The best to-do app is the one that actually gets used. Things 3 is the most elegant but commits to a one-time purchase on Apple platforms; Todoist and TickTick offer the broadest feature set on freemium plans across…
This comparison focuses on apps and prices in the German App Store. Availability and prices can differ in other regions.
The best to-do app is the one that actually gets used. Things 3 is the most elegant but commits to a one-time purchase on Apple platforms; Todoist and TickTick offer the broadest feature set on freemium plans across platforms; OmniFocus is powerful but complex; and Apple Reminders is enough for simple lists and comes free with the iPhone. A March 2026 update notes that TickTick expanded its AI features, Todoist remains the cross-platform reference, and Things 3 still has no subscription. App stores host well over a dozen task managers, from plain checklists to full GTD systems. Some use natural-language input and AI to plan tasks, others combine calendar integration, Pomodoro timers and habit tracking, and a third group keeps one purpose: clear task lists without extras. The source says eight relevant task managers were tested and used in everyday life rather than tapped briefly. Reminders is sufficient for many people, but anyone needing more structure, recurring projects or a Todoist alternative will find a fit here, whether by one-time purchase or subscription. All tested apps run natively on the iPhone, and most also sync with the iPad, Mac, and sometimes Android or the web.
Our verdict
For most iPhone users, Todoist is the best choice: it works across platforms, accepts intuitive natural-language input, and includes a generous free plan. Anyone with an Apple-only setup who prefers a single payment should choose Things 3, the most beautiful to-do app in the store. TickTick is the all-rounder for users who want tasks, calendar and focus timers in one place.
For GTD professionals there is no way around OmniFocus 4, which implements the method completely. And anyone who genuinely likes Apple Reminders but needs more flexibility should look at GoodTask, which builds directly on the native data rather than replacing it.
The practical advice is to start with the free plans of the favorites. Most apps offer enough in their free tier to test them in real everyday life before committing money, which matters because the system itself should not become more work than the tasks it manages.
Sorted³ combines calendar, task list and notes on a single timeline, and its distinctive auto-scheduling places tasks automatically into free calendar slots. The basic version is free; Sorted+, a one-time purchase of around €8, unlocks hyper-scheduling and extended features. The source recommends it for hyper-planners who want everything on one time axis, and less for people with few appointments who need no complex planning.
Todoist manages tasks across every device and platform and accepts due dates through natural-language input, with Gmail and calendar integration alongside its Karma motivation system. The basic version is free; a Pro subscription of around €5 per month adds filters, reminders, comments and calendar sync. The source calls it best-in-class for cross-platform use and the best option for Windows users, with a usable freemium tier.
TickTick bundles tasks, calendar, habit tracking and a Pomodoro timer in one app, syncing across all platforms including Windows and Android, with solid collaboration features. The basic version is free and does not push a subscription immediately; premium costs around €3 per month. The source considers it the best all-in-one offer on the market for the price, though it can overwhelm users who prefer clear, minimal apps.
Streaks is a habit tracker rather than a classic to-do list, built around daily routines automatically logged with Apple Health. It costs €6.99 once, won an Apple Design Award and unlocks its full scope after purchase with no subscription. It suits users tracking daily habits instead of projects; weekly or monthly habits are not the focus.
Ellie is a minimalist daily planner built around brain dumps and timeboxing, offering a quick place to unload thoughts with no advertising. Basic functions are free, while a premium subscription covers unlimited brain dumps and timeboxing. The source points to simple planning without extras; it lacks sub-tasks and shared lists, so team use is out of scope.
Things 3 is the most elegant task manager in the Apple ecosystem, with a thoughtful structure of Today, Next Steps and projects and native support for Siri and Shortcuts. It is listed at €9.99 (around €10) once and covers iPhone, iPad and Mac permanently with no subscription, though each platform is bought separately, and there is no web or Android access. The source calls it the first choice for Apple-only users.
