Staying on top of tasks is a constant challenge in our busy modern lives. Luckily, to-do list apps make it easier to organize work and ensure nothing falls through the cracks. But with so many options, how do you choose the right one?
As an AI and data expert who analyzes software, I‘ve extensively tested leading to-do list apps to identify the top performers across different criteria. Keep reading for an in-depth look at the 8 best to-do apps available and which one best suits your personal needs and style.
Comparing the Top To-Do List Apps
Here‘s an overview of the standout apps highlighted in this piece:
| App | Best For | Standout Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todoist | Balancing power and simplicity | Quick task addition, natual language input, broad platform access | Free or premium from $5/month |
| TickTick | Calendar view and timing focus | Built-in pomodoro timer, calendars, task scheduling | Free or premium from $2.79/month |
| Microsoft To Do | Microsoft ecosystem integration | Deep ties to Outlook, OneNote, other Microsoft apps | Free |
| Apple Reminders | Apple device users | Siri, iCloud sync, easy iOS/Mac input | Free |
| Things | Sleek and intuitive design | Focus on usability and visual appeal | Paid only, from $9.99 per platform |
| Any.do | Forgetting to use your to-do app | "Plan My Day" scheduler, reminders, voice input | Free or premium from $2.99/month |
Let‘s explore what makes each of these task management apps great based on different needs and priorities.
Todoist: Balancing Power and Simplicity
With over 30 million users, Todoist is one of the most popular to-do list services—and for good reason. Available across just about every platform and device, it makes jotting down tasks incredibly fast thanks to natural language processing. Just type something like "Finish client report Tuesday at 2 PM" and Todoist will parse that into an appropriately scheduled task.
While not as fully featured as some project management tools, Todoist strikes a nice balance between simplicity and options for organizing your responsibilities. Tasks can be tagged, categorized into different projects, prioritized, scheduled with reminders, even collaborated on for team efforts. Comments and file attachments provide additional context.
For even more management muscle, Todoist premium offers customizable views like Kanban boards, productivity metrics, email digests of your daily task list, labels and filters. An AI assistant can help keep things actionable by suggesting reminders or breaking down larger goals into more manageable pieces.
With access across mobile, desktop and web experiences that all sync smoothly, Todoist likely has the right features for most personal task tracking needs without going overboard. And with 300+ app integrations via Zapier including Google Calendar, Slack, Trello and more, it can connect into wider workflows.
Key Features:
- Fast task capture with natural language input
- Comments, priorities, reminders, due dates
- Projects and shared task lists
- Broad platform support, syncs across devices
- AI assistant, Kanban boards, and more premium features
Best For: General personal task management, ability to scale up with premium features, tying into wider productivity ecosystem via Zapier integrations.
Pricing: Free version available. Premium plans start at around $3/month billed annually, with student discounts available.
TickTick: To-Do App With Built-In Calendar
TickTick takes a calendar-driven approach to task management. Alongside traditional to-do list features, it provides a schedule view for visualizing what‘s on tap across days or weeks. Helpful for deadline-driven workers who want that at-a-glance perspective.
Working off your calendar, TickTick can generate daily or weekly task lists and schedule items accordingly. Batch edit capabilities make quick work of shifting multiple to-dos across days. Location-based reminders ensure you remember to grab the groceries next time you swing by the store. Like Todoist, TickTick leverages natural language input for easy task creation via desktop, mobile or even Alexa voice commands.
One truly unique aspect is a built-in Pomodoro timer for interval-based productivity. TickTick Premium extends features further with unlimited task reminders, customize themes and more robust collaboration abilities like task assignments and comment notifications. Integrates nicely with Google Calendar, Toggl, Evernote and more top apps.
Key Features:
- Unified calendar and to-do lists
- Smart scheduling based on calendar
- Pomodoro timer intervals
- Assign tasks and set notifications
- Natural language input
Best For: Scheduling tasks across calendar view, timing-focused productivity methods like Pomodoro technique, managing team workflows.
Pricing: Free version available. Premium plans from roughly $2.79/month billed annually.
Microsoft To Do: Seamless Integration in the Microsoft Ecosystem
Longtime users of Microsoft tools like Outlook or OneNote should feel right at home with Microsoft To Do. Available across Windows, iOS, Android, Mac and the web, it focuses on easy migration for existing Wunderlist users following Microsoft‘s acquisition.
Deep integration across Microsoft products allows you to create to-dos right within Outlook or other Office apps, sync task lists via Outlook share folders, and access notes or file attachments from OneDrive cloud storage. The "My Day" smart list automatically pulls together timely tasks, while suggested reminders try to help stay on top of recurring responsibilities.
