Best Site for Todo List
Summary
The best todo list app is Todoist for cross-platform reliability and the cleanest balance between simplicity and power. TickTick is the strong runner-up with built-in habit tracking and a Pomodoro timer that Todoist makes you add separately. Things 3 is the best for Apple-only users who value polish above all. Microsoft To Do works inside the Office ecosystem. Apple Reminders has quietly become competitive for casual users. Most listicles default to Todoist; we agree but flag where the alternatives genuinely win.
Top 5 at a glance
| # | Site | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Todoist | Cross-platform with the cleanest balance of simple and powerful | Free tier; Pro from a few dollars per month |
| 2 | TickTick | All-in-one productivity with habit tracking and Pomodoro built in | Free tier; Premium from a few dollars per month |
| 3 | Things 3 | Polish-first todo app for Apple users | One-time purchase per platform |
| 4 | Microsoft To Do | Free todo list integrated with Outlook and the Microsoft ecosystem | Free with a Microsoft account |
| 5 | Apple Reminders | Built-in Apple ecosystem option that quietly got good | Free, included with Apple devices |
Detailed rankings
Todoist
Cross-platform with the cleanest balance of simple and powerful
The default for most users. The cross-platform consistency is the deciding factor for anyone who uses multiple devices daily.
Pros
- Excellent apps on every platform — iOS, Android, web, Windows, Mac, Linux
- Natural-language date and label parsing that actually works
- Free tier covers most personal use
- Strong integrations with calendar, email, and chat tools
Cons
- Free tier limits projects and reminders
- No built-in Pomodoro or habit tracker — separate tools needed
- Pro tier required for some features power users expect
Price: Free tier; Pro from a few dollars per month
Sources: todoist.com
TickTick
All-in-one productivity with habit tracking and Pomodoro built in
The right pick when you want one app to cover todos, habits, and focus sessions instead of three.
Pros
- Built-in habit tracker
- Built-in Pomodoro timer with statistics
- Cross-platform comparable to Todoist
- Strong calendar view integration
Cons
- Slightly less polished than Todoist in spots
- Smaller integration ecosystem
- More features can feel overwhelming at first
Price: Free tier; Premium from a few dollars per month
Sources: ticktick.com
Things 3
Polish-first todo app for Apple users
The best polish if you live entirely in Apple. Skip if you ever need a Windows or Android device to stay in sync.
Pros
- Beautiful, considered design across Mac, iPhone, iPad
- One-time pricing — no subscription
- Excellent keyboard shortcuts and Magic Plus button interaction
- Strong on the project-area-task hierarchy
Cons
- Apple ecosystem only — no Windows, Android, or web
- Per-platform pricing adds up if you use multiple Apple devices
- Less integration with non-Apple services
Price: One-time purchase per platform
Sources: culturedcode.com
Microsoft To Do
Free todo list integrated with Outlook and the Microsoft ecosystem
The right pick when you live in Outlook and want a free todo list that integrates. Less compelling outside that context.
Pros
- Free with no paid tier
- Tight integration with Outlook tasks
- Cross-platform apps including Linux web access
- Successor to the loved Wunderlist
Cons
- Less powerful than Todoist or TickTick on recurrence and parsing
- Best inside the Microsoft ecosystem; less useful outside
- Updates slower than competitors
Price: Free with a Microsoft account
Sources: todo.microsoft.com
Apple Reminders
Built-in Apple ecosystem option that quietly got good
Surprisingly good for casual Apple-only use. Skip for anything beyond simple personal lists.
Pros
- Free, no account beyond Apple ID
- Tight Siri integration
- Cross-Apple-device sync via iCloud
- Significantly more capable than it used to be
Cons
- Apple ecosystem only
- Less powerful than dedicated todo apps for serious use
- No advanced view options or analytics
Price: Free, included with Apple devices
Sources: support.apple.com
How we chose
- Cross-platform reliability — works the same on every device you actually use.
- Natural-language input — type 'meeting tomorrow 3pm #work' and have it parsed correctly.
- Free tier usefulness — what you can do without paying.
- Recurring task quality — does the app handle complex recurrence cleanly?
- Data portability — can you export everything if you want to leave?
- Sync speed and conflict handling across devices.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a paid todo app?
Not necessarily. Todoist free tier, TickTick free tier, Microsoft To Do, and Apple Reminders all work well for personal use. Paid tiers add reminders, labels, and integrations that are nice but not essential for most people.
What about Notion or Obsidian for todos?
Both can handle todos but neither is a dedicated todo app. Notion works for team task management. Obsidian works if you want todos alongside notes. For pure task management with reminders and recurrence, dedicated todo apps are still better.
Why isn't Any.do here?
Any.do has migrated more aggressively to a paid model and added features many users do not want. It's still functional but no longer differentiates clearly from Todoist or TickTick.
Can I switch between todo apps without losing data?
Most apps offer export. Todoist exports to CSV or backup. TickTick exports similarly. Migration is possible but recurring task definitions and labels can lose fidelity. Plan a clean break rather than dual-running both.
What about paper?
Paper bullet journals work for many people. The advantage is no notifications, no sync issues, and the act of writing things down. The disadvantage is no reminders or cross-device sync. Many productive people combine paper for planning with a digital tool for reminders.