iPhone Apps
Up until now, I have been using my iPhone’s standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn’t really found a to-do list application that I fell in love with. For tasks like picking up groceries and getting a hair-cut, this might be okay, but when it comes to planning trips, shopping for birthdays, Christmas gifts (I know a little late but bear with me!), planning projects for work, and other complex scenarios, the integrated calendar just won’t cut it.
For this reason, I’ve spent some time investigating the different to-do list apps available in the App Store. Twenty five are rounded up here, including some generic applications, and others suited for a specific purpose (such as planning a wedding). Hopefully you’ll find a selection of very useful pieces of software!
Looking for a free task manager or to-do app and on a budget? Check out our roundup of 100 free iPhone apps for some great productivity enhancers.
2Do
2Do
This is one of the premiere to-do list themed apps in the App Store, being nominated for the Best App Ever Awards in 6… count them – 6 – categories! The design itself is colorful, yet it flows very well along with the icons they have too. Not only can you build your to-do lists, but you can also make checklists and projects, set a priority level, set Push and email alarms, and even attach images to tasks in your lists. There is also a wide range of customization that you perform from 34 different colors, sounds, pictures, and a bunch of different themes as well!
Price: Free – $6.99
Developer: Guided Ways Technologies Ltd
Download: iTunes Store
Toodledo
Toodledo
This is a nicely designed app… simplistic, yet quite effective if you need a simple checklist to work from. You are able to organize tasks and reminders into priority, folders, context and status… and with a simple checklist function just tap your event to see what the details are and tap the checkbox when it’s finished.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Toodledo
Download: iTunes Store
List Master
List Master
This list based app is pretty robust when it comes to features. I don’t particularly like the way the boxes can be colored, but that’s just me. You can create different types of lists like groceries, workout schedules, homework, and obviously to-do lists from the templates it comes with, and further customize those to fit your needs. This app works in both portrait and lanscape mode, and has the checkbox function to tick off when you complete a task or grab an item (depending on what you are using it for).
Price: $4.99
Developer: List Logic Software
Download: iTunes Store
Packing and Packing Pro
Packing and Packing Pro
Packing is aimed directly at someone traveling soon, on the road a lot, or just very forgetful when they have to go places. It has a bunch of different lists for you to fill out before you leave, including a pre-departure to-do, and the items that you need to make sure you have (like clothes, accessories, gadgets and medications). I always end up making lists before I go on road trips and keeping that list until I leave wherever I’ve been to make sure I don’t forget anything… no longer do I have to worry!
Price: $0.99-$2.99
Developer: Quinn Genzel
Download in iTunes Store: Packing & Packing Pro
To-Do List Pro
To-Do List Pro – Time Tracker
I am still undecided on the design of this app. From the gradients to the absolutely solid colors, it seems like it is lacking something… but not features. This app has everything you need in a list app; checkbox functionality, the ability to create phone call and email tasks, audible alerts, and you can even export out .CSV files for Excel or other database and spreadsheet programs.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Concrete Software
Download: iTunes Store
iProcrastinate Mobile
iProcrastinate Mobile
For a free app, I really like this one. It looks nice, colors flow together beautifully, and it is simplistic. Although not feature-packed, it covers most of the bases required of a simple to-do list app. It is made for homework and task management, so it basically lets you set up a bunch of different groups, subjects, or essentially lists, and then create tasks within them.
Price: Free
Developer: Craig Otis
Download: iTunes Store
eTodo
eTodo
This is one of my favorite apps on the list in terms of UI gorgeous-ness. It looks absolutely awesome. From the large icons on the Lists screen to the functionality and layout of buttons, sliders and icons in the Edit Tasks screen, this thing is a joy to play around with. eTodo filters your tasks into four different intital lists; Inbox – which is everything, Action – the soon-to-be-done stuff, Next – for tasks for later on, and Someday – for items for the future, not necessarily right away.
Price: $0.99
Developer: bitAlpha
Download: iTunes Store
A Check List
A Check List (formerly NList)
The name of this one reflects it’s exact functionality. It has a notepad feel to the interface, with the option to make multiple checklists and store tasks or items within those lists to check off when you get to that list. Really simple, but it’s only .99 cents so you can’t expect much.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Golden Trout Software
Download: iTunes Store
Zenbe Lists
Zenbe Lists
This app was made with the thought of making ZenBe Mail and the ZenBe Lists web app work all in conjunction. They provide awesome interactivity, but best of all you don’t have to use all those other apps to get the most of this one. You can also share your lists between the iPhones of friends and family members. You could update a grocery list and send that to your spouse so they can pick up food after work, or if you need things done while your significant other is out, you can make them a list for that as well and send it their way.
