The 6 best to-do list apps in 2026
Most people do not need fifty recommendations. We cut the list to six apps that work in noticeably different ways, then put the main reason to avoid each one beside the recommendation.
Our picks
The list, if you are in a hurry
- 01
TodoistBest for most people - 02
Things 3Best Apple-only design - 03
TickTickBest all-in-one - 04
Apple RemindersBest free on Apple - 05
Microsoft To DoBest free across ecosystems - 06
StructuredBest visual day planner
Best for most people
Todoist
Todoist is the one we would hand to somebody who just wants a good task app. It is fast, easy to understand and available on almost everything.
Recent US reviews often praise how quickly Todoist gets out of the way. Lower ratings mention widget bugs, missing tasks and features that feel excessive for a personal list.
US App Store reviewsSomebody gives you a date while you are walking away from a conversation. One loose sentence can put the task in the right project with a reminder before you forget it.
- Best for
- Most people, mixed devices and shared projects
- Price model
- Free; Pro $60/year or $7 monthly (US)
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, web
What we like
- Excellent natural-language capture
- Clear projects without much setup
- Mature sharing and integrations
What may put you off
The calendar layout, deadlines and custom reminders make most sense on Pro.
Best Apple-only design
Things 3
Things 3 is lovely to use if you plan alone and own Apple devices. Its Today view is better thought out than almost any rival.
One reviewer says they have used Things every day for five years. Critical reviews mostly complain about the learning curve, no web app and having to buy each platform separately.
US App Store reviewsAt the end of a messy day, you can clear Today without turning rescheduling into a second job. That small sense of closure is hard to show on a feature list.
- Best for
- Apple-only users who value calm daily planning
- Price model
- One-time purchase per Apple platform
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Vision Pro
What we like
- Exceptional Today view
- Thoughtful dates and deadlines
- No recurring subscription
What may put you off
No collaboration, browser app, Windows or Android support.
Best all-in-one
TickTick
TickTick makes sense when you want your calendar, habits and focus timer beside the task list instead of spread across four apps.
US reviewers repeatedly mention the Pomodoro timer, reminders and help with executive function. The common complaint is how much of the app sits behind Premium.
US App Store reviewsSometimes the task is clear and starting is the hard part. TickTick can put the task, a 25-minute timer and its calendar block on the same screen.
- Best for
- Time-blockers who want fewer separate apps
- Price model
- Free; Premium $49.99/year (US web price)
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, Android, web
What we like
- Deep calendar views
- Habits and Pomodoro built in
- Flexible recurring tasks
What may put you off
Its density can become another thing to manage if you only need a list.
Best free on Apple
Apple Reminders
Before paying for anything, try the app already on your iPhone. Siri, location reminders and shared grocery lists are genuinely useful.
The linked walkthrough makes a simple case for Reminders: it is already on the phone, works with Siri and can be shared without asking the whole household to install something new.
Apple Reminders workflow videoYour hands are full in a supermarket car park. Saying “remind me when I get home” is more useful then than opening a beautiful project planner.
- Best for
- Apple households that want zero setup or subscription
- Price model
- Included with Apple devices
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, web via iCloud
What we like
- Fast Siri capture
- Tags, Smart Lists and groceries
- Easy household sharing
What may put you off
Reviewing large projects is less graceful than capturing everyday reminders.
Best free across ecosystems
Microsoft To Do
Microsoft To Do is a good free list, especially if flagged Outlook email is already where much of your work begins.
One reviewer chose Microsoft To Do so an iPhone and Samsung household could share tasks. Other recent reviews complain about long-running bugs.
US App Store reviewsFor a shared grocery list, cross-platform access matters more than a clever planning method. Everybody can add from the phone they already own.
- Best for
- Microsoft users and mixed-device households
- Price model
- Free with a Microsoft account
- Platforms
- iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web
What we like
- Useful My Day reset
- Outlook integration
- Simple shared lists
What may put you off
Project structure and power views remain deliberately basic.
Best visual day planner
Structured
Structured lays the day out as a timeline, which is far more helpful than another priority flag if the real problem is running out of hours.
Reviews split on the same design choice we noticed. Some people love shaping the day visually and using the focus tools. Others cannot get past the lack of ordinary task priorities. If priority flags run your day, that is not a small omission.
US App Store reviewsA list makes six tasks look possible. A timeline quickly shows that only three fit between your meetings.
- Best for
- Visual planners, time-blockers and daily sequencing
- Price model
- Free download; optional Pro upgrade
- Platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Android
What we like
- Clear visual timeline
- Approachable daily planning
- Low setup friction
What may put you off
It is not designed for deep project hierarchies or serious team work.
Sources
Where we checked prices and features
We last checked pricing, platforms and availability on . Our opinions are our own. When we mention somebody else's experience, we link to it.
- 01TodoistOfficial product source User review or discussion
- 02Things 3Official product source User review or discussion
- 03TickTickOfficial product source User review or discussion
- 04Apple RemindersOfficial product source User review or discussion
- 05Microsoft To DoOfficial product source User review or discussion
- 06StructuredOfficial product source User review or discussion