ProductivityAppsTask Management

What are the best task management apps for personal use?

18

Options
Considered

114

User
Recs.

Dec 27, 2018

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

15 Options Considered

Best task management apps for personal use	Price	Platforms	Collaborative
-- Trello	-	Android / Windows / Web	Yes
83 Informant	$49.99	iOS (iPad/iPhone), macOS, Android	No
-- Toodledo	-	Android / iOS / Web / WatchOS	yes
-- Nozbe	-	iOS / Android / Win / Linux / OSX / Web	yes
-- Any.do	-	Android / iOS / OSX / Web / Chrome	Yes (Share lists, assign tasks)

Trello

Top Pro

Attach files to cards

Keep all of your files (images, documents, etc.) organized on their relevant cards. See More

Top Con

No multi-board aggregation

If you have multiple boards with tasks on them there is no way to get all the tasks on one board in a way that changes on one board will update the other. See More

Specs

Platforms:Android / Windows / Web

Collaborative:Yes

Top Pro

Cross-platform and cross-sync

Trello works on all modern devices through the web application and has native apps for iOS, Android and Windows 8/10 devices. See More

Top Con

Managing large projects may be difficult

Trello works best with medium to small projects and with very high-level overviews. It is less effective for projects that require very granular management due to the fact that it becomes considerably more difficult to keep track of various cards and priorities as they are pushed off the screen. See More

Top Pro

Simple and easy to use interface

There are two primary columns: the board is shown on the left and all the other controls on the right. The main means of interaction is dragging and dropping to-do cards into the various lists. The board structure is very customizable, and includes a variety of features that help along the way: color-coding, due dates, card images, checklists with a graphics bar that allows following progress easily, and card aging for cards that haven’t been touched in a long time. See More

Top Con

Subtasks lack features

Every task can have a list of subtasks which more closely resembles a standard to-do list. These lack the functions that cards offer you. You cannot comment on a sub-list, give the sub-tasks due dates, or provide additional information. You are limited to only checking them off once completed. See More

Top Pro

Free for unlimited users

Trello offers a very generous free version that has no ads, no restrictions on the number of users, and very little restriction on how the program can be used. The paid features are generally cosmetic, such as the ability to change the background, add stickers, etc. See More

Top Con

Not really a to do list

Trello is much more a workflow and project management program than a typical to-do app, which makes it overwhelmingly robust for those looking to jot down their shopping list. See More

Top Pro

Works well for visual thinkers

The UI is based around Kanban, so you can see all your tasks and their status clearly. See More

Top Con

No desktop client

There is no Windows or Mac client now but you can still access all of the features through your web browser. See More

Top Pro

Markdown support with well-rendered images

Trello supports Markdown, meaning that HTML input is represented appropriately. Cards with attachments are also rendered well. For example, images are shown correctly on the card, bug links are detected etc. See More

Top Con

Can't get one view of cards across all boards

However, you can view all cards assigned to you. See More

Top Pro

Excellent for groups using agile software development

The responsiveness and layers of customization make it easy for team members of various disciplines to collaborate on the same task board. See More

Top Con

Can't create dependencies between cards

Top Pro

Great real-time team collaboration features

Trello has permissions at the board level as well as the ability to assign multiple people to each card. There are a lot of sharing options available and boards can be made visible for the public. It's also possible to subscribe to a card to be notified of its progress. The simplicity of the UI makes collaboration easy because it’s very simple to see the progress of each card and who is responsible for it. It also updates constantly to reflect real-time changes in progress. The simplicity of the UI makes collaboration easy as it’s very simple to see the progress of each card and who is responsible for it. It also reflect changes on boards in real-time. See More

Top Con

Light on features

Trello is focused on simplicity and as such forgoes certain common features that may or may not be important to you. See More

Top Pro

Features to add voting on cards

Trello offers support for features to add voting on cards, often referred to as 'power-ups'. See More

Top Pro

Great native app for Android and iOS

Top Pro

Functionality can be extended via plug-ins

Voting, view, and calendar plug-ins further increase the functionality. See More

Top Pro

Highly flexible workflow

Trello calls items used in the workflow “cards.” Cards are double-sided and can contain subtasks as well as notes and other details. Card columns can be used to simulate a workflow by moving cards from left to right as they are completed, or as a way of indicating task priority. The workflow is highly flexible as the columns are completely customizable to suit the task flow. For example, tasks can be put through a workflow "idea > approved > in-progress > pending review > released" or simply "ideas > released" depending on the granularity level needed. This makes Trello a great solution to feature management as it's possible to set up boards to handle everything from agile sprints to a more generic to-do list, all with status management. See More

Top Pro

Good performance

Top Pro

Action history log allows you to rapidly follow changes

There is a global history system which allows to rapidly follow changes. There is also a notification system if another user updates the board while you're watching it. See More

Top Pro

Smooth media integration

Top Pro

Lots of API integrations

Top Pro

Sub-tasks

Each card can have one or even multiple task lists. See More

Informant

Add Video or Image

Top Pro

Customization

Can set custom colours for priorities. See More

Top Con

No web-based version

Cannot be used from a web browser. See More

Specs

Platforms:iOS (iPad/iPhone), macOS, Android

Collaborative:No

Top Pro

Focus view

Has a single focus view that gives you all the information you need to know for your day. See More

Top Con

No Windows support

Top Pro

Can create checklist style tasks

Great for creating a grocery list or checkoff list within a task. See More

Top Con

Not a multi-user tool

Top Pro

Subtasks

Supports subtasks. See More

Top Con

Template settings lacking in v.5

Templates don't have configurable multiple alarm settings as in the previous version. See More

