Feeling overwhelmed by never-ending tasks and cluttered lists? You’re not alone. This guide reveals the 10 best to-do list apps, designed to save you time and reduce frustration.

I’ve evaluated each app based on usability, features, and price. Whether you’re a minimalist or a productivity enthusiast, we have the perfect app for your style.

Ditch the stress and reclaim your free time. Find the app that suits you best and transform your to-do list into a productivity powerhouse.

Why To-Do Lists Are Essential for Productivity

Remember the pre-sticky-note era? Scribbled reminders, missed deadlines, and the constant feeling of being one step behind? Thankfully, the humble to-do list has emerged as a productivity hero. Here’s why:

• Clarity & Organisation: Ditch mental clutter with a clear, accessible list of tasks that keeps you focused and stress-free.
• Boost Productivity: Reminders and checkboxes (physical or digital) keep you on track, ensuring you accomplish what matters most, one item at a time.
• Prioritisation Power: To-do lists help you prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance.
• Goal Achievement: Break down daunting goals into manageable steps, track your progress, and celebrate milestones. Visible progress keeps you motivated, making even the biggest goals feel achievable.
• Peace of Mind: Offload the mental burden of remembering everything. Knowing your tasks are securely stored and organised frees your mind for creative thinking and focused work.

While pen and paper can be effective, digital to-do list apps offer an enhanced level of organisation and ease. Read on to discover why a dedicated app might be your ultimate productivity partner.

To-Do List Apps: Your Digital Task Tamers

To-do list apps are your personal productivity powerhouses. They go beyond simple note-taking, offering features to:

• Capture: Easily add tasks with voice commands, text, or photos.
• Organise: Group tasks by category, project, priority, or due date.
• Prioritise: Star important tasks, use colour coding, or apply the Eisenhower Matrix.
• Schedule: Set reminders, recurring deadlines, and integrate with your calendar.
• Collaborate: Share lists, assign tasks, and track progress with team members.
• Track: Monitor your progress, visualise your achievements, and celebrate milestones.

With so many options, choosing the right app can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I’ve reviewed dozens of apps to find the best ones for you.

What to Look for in a To-Do List App

Before diving into the app choices, here are key factors to consider:

• Your Workflow: Are you a minimalist seeking simplicity, or a power user craving detailed features? Identify your work style and prioritise apps that cater to it.
• Features: Do you need recurring tasks, collaboration tools, or project management functionalities? Prioritise apps that offer the features you use most.
• Platform & Integration: Ensure the app integrates seamlessly with your devices and existing tools (e.g., calendar, email). Consider your preferred platform (iOS, Android, Web).
• Ease of Use: A clunky interface defeats the purpose! Choose an app with an intuitive design and simple navigation for effortless task management.
• Price & Value: Free vs. premium? Evaluate pricing models and ensure the features justify the cost. Consider free trials or freemium options to test before committing.

Now, armed with this knowledge, let’s explore the top 10 to-do list apps. Prepare to discover the app that will transform your task management and unleash your productivity potential.

Let’s dive in!

1. Remember the Milk

Remember the Milk is a versatile personal to-do list app designed to ensure you never forget important tasks. It includes features like Smart Add for easy task creation. You can assign due dates, priorities, tags, and set tasks to repeat. The app allows for unlimited lists and tags, keeping everything organised and visually appealing.

Tasks can be broken down into subtasks, which can have their own subtasks for more detailed organisation. Lists are easily shareable, and you can delegate tasks to others for collaborative projects.

This user-friendly to-do list app also features a search wizard for quick task searching. It’s a top choice for Windows users with a dedicated Windows app, and it’s also available for Mac and mobile devices, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry 10, and Fire.

Pros:

• Quick task creation with Smart Add
• Multiple reminder options
• Subtasks for detailed task management
• List sharing and task delegation for collaboration
• Available on a wide range of platforms

Cons:

• Some advanced features require a paid subscription
• Limited integration with third-party apps compared to competitors
• The interface may feel dated to some users

Pricing:

• Free
• Pro: $39.99/year

2. Habitica

Habitica is one of the best free to-do list apps, offering a completely free user experience with the option to purchase a subscription to support the development of new features. This task and habit tracker uses gamification to motivate users to complete their tasks. In addition to tracking habits and daily tasks, Habitica lets you create and manage to-do lists.

To use Habitica as a to-do list app, you can create a new task list and add your to-do items as individual tasks. You can prioritise tasks, set due dates and reminders, and mark them as completed when finished. The “Checklist” feature allows you to break down tasks into smaller subtasks, which is particularly useful for complex projects requiring multiple steps.

Overall, Habitica is a useful tool for managing your to-do list, especially if you are motivated by gamification and enjoy the sense of accomplishment from completing tasks and earning rewards.

