7 Best Todo Apps for Mac: Boost Your Productivity

I’ve always been a bit of a list-maker. Scribbles on sticky notes, digital reminders pinging at all hours… you name it, I’ve tried it. But as my to-do lists grew (and my desk got messier), I realized I needed something better – a dedicated tool for the best task management to wrangle my tasks, deadlines, and random brainstorms. I wanted an app that not only worked seamlessly with my setup but also offered the right blend of features and aesthetics. To find the best todo apps for Mac, I explored various productivity tools that could enhance my workflow.

I explored the vast landscape of todo apps available for macOS and share my experiences and insights. Whether you're a student juggling assignments, a professional managing multiple projects, or simply someone looking to bring a little more order to their daily life, I believe there's an app in this list that could revolutionize the way you tackle your tasks.

Best to do list apps for Mac at a glance:

In this section, we will provide a quick overview of each app, highlighting their key features, pricing, ratings, user experience, and cross-platform compatibility.

NotePlan: Best task management app

• Pricing: 7 Day Free Trial. $9.99 billed monthly
• App Store Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Imagine never missing a deadline or forgetting an important task again. NotePlan for Mac seamlessly blends the simplicity of a notebook with the power of a digital planner, revolutionizing the way you manage tasks and your to-dos. NotePlan blends your calendar with your task list, allowing you to effortlessly organize your thoughts, plans, and schedules in one sleek interface.

Whether you're a busy professional juggling multiple projects or a student keeping track of assignments, NotePlan's clean design and markdown support make capturing and categorizing tasks a breeze.

With features like nested to-dos, project management, and seamless syncing across devices, NotePlan transforms your scattered ideas into actionable plans. Say goodbye to chaotic sticky notes and hello to streamlined productivity.

Why NotePlan?

• Unified Workspace: Ditch the app switching chaos. NotePlan brings together your tasks, notes, and calendar in a single, elegant interface. Plan your day, jot down thoughts, and manage your schedule effortlessly.
• Markdown Magic: Embrace the power of Markdown for lightning-fast note-taking and task creation. Add tags, mentions, and links to supercharge your organization.
• Flexible Organization: Whether you prefer a simple folder structure or a sophisticated Zettelkasten system, NotePlan adapts to your unique style. Build a personal knowledge base that evolves with you.
• Seamless Calendar Integration: Schedule events, set reminders, and even time-block tasks directly within NotePlan. Your calendar is always in sync, keeping you on top of your commitments.
• Powerful Review Features: Never lose track of your goals. Search, filter, and review your tasks and notes with ease. Stay on top of deadlines and identify areas for improvement.
• Available Everywhere: NotePlan seamlessly syncs across your Mac, iPhone, iPad and Web. Your productivity ecosystem is always at your fingertips.

Things

• Pricing: One time purchase available at $49.99
• App Store Rating: 4.7 out of 5

If you're a Mac user seeking a task management tool, consider Things 3. Its clean and minimalist design makes it intuitive to use, aligning well with Apple's aesthetic. You can easily categorize and organize tasks into areas of responsibility, projects, or daily to-dos.

The app's flexibility lets you set due dates, add tags, and create recurring tasks for things you do regularly. It even understands natural language, so adding tasks is as simple as typing "pick up groceries tomorrow." While Things 3 is praised for its simplicity and functionality, keep in mind it's a paid app exclusive to Apple devices.

Pros:

• Clean, intuitive interface
• Seamless integration with macOS
• Quick entry feature for rapid task addition
• Robust organization options (areas, projects, tags)
• Natural language input for dates
• Syncs across Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
• Keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation
• Today and Upcoming views for managing daily tasks

Cons:

• Relatively expensive compared to some alternatives
• No collaboration features for team projects
• Lacks some advanced features found in other task managers
• No free version available (only a trial period)
• Limited customization options
• No web-based interface
• May be overly simplistic for users needing complex project management tools

Todoist

• Pricing: Free Plan. Paid plan starting with $5 billed monthly
• App Store Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Todoist stands out for its versatility, making it a great choice for Mac users who need a powerful to-do list app for managing tasks. It lets you easily create simple to-do lists or organize bigger projects with subtasks and due dates. The clean interface is easy to navigate, and you can quickly prioritize tasks or find them using labels.

You can even connect Todoist with your calendar for a complete picture of your day. If you work with a team, the collaboration features make it easy to share projects and stay on top of deadlines. While it might not be the most visually stunning app out there, it's certainly one of the most functional.

Pros:

• Cross-platform availability (Mac, Windows, mobile, web)
• Clean, user-friendly interface
• Natural language input for quick task entry
• Collaboration features for team projects
• Extensive third-party integrations
• Free tier available with basic features
• Customizable labels and filters
• Karma system for productivity tracking

Cons:

• Can become cluttered with complex projects
• Limited offline functionality in free version
• No built-in calendar view (requires integration)
• Task dependencies only available in paid version
• Less seamless integration with macOS compared to native apps
• No location-based reminders in the free version
• Learning curve for utilizing all features effectively

OmniFocus

• Pricing: 14 Day free trial. Paid plan starting with $9.99 billed monthly
• App Store Ratings: 4.4 out of 5

If you're a fan of the Getting Things Done methodology, you might love OmniFocus, one of the top contender for available to do list apps. This powerful task management app offers multiple ways to organize your tasks, projects, and goals, whether you prefer simple lists or complex, multi-step projects. You can view your tasks from various angles, making it easier to focus on what matters most at any given moment.

OmniFocus also supports customizable reminders, repeating tasks, and even location-based reminders to keep you on top of everything. The learning curve is a bit steeper than some other apps, and it does come with a premium price tag, but the flexibility and power it provides may be worth it for your productivity needs.

