If you’re using notes and reminders to manage your tasks, you need to read this article. I’m going to help you find the Best To-do List App for Mac Free today – actually, I’ve actually done the research and created a free course for you!
1. Microsoft 365
The best task management software suite may sound like something of a cheat to some people because Microsoft 365 is a suite of software services rather than a single app.
However, it’s the most useful software platform out there when it comes to daily business tasks, let alone setting up a to-do list.
For a start, you have Word for document processing, with the latest version able to import as well as save PDF files. There is also Excel for spreadsheets and all the transactional notations you may need to do with that.
Of course, there are also apps for Powerpoint presentations, Outlook for emails and calendar, and Access for basic databases.
But Microsoft has been growing their original office offering, so it now comes with Microsoft Teams for video conferencing and general communications. Along with the fact that Microsoft 365 runs in the cloud and can therefore be used by any device with an internet browser, it really is a powerful platform for the modern business world.
That’s before we even get onto the generous cloud storage allowance, plus additional apps for enterprise users.
Microsoft Office has long been a staple of office work and seen various rivals appear, but the latest version as Microsoft 365 really has been put together to cater to every modern business need, with collaboration at its heart. It’s a full-featured and comprehensive software suite that will allow you to do almost anything you would ordinarily need from one.
2. Easynote
Easynote is another easy-to-use task management tool which is nicely affordable. It provides you with the tools to create, assign and track tasks. Targeted at both everyday users and businesses, the app can be used to organize everything from shopping lists to multi-platform projects.
In terms of features, the software allows you to collaborate on tasks, and share files. You can also set deadlines, task dependencies, alarms, and reminders, as well as providing feedback to colleagues, and asking for amendments on tasks. What’s more, if you plan on using the software in your business, you don’t need any training. It works straight out of the box.
Easynote claims that the app is used by tens of thousands of people and companies across the globe, including the likes of Samsung, Yamaha, Siemens, Barclays, Unicef, and Pfizer.
There’s a free option of the app available, but pricing for the paid options is very affordable.
3. Trello
Widely-used productivity software
When it comes to business productivity software, Trello is no doubt one of the most popular and widely known offerings on the market. Available on both desktop and mobile devices, the app lets you organize personal and professional tasks. The company lists homework, shopping lists and work projects as a few examples.
The user interface is very friendly and based largely on boards that you create to organize the things you’re working on. You can categorize these based on different topics and tasks, and invite co-workers, friends, and family members to collaborate on tasks. The app also makes use of checklists and to-do lists.
Once you’ve created a board, you can create tasks and assign them to different people. From here, you can comment or receive feedback to ensure you’re on track with everything. You also have the option to add photos, videos, and files to cards, and to look at your lists in a calendar view to monitor deadlines.
Trello is a cloud-based platform that works across a range of platforms and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. The app is free to use, and you can create as many boards and lists as you’d like with the free version. However, there are premium products with more features and the ability to attach larger files, with a Business Class plan and an Enterprise offering 100 plus users.
4. Monday.com
Should you want a task management tool that’s geared more towards business teams, Monday.com is vying for your attention. It’s a more visually-oriented piece of productivity software that lets project managers delegate tasks and keep an eye on the steps their team members are taking to complete tasks successfully.
Using the app, you can generate comprehensive task and todo lists, share files and communicate with colleagues. The software provides a great deal of insight into projects, letting you add details such as owner status, prioritization and timelines. What’s more, there’s a built-in chat function which allows you to discuss tasks and updates with individual team members and groups.
Taking design cues from Trello, this tool comes with a calendar function as well. This puts all your tasks and deadlines into one place. And to ensure crucial business information doesn’t get into the wrong hands, all data stored in the app is encrypted. Other security features include two-factor authentication, single sign-on and audit logs.
5. Accelo
An automated project management platform
Marketed as an automation system for businesses, Accelo is a cloud-based platform that lets you manage all your client work from one place. It combines all aspects of a business – such as sales and project management – within a single piece of software.
You can make use of drag-and-drop charts to manage projects, and there’s a project tracking feature that considers outcomes, resources and budgets. You also get a team scheduling tool to delegate tasks among appropriately skilled employees, along with mobile timers and automated timesheets.
Other goodies include an invoicing function that automatically syncs to Xero and QuickBooks, and automated notifications. Accelo offers a free trial so you can test out the service, and the base plan for each individual sales, projects, retainers, or service module, or an all-in-one option combining all four into a single service operations plan.
Other todo list apps to consider
1. ProofHub
ProofHub is an efficient task management system and project management software to gather your thoughts and ideas in one place. You can create tasks, make to-do lists, and make notes to capture important information so that you don’t have to remember everything.
