A new survey of 500 full-time employees reveals how mobile tools are reshaping productivity, work-life balance, and business security.

Mobile apps are becoming essential to the modern workday but their use is blurring the line between professional and personal time, according to a new Clutch survey of 500 full-time employees.

Mobile Apps Are Reshaping the Workday

The survey found 86% of employees use mobile apps for work, mostly for communication and collaboration. Many struggle to disconnect, with 89% checking apps after hours and 66% completing tasks off the clock.

“Mobile apps give workers freedom to manage tasks from anywhere but they also make it harder to fully step away,” said Hannah Hicklen, Clutch analyst who manages content around tech. “This constant connectivity can contribute to stress and burnout.”

Despite this, 67% view their apps positively, citing flexibility as the top benefit.

Mobile Work Brings New Security Risks

The survey found that 52% of employees use work apps on public Wi-Fi, creating potential security risks. To protect company data, 81% of businesses have mobile security policies, including multi-factor authentication (74%), device updates (45%), company-issued devices (36%), and encryption (27%).

Employees using company-issued devices are 1.5 times more likely to view their apps positively, benefiting from both improved security and a clearer separation between work and personal life.

Off-the-Shelf Apps Cover Most Needs; Custom Builds Still Have a Place

Most businesses rely on off-the-shelf mobile apps, with 86% using them for communication, email, project management, and security. Popular tools include Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Asana. Custom apps remain important for unique workflows and complex operations, with 59% of companies hiring development firms to build them.

“As mobile reliance grows, companies must balance flexibility, employee well-being, and strong security practices,” said Hicklen.

The full report is available on Clutch.

About Clutch

Clutch empowers better business decisions as the leading global marketplace of B2B service providers. More than half a million business leaders start at Clutch each month to read in-depth client reviews and discover trusted agency partners to meet their business needs.

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