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║ ✓ FREE TO-DO APPS COMPARED ✓ ║
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Twenty-nine task managers, grouped by who they're built for
There are a lot of to-do apps, and most have a usable free version. This page groups the better-known ones by what they're good at, so you can skip past the ones that don't match how you work.
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UNIVERSAL TO-DO APPS
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These run on the web, desktop, and mobile and sync across all of them, so your list looks the same on every device.
Type "every Monday at 9am" and it parses the schedule; sync between devices is dependable.
Bundles docs, goals, and several task views (list, board, calendar) into one app. The free plan covers most solo use.
A workspace built on databases and docs; a task list is one of many things you can assemble in it.
Adds a Pomodoro timer and habit tracking next to the task list. Runs everywhere, and the paid tier is cheap.
Lists that sit beside a calendar view, with sharing for tasks you split with others. Strongest on mobile.
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FOCUSED ON TEAMS & PROFESSIONALS
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Heavier tools for teams and anyone who wants more than a flat list: projects, dependencies, and automations.
Structured projects with timeline and dependency tracking, plus integrations with most common work tools.
Custom automations and a visual workflow builder; strong for mixed project and task tracking.
Kanban boards you rearrange by dragging cards between columns, with add-ons (Power-Ups) for extra features.
Built for software teams, with GitHub and GitLab integration and an interface that stays fast.
Spreadsheet-database hybrid with powerful relational tables and API access; tasks are usually modeled via bases.
All-in-one team collaboration with lists, messages, and schedules on a flat-price plan.
Project management with built-in automation and task chat threads.
Daily planner with time blocking and calendar-first workflows.
Auto-scheduling that rearranges tasks and meetings based on your calendar.
Universal inbox for tasks with a command bar and time blocking; desktop-first.
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MINIMALIST BEAUTIES
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Pared-back apps that do little beyond capturing tasks and checking them off.
Infinite nested lists with minimalist outlining and fast global search.
Minimal weekly calendar view with automatic task rollover and paper-like interface.
Paper-simple interface with automatic task rollover and Someday lists.
No account needed. Each list gets its own shareable URL and can be embedded elsewhere.
No account needed. Tasks stay in your browser, and the interface keeps to the essentials.
100% free and open source with GitHub/GitLab/Jira integration and keyboard-first design.
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APPLE ECOSYSTEM
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Built only for Apple platforms, with the system hooks that come with that: widgets, Siri, and Handoff.
Clean design with a Today view and Markdown notes. Paid once per platform, with no subscription.
Built around Getting Things Done, with custom perspectives and a forecast view that maps tasks onto your calendar.
Focus Mode with Pomodoro timer and minimal Apple-native design.
A pen-and-paper feel, with color tags and Dropbox backup.
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NOT TRYING TO GET YOU TO PAY
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These are free to use for personal tasks as of the last update; paid tiers or future changes are always possible.
Ties into Gmail and Google Calendar, so you can turn an email into a task without leaving your inbox.
Voice memos, location-based reminders, and text extraction from photos, all under your Google account.
Deep ecosystem integration with location-based reminders and Smart Lists.
Deep Microsoft ecosystem integration with Outlook sync and My Day feature.
The app you stick with matters more than the one with the longest feature list. If you work with a team, the power-user tools earn their complexity; if you just need somewhere to dump tasks, a minimalist app will do. Most have a free tier, so trying two or three costs nothing but time.
If you can't decide, use whatever is already in front of you: the Apple or Google app on your phone, or whichever one opens fastest. Switching later is easy.