If you’re still using paper-based to-do lists, you’re missing out. There are some pretty nifty iPhone apps available that will take your to-dos into the 21st century.
We’ve tested loads and chosen three free options we think will cover most people’s task management needs.
Try one out today and see if your productivity ramps up.
1) Wunderlist
With a customizable interface, comprehensive list-making functionality, and iPhone reminders built-in for free, Wunderlist is a good app to start with.
Once you sign up, Wunderlist automatically suggests some basic list categories, such as Travel, Work, and Groceries. You can also create and name your own.
Wunderlist
The app’s at-a-glance overview shows you your lists, as well as Today and Week views that you can click on to get an overview of tasks you need to complete on a timely basis. You can also star tasks to siphon them off into a separate list.
Wunderlist
Creating tasks is simple. Just give the task a title, then you can add a due date, set reminders, add subtasks, notes and even attachments.
Wunderlist
Once you’ve created a task or list, you can share it with other Wunderlist users (like your significant other) and even assign people to tasks. There is also the ability to chat about to-dos you’ve created via the Comments section.
Wunderlist instantly syncs between your iPhone, iPad and Mac, or Windows computers, so you can access your lists no matter what device you’re using.
2) Todoist
With over 4 million users, Todoist is a popular option. Its set-up process is similar to that of Wunderlist, with list categories auto-created under the Projects heading. You can then choose to add more projects and list tasks under those headers.
Todoist
Creating to-do tasks is simple. You can just give a task a title, “Buy milk,” for example, or you can go into the task’s details to add a due date and time, priority level, add project members, and assign tasks out.
Todoist
Todoist’s overview screen gives you a good look at your projects, while the Today and Next 7 Days view options break down your to-do list into a time-based view.
Todoist
If you’re the type that could do with some extra incentive to get your tasks ticked off, Todoist offers the ability to gamify your productivity with Todoist “Karma,” which tracks and measures how you’re performing.
As with Wunderlist, you can sync your Todoist content across iPhone, iPad, and Mac and Windows computers. However, it’s worth noting that labels, reminders, filters and the ability to upload files are all premium features only available for paying users.
3) Any.do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QerDeu8XtX4
Any.do offers a free version of its task management software and app that you can use and sync across mobile, desktop, Web, and tablet.
The iPhone app has a slightly different feel to the two other apps we’ve featured, offering a grid-based homescreen displaying your to-do list categories.
Any.do
The app’s layout is especially clear and clutter-free, with minimal icons to star, create reminders, write notes, add files, and share/assign tasks. It should be noted that the amount of tasks you can share, and file size for uploads, is limited unless you go paid-for premium.
Any.do
The “All” option is notable for those that like to see their entire to-do list in one hit, rather than only by category, although the category views are clear and easy to read with just a quick glance.
Any.do
Any.do really shines with its intuitive gesture support and controls. You can tap and hold to drag tasks around, pull down to create a new task, and even shake to remove completed tasks.
Photo via Courtney Dirks/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
