Best To-Do Apps in 2026
Updated: September 2026. Looking for the best to-do apps in 2026 on iPhone and Android — not an iPhone-only Things essay or an enterprise PM mega-guide? We compare free built-ins, dual-platform freemium lists, Apple-only premium polish, simple daily planners, workspace tasks, and light personal PM.
Who it’s for: solo founders shipping a personal task system, creators / freelancers juggling deadlines, free-tier hunters, GTD users, and Apple shoppers comparing Things vs Reminders. Soft related: Apps for founders.
No forever #1 — pick by job. Real store apps only; no invented ratings. This page = to-do / task lists (+ light personal PM). Siblings: note-taking · habit trackers.
Disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend apps we’d consider using ourselves. Opinions are independent of partners. Tracked deep links go live only after approval — store or brand URLs until then.
Browse more on PopularApps · App categories · Soft persona: Apps for founders
Sibling: Best Note-Taking Apps in 2026 · Best Habit Tracker Apps in 2026 · AI chatbots
Quick picks
| Pick | App | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall dual-platform | Todoist | Projects, labels, natural-language capture — freemium on iOS and Android |
| Best to-do + calendar | TickTick | Tasks, calendar views, and light habits in one planner |
| Best free Microsoft stack | Microsoft To Do | Free lists, My Day, Outlook sync — strong zero-cost baseline |
Start with our top pick → Get Todoist — App Store | Google Play
Apple Reminders and Things 3 are excellent on iPhone — labeled Apple-only below. Android / mixed-device users: start with Todoist, TickTick, or Microsoft To Do / Google Tasks.
Decision guide
| If you want… | Start with |
|---|---|
| Best dual-platform freemium to-do / GTD | Todoist |
| Calendar + tasks (+ light habits) | TickTick |
| Free Microsoft / Outlook lists | Microsoft To Do |
| Free Google / Gmail / Calendar tasks | Google Tasks |
| Free built-in on iPhone | Apple Reminders |
| Premium Apple-only design | Things 3 |
| Tasks inside a workspace / databases | Notion (tasks angle) |
| Simple daily list + calendar | Any.do |
| Light personal PM (skip if simple checklist) | ClickUp |
| Visual day timeline / time-blocking | Structured |
Still torn? Todoist (dual-platform), TickTick (calendar+tasks), or free baselines (Microsoft To Do / Google Tasks). Apple-only: Reminders free · Things 3 paid. Founders: Apps for founders. Siblings: notes · habits.
Todoist — Best overall dual-platform to-do app
Flagship freemium task manager for projects, labels, priorities, and natural-language capture on iPhone and Android.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web / desktop
- Best for: Solo founders, freelancers, GTD-style projects/labels without enterprise PM bloat
- Price: Free tier + Pro / Business — check in-app (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Want one dual-platform home for personal and light work tasks with filters, recurring tasks, and Quick Add.
Skip if: You only need a free built-in (Reminders / Google Tasks / Microsoft To Do) or calendar-first planning (TickTick).
Get it: App Store | Google Play
TickTick — Best to-do + calendar (and light habits)
Tasks, calendar views, and optional habit tracking in one dual-platform planner — habits = feature callout only (deep habit = sibling).
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Best for: Calendar+tasks shoppers and people who hate juggling a separate habit app
- Price: Free + Premium — check in-app (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Want a visual calendar next to lists plus light habit grids.
Skip if: You want a minimalist list (Any.do / Google Tasks) or Apple-only polish (Things). Habit deep-dive → habit trackers.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
Microsoft To Do — Best free Microsoft ecosystem to-do
Free dual-platform lists with My Day and Outlook / Microsoft account sync — strong zero-cost baseline.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web / Windows
- Best for: Free-tier hunters already in Outlook / Microsoft 365
- Price: Free (Microsoft account)
Fit if you: Want shared lists, steps, and My Day without a Pro wall on day one.
Skip if: You need heavy projects/labels (Todoist) or calendar+habits (TickTick). Google household → Google Tasks.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
Google Tasks — Best free Google / Gmail tasks
Lightweight free tasks next to Gmail and Google Calendar — on both stores.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Best for: Gmail sidebar tasks, Calendar due dates, simple lists
- Price: Free (Google account)
Fit if you: Already live in Gmail / Calendar and want capture without a new system.
Skip if: You need rich projects or boards — upgrade to Todoist or TickTick.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
Apple Reminders — Best free built-in for iPhone
Zero-friction free baseline on Apple devices — lists, Smart Lists, Siri / widgets.
- Platforms: iOS / iPadOS / macOS (system); Android: not available
- Best for: Everyday checklists and location / time reminders without another account
- Price: Free (iCloud limits apply)
Fit if you: Are all-in on iPhone / Mac and want capture without installing anything.
Skip if: You need Android — use Microsoft To Do, Google Tasks, Todoist, or TickTick. Premium Apple design → Things 3.
Get it: App Store | Android: not listed (Apple system app) — verified September 2026
Things 3 — Best premium to-do for Apple users
Award-winning Apple-only task manager with Today / Upcoming polish and GTD-friendly Areas — no Android app.
- Platforms: iPhone / iPad / Mac / Watch / Vision; Android: not listed
- Best for: Apple users who want one-time purchase polish over freemium suites
- Price: Paid per platform historically (one-time; no core subscription) — verify live App Store prices (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Want a calm, designed task UI and already live on Apple devices.
Skip if: You need Android or a free tier — use Todoist, TickTick, or Microsoft To Do. Things is not dual-platform.
Get it: App Store | Android: not listed — verified September 2026
Notion — Best tasks inside a workspace / databases
Tasks and databases inside a mobile workspace — not a full notes rewrite of our note-taking guide.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web / desktop
- Best for: Founders/creators whose tasks live next to docs, wikis, and project databases
- Price: Free personal tier + paid / AI extras — check in-app (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Want one workspace where tasks are database rows, not a separate list app.