For personal task management, Microsoft To Do hits all the right notes. Capture tasks quickly, organize them across color-coded lists or tags, and set due dates, notes and reminders as needed. And fun highlights like personalized backgrounds keep things visually appealing. Through Zapier, it connects to many non-Microsoft tools as well including Slack, Box, Twitter, GitHub and more.
Key Features:
- Tight integration across Microsoft ecosystem
- Quickly capture tasks from Outlook, Office apps, email
- Smart lists and suggestions
- Attach notes, files from OneDrive
- Fun personalization options
Best For: Already using Microsoft tools like Outlook? Microsoft To Do fits neatly into broader productivity workflow.
Pricing: Free
Apple Reminders: Seamlessly Integrated with Apple Devices
iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch users should look no further than Apple‘s own Reminders app—there‘s no simpler option for tracking to-dos across Apple devices thanks to deep iCloud syncing.
Siri makes quick work of adding new Reminders with natural voice input. Scan documents directly into Reminders using the iOS camera. Set location-based reminders so you won‘t forget tasks when you arrive at a specific destination. Reminders neatly integrates events from Calendar for combined event and task views. Lists easily organize tasks across tags or due dates, with the option to schedule reminders accordingly.
Visually, Apple Reminders keeps things focused on core task tracking abilities rather than extensive project management controls. But for Apple-centric users, iCloud sync and platform integration may trump more fully featured offerings. Reminders data can connect to other apps via Zapier tools like iOS automation tool Shortcuts.
Key Features:
- Siri voice assistant integration
- Quickly capture tasks, notes, images
- Organize with tags, schedules, locations
- Unified calendar and reminders view
- Automatic iCloud sync across Apple devices
Best For: Apple ecosystem users who want seamless iPhone, iPad, Mac task syncing.
Pricing: Free
Things: Intuitive, User-Friendly Design
Originally launched on iPhone and now available for iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, Things stands out for its refined and intuitive interface. Winning Apple Design Awards year over year, Things focuses purely on excellent user experience rather than piling on features.
The visual layout uses clean typography, handy icons and warm background textures for readable to-do tracking at a glance. Handy quick entry fields live at page tops for rapid task creation. Logical project groupings keep related tasks bundled, while headings and notes add human readable context missing from some spare task apps.
Built-in intelligence recommends tasks you‘re most likely to want to see each day, while various swipe gestures on mobile simplify interactions. Location alerts triggered by iOS allow helpful nudges when arriving at work or home.
While Things adopts a decidedly Apple-first approach, its thoughtful approach to task management may appeal to those looking for visual appeal alongside utility.
Key Features:
- Gorgeous, intuitive design
- Fast task entry via Quick Capture
- Intelligent task recommendations
- Projects bundle related to-dos
- Location-based alerts on iOS
Best For: Those who value aesthetics alongside utility. Particularly Apple users.
Pricing: Paid only, $9.99 per mobile platform, $49.99 for Mac version
Any.do: Plan My Day Scheduler and Assistant
We‘ve all installed an amazing to-do list app, only to completely forget to actually use it. Any.do tries to solve this with helpful productivity assistance features driving adoption.
It starts by allowing natural language task input for simplicity. Say things out loud like "Pick up groceries after work" and Any.do will track that. The standout feature is called Plan My Day, which reviews your assignments for the day ahead and helps schedule them. This automated planner combined with hefty reminders aims to keep you actively engaged.
Any.do Platform support spans mobile, desktop and web for flexibility. Collaboration allows sharing tasks with others, while Zapier helps connect your to-dos into tools like Google Calendar, Asana, Telegram and more.
Key Features:
- Conversational input
- "Plan My Day" smart scheduler
- Assistant gives proactive reminders
- Share and collaborate on task lists
- Integrates with Alexa, Slack, other apps
Best For: Those seeking more active reminders and assistance to stay on track with tasks. Also helpful for small teams collaborating.
Pricing: Free version available, or premium from roughly $3/month annually for upgraded collaboration tools, unlimited sharing, themes and more.
Choosing Your Perfect To-Do List App
Todo list apps continue advancing rapidly with new features aimed at helping distill order amid the chaos of modern work and life. The options covered here represent the top tier in balancing utility, usability and visual appeal according to my extensive testing and analysis.
Think through your personal style of task management as you determine which solution looks like the best fit. Key criteria like platform access, flexibility in organizing projects, calendars vs simple lists, and degree of intelligence assistance vary across the spectrum.
Those new to productivity systems may want to start simple with options like Todoist or Apple Reminders with room to expand. Project managers can level up with robust options like TickTick supporting kanban workflows. And if you work within the Microsoft universe, it‘s hard to beat the Outlook integration of Microsoft To Do.
Whichever route you choose, integrating your new taskmaster with other apps via Zapier can connect the dots in your workflow for fully automated productivity. Give one of these highly rated picks a spin and see if it helps you maintain focus by keeping the to-dos in check. Just don‘t forget to actually use it!
