All 5 recommendations
Est. prices as of 26 Feb 2026
#1 · Doist · Most Overhyped
Todoist
$0 - $180/year
The overachiever's to-do app with features you'll never touch
- ✓ Beautifully designed with satisfying checkmarks
- ✓ Recurring tasks and priority levels feel powerful
- ✓ Works across all devices seamlessly
- ✗ Premium features cost $180/year for features you don't need
- ✗ Notifications are aggressively motivational
- ✗ You'll feel guilty every time you see your 47 incomplete tasks
#2 · Microsoft · Best Value
Microsoft To Do
$0
It's free, it's decent, and you won't use it anyway
- ✓ Completely free with Outlook integration
- ✓ Clean, minimal interface
- ✓ Syncs with Microsoft Tasks in Teams
- ✗ Feels corporate and uninspiring
- ✗ Limited customization options
- ✗ Why use this when Todoist exists (even though you won't use that either)?
#3 · Appest · Hidden Gem
TickTick
$0 - $27.99/year
The feature-rich alternative nobody's heard of
- ✓ Calendar view shows tasks beautifully
- ✓ Habit tracker built-in
- ✓ Affordable premium at $27.99/year
- ✗ Interface feels cramped compared to competitors
- ✗ Smaller community means fewer templates and tips
- ✗ The fact that you've never heard of it means you won't stick with it
#4 · Cultured Code · Premium Pick
Things 3
$9.99 (iOS), $19.99 (Mac)
Beautiful enough to love, expensive enough to feel bad about abandoning
- ✓ Absolutely stunning design that makes you want to use it
- ✓ One-time purchase (no subscription)
- ✓ Perfect for people who care about aesthetics
- ✗ Only works on Apple devices—sorry Android users
- ✗ $29.98 total if you want it on phone and computer
- ✗ You'll buy it, use it for 12 days, then forget about it
#5 · Any.do
Any.do
$0 - $119.99/year
It's fine. You'll download it. You'll delete it.
- ✓ Calendar integration feels natural
- ✓ Reminder system is actually helpful
- ✓ Free version includes basic collaboration
- ✗ Tries to do too much (to-do, calendar, notes, shopping)
- ✗ Subscription model feels aggressive for what it offers
- ✗ The app that lives in your phone for exactly 8 days