10 best to-do list apps in 2026

The best to-do list apps in 2026 are Todoist for balancing power with simplicity, Google Tasks for anyone already using Gmail and Google Calendar, and TickTick for users who want built-in habit tracking, Pomodoro timers, and Eisenhower Matrix views. For full customization, Notion turns a simple checklist into a connected workspace. Below, we compare all 10 apps after hands-on testing across iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, and web.

How did we evaluate these to-do list apps?

To arrive at this list of the best to-do list apps, we put ourselves in the shoes of a wide range of users and rigorously tested each option across multiple platforms. Our main criteria:

• Ease of use and clean interfaces: Even the most powerful app won't help if it's too confusing to navigate. We favored apps with intuitive designs that make managing tasks effortless.
• Quick task entry: Adding new tasks should take seconds, not minutes.
• Multiple views and input methods: We looked for apps that let you add tasks via text, voice, or integrations, and offer multiple views (lists, calendars, Kanban boards, etc.).
• Reminders and due dates: Customizable notifications and due-date alerts keep tasks from slipping through the cracks.
• Cross-platform sync: Most people use multiple devices, so seamless syncing across platforms is essential.
• AI features: In 2026, AI-powered task suggestions, voice capture, and smart scheduling are becoming standard differentiators.

The best to-do list apps at a glance

What happens after you choose?

Most people don't stick to a single productivity tool. You might pick a to-do list app for daily task capture but rely on Google Calendar for time blocking and Notion for project planning. The real challenge is keeping everything in sync.

2sync connects your to-do app with your calendar and workspace so tasks, events, and notes stay updated everywhere. It supports Todoist, Google Tasks, and Google Calendar with two-way sync. No manual copy-pasting between apps.

1. Google Tasks

Google Tasks is the go-to option for users already inside Gmail and Google Calendar. The interface is clean and minimal: add a task, set a date, drag to reorder. Subtasks, favorites, and multiple lists cover the basics without clutter.

In 2025-2026, Google added time blocking (tasks now function like calendar events with busy status and do-not-disturb), began migrating Google Keep reminders into Tasks, and introduced a deadline feature for date-only due dates. These upgrades make it a more capable daily planner than it was a year ago.

The tradeoffs are real: no labels, no priorities, no location-based reminders, and no standalone desktop app. Google Tasks stays simple by design. If you want a richer view of your tasks, 2sync can sync them into a Notion database where you get calendar, board, and table layouts. For calendar apps on Android, Google Tasks pairs naturally with Google Calendar. For a direct comparison with its closest competitor, see Todoist vs. Google Tasks: is simpler always better?

2. Todoist

Todoist handles everything from grocery lists to complex project management with recurring tasks, priority levels, labels, filters, and natural language processing ("Meeting every Monday at 9am"). Board, calendar, and list views let you switch perspectives without leaving the app.

In 2026, Todoist added Ramble (voice-to-tasks that converts natural speech into structured tasks) and expanded Todoist Assist with AI-powered email assist and task suggestions. Both require a Pro plan, and the feature-rich interface can overwhelm new users, but the free tier is generous enough for most personal workflows.

2sync offers two-way sync between Todoist and Notion, so you can capture tasks in Todoist and see them in Notion's calendar, board, or table views automatically. Wondering how Todoist compares with Google's free alternative? See our Todoist vs. Google Tasks breakdown.

3. TickTick

TickTick packs more into a single app than almost any competitor: Kanban boards, calendar views, built-in habit tracking, a Pomodoro timer, task duration estimates, and flexible organization with lists, tags, and folders.

The standout 2026 addition is the Eisenhower Matrix view, which lets you drag tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance (if you use Notion, see our best Eisenhower Matrix templates). Combined with calendar subscriptions and historical stats, TickTick is a productivity powerhouse. The downside: the Eisenhower Matrix and timeline views require Premium, and the sheer number of features can overwhelm casual users. For a head-to-head with its closest rival, see TickTick vs. Todoist.

4. Notion

Notion is not a traditional to-do list app. It is a modular workspace where you build task-tracking systems using databases, linked pages, relations, and formulas. Hundreds of free templates give you a head start, from bare-bones checklists to full project dashboards.

Notion 3.0 (September 2025) introduced a redesigned interface, and AI Agents can now autonomously handle multi-step workflows across Notion, Slack, email, and connected tools. Custom Agents let you build AI teammates tailored to your specific processes. The tradeoff is a steep learning curve and overkill for simple task tracking. AI features require a paid plan or a limited free trial.

