The best to-do list apps 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.