The best to-do list app for Mac in 2024

With life’s busy schedules and numerous distractions, staying on top of tasks can pose a challenge — that’s why every single productivity guide recommends you to keep track of everything in your mind with a to-do list to achieve your goals.

While, historically, to-do lists were handled by pen and paper, with the rise of mobile technology and modern software, it’s far more efficient to use a specialized to-do list app to stay on top of your tasks. 

That said, the beauty of pen and paper lies in the ability to format, write, and manage however you see fit, whereas apps force you into their predefined frameworks. And exactly because to-do lists can be so personal, it’s worth exploring the differences between them before picking one for good.

Why should I use a to-do list?

From tasks at work to chores at home, to catching up with friends and family, and everything in between, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with things to do. The trouble is finding the time to do them, prioritizing them accordingly, then actually remembering to carry them out. That’s where even simple to-do lists can be a powerful productivity tool, freeing up your time and mental space to focus on what you do best. 

However, there are now so many different to-do list on Mac options in the marketplace that getting around to selecting one is a chore in itself. That’s why this guide just saves you some time by picking some of the best ones for you to consider.

What are some tips for using to-do lists?

There’s an art to using to-do lists effectively, no matter the technology. You don’t need to be a project manager or have high attention to details to make a Mac task manager work for you. Simply follow a few of the most important tips:

• Understand what should be on the to-do list versus what should be a daily habit or calendar item. Brushing your teeth probably shouldn’t be on the to-do list, as it would ideally be baked into your daily routine. Whereas your friend’s birthday should probably be put in your calendar. However, you might write “purchase gift for friend’s birthday” as a to-do item.
• Try to keep a manageable level of to-do items at any time. Having a list of 300 probably won’t do much for your productivity, as it becomes difficult to quickly ascertain the correct priority and order. Make sure your to-do list stays below 15 items to not get overwhelmed.
• Focus on completing one item at a time. Multi-tasking is never as productive of a method of executing a task as you might think. So when it’s time to action your to-do list, focus your energy on the task at hand. 

With these tips in hand, you’re ready to get out and find the technology that works best for you. 

What should a good to-do list app for Mac do?

When it comes to selecting a to-do list on Mac, there are a few aspects to consider. Some of the apps aim for total simplicity, whereas others come packed with useful features for more advanced users. Here are a few things to look for in your next to-do list app:

• Simplicity is most important. Adding new tasks and organizing them should be done in just a few clicks or taps.
• The ability to categorize your to-do list in such a way that it’s easy to find similar tasks. This might be done by grouping, tags, due dates, and more.
• A notification system for reminding you of upcoming or late tasks. These hold you accountable and are something pen and paper can’t beat.
• Syncing of your data across devices and operating systems can be useful for those who like to work on the go
• At a more personal level, your to-do list should look and feel easy to use, as friction points in the user experience might prevent you from making the most of it

Now that you know what a good to-do list should be, let’s take a deeper dive into some of the best to-do list apps for Mac on the market.

Comparing the best to-do list apps for Mac

Honestly, there are too many to-do list apps out in the world to count. To make your decision easier, many of those have been evaluated and narrowed down to just five — each with its own pros and cons that could sway your decision depending on your preferences.

1. Apple Reminders – effortless task management within the Apple ecosystem

As a Mac user, you’ve probably heard of Apple Reminders, which comes pre-installed in iPhones, iPads, and, of course, Macs. One of the main pros of using Apple Reminders is the fact that it’s ready to go — no additional tinkering required. It also has the benefit of looking and feeling like the rest of your Apple software, including Siri support, so it’s a familiar experience. Reminders works well with other Apple users by allowing you to share tasks in iCloud, but, unfortunately, you can’t assign tasks to people outside of that ecosystem, or to multiple people.

Key features:

• Smart location-based reminders which prompt depending on where you are
• Task list sharing through iCloud
• Simple, Apple-based interface that includes a quick calendar view

2. TaskPaper – plain text to-do lists for Mac

TaskPaper stands out in our roundup of top to-do list apps with its unparalleled simplicity and minimalist design.

Opt for a straightforward approach with TaskPaper, where you manage tasks in a plain text file, enhanced by your personalized tags. Its appeal lies in the familiar, paper-like lists that allow for the satisfying action of striking through completed tasks.

Enjoy a clutter-free interface designed for undistracted focus, devoid of any alarms or interruptions. Organize your life with clean, hierarchical lists and straightforward tagging on a text-centric platform. Experience the essence of productivity with TaskPaper.