Pros:

• Gamification makes completing tasks more fun and motivating.
• Habitica tracks and manages habits, daily tasks, and to-do lists in one place.
• Social features provide a sense of accountability.
• Allows you to set your own rewards and punishments for completing or missing tasks.

Cons:

• Gamification features may not appeal to everyone.
• Initial setup and learning curve can be time-consuming.
• May not be as effective for managing complex projects or tasks.
• Social features may not suit those who prefer to keep tasks private.

Pricing:

• Free

3. Things

Things 3 is a popular to-do list app designed for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices, enabling users to create to-do lists, manage projects, set reminders, and track progress.

The app is packed with useful features, such as quick entry functionality that allows you to quickly enter tasks and deadlines using natural language input. You can organise tasks and projects into customisable lists, headings, and subheadings, making it easier to stay on top of your priorities.

Users can also add tags to tasks and projects, facilitating easy filtering and searching based on criteria like priority, due date, or location. The “Today” view shows all tasks for the day, including those with upcoming deadlines, while the “Focus” mode helps you block out distractions to stay productive.

Pros:

• Easy to use and well-designed interface
• Powerful organisational tools
• Natural language input for quick and easy task entry
• Siri integration for hands-free task entry
• Focus mode to block out distractions and stay productive

Cons:

• Only available for Apple devices
• No free version
• Lack of collaboration features
• Some users may find the app’s features overwhelming or unnecessary

Pricing:

• Mac: $49.99
• iPhone and Apple Watch: $9.99
• iPad: $19.99

4. Any.do

Any.do is a highly versatile task management app that syncs seamlessly across all your devices. Known for its award-winning design, Any.do combines visual appeal with user-friendly functionality, making it a top choice for anyone seeking a powerful yet accessible solution for jotting down tasks and ideas.

One of the standout features of Any.do is its suitability for both personal and business to-do list management. It’s available on almost all platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, iWatch, Wear OS, Siri, and Google Assistant. This wide availability ensures you can manage your tasks from virtually any device.

Any.do supports real-time chat, integrates seamlessly with your favourite tools, and centralises both work and life organisation. You can share your progress with others and use the app’s easy-to-use templates to get started. It also features full calendar integration, along with one-time, recurring, and location-based reminders to ensure you never miss an important deadline or event.

Pros:

• Available on all major platforms and devices
• Great for both personal and business use
• Full calendar integration and various reminder options
• Collaboration features, including real-time chat and task assignment
• Award-winning, user-friendly design

Cons:

• Some advanced features require a paid subscription
• Limited customisation options compared to other task management apps
• Integration with third-party apps may not be as extensive as some competitors

Pricing:

• Personal: Free
• Premium: $3/month, billed annually
• Teams: $5/user/month, billed annually

5. Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do is an excellent app for checklist creation, usable both as a standalone tool and as part of Microsoft’s suites. A key feature is its ability to break tasks down into simple steps, making complex tasks more manageable.

Like other checklist software, you can add due dates and set reminders to keep track of deadlines. What sets Microsoft To Do apart is its seamless integration with other Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This allows for enhanced productivity by letting you create tasks directly from Outlook and manage emails and tasks simultaneously. Additionally, you can share lists with family and friends for collaborative projects.

Overall, Microsoft To Do’s comprehensive features and integration capabilities make it an excellent choice for users already utilising Microsoft’s suite of productivity tools.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface and easy navigation
• Integration with other Microsoft products
• Ability to break tasks down into simple steps
• Sharing lists with family and friends for collaboration
• Intelligent and personalised task suggestions

Cons:

• Lacks some advanced features compared to other task management apps
• Limited customisation options
• May not be the best choice for users not invested in the Microsoft ecosystem

Pricing:

• Free to use with a personal Microsoft Account
• Microsoft 365 Personal: $69.99/year
• Microsoft 365 Family: $99.99/year
• Microsoft 365 Business Basic: $6/user/month
• Microsoft 365 Business Standard: $12.50/user/month
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium: $22/user/month
• Microsoft 365 Apps for business: $8.25/user/month

6. Todoist

Todoist is a leading to-do application with millions of users worldwide. It offers a comprehensive range of features, making it suitable for both personal and professional use.

Some of the key features include the ability to create tasks and subtasks, set reminders, and schedule recurring tasks. Tasks can be assigned priority levels, and you can delegate tasks to others to ensure smooth collaboration. The app provides notifications and allows you to view tasks in Kanban-style cards for easy organisation. Additionally, Todoist offers a vast template library to help you jumpstart projects and generate to-do list ideas. Tasks can be added to your Inbox and moved to the appropriate project.

Other capabilities include adding tasks via email, attaching comments and uploads to tasks, and displaying scheduled tasks in your preferred calendar. Todoist integrates seamlessly with other popular apps and tools, ensuring an uninterrupted workflow. These powerful features make Todoist a standout choice for managing daily tasks and responsibilities.

