to try to earn the highest score so there’s something for everyone!

Download: LevelUpLife for Android (Free)

4. EpicWin

Centered around the idea of a to-do-list with a gamified twist, EpicWin blends time scheduling and goal setting with gaming experiences to help you reach your goals. Take part in battles and destroy your tasks as you complete them, earning rewards along the way like coins and loot.

The app also comes with a range of five customizable avatars that will evolve with your progress, reflecting your level of commitment and achievement. The more tasks you complete, the more XP you’ll gain leading to higher levels being unlocked.

With its battle approach, EpicWin will help bring your to-do-list to life with warrior games and will set reminders for all your daily tasks. The app also allows you to track and share your progress with friends via Facebook and Twitter; a great incentive to stay on track to your goals.

Download: EpicWin for Android (Free)

Download: EpicWin for iOS ($1.99)

5. Habit Hunter

An RPG-based app focused on habit tracking, Habit Hunter helps you set out your goals and achieve them by fighting battles and killing monsters. Once you’ve written out your tasks you’ll be able to separate them into smaller to-do-lists and milestones; you’ll also have the added option of turning on reminders.

Your avatar can be personalized and levels up each time you check off a task from your to-do-list, unlocking more games, coins, and weapons to add to your XP. One of the great things about this app is that you don’t have to be connected to the internet to play as it’s available in offline mode too.

Download: HabitHunter for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Use a System to Make Gamified Apps Work for You

Whether you want to strike a better work/life balance or reach a career milestone fast, effective time-management is key. Ordinary time-management apps may be simple but they lack the level of customization and instant gratification that comes with a gamified experience.

Gamified apps may be a niche product in the world of time-management and habit-tracking but that doesn’t mean they’ll all be right for you. Our list isn’t exhaustive but it’s a start and you might find that one app works more for you than another. The key is to give it a go and use the right habits and systems to support the app you choose.