The Worst Time-Wasting Apps Experts Say You Should Never Download

Ask a bunch of tech experts their opinion on the most time-consuming apps out there and you’ll be sure to hear quite a few different answers. Time suckers differ depending on what a person considers enticing and engaging. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be plenty of overlap when it comes to apps that affect your productivity. These are the worst time-wasting apps experts say you should never download. 

Whether your choice of poison is Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, there’s little doubt that social media apps are one of the biggest distractions. “Social media is one of the worst time-wasters, and it can be addictive for people who are hooked on it,” says Daniel Chan, CTO at Marketplace Fairness. “There is so much content on social media, and it can be hard to resist the urge to check it constantly. Tips for avoiding social media addiction include deleting the apps from your phone, setting time limits, and avoiding temptation.”

When it comes to the myriad games you may have downloaded on your phone, one stands out for some experts as a total time drainer. “Words With Friends is, in my view, the app that wastes the most time out of all the apps available,” says Joe Troyer, CEO & Growth Advisor of ReviewGrower. “Words With Friends is still quite popular although it has been around for some years and that has been replaced by other apps. It’s kind of like Scrabble on drugs, except that because you play it on your mobile device, it eats up more of your valuable time than the traditional board game does.”