If you want your tasks connected to project documentation, meeting notes, and client databases, nothing matches Notion. For a deeper look at how it compares with dedicated calendar tools, see our 2sync vs. Notion Calendar comparison. For a direct comparison with a dedicated task app, see Notion vs. Todoist.

5. Things

Things is widely recognized as one of the best-designed to-do list apps on Apple devices. It supports nested tasks, projects, areas, recurring tasks, and deadlines with an elegant interface that stays out of your way. The Things 3.22 update brought a refreshed look and new app icon, and full compatibility with OS 26 added Vision Pro support. Things Cloud was rebuilt from scratch for faster, more reliable sync.

The catch: Things is Apple-exclusive with no web version, no collaboration features, and no free tier. You pay separately for each platform (roughly $80 for the full set), but it is a one-time purchase with no subscription.

6. Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do integrates deeply with Outlook, Teams, Planner, and Loop. The My Day feature helps you focus on daily priorities by pulling tasks from across all your lists. In 2026, tasks created in Loop components now sync across To Do, Planner, and Teams, and Copilot integration brings AI-powered task suggestions.

It is completely free and easy to use, but limited in customization compared to Todoist or Notion. There are no advanced project management features and collaboration options are basic. If you are deciding between Microsoft's option and Google's, the right choice depends on whether you use Outlook or Gmail as your daily driver.

7. Apple Reminders

Apple Reminders received its biggest update in years with iOS 26. The Liquid Glass design overhaul modernized the interface, and Apple Intelligence now suggests tasks from your emails, messages, and notes automatically. Alarms for Reminders (added in iOS 26.2) let you set alarm-style alerts that are harder to dismiss, and Siri Suggestions surface contextual task ideas throughout the day. Location-based reminders, grocery suggestions based on habits, and shared lists round out the feature set.

For Apple users who don't need Kanban boards, calendar views, or complex project management, Reminders is genuinely capable and completely free. It is limited to Apple devices and iCloud web. If you want to pair it with a stronger calendar, see our best calendar apps for Mac.

8. Any.do

Any.do expanded significantly in 2026 with an AI planning assistant that analyzes your task list and suggests an optimized daily schedule. The workspace now includes calendar, Kanban, table, and Gantt views, pushing it closer to project management territory. WhatsApp integration lets you add tasks and receive reminders through chat, and location-based reminders help you stay on top of errands.

Many of these features are locked behind Premium, and the interface can feel cluttered compared to minimalist alternatives. The free plan covers basic lists and reminders.

9. OmniFocus

OmniFocus is the gold standard for GTD practitioners. Every element maps to David Allen's methodology: the inbox captures everything, projects organize outcomes, tags define contexts, and the review perspective keeps the system current. Perspectives let you build custom filtered views for any combination of project, tag, due date, or flag. The Forecast view combines tasks and calendar events, and OmniAutomation (JavaScript) enables powerful custom workflows.

This is not the app for casual task lists. OmniFocus is Apple-only, has a steep learning curve for non-GTD users, and offers no free plan (14-day trial only). But if GTD is your framework, nothing else comes close.

10. Superlist

Superlist comes from the team behind Wunderlist (which Microsoft acquired and turned into Microsoft To Do). It offers unlimited subtask nesting, a clean modern interface, real-time collaboration with shared workspaces, and AI-powered meeting notes that extract action items from your meetings. The free plan is generous, including most features without restrictions.

The app is still building out integrations and views (no Kanban or calendar views yet), and its smaller user community means fewer third-party resources compared to Todoist. But its modern design and team features make it worth watching in 2026.

Keep your to-do list and calendar in sync

Picking the right app is step one. Step two is making sure it talks to the rest of your tools. If you use Google Tasks or Todoist alongside Google Calendar and Notion, 2sync keeps them connected with two-way sync. A task you create in Todoist appears in your Notion database. A date you change in Google Calendar updates in Notion. No manual work.

How much time does that save? Freelance designer Marc Grand d'Hauteville cut his task management effort by 50% after syncing Todoist and Google Calendar with Notion through 2sync. Creative consultant Rob Feng eliminated multiple standalone subscriptions by piping Google Calendar, Tasks, and Contacts into a single Notion workspace. Both set it up in a day and haven't touched the configuration since.

For free planning tools that go beyond task lists, see our guide to the best free online planners. If you need a daily planner with calendar integration, time blocking, or AI scheduling, see our best planner apps ranking. For a broader view of productivity tools that cover tasks, calendars, and notes, see our best organization apps guide. And if you want to time-block inside Notion specifically, check our best time blocking templates.

Pick your integration to get started:

• Todoist ↔ Notion
• Google Tasks ↔ Notion
• Google Calendar ↔ Notion

FAQ