Price: $2.99
Developer: ZenBe
Download: iTunes Store
reQall
reQall
reQall has been featured on Apple.com as an “App for Getting Things Done”, recognized as a “Best iPhone App” by O’Reilly Media, and also is to be featured in their book, “Best iPhone Apps: A Guide for Discriminating Downloaders.” Quite the acclaim! They don’t really call this a to-do list, but a ‘Memory & Remembering Aid.’
You are able to use text-to-speech functions to record your voice to memos, and locations, as well as sync to Outlook or Google Calender your when and wheres. Also, the blue interface makes the user experience quite enjoyable.
Price: Free
Developer: QTech, Inc.
Download: iTunes Store
Today Todo Pro
Today Todo Pro
Yet another amazingly designed app, using the sunny sky for showing today’s to-do’s, a night sky showing yesterday’s and a purple-ish eclipse showing tomorrow’s. It makes it really easy to organize your tasks, edit them, and tick them off as they are completed. Color schemes are really nice, the artwork is fantastic, and for three bucks… not too bad.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Spielhaus
Download: iTunes Store
Things-To-Do
Things-To-Do
This is another free app that you can tell the development went into the functionality and not the design. It’s slightly bland with white to single color gradients and an odd looking calendar, but it has all of those functions that the to-do app should have so I guess you can’t shake a stick at free.
Price: Free
Developer: Equantech
Download: iTunes Store
Remember The Milk
Remember The Milk
Now usually I don’t like the look of flat colors on apps, but this one pulls together nicely with the orange and blue color scheme. It’s another really simple to-do app with all the basic functionality, but you actually might like to look at this one. There isn’t any fancy artwork, but it gives you the option to enter in essential information, as well as making multiple lists as well as pinning the location of where tasks need to take place.
Price: Free
Developer: Remember The Milk
Download: iTunes Store
Things
Things
Things has been around for a while and has been recognized by MacLife and Macworld as a fanstatically designed and easy to use app. You can sort all your tasks into different time periods, schedule exactly when they need to be done, move things around in time, and the Today section is even smart enough to update when things are due.
The icon on your home screen shows the number of tasks for the day yet to be accomplished, and when those are done, just check them off. You can also go back to look at your logbook to see when you actually checked tasks off too.
Price: $9.99
Developer: Cultured Code
Download: iTunes Store
OmniFocus
OmniFocus
This is a huge app, and expensive at that. I guess when you look at the syncing capabilities, the Nearby functionalities, and the ease of use… you can kind of justify the price… but not me… sorry Omnifocus. It looks really nice, has a fantastic user interface, and has support forum and manuals to help you get the most out of syncing with your iDisk or web servers.
Price: $19.99
Developer: The Omni Group
Download: iTunes Store
Todo
Todo
Another slightly expensive option, but ten bucks less than the last, this app offers Push notifications, and the way you are able to move tasks around, reschedule and overall navigate through the app is super simple.
Price: $9.99
Developer: Appigo Inc.
Download: iTunes Store
Put Things Off
Put Things Off
Now this looks absolutely amazing – I would buy this app just to play around with it! With it’s wooden interface, and PostIt style to do notes, this is fun to use and helps you organize your stuff in an easy way. Aesthetics aside, it offers fairly basic functionality.
Price: $2.99
Developer: Spiffing Apps
Download: iTunes Store
Daily Tasks (To Dos)
Daily Tasks (To Dos)
Another averagely designed app… different themes, different color schemes, textures and fonts give you a little personalization, but not too much. For only 99 cents you can set tasks onto certain days, have your high-priority show up that day, and you can even see how many tasks you have pending for that day on the home screen icon of your app.
Price: $0.99
Developer: Aashish Patil
Download: iTunes Store
Errands
Errands
Throw in some natural iPhone gradients and some cute clipart… and hey! You got yourself a nice little app. Let me mention this first off… this is free! So now, looking at the fact that this free app is more aesthetically pleasing on the eyes, gives you all the functionalities of the 1-3 dollar range apps, and is easy to use, this might be one of the free apps you would consider from today’s list.
Price: Free
Developer: David Mandell/Yoctoville
Download: iTunes Store
Done
Done
Another really easy to use, simple app. No due dates, contexts, locations, but an interesting feature to save your to-do list as your wallpaper? I don’t know about you, but sometimes I forget to check my to do list. Having it as your wallpaper could really help you to get things done!