Pros:

• Powerful task management capabilities
• Deep integration with macOS and iOS
• Supports complex project structures and dependencies
• Customizable perspectives for personalized task views
• Robust tagging and context system
• Syncs across Apple devices
• Supports GTD methodology
• Automation features through AppleScript

Cons:

• Relatively expensive compared to other options
• Can be overwhelming for simple task management needs
• No built-in collaboration features
• Separate purchases required for Mac and iOS versions

Microsoft To Do

• Pricing: Free plan. Available with a Outlook account.
• App Store Ratings: 4.7 out of 5

Microsoft To Do's clean interface makes it a breeze to add tasks to various lists, set deadlines and reminders, and even attach files to your tasks, whether you are using the desktop version or the web app. The "My Day" feature helps you focus on what's important, while the "Planned" view keeps your upcoming tasks organized.

You can even share lists with others, making it handy for collaborative projects. If you're already a Microsoft user, you'll appreciate its integration with other apps like Outlook. It might not have every advanced feature you can find in other to-do apps, but if you value simplicity and practicality, Microsoft To Do is a solid choice.

Pros:

• Free to use
• Clean, simple interface
• Cross-platform availability (Mac, Windows, mobile, web)
• Integrates well with other Microsoft services
• Syncs across devices
• Supports file attachments to tasks
• Allows task sharing and collaboration
• "My Day" feature for daily task planning

Cons:

• Lacks native macOS integration
• No natural language input for quick task entry
• Limited customization options
• No location-based reminders
• Fewer third-party integrations than some alternatives
• No built-in calendar view
• May feel basic for power users or complex project management

TickTick

• Pricing: Free plan. Paid plan starting with $35.99 billed annualy
• App Store Ratings: 4.8 out of 5

If you're looking for a to-do app that balances power and simplicity, TickTick on your Mac might be a great option. You'll find it easy to quickly add tasks using natural language, and organize them in multiple ways - lists, tags, or even a calendar view. For larger projects, you can break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

Reminders, deadlines, and the Pomodoro timer will keep you on track, and the collaborative tools are fantastic if you're working with a team. While it has a solid free plan, the premium version unlocks even more features like smart lists and advanced calendar views. And since TickTick syncs across all your devices, you can manage your tasks from anywhere.

Pros:

• Cross-platform compatibility (Mac, Windows, mobile, web)
• Intuitive interface with natural language input
• Multiple views (list, calendar, Kanban board)
• Built-in Pomodoro timer for productivity
• Habit tracking feature
• Collaboration options for shared lists and tasks
• Free tier available with basic features
• Supports task attachments and comments

Cons:

• Limited third-party integrations compared to some competitors
• Calendar view only available in premium version
• May feel cluttered when managing numerous tasks and projects
• Less seamless integration with macOS compared to native apps
• Occasional minor bugs reported by users

Apple reminders

• Pricing: Available for free with an Apple Account.
• App Store Ratings: 4.8 out of 5

If you're a Mac user and already part of the Apple ecosystem, you'll probably find Apple Reminders familiar and convenient for your to-do list needs. It seamlessly syncs with your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, so your tasks and reminders are always at your fingertips. The interface is straightforward, making it easy to create lists, set due dates, and even add location-based reminders for when you're out and about. You can also add notes or images to your tasks to provide more context.

While Reminders might not be as feature-rich as some other task management apps, it excels in its simplicity and integration with Apple's ecosystem. You can even use Siri to create and manage your reminders. If you're looking for a basic, no-frills to-do list that just works, Apple Reminders might be the perfect fit.

Pros:

• Free and pre-installed on macOS
• Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
• Syncs across all Apple devices
• Simple, intuitive interface
• Natural language input for quick task entry
• Siri integration for voice commands
• Location-based reminders
• iCloud sharing for collaborative lists

Cons:

• Basic project management capabilities
• No built-in time tracking or Pomodoro features
• Lack of custom views or advanced filtering options
• No web interface for access outside Apple devices
• Cannot attach files (only images and web links)
• Limited customization options

Goodtask

• Pricing: One time purchase of $39.99 from App Store.
• App Store Ratings: 4.7 out of 5

If you're a Mac user who likes Apple Reminders but wishes it had more power, you'll probably appreciate GoodTask. It works with your existing reminders, syncing seamlessly with them, but gives you a whole new level of functionality. You can create custom lists that filter your tasks automatically, set up more complex repeating tasks than Reminders allows, and even view your schedule in different ways, like lists, calendars, or a matrix view.

Adding tasks is super quick with natural language input, and there are customizable shortcuts to speed up everything you do. You'll also find that tagging and filtering your tasks become much easier, and you can even get location-based reminders. If you're looking to upgrade your task management without leaving Apple's ecosystem, GoodTask is a great choice.

Pros:

• Builds upon and syncs with Apple Reminders
• Multiple view options (list, calendar, matrix)
• Smart lists for advanced task filtering
• Customizable shortcuts for quick actions
• Natural language input for task creation
• Extensive tagging and categorization options
• Flexible recurring task settings
• Cross-device sync within Apple ecosystem

Cons:

1. Paid app with no free tier
2. Dependent on Apple Reminders for core functionality
3. No built-in collaboration features
4. Limited third-party integrations compared to standalone apps

Conclusion

After exploring these top-notch todo apps for Mac, it's clear that there's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to task management. Each app we've discussed offers its own unique blend of features, design, and functionality to cater to different needs and preferences.

Remember, the best todo app is ultimately the one that you'll use consistently. Don't be afraid to take advantage of free trials to test drive these apps and see which one aligns best with your workflow and organizational style.

Whichever app you choose, the key is to commit to using it regularly and to develop a system that works for you. With the right todo app in your toolkit, you'll be well-equipped to tackle your tasks, meet your deadlines, and achieve your goals.