Skip if: You only need a dedicated checklist — Todoist / TickTick / Reminders are lighter.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
Any.do — Best simple daily to-do + calendar
Lightweight daily planner for simple lists, recurring tasks, and calendar views without GTD complexity.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Best for: Simple daily checklists, shared family lists, light calendar planning
- Price: Free + Premium — check in-app (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Want a friendly daily list more than projects/labels power tools.
Skip if: You need deep filters/GTD (Todoist) or free Microsoft/Google baselines only.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
ClickUp — Best light personal PM (when lists aren’t enough)
Tasks / docs / chat workspace when a personal to-do list outgrows checkboxes — light PM, not enterprise PMO.
- Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
- Best for: Solopreneurs who need statuses, multiple views, and light assign
- Price: Free + paid seats / AI add-ons — check in-app (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Outgrew a simple list and need boards, docs, and assignees in one mobile app.
Skip if: You only need a checklist — ClickUp is overkill for simple to-dos. Prefer Todoist / TickTick / free baselines. Asana is a similar light-PM alternative on both stores if your team already lives there.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
Structured — Best day-timeline / time-blocking planner
Visual daily timeline that turns to-dos into a schedule — flex pick for time-blocking and ADHD-friendly day views.
- Platforms: iOS, Android (both verified)
- Best for: Seeing the day as blocks, inbox → timeline planning
- Price: Free + Pro — check in-app (UNKNOWN exact $)
Fit if you: Think in hours on a timeline more than infinite project lists.
Skip if: You need multi-project GTD labels (Todoist) or free ecosystem lists only.
Get it: App Store | Google Play
Comparison table
| App | Best for | Free tier? | Platforms | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todoist | Overall dual-platform | Free + Pro | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| TickTick | To-do + calendar | Free + Premium | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| Microsoft To Do | Free Microsoft stack | Free | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| Google Tasks | Free Google / Gmail | Free | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| Apple Reminders | Free iPhone built-in | Free | iOS-first; Android n/a | AS · Android n/a |
| Things 3 | Premium Apple polish | Paid (verify) | Apple only; Android n/a | AS · Android n/a |
| Notion | Workspace tasks / DBs | Free + paid / AI | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| Any.do | Simple daily + calendar | Free + Premium | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| ClickUp | Light personal PM | Free + paid | iOS, Android, Web | AS · Play |
| Structured | Day timeline / blocks | Free + Pro | iOS, Android | AS · Play |
Simple vs light PM: Free baselines and Any.do stay list-first. Todoist / TickTick add projects or calendar depth. Notion / ClickUp add workspace layers — only if you will use them. Not an enterprise PM buyer’s guide.
How we chose
We listed installable mobile to-do apps with verified App Store and/or Google Play presence (September 2026):
- Fit for free built-in, freemium GTD, calendar+tasks, Apple premium, Microsoft/Google ecosystems, simple daily lists, light personal PM, day timeline
- Free vs paid honesty — Pro / Premium / one-time (Things); no invented list prices
- Distinct “best for” niches; sync / widgets / recurring honesty when verifiable
- Boundary vs notes and habits
Platform honesty: Things 3 and Apple Reminders are Apple-only at verify. Dual-platform picks cover Android and switchers.
Honesty line: No invented ratings, downloads, or “#1 to-do app” claims. Re-check stores and pricing before publish.
FAQ
What is the best to-do app in 2026?
Todoist for dual-platform freemium, TickTick for calendar+tasks, Microsoft To Do / Google Tasks for free baselines. Apple-only: Reminders (free) or Things 3 (premium). No forever #1.
What is the best free to-do app for iPhone and Android?
Cross-platform: Microsoft To Do or Google Tasks. iPhone-only: Apple Reminders. Freemium free tiers (Todoist, TickTick, Any.do) work until you hit caps.
Todoist vs TickTick — which should I pick?
Todoist for projects, labels, and GTD-style filters. TickTick for calendar views, day planning, and light habits. Both dual-platform freemium — try free first. Habits → habit trackers.
Is Things 3 worth it if I only use Apple devices?
Often yes for design and Areas — if you accept a paid, Apple-only app (platforms historically sold separately). Need Android or free? Todoist, TickTick, or Microsoft To Do.
What’s the difference between a to-do app and a habit tracker?
To-dos track finishable tasks/projects; habit apps track recurring streaks. TickTick can include both — tasks here; streaks on habit trackers.
Do I need ClickUp or Asana for personal tasks?
Usually no. Useful for light PM (boards, assignees). Simple checklists → Todoist, TickTick, or a free baseline.
Apple Reminders vs Google Tasks vs Microsoft To Do — which free app wins?
Reminders if Apple-only. Google Tasks for Gmail / Calendar. Microsoft To Do for Outlook + My Day on both phones. Mixed households often skip Reminders.
Related
- Browse app categories
- PopularApps homepage
- Soft persona: Apps for founders (planned founders-hub child after live — Builder may add)
Sibling (strong): Best Note-Taking Apps in 2026
Sibling (strong): Best Habit Tracker Apps in 2026
Sibling (light): Best AI Chatbot Apps for iPhone & Android in 2026
Primary pick: Todoist. Alternatives: TickTick (calendar+tasks), Microsoft To Do (best free Microsoft), Things 3 (Apple-only premium).
Last updated: September 2026. Re-verify store URLs, platform support (Things / Reminders), and pricing before publish. Soft risk (Product/Ops): captcha / sitemap crawl health. Paid: HOLD. Prefer index,follow (Ahmed OVERRIDE — store CTAs until tracked links wire).