Price: $1.99
Developer: Chilli X
Download: iTunes Store
Baby Pack & Go
Baby Pack & Go
Now, if you don’t have kids or babysit… skip this one now. For those of yout that do, like me… this could be a lifesaver. If you know all too well the effects of not enough sleep, this app could save you more times in a week than you can count.
Say you need to take one kid to preschool, the other to the babysitter, and you are running on a cup of coffee and an hour and a half of sleep. It would be nice to have specific lists for specific situations and children to help you in the morning. That’s where this app comes in. Create custom packing lists for what that kid needs, and never forget a binky again!
Price: $0.99
Developer: Red Box Productions
Download: iTunes Store
Eco.To.Do
Eco.To.Do
Wanna go green with your iPhone? Well you (kinda) can with this app that “reuses” paper by creating paper pages on the screen with your lists on them. Okay, yeah, you aren’t actually reusing paper, but at least you aren’t writing these lists in a notebook right? You can flick through multiple lists, email them out, reorder tasks and enjoy the lists in 7 different colors with flipping fluid motion.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Wadogo
Download: iTunes Store
My Wedding
My Wedding
Okay, I know… another genre to-do list app. If you aren’t engaged, go ahead and skip this one too! Now, all you soon-to-be brides and grooms, this is the ultimate app to get to keep yourself on track for the big day, by giving yourself a range of premade categories and time-until’s, this will make planning that wedding a slightly less stressful than you thought it would be.
Price: $3.99
Developer: New Gravity Ventures, Inc.
Download: iTunes Store
Tasker
Tasker
One of the main location-based to-do apps for the iPhone is Tasker, and it can really help you out when it comes to planning out your day or that weekend you have going on. By using location-based tasks you can plan out a series of events by hitting them one right after another in a line, saving time, and saving you sanity… as well as gas! It has a nice interface, simple icons, and an easy to use checklist system.
Price: $1.99
Developer: Scott Sykora
Download: iTunes Store
Nubi Do
Nubi Do
It makes me happy when I see themes for list apps done correctly. I really like the layout of this app, the colors, gradients, icons and overall feel of how it works. You can password protect lists and tasks, tag tasks with tags and contexts for organization, look through the integrated calendar for viewing of your soon-to-be busy days, and even search through your scheduled tasks for events if you forget when they occur.
This is a very well designed app, but you still have to weigh the price of this versus some of the cheaper and equally feature-rich apps earlier in the list.
Price: $5.99
Developer: Gennubi, Inc.
Download: iTunes Store
Conclusion
I honestly didn’t know there were so many choices when it came to this genre of iPhone apps. We have seen some gorgeous (and some not so gorgeous) screen design, powerful features, and new technology such as location-based tasks and web server syncing.
But now it’s time for you all to tell me your favourites. Were they on my list, are there some other choices out there that haven’t been covered? Please feel free to share your personal favourites in the comments!
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Up until now, I have been using my iPhone's standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn't really found a to-do ...
Up until now, I have been using my iPhone's standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn't really found a to-do ...
Up until now, I have been using my iPhone's standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn't really found a to-do ...
Up until now, I have been using my iPhone's standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn't really found a to-do ...
Up until now, I have been using my iPhone's standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn't really found a to-do ...
Up until now, I have been using my iPhone's standard calendar as a personal to-do list, since I hadn't really found a to-do ...
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I love the interface and ease of use of 2Do and that it syncs well with iCal and through it with The Hit List, my main GTD application.
Unfortunately, while the new version of 2Do introduced projects with subtasks and lists, syncing complete projects between 2Do and THL is not possible
For reasons of convenience, I can’t rely solely on a mobile app when managing my to do’s, so I switched with a heavy heart to Things. I bought the mobile app to give it a try. I am not 100% convinced yet, but at least I can manage projects with subtasks on both the iPhone and the Mac.
Wish the mobile app for The Hit List was released. I’d buy it in an instant.
From this list, I tried Toodledo, RTM, Done and they were too feature-full or cumbersome to use. I’m not and never was much of the GTD person, and I occasionally need to type some list quickly. Thus I created my own:
http://codeaplus.com/quickie/
The main reason is that I needed as fast data entry as possible, which was the main feature for Quickie. I was not aware of half of the apps here, so not sure do some of them has a similar speed list creation.
