The Growth Toolkit · free
The 60+ tools I use to win back time
The apps, Chrome extensions and phone setups I've picked up over years of running a business, each with a line on how I use it. My top 10 are below. Join The Growth Toolkit and the rest unlock straight away.
Last updated 7 October 2026
My top 10
The ones that save me the most time, in order.
1.Claude Code
Runs my business. Five AI agents write my briefs, chase invoices and check client sites overnight.
Saves me about 10 hours a week
2.Wispr Flow
I talk instead of type, everywhere on my Mac. Emails, prompts, Notion, the lot.
Saves me about 3 hours a week
3.Granola
Takes my call notes without a bot joining the call. Everything goes into Notion so I can ask AI about any meeting I've had.
Saves me about 2 hours a week
4.Beeper
WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn and iMessage in one inbox. One app to check instead of five.
Saves me about an hour a week
5.News Feed Eradicator
Swaps distracting social media feeds like LinkedIn and Facebook with a blank page and a motivational quote. That stops me scrolling and helps me get in the flow state!
Saves me about 3 hours a week of scrolling
6.Grab2Text
Drag a box over any text on screen (a video, an image, a locked PDF) and it's on your clipboard. Free.
Saves me about 30 minutes a week
7.Opus Clip
Turns one long video into a week of Shorts, captions included.
Saves me about 3 hours a video
8.Mac Read & Speak
Built into every Mac. Highlight any text, press Option + Esc and a natural British voice reads it out. I use it for long emails and contracts.
Saves me about an hour a week
9.iPhone Shortcuts
Little automations on my phone that save a few taps every single day.
Saves me about 30 minutes a week
10.1Password
Every password, shared with my wife and the team, never typed again.
Saves me about 30 minutes a week
54 more tools are in the full list
AI that does the work, focus tools, Chrome extensions, my phone setup and the money apps I use. Free, and it unlocks on this page.
Some of these are referral links. If you sign up through one I may get a reward, and you often get a perk too (it's shown on the card). That doesn't change what goes on the list: I only include tools I use.
Who made it
I'm Mike McDonnell. I run Glide Marketing, a marketing agency, and I'm always looking for ways to get the same work done in less time. I write The Growth Toolkit, a free email every Sunday where I share one of the AI setups I use, explained simply.
What's changed
- 7 October 2026: First version of the list.