Drowning in tasks and unsure which app to trust? The best to do list apps combine fast capture, reliable sync across your devices and a price you accept. Match these to how you work, and the choice gets easy.
This guide is part of our wider look at productivity tools, where you can compare other ways to organise your work.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Best overall pick in one review | Todoist |
| Apps with no paid tier | Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do, Apple Reminders |
| Todoist Pro | $5 per month, billed annually |
| TickTick Premium | $49.99 per year |
| Notion Plus | $10 per month billed yearly ($12 monthly) |
| Things (Apple only) | One-time purchase |
These figures come from 2sync’s review of to-do list apps, updated in October 2026. Prices and plans can change, so check the source and each app’s own pricing page before you rely on them.
What a good to-do list app does for you
The main job of a to-do app is to get tasks out of your head. Jotform’s guide says that writing down what you need to do unburdens your mind from worrying about the list of items to tackle throughout the day (Jotform). That only works if the app is quick enough that you actually use it.
Reviewers tend to test the same things. 2sync’s review looks at ease of use, task entry, views, reminders, sync and AI features, and it says adding a task should take seconds, not minutes.
Treat any ranking as an opinion, because some publishers have a stake. 2sync describes a service that connects your to-do app with your calendar and workspace, and the Toodledo blog compares its own app with rivals.
Features to compare before you choose
Decide which of these matter to you before you read any review. A short personal checklist beats a long feature table.
- Task entry speed: Todoist’s natural language input is described as its strongest feature, so typing a task with its date can be a single step.
- Views: some apps offer multiple views, such as lists, calendars and Kanban boards, while others give you a plain list.
- Reminders and due dates: customizable notifications and due-date alerts keep tasks from slipping through the cracks.
- Sync: most people use multiple devices, so seamless syncing across platforms is essential.
- Filters and subtasks: if you can’t find the right tasks at the right time, you need better filters.
- Platform support: some apps run everywhere, while others are tied to one ecosystem.
- Price: budget constraints and compatibility with the other tech tools you use are also worth keeping in mind.
How the popular apps differ
2sync’s review, updated in October 2026, calls Todoist the best to-do list app for most people, balancing power with simplicity. The apps below show where the main alternatives trade that balance for something else.
- Todoist: a Toodledo comparison says advanced features like reminders, custom filters and calendar integration require the Pro plan. 2sync lists Pro at $5 per month billed annually, while Jotform’s guide, last updated in December 2025, listed it at $4 per month.
- TickTick: it combines task management with a calendar view and Pomodoro timer in one app. The downside is that the sheer number of features can overwhelm casual users.
- Google Tasks: it suits people already inside Gmail and Google Calendar. The trade-offs are no labels, no priorities, no location-based reminders, and no standalone desktop app.
- Microsoft To Do: one comparison describes it as a solid capture tool, not a workflow management system. Jotform notes it is free to use.
- Things: it is Apple-only, with no Windows, Android or web version, and it is sold as a one-time purchase.
- Notion: it is not a traditional to-do list app, and the trade-off is a steep learning curve that is overkill for simple task tracking.
Notice that the same plan can carry different prices in different sources. TickTick Premium is $49.99 per year in 2sync’s review but was $35.99 per year in Jotform’s December 2025 guide, so always confirm the current price in the app store or on the vendor’s site. You can read the details in 2sync’s review and Jotform’s guide.
Which app fits which situation
Start with your biggest frustration rather than the longest feature list. If entry is slow, you want faster input; if tasks vanish, you want better filters; if your day is crowded, you want a calendar.
- If you live in Microsoft 365, the Toodledo comparison points you to Microsoft To Do.
- If you use only Apple devices and value design, the same comparison says to choose Things 3.
- If you struggle with time management, it says you need calendar integration and suggests TickTick.
- If you already work inside Gmail and Google Calendar, a calendar-sync company’s review calls Google Tasks the go-to option.
- If you want to build your own system from databases and templates, Notion is the flexible choice.
When a to-do list app is not enough
A to-do app handles individual tasks well, but a source comparing alternatives says managing real projects with timelines, dependencies and team collaboration feels basic in Todoist (Tool Finder). A ClickUp comparison likewise describes collaboration in Microsoft To Do as limited to shared lists and basic assignments (ClickUp).
If several people share deadlines, read our guide to project management tools for beginners before you stretch a list app too far.
You may also wonder whether you need an app at all. Our comparison of a paper vs digital planner can help you decide.
Finally, expect to mix tools. A review from a calendar-sync company notes that most people don’t stick to a single productivity tool, so a list app for capture may sit beside a calendar for time blocking.
A simple way to test an app
- Write down your biggest frustration with your current system.
- Shortlist apps that run on every device you use.
- Try the free tier with your real tasks, not sample ones.
- Check whether the feature you need sits behind a paid plan.
- Keep the app only if you still open it unprompted after your trial.
Frequently asked questions
Which to-do list apps are free?
Show answer
As of 2sync’s October 2026 update, Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do and Apple Reminders are all free with no paid tier. Other apps, such as Todoist, offer a free plan but keep some features behind a paid plan.
Is Notion a to-do list app?
Show answer
2sync says Notion is not a traditional to-do list app. It is a modular workspace where you build task systems yourself, which suits people who want customization more than simplicity.
Do I need a paid plan?
Show answer
Not always. A Toodledo comparison notes that Todoist needs Pro for reminders, custom filters and calendar integration, so check which features you actually use before paying.
Can I use more than one app?
Show answer
Yes. 2sync notes that most people don’t stick to a single productivity tool, and pairing a list app with a calendar is common. Keep the setup simple enough that you know where each task lives.
