Supercharge Your Workflow

Supercharge Your Workflow: The Best Productive Apps for Microsoft Surface

Okay, so let’s just say it: the Microsoft Surface is giving all the wrong vibes. Clunky, confusing, and honestly not built for the fast-paced, colour-coded, calendar-packed life of a corporate girlie on the go. While the hardware might be trying to serve sleek, the software experience is anything but it. But you know what is saving the day? The apps. Yup — those magical little productivity tools are doing the heavy lifting, helping us stay organized, sane, and slaying deadlines one tap at a time.

Here’s a roundup of the most productive apps (i used) to boost your workflow and get the most out of your Microsoft Surface (with the Microsoft Surface pen!).

📚 Microsoft OneNote – Your Digital Notebook

A versatile note-taking app that allows you to organize notes, drawings, and other content.

Whether you’re in class, in a meeting, or just organizing your day, OneNote is essential. With Surface’s responsive pen input, taking handwritten notes feels smooth and natural. You can sketch, write, type, and even record audio – all in one place.

Why it shines on Surface:

• Full pen support for sketching and annotating
• Syncs seamlessly across all your devices
• Great for brainstorming and collaborative note-taking

But for me? It just doesn’t fit my workflow. I prefer simpler, more linear tools that don’t overwhelm me with options. OneNote’s infinite canvas and notebook-style layout are great in theory, but I end up feeling scattered.

Still, I can’t deny it’s a great option for visual thinkers, students, or anyone deep in the Microsoft ecosystem. It’s just not the tool that gets me in the zone.

1. Drawboard PDF – Mark Up Like a Pro

If you frequently work with PDFs, Drawboard PDF is a must-have. It allows you to annotate, highlight, and draw directly on documents with Surface Pen precision.

Why it shines on Surface:

• Natural ink-like writing with the Surface Pen
• Ideal for architects, engineers, students, and anyone who reviews documents
• Customizable toolset for annotations

I really like Drawboard PDF. It's clean, smooth, and especially good for annotating and marking up PDFs with a stylus—perfect if you're using a Surface or tablet. The interface feels modern, and the tools are thoughtfully designed for anyone working with PDFs regularly.

That said, the free trial only goes so far. After that, you're looking at a subscription if you want to keep using the full feature set. It’s not outrageously priced, but it would’ve been nice to have a more generous free tier, or at least a basic forever-free version for light users.

If you work with PDFs a lot and don’t mind paying, it’s definitely worth checking out. Just be aware going in that the trial is limited.

3. Microsoft To Do – Master Your Task List

A task management app that helps you create to-do lists with reminders. It integrates with other Microsoft services and syncs across devices, ensuring you stay on top of your tasks. ​

Simple, elegant, and powerful – Microsoft To Do helps you stay on track with your goals and tasks. It integrates beautifully with Microsoft 365 and even syncs tasks from Outlook.

Why it shines on Surface:

• Touch-friendly interface
• Seamless syncing across desktop and mobile
• Smart daily planning with “My Day”

Microsoft To Do has quietly become one of my favourite productivity tools. It’s not flashy or packed with complicated features—and that’s exactly why I like it.

It’s easy to use, quick to set up, and does what it promises: helps you keep track of tasks without getting in the way. Whether I’m managing a work project or just writing a grocery list, it feels light and intuitive. Plus, the integration with Outlook and Microsoft 365 is a nice bonus if you’re already in that ecosystem.

If you want a to-do app that’s simple, effective, and doesn’t try to do too much, Microsoft To Do is worth a try.

4. Krita: A Free, Easy Alternative to Photoshop for Designers and Artists

If you're a designer or digital artist looking for a solid alternative to Adobe Photoshop, Krita is absolutely worth checking out. It’s free, open-source, and surprisingly powerful. It’s great for comics, concept art, illustrations, and animations.

Why it shines on Surface:

• Professional-grade drawing tools
• Full Surface Pen tilt and pressure sensitivity support, which i love!
• Customizable brushes and advanced animation features

What I love about Krita is how easy it is to jump into. The interface is clean, the tools are intuitive, and it’s built with artists in mind—especially for painting, illustration, and concept art. You get professional-level features without the subscription cost.

Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned creative, Krita is a great tool to have in your kit. And the best part? It won’t cost you a thing.

Honourable Mentions;

5. Microsoft Whiteboard – Collaborate Visually

Microsoft Whiteboard is a shared digital canvas that’s perfect for team brainstorming sessions or solo planning. It works great for both in-person and remote collaboration.

Why it shines on Surface:

• Perfect for use with the Surface Pen for sketching ideas
• Easy integration with Teams and Outlook
• Real-time collaboration

6. Slack or Microsoft Teams – Keep Communication Flowing

Both Slack and Microsoft Teams keep your conversations, meetings, and projects in one place. On Surface devices, these apps run fast and make multitasking easy.

Why do they shine on Surface:

• Smooth multitasking with snap layouts and touch gestures
• Integrates well with other productivity tools
• Great for remote teams and hybrid work setups

7. Evernote or Notion – Organize Everything

If you’re looking for more advanced note-taking or project planning, Evernote and Notion are great options. Whether you’re outlining a novel, tracking a project, or managing a content calendar, these apps help you bring structure to chaos.

Why do they shine on Surface:

• Keyboard + touch + pen = flexible input
• Rich media support: images, tables, code blocks, and more
• Templates and databases for ultimate customization

Final Thoughts

Your Microsoft Surface is more than just a sleek piece of tech – it’s a productivity powerhouse. With the right apps, you can turn it into your creative studio, digital planner, or collaborative workspace. Try out a few of these apps and see which ones best fit your workflow.

Have a favourite productivity app on Surface that didn’t make the list? Share it – we’re always looking for the next game-changer!