OmniFocus 4 is the GTD power app, built around perspectives, contexts and review cycles with deep Shortcuts automation for professionals running the method rigorously. It is subscription-only at around €10 per month or €100 per year, with no one-time purchase. The source warns of a substantial learning curve and high price, recommending it only for users who genuinely run a GTD system.
2Do is a feature-rich task manager without subscription pressure, offering nested tasks, location-based reminders and many views and filters for around €10 once. The source notes the interface feels dated and updates arrive less often than for Things or Todoist, with active further development a question mark. It remains a solid, broad choice for users who refuse recurring payments.
Zenkit To Do is a German task manager storing data on servers in Germany and works offline with a generous free tier, covering tasks and projects for small teams on a budget. A Pro subscription of around €4 per month adds unlimited tasks, projects and team features. The source considers it less polished than Todoist and notes fewer integrations and a smaller community, but well suited to privacy-conscious teams.
Any.do combines to-do list, calendar and reminders in one app across all platforms, with voice capture alongside typed entry and AI features for daily planning. Core functions including lists, reminders and calendar sync are free; premium features such as WhatsApp integration and AI day planning cost roughly €3–€6 per month. The source calls it a good all-rounder, but best in class in no single category.
GoodTask uses Apple Reminders as its data foundation and adds smart lists, tags and board views on top, so users stay inside the native ecosystem with a more powerful surface. It costs around €22 once according to the source, which notes the specialist niche and a steep price compared with a simple list. It suits people who already rely on Reminders and want more structure without changing sync.
Tiimo is a visual daily planner conceived for ADHD and neurodivergent users, presenting the day as a visual schedule rather than a dense task list. Its card names it iPhone app of the year for 2025; the app itself is free and advertising-free with widget support. The source considers it very strong within its niche and notes it is unsuitable as a general task manager; full desktop feature parity on the iPhone is not part of the concept.
Trello organizes work visually with Kanban boards, letting teams start a project quickly with no training, while a Business subscription of around €5 per month per person adds extended boards and automations. The basic version is free. The source notes it does not manage complex projects with dependencies and Gantt charts, and that many power-ups require paid plans.
Microsoft To Do manages tasks with strong Microsoft 365 integration and a simple interface, making it a natural fit for Outlook users; it is free and funded through Microsoft 365 with no separate payment. The source notes it offers no advantage over Apple Reminders outside that ecosystem, since it needs a Microsoft account and does not match the elegance of Things 3.
Apple Reminders is built into iOS at no cost, with Siri voice entry, location-based reminders and lists shared with family, and no in-app purchases. The source considers it sufficient for roughly 70 percent of users: quick and frictionless for everyday tasks, with tags and smart reminders included, but without project management for complex, multi-step work.
Download price only. In-app purchases and subscriptions may cost extra.
Questions & answers
Which to-do app for the iPhone is free?
Todoist, TickTick and Any.do offer generous free plans sufficient for basic task management. Apple Reminders is completely free and preinstalled on every iPhone. Anyone who only needs straightforward lists and reminders can get by without paying at all.
Is Things 3 worth the price?
Yes, as long as you stay in the Apple ecosystem. Things 3 is paid once with no running costs, which over two to three years works out cheaper than any subscription. The source also considers it by far the most beautiful and fluid to-do app in the entire App Store.
What is better: Todoist or Apple Reminders?
Apple Reminders is sufficient for simple lists and everyday tasks. Todoist becomes worthwhile once you need natural-language input, labels, filters or collaboration, and its cross-platform support on Android, Windows and the web is a clear advantage in mixed-device setups.
Which app works for GTD (Getting Things Done)?
OmniFocus 4 is the only task manager implementing GTD completely, with perspectives, contexts and review cycles. Todoist and Things 3 can also be used for GTD with some configuration, but they were not explicitly built around the method, so compromises remain.
Can I move my tasks between apps?
Most apps offer CSV or JSON export, and Todoist includes an import function for other services. However, metadata such as projects, labels and reminders is partly lost in every switch. The source advises checking the current app's export options before moving, to see exactly what will transfer.
More related apps
App library · United States App Store. Prices and availability reflect the last check.
