7 Underrated Tech Tools I’m Using in 2025
(That Deserve More Hype)
You ever stumble on a tool and wonder, “How is no one talking
about this?” That’s happened to me a lot recently, especially with how fast
new apps are coming out.
So I figured I’d throw together a quick post about some underrated
tools I’ve been using in 2025. These aren’t the typical “top 10” apps you see
everywhere — they’re just tools I found super useful but barely hear people
mention. Maybe you’ll find one or two that make your life a bit easier too.
1. Notion AI – Actually Way More Useful Than I Expected
I’ll be honest — I thought Notion AI was just a gimmick when it
first came out. I already liked regular Notion for notes and planning stuff,
but the AI part? Game changer.
I’ve used it to clean up messy notes, summarize long articles, and
even help brainstorm blog ideas (including this post, no lie). It’s not
perfect, but it saves a ton of time.
2. Raycast – For Mac Users Who Hate Reaching for the Mouse
If you’re on Mac and not using Raycast, you’re really missing out.
It’s like Spotlight search, but on steroids. I open apps, search files, run
scripts, control Spotify — all from the keyboard.
I started using it last year and now I can't go back. It’s one of
those tools that quietly becomes part of your day.
3. Tana – The Weirdly Smart Note App I Didn’t Know I Needed
This one’s still kinda flying under the radar. Tana feels like if
Notion and Roam Research had a baby. It’s not just about writing notes — it’s
about connecting ideas.
I’ve been using it to keep track of random thoughts, project ideas,
bookmarks, and it actually helps me think better. Still in beta, but
super promising.
4. CleanMyMac X – My Mac Was Slower Than I Thought
I don’t usually install “cleaner” apps, but I gave CleanMyMac X a
shot after hearing about it a few times. Turns out my Mac had a bunch of junk
files and hidden stuff slowing it down.
Ran a full cleanup and it felt faster right away. Not something I
use every day, but great for monthly maintenance.
5. Obsidian – A Quiet Powerhouse for Writers & Thinkers
I started using Obsidian mostly out of curiosity, but it really
grew on me. Everything is stored locally, and the way it links notes together
feels super natural. You’re basically building your own personal knowledge map.
I mostly use it for long-term notes — stuff I want to come back to
later. If you like thinking on paper, you’ll probably love it.
6. Cron – The Calendar That Doesn’t Suck
Google Calendar is fine, but kind of boring. Cron came along and
made things actually nice to look at.
It’s clean, easy to use, and doesn’t get in the way. I’ve been
using it for a few months and honestly, it’s helped me stay a lot more on top
of things.
7. TypingMind – Makes ChatGPT Way Less Annoying
I use ChatGPT a lot, but sometimes the regular interface just
feels… clunky. TypingMind is this alternative front-end that makes it way
easier to chat with different AI models, organize conversations, and even
switch tones.
If you use AI tools often, this makes the experience smoother and
more personal. It’s one of those things you don’t realize you needed until you
try it.
Final Thoughts (No Fancy Conclusion, Just Real Talk)
None of these tools are sponsored or anything — just stuff I’ve
been using lately and thought were worth sharing. If you try any of them out,
let me know how it goes. And if you’ve got any underrated tools I should check
out, feel free to hit me up or drop a comment.
Always down to discover new stuff.
Welcome to darkonde