And it must be pretty – I have an artistic background and apps must have nice to look at UI
Now this app is a breath of fresh air. I’m honestly tired of the GTD method, I always stray from it because of the complexity and time needed to keep it up to date and useful. Now I’m going back to simplicity where a little goes a long way and I think I just may have found it with “Quickie”. The interface is easy on the eye’s and it keeps me moving when I only have seconds to update my to do list. Fantastic app!
Thank you for the motivating words adego
Are you planing to offer the ability to sync with iCal? I like the look of this app, but cant depend on just the iPhone for todo entry and with out some form of Mac integration its a non-starter for me
Awesome Note,
http://bridworks.com/
I think you miss this gorgeous app guys
Pretty awesome both UI and functionality
that app is AMAZING! how did I miss it… man….
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing to.
Just want to add that they have a fully functional free version with a limit of seven notes, which is a great way to try before you buy.
Oh, and don’t feel too bad, I just discovered this app last week.
I like to use Jott as I am able to use it on my iphone, Macbook, and the web if need be. Being that I am all over the place, switching between my Mac at home and Windows at work, this works great for me.
Yep!! SHOVEBOX (is the one I use) Works greats on the iPhone and you can sinc with your Mac!! (has shortcuts, a lovely icon on the top bar…)
The best for me is Things. I just love it!
Everybody seems to forget / not know about Ultimate ToDos. It only costs $0.99 and it’s a lot better designed (from icon to interface) than more than half of the up-listed apps. I’ve been using it for 6 months now and it’s very good. It also syncs with Toodledo.
It’s only downside is its lack of push notifications. I really hope they’ll include them in a future upgrade. Too bad I can’t seem to contact the developer (or at least they’re not responding as most of the iPhone developers do).
One option that is interesting to check out is Nozbe. Nozbe is an online service with a companion iPhone App which syncs with the service.
Things is the best choice I think
Hmm, if interface is the main criteria, I would vote for Things. However, I really found that I needed a fully functional calendar replacement + task list. I need robust repeating appointments which I could quickly edit (like on my Sony Clie TH55). My vote goes to Pocket Informant (http://pocketinformant.com/products_info.php?p_id=pocketinformant_iphone). There’s a free version available if you want to try before you buy.
I love how it:
- looks professional yet elegant
- syncs with a shake with Google Calendar
-perfectly handles multiple Google calendars (say, if you have separate ones for sports, family, work, etc.)
- how I can use the GTD system to arrange tasks
- how I can create new categories at a whim.
It’s well-supported too.
Each time I am tempted by another pretty-faced, one-function app (which have their places), I always return to Pocket Informant because of its ideal blend of task/calendar functionality, multiple views, and aesthetics.
I second what Chris is saying it is a fantastic app, well worth the 7 bucks it cost. Three things I like about it. First it syncs with google so, secondly, unlike Google calendar it shows the whole day 8am to 10pm. Lastly the layout of the calendar is better,this is what google calendar should look like
Oh,I forgot (you can’t edit your posts here oddly): Pocket Informant syncs with Toodledo and WebISnet says they will be releasing a desktop Outlook update to Pocket Informant later this year, meaning users can sync directly to Outlook over WiFi without using a go-between like Google Sync.
Sorry to see that you didn’t give OmniFocus the attention it deserves.
Anyone that has spent serious time trying to get a handle on tasks knows that ‘to-do- lists just don’t work, they are incomplete and this is why if/when you start cleaning house you will stumble across to-do’s that you never finished. (many of them I bet).
Enter the GTD (Getting Things Done) Philosophy, its SIMPLE. For every piece of ’stuff’ you have, in you desk, on your desk, in your computer, in your shirt pocket, in your wallet, purse, and (most importantly) in your head, and anywhere else… Answer these 3 simple questions.
1. Is this (whatever it is) actionable? (Do I need to DO something with it?)
2a. If the answer to #1 was no, you can do one of three things.
a) Eliminate it (Throw it away or recycle it).
b) Incubate it (I want to do something with it, but not right now).
c) Reference it (File it in a simple alpha sorted filing system).
2b. If the Answer to #1 is yes, what is the desired outcome of this thing? (what does it (or what it belongs to) look like finished? (if there is more then a single action its a project.
3. What is the very next action you need to do with said thing to move it towards that outcome you framed?
Thats it (in a nutshell). Thats GTD, and if you take the time to catch it, you will never use a useless ‘to-do’ list again, and you will have stress free productivity.