Key features:

• Plain-text management
• Powerful search
• Option to organize projects:, - tasks, notes, and @tags

3. Structured – a day planner with to-dos and the AI assistant

Structured offers a seamless blend of calendars and to-do lists in one intuitive digital planner. Easily plan and monitor your daily tasks with a few taps, enjoying the clarity of a visual timeline that keeps you focused and productive. Customize your tasks with a variety of icons and colors, making it effortless to categorize work, school, and personal items.

Enjoy the convenience of syncing across all your Apple devices, ensuring you're always up-to-date with your schedule, seamlessly integrated with Apple's Reminders and Calendar.

With support for nearly 30 languages, Structured is the ideal planner for non-English speakers looking to streamline their planning process.

The best part? Just tell the Structured AI assistant what you want to do and it will create tasks for your timeline. When you plan your day and want to add multiple tasks at once, this can save you time.

Key features:

• Customizable reminders, recurring tasks, and timeline visualization
• Multi-language support
• A smart AI assistant to help you create tasks faster

4. Quarterplan – an app to master your day with precision

Want something for your iPhone as well? Get Quarterplan. Dive into productivity with Quarterplan's unique time blocks, segmenting your day into manageable 3-hour periods for focused work and ample rest. Coupled with precise reminders and a streamlined inbox, organizing your day becomes a breeze.

Enjoy the clarity of a calendar view and insightful daily/weekly stats to monitor your achievements. With customizable features like dark mode, task categories, and prioritized lists, tailor your planning experience to your needs.

Boasting a sleek, minimalist interface, Quarterplan stands out as a top pick for personal daily planning. Discover how it can transform your day – try it now!

Key features:

• Repeating tasks and notifications
• Task categories
• Daily, weekly, and monthly statistics 

5. Omnifocus – the premier organizer for Apple devices

If you’re looking for the best task manager for Mac with more features, then you can’t pass Omnifocus. Made exclusively for Apple devices, Omnifocus takes everything one step further by allowing lists to be grouped into different projects, depending on the type of activity you’re doing, making it useful for work. Everything syncs, but only between Apple devices, of course. All in all, Omnifocus is definitely a strong candidate for any power user.

Key features:

• Full-featured software designed exclusively for Apple
• Multiple project types for any given workflow
• Six handy views right out-of-the-box, including calendar, due date, projects, tags, and more

6. Wunderlist – a to-do app with collaborative features

Another to-do list on Mac that comes with a strong set of features is Wunderlist. Unlike Apple Reminders and Omnifocus, it can be used across all devices and operating systems, including Windows. While the app features a clean interface, it does have some complexity to it, so overall Wunderlist targets users who would like to collaborate on tasks together.

Key features:

• Task reminders with notifications
• Multiple assignees and collaborators on projects and tasks
• Add hashtags to any descriptions to help search and organize task lists

7. 2Do – a handy task manager for your Mac

If you care about speed and efficiency, you need 2Do — a perfect to-do list app for people on the go. The quick-add feature makes creating new tasks a breeze, and you can even break your agenda up into a checklist format for subtasks.

While 2Do isn’t as full-featured as some of the alternatives, its upside is simplicity — essential for those who just need to get things done.

Key features:

• Quick-add feature for maximum efficiency
• Extra context for tasks via the tagging system
• Smart lists let you view critical information at a glance, including due date, tags, and reminders — nothing more than what you need

8. GoodTask – upgrade your Reminders 

One more of the best to-do list apps is GoodTask. The beauty of GoodTask is its native ability to integrate with Apple Reminders and Apple Calendar, while adding some extra functionality on top to help you become more productive. The downsides are few and far between: for example, it doesn't have the extended functionality of something like Omnifocus. 

Key features:

• Automatic sync with your iCloud or Outlook calendar
• Reminders (and repeat reminders) to help you stay on top of tasks
• Smart sorting to organize your list by alphabet, due date, time created, or manually

Tip: With one of the best to-do list on Mac options in hand, you’re ready to go out and become more productive than ever. Just remember to consider the difference between a task and a habit, keep your task list below 15, and pick an app that suits your preferences. 

While you’re at it, give Be Focused a try. Be Focused is another task manager for Mac with a welcome twist — alongside the standard features, such as multi-device support and task list organization, Be Focused lets you set timers for each task. Now you can get to work knowing that you’re on track by the minute. Want to look further ahead? You can even breakdown your annual, quarterly, and monthly tasks into groups for a wider view of your life’s goals.

Note that TaskPaper, Structured, Quarterplan, 2Do, GoodTask, and Be Focused are available to you on a free 7-day trial via Setapp, a subscription service for Mac, iPhone, and iPad that grants you access to more than 240 indispensable apps across all categories imaginable. Now that’s a definite boost for your productivity!