Top Pro

Calendar and tasks in one view

Top Pro

Colours and Tags

Can set default colours and tags. See More

Top Pro

Support for GTD methodology

Tags, contexts, next action handling. Support for GTD is great. See More

Top Pro

iOS (iPhone/iPad) , macOS, and Android

Available on these platforms. See More

Top Pro

Sync option

Toodledo

Top Pro

Customizable saved searches

Specs

Platforms:Android / iOS / Web / WatchOS

Collaborative:yes

Top Pro

Can tag items

Top Pro

Functionality-rich

Top Pro

Sends a daily email reminder

Toodledo reminds you via email of the tasks on your plate for the day. See More

Top Pro

Space to add lengthy text

Notes area that can then be hidden. See More

Top Pro

Priority organizing

Top Pro

Can create to-do items via email

It's possible to create a to-do item by sending or forwarding an email. See More

Top Pro

Rich fuctionality of recuring task

Top Pro

Great GTD implementation

The GTD principles are very perfectly supported by Toodledo. See More

Nozbe

Top Con

Task dependencies missing

Nozbe is great, but one shortcoming relates to "task dependencies" in projects. You should be able to sequence your tasks so that, when you complete a task, the next one that needs to be done becomes the "priority" task for that project. This is a vital feature that will make the program dramatically more useful. The company claims to be working on this improvement. See More

Top Pro

Active development

Nozbe is actively being developed, and the devs listen to community requests. Within a month of requesting a feature, it usually appears in the beta app. See More

Specs

Platforms:iOS / Android / Win / Linux / OSX / Web

Collaborative:yes

Top Con

Limited free plan

After the free trial you can choose to remain on a free plan, but you’ll be restricted to a max of 5 projects and will have limitations on collaboration. See More

Top Pro

Calendar view

You can view upcoming tasks by week or specific day in the calendar view. This is helpful for planning tasks and not overbooking. Repeat tasks show up with a ghost icon in the checkbox to signify that the task(s) are not generated/active yet but are due on that day. See More

Top Con

Project and global tags not shared

Projects can have tags (labels) applied, but they are independent of global tags (categories). For example neither a project "labeled" "work", nor its tasks would not appear if the tag/category filter for "work" is selected. Tasks in a project "labeled" "work" must be individually tagged/categorized as "work" to appear when filtering. See More

Top Pro

Time estimates

Time estimates for individual tasks roll up in the corresponding view (calendar, priority, inbox, specific project, etc.) to show an "estimated should-take time". See More

Top Con

Only 5 projects for free users

If a user chooses to not pay after the trial period, they can only have up to 5 active projects. See More

Top Pro

Color coding and visualization

Tags and projects can be color-coded according to users' preferences. Tags also have the option of choosing from a preset icon list in addition to color coding. See More

Top Pro

Supports Siri and Google assistant

Has support for voice commands via Siri and 'OK Google'. See More

Top Pro

Can add tasks via email

Email tasks to a user-defined email (with security pin) to add tasks to Nozbe inbox or a specific project. Also supports checklists, tags, time etc. through email submission. See More

Top Pro

Mac/iOS/Windows/Android/Wearables/Web

Supports Apple, Windows, and Android distributions, and has a web app for systems that don't have a native app and are not executable. See More

Top Pro

Free 30-day trial

The trial includes all features of a pro account. You can also email the support team if you choose to try out a business license . See More

iSmart.Life

Add Video or Image

Sergey Grushevoy's Experience

I use this app to planning my goals, tasks, projects. This is a very simple and free web app. See More

Wunderlist

Top Pro

Has a free, adless version

Wunderlist is available both as a free app without ads or heavy restrictions, and in a pro version that enables you to add larger files and take advantage of additional customization options. See More

Top Con

Limited customization and organization options

Wunderlist doesn't allow for much customization in list sorting or visual themes. It offers only a couple dozen background choices and has no option to add your own. See More

DevotedZislbog's Experience

No Firefox and no Windows 7 support. Disappointing! See More

Specs

Platforms:Android / iOS / WP / OSX / Windows / Web / Chrome

Collaborative:Yes

Top Pro

Simple, useful task management features

Wunderlist features the standard ability to add tasks and organize them within lists, but one aspect in which it excels is the amount of detail you can add to each task. Rather than simple alerts, tasks incorporate a number of other options, including reminders, subtasks, notes, and recurring tasks. You can also star important tasks, which is simpler than the priority systems used in many other apps. See More

Top Con

Subtasks hidden within task window

Wunderlist doesn't have true subtasks but rather a single task list with an entirely different user interface hidden within each task. Having separate interfaces for tasks and subtasks restricts flexibility in how one structures projects. See More

Top Pro

Simple & easy to use UI

Wunderlists' UI is very fast and easy to use. The features are easy to find and everything flows together smoothly. See More

BusyCal

Add Video or Image

Top Pro

Great support and development team

Top Con

Expensive

Specs

Compatibility:Mac, iOS

Top Pro

Integrated To Dos

To Dos can be displayed directly in your calendar and carry-forward until completed. To Dos in BusyCal are compatible and sync with the Reminders app on OS X and iOS. See More

Top Pro

Custom Alarms and Snoozes

Alarms may displayed in the BusyCal Alarm Window or the Notification Center. Snooze alarms for any duration, including x minutes before start, Set default alarm intervals for new Events, To Dos, All-Day Events, and Birthdays & Anniversaries. See More

Top Pro

Latteral bar

Top Pro

Smart Filters

Create Smart Filters to display Calendar Sets, a custom view, or events that match a certain criteria with a single click. See More

Winio

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Lanes

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