Its actually kinda tragic, because you didn’t understand GTD, you provided a poor review of the very BEST GTD tool out there (that I have ever found). This taints my view of your opinion on productivity tools in general, and other readers should be aware that your lack of understanding that OmniFocus is a GTD tool, not a ‘to-do’ list is what framed your view.
Had you done the research for it rather then just looking at the price point and how it wasn’t a ‘to-do’ like application, you would have done it, and yourself more justice…
Just MHO.
Robert
And where is Action Method?
http://www.actionmethod.com/
In This video It is really a very nice.You put very nice motivated sentence in this post it is so nice I like this post it is really a very cool.
Iphone apps to do list features will definitely give satisfaction to the user as will as to the fanatic user.
You forgot ActionMethod by the folks at Behance. It’s by far the BEST GTD app out there because it focuses on making sure that things are getting done.
ActionMethod has an online Interface so your iPhone app syncs with the online Interface.
I spent the $10 on Things and I don’t even use it anymore.
I promise you – it’s the best!
For me teh most important feature is syncing. Unfortunately, your short descriptions do not comment on syncing. I used to work with RTM but abandonded it a while ago because their lack of support for the iPhone App. I now use ToodleDo but with ToDo as the iPhone client, not the ToodleDo iPhone App. ToDo works excellent and reliable.
I also like 2Do because of the really nice interface, but currently it sync only with a dedicated small server app on the Mac and when both are on the same WLAN, while ToDo and ToodleDo sync without any user intraction and over 3G and WIFI.
Being an app addict I’ve spent a small fortune on most of the apps you’ve listed plusany more. RTM and Toodledo types are nice with them syncing with a web interface – handy for those of us enlightened enough to have mac at home and iPhone, but encumbered by the office pc. This is great, but I also like the ease of adding a task on my phone rather than logging into a clunky web UI.
A lot of the apps you’ve listed are simple to-do list/tick box generators and they work really well in this way. Not many of them are serious players though when it comes to serious task management. For this I’ve tried both Things and Omnifocus and I keep going back to Omnifocus. I used it to plan a particularly complicated Christmas with lots of relatives coming to stay and now I’m using it to plan for the birth of my first child later this year. I can assign projects and actions to these type of scenarios simply and they don’t clutter up my day to day tasks.
They might look complicated, but I guess you get out what you put in to these apps. For a simple to-do list they’re way too complex and expensive, but to help manage your life, they’re essential.
I personally like Nubi Do and ToDo. Both are exceptional but I like the workflow and overall design of Nubi Do. They seemed to have nailed it. The only thing missing is some sort of online integration. The price you have listed though is not accurate. I bought it for $4.99.
I have read your very very helpful reviews and narrowed my choices down to both 2do and either awesome note or notemaster. Would really appreciate any input on the difference in awesome note and notemaste and if awesome not with 2do covers is the same as having 2do. Thanks
I am looking for a GTD app that I can sync with my mac… i can not deal with finger pecking on my i phone… I need to create the lists using my Mac keyboard and then get them onto my iphone… any suggestions?
thank you
list dependent ad new iphone user
why don’t you try http://www.donforget.com
it’s fully web based, so your tasks will be available anywhere u are. And they have specific interfaces for Safari and iphone, so u have the best of bothe worlds…
What I’m in need of is a tool that starts with recognizing that I have a metric butt load of tasks in Outlook where they are primarily managed (and added). FTW, some bit of Basecamp integration would easily put me in the $20 range no questions asked.
I wonder if that second feature isn’t the key to resolution: start with base camp/outlook sync and then just use Basecamp (web version on iPad and app on i4.
You and me both, brother. Did you ever find an app that synchs to Outlook? I got close, with ToDo, but the thing requires synching via Wi-Fi. (Why on earth did they do that when not everyone has wi-fi, and everyone has a USB cable?)
I am sort of bemused by this list’s focus on the look of the app while placing secondary importance on its functionality. I think it’s more important to know whether an app can synch to Outlook than the feng shui of its color schemes.
Did you ever find an app that synchs to Outlook? I got close!!!
Todew is a simple, quick todo list. One of the key features is the ability to click and drag to re-prioritize. I find the others too complicated to sort. Todew lacks projects, but I suspect that might come in the next version they claim is coming soon. It may not suit someone that wants a lot of functionality, but it best suits a rapidly changing list.
Checkout our new app for to-do, donForget.com.
It’s a “foursquare for tasks”, with a full badge system implemented to help you get motivated into getting things done.
It’s a private beta, go to http://www.donforget.com to join in.
Cheers