Use of more than 10 mobile apps designed to simplify executives’ lives leads to rapidly diminishing benefits, according to a report conducted by Pollfish for Aprimo, provider of a digital asset and work management platform.

Those using six to ten apps reported the highest satisfaction level, with those using more or fewer reporting lower satisfaction levels. The worst results were reported by those using more than 20 apps.

Seventy-seven percent of respondents said that they want to make their lives simpler, with 39% saying that their lives are more complex today compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the report, titled “The 2023 Aprimo Survey: The Complex Pursuit of Simplicity.”

 Mobile Apps Report

The report was based on a survey of 750 managers and executives in the U.S. It was in the field in early March.

Nearly two thirds of respondents (65%) said they use at least six apps to simplify their lives, with 12% saying they use more than 15 apps for this purpose.

When apps failed to simplify their lives, 44% of respondents said it was because they could not figure out how to use the apps in their daily routines, 43% said it was because the app was too complex to use and 40% said it was difficult to use the app in conjunction with other apps being used.

“Many professionals are overwhelmed by the demands of daily life today. That’s why they seek out apps and tools to help them better organize, prioritize, and collaborate. But as this survey shows, simply downloading more apps will ultimately reach a point of diminishing returns,” said Erik Huddleston, chief executive officer, Aprimo, in a press release about the mobile apps research.