Pros:

• Clean and simple interface
• Robust task management features
• Excellent collaboration capabilities for team projects
• Seamless integration with other popular apps and tools
• Supports multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile devices

Cons:

• Some advanced features are only available in the paid version
• Free version has limitations on the number of projects and collaborators
• Slight learning curve for users new to task management apps

Pricing:

• Free
• Pro: $4/month, billed annually
• Business: $6/user/month, billed annually

7. OmniFocus

OmniFocus is a powerful task management software designed for busy professionals who rely on Apple devices. Its main strength is its ability to effortlessly capture tasks from anywhere, streamlining your workflow and ensuring no task slips through the cracks. With deep integration into the Apple ecosystem, OmniFocus enhances productivity without disrupting your established habits.

OmniFocus offers cross-device sync, allowing you to access and manage your tasks on all your Apple devices. For PC users, there is a web version, enabling access to tasks and projects from any device with an internet connection. This blend of powerful features and compatibility with Apple devices makes OmniFocus an excellent choice for professionals seeking a robust and well-integrated task management solution.

Pros:

• Deep integration with Apple devices for a seamless workflow
• Cross-device synchronisation for easy access to tasks and projects
• Robust task management features for busy professionals
• Web version available for PC users

Cons:

• Geared toward the Apple ecosystem
• Steeper learning curve compared to other task management apps
• Pricey monthly plans

Pricing:

• OmniFocus Subscription: $9.99/month, billed monthly
• Standard License: $49.99 one-time payment
• Pro License: $99.99 one-time payment

8. ClickUp

ClickUp is a versatile task management tool designed for both personal and professional use. It allows you to create and organise tasks for various purposes, such as planning a birthday party, managing projects, or keeping track of household chores.

To effectively use ClickUp, you can create smart lists to organise different aspects of your life. For example, you can create a folder named “Home” with lists like “Bills,” “Grocery List,” and “Shopping List.” This structure helps you stay organised and manage your tasks efficiently.

ClickUp lets you prioritise tasks by flagging them as low priority or urgent, helping you focus on what’s most important. When you manually add scheduled tasks in ClickUp, your Outlook, Apple, or Google calendars can be automatically updated. The app also features a time tracker to monitor how much time you spend on each task.

Pros:

• Suitable for both personal and professional to-do lists
• Highly customisable with folders and lists
• Seamless integration with popular calendar apps
• Task prioritisation with flags for low priority or urgent tasks

Cons:

• Can be overwhelming for users seeking a simple to-do list app
• Some advanced features require a paid subscription
• Steeper learning curve due to extensive customisation options

Pricing:

• Free plan
• Unlimited plan: $5/person/month, billed annually
• Business plan: $12/user/month, billed annually
• Business Plus: $19/user/month
• Enterprise plan: custom quote

9. WorkFlowy

Workflowy stands out as a top daily to-do list app, offering a simple and hierarchical format for creating and managing lists. Its clean and minimalist interface makes it effortless to organise lists of all kinds.

At its core, Workflowy functions as a digital notebook, allowing users to create bullet-point lists with unlimited depth. Each list item can have sub-items, and users can add tags, search lists, and collaborate with others on shared lists.

One of Workflowy’s key advantages is its simplicity and flexibility, which sets it apart from other alternatives. From basic to-do lists to complex project management and brainstorming, Workflowy adapts to various needs.

Pros:

• Simple and minimalist interface for easy use and navigation
• Hierarchical structure enables efficient organisation of tasks and projects
• Collaboration features facilitate shared lists and teamwork
• Supports tags, search, and keyboard shortcuts for efficient organisation

Cons:

• Limited formatting options
• Lack of calendar integration
• Free version offers limited features
• May not suit users preferring more traditional note-taking tools

Pricing:

• Basic: Free
• Workflowy Pro: $4/month, billed annually

10. Basecamp

Basecamp is a comprehensive web-based project management tool designed to streamline team collaboration, organisation, and project management. It offers an array of built-in features including to-do lists, calendars, message boards, and file sharing, all accessible in one place.

With Basecamp, you can create and manage individual to-do lists or project-specific lists, assigning tasks with due dates, priority levels, and assignees. Progress tracking and notifications keep teams informed about task status.

Basecamp’s to-do lists come with advanced features like repeating tasks, task comments, attachments, and customisable lists and categories.

Pros:

• Comprehensive project management tool with diverse collaboration, organisation, and communication features
• Task management features include to-do lists, calendars, and progress tracking
• Integration with third-party tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Trello
• Centralised communication and file sharing

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Higher price point compared to some alternatives
• Notification system may feel overwhelming to some users
• Limited customisation options for certain features
• Not ideal for users seeking a simple to-do list app

Pricing:

• Basecamp: $15/user/month
• Basecamp Pro Unlimited: $299/month for unlimited users, billed annually