Key features:
- Create tasks, sub-tasks, and add comments
- Make to-do lists and notes
- Add reminders and events in Calendar
- Set start and end-date to define task deadlines
- Add time estimates to make teams accountable
Cost: Essential plan starts at $45/month (billed annually)
Pros:
- Offers powerful features in a single location
- Does not charge per-user fee
- Simplifies project management and improves team collaboration
- Gives project managers the ultimate control over teams and projects
- Can be used by teams of any size, from any industry
- Requires little to no learning curve
Cons:
- Limited app integrations
Available on Web | Android | iOS
“ProofHub is everything you need to stay organized in one place. Start your free trial now.”
2. Bit.ai
Bit is well rounded and simple enough to be used as a to-do app by an individual and powerful enough to be used as a full-fledged collaboration and documentation tool for teams. If you are looking for a new, advanced yet simple editor to jot down to-dos and tasks, look no further! Bit’s smart, minimal editor is perfect for distraction-free note-taking.
Key Features:
Rich note-taking with videos, images, GIFs and more
Markdown support
Workspaces to organize everything.
Pros:
- Powerful to-do list features
- Multiple file support
- Anti-distraction tools to improve user focus
- Free of cost
- Note taking support
Cons:
- Paid plan might be expensive for some users
- Is limited to document collaboration only
Cost: Free for Basic and Pro starts at $12/month
3. GanttPro
GanttPRO offers an efficient way to work with tasks. Based on the Gantt chart approach, this project planning tool allows dividing tasks into an endless number of groups of tasks, subtasks, and sibling tasks. Each assignment is accompanied by start and end dates, statuses, priorities, duration and estimation time, cost, and some more powerful options what makes a to-do list management a breeze. Thanks to an intuitive visualization on a Gantt chart timeline, you will never lose a detail about your tasks.
Key features:
- Ways to display tasks: the Gantt chart view, the Board view, the “My task” dashboard.
- Notifications about start dates, deadlines.
- Very intuitive interface with the nice UX/UI design.
- Task assignment to team members and virtual resources.
- Team collaboration: comments, attachments, mentions.
- Time log for tasks.
Pros:
- Time Management
- Easy visualization
- User-friendly interface
- Managing teams and ensuring clarity of tasks allocated
- Resource management
Cons:
- The trial-time is too short
- Can become too complex for larger projects
Cost: Individual plan starts at $15 per user per month billed annually.
4. Spike
Spike is a revolutionary approach to how communication and collaboration happens in 2020 and beyond. By combining email, calendar, notes, tasks and to-dos into a single platform, Spike brings everything you and your team need to get work done, into a single place with a unified feed. Spike’s conversational approach brings together the best of email and messaging in a simple, fast, and secure chat-like format. Spike’s Inbox also includes Group Chats, Voice and Video Calls, Tasks, both person personal and collaborative documents, with seamless sync to all of your devices. Spike is available for Mac, PC, iPhone, Android, and even the web.Key Features
- Create, manage and share To Do lists directly from your Inbox
- Turns your email into a chat-like conversation
- Eliminates app switching for email, notes, tasks & To Dos
- Group chats streamline project and team communications
- Unified Inbox for all personal and work accounts
Pros
- Spike’s advanced features (Groups, Note sharing, collaboration) can be used by people without Spike
- Snooze and Scheduled Send put the user back in control of their Inbox
- Unified feed for Email, Notes, and Tasks create a streamlined workflow
Cons
- New approach to an email interface requires some relearning of habits
- Not available for POP3 accounts
Cost:
- Free for personal users (iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc)
- 14 day free trial for Pro and Business accounts. $4/month pro accounts to unlock additional storage and functionality. Business email accounts require a $6/month subscription
5. Friday
The Friday Planner brings your to-do list and schedule into one, central online place. With Friday, you’ll have clarity on what you need to accomplish next. Guess what? You can pull tasks from the task management apps you already use. That way you stay above the project noise and can focus on the individual tasks that need to be done. Everything is right there for the day.
Key features
- Planner: Combine all of your calendars, integrate your project management software, add your must-do tasks, and know what your day looks like.
- Chrome Extension: Get your calendar and task list in each new tab, and block distracting sites
- Automated Work Routines: Customize daily prompts: Reflect on your day, ask questions to your teams, or even provide weekly team updates
- Power-Ups: Say thanks, track goals, offer ideas for improvement, and connect with icebreaker questions. Power-ups boost your workday to help stay on track–both personally and professionally.
Pros:
- Get all your tasks and meetings in one place
- Receive a daily agenda notification that summarizes the day ahead
- Block distracting websites with the Chrome extension
- Block off focus time and go into do-not-disturb mode
Cons:
- Limited integrations
Cost: Free to start with the planner, $6 per user on teams, $9 per user for enterprise
Available: Web, mobile-friendly.
Conclusion
Everyone loves to-do list app at the moment, but the one I found is not very good. It does not sync my to-do list with my iPhone. No wonder it is difficult for me to carry on with.