TOP 7 To-Do List Apps for iPhone (2025)

Finding a good to-do list app isn’t that hard. 

The App Store is full of them. 

But finding one that actually fits how you like to plan your day? 

That’s the tricky part.

Some apps are too plain. 

Others feel like a full-time job just to set up.

So I went hands-on and tried a bunch of them on my iPhone — the simple ones, the fancy ones, even a few underrated gems.

And now I’ve narrowed it down to 7 that actually help you stay on track, without making life more complicated.

Let’s check them out.

1. Things 3 – I Like It the Most

Pros:

• Super clean and easy to use
• Great for organizing long-term goals
• One-time purchase (no subscription)
• Syncs fast between iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Cons:

• No free version
• Only works with Apple devices

Price: $9.99

If you’re the kind of person who likes things neat and sorted, you’ll love Things 3. 

It’s not trying to be flashy or overdo it with features.

It just gets it right. 

The design is so clean that it almost makes you want to plan your day. Almost.

What I really like is how you can break your tasks down into areas and projects without it feeling like a chore. 

Like, you can have a “Work” section, a “Personal” section, a “Maybe someday I’ll go to the gym” section — you get the idea. 

It lets you plan big goals, but still helps you focus on what’s next today.

Another thing: no subscriptions. 

You just pay once, and that’s it. 

For me, that’s a big win. 

And the sync between devices is super smooth.

I’d add something on my iPhone, and it’s already on my Mac.

Now, if you’re looking for collab features or sharing tasks with others, this ain’t it. 

Also, it’s Apple-only. 

No Android, no Windows. 

But if you live in the Apple world and want a to-do app that’s actually fun to use, Things 3 is seriously worth it.

I’ve been using it off and on for years, and every time I come back, I remember why I liked it in the first place.

2. Todoist – Best for Cross-Platform

Pros:

• Works on iPhone, Android, web — everything
• Great for both personal tasks and team projects
• Super clean UI with natural language input
• Free version is solid for most users

Cons:

• Can feel too “project management” for basic users
• Some features locked behind premium

Price: Free or $2/month.

If you’re bouncing between devices all day — iPhone, laptop, maybe even an iPad or work PC — then Todoist is made for you. 

It’s one of the few apps that truly feels the same no matter where you open it. 

And that’s a big deal if you’re trying to stay on top of things without constantly re-learning the interface.

It’s got that perfect middle ground: simple enough for a grocery list, powerful enough for managing a full-blown work project. 

You can just type stuff like “Submit report tomorrow at 3 pm,” and it auto-sorts it into the right day and time.

No extra taps or dropdowns. 

And the natural language input is a total time-saver.

Another thing I like is the karma system. 

Yeah, it’s a little gamified.

You get points for completing tasks, but somehow it actually motivates you. 

Especially on those lazy days when you’re like, “Eh, I’ll do it later.”

Now, the free version covers a lot, but if you want reminders, calendar views, or project templates, you’ll need the premium plan. 

Not crazy expensive, but still something to think about.

Bottom line — Todoist just works. 

It’s reliable, flexible, and great if you want something you can use on literally any device, not just your iPhone.

3. TickTick – Pomodoro + Habit + Calendar

Pros:

• Built-in Pomodoro timer and habit tracker
• Calendar view is super useful
• Affordable premium plan
• Cross-platform support

Cons:

• Free version has some limits
• UI can feel a bit packed at times

Price: Free, $3.99/month, or $35.99/year.

TickTick surprised me.

At first glance, it looks like just another to-do app.

But once you start using it, you realize it’s way more powerful than it lets on.

What makes it stand out? 

It doesn’t just help you write down tasks, it actually helps you do them. 

Like, it has a Pomodoro timer built right in. 

So if you’re the kind of person who works better in short bursts (or you just need help staying focused), this is a game changer.

And then there’s the habit tracker. 

You can set daily habits like “Drink water” or “Read 10 pages” and track your streaks inside the same app.

Sure, you could use one of those reminder apps instead, but you get the idea.

It’s all here in one place.

The calendar view is another feature I love. 

You can literally drag and drop tasks into your schedule and see your whole day laid out. 

Makes planning feel less chaotic, especially if your day gets packed.

Now, the free version is solid.

But to unlock stuff like the Pomodoro timer, calendar view, and some advanced features, you’ll need the premium version, which, to be honest, is super affordable compared to others.

So, if you want a do-it-all to-do app that’s still simple enough not to overwhelm you, TickTick hits that sweet spot. 

4. Microsoft To Do – Best Free Option

Pros:

• 100% free with no sneaky upsells
• Syncs perfectly with Outlook and Microsoft 365
• Clean, simple interface
• Great for shared lists and basic collab

Cons:

• Lacks advanced features like a calendar or tags
• Not the best choice for power users

Price: Free

If you’re just looking for a no-BS to-do app that gets the job done — and you don’t wanna pay a dime — Microsoft To Do is a solid pick. 

It’s simple, clean, and does exactly what it says on the tin: helps you stay organized.

What I really like is how it handles lists. 

You can create separate ones for work, personal stuff, groceries, random brain dumps — all in one place. 

And the My Day view is super handy. 

You can pick the tasks you actually wanna focus on today instead of getting overwhelmed by your full list.

Another thing: if you use Outlook or Microsoft 365, this thing just snaps right into your workflow. 

You can flag an email in Outlook, and boom — it shows up in To Do as a task. 

No extra setup needed. 

That’s a big win for office folks.

It also works surprisingly well for shared lists. 

Like if you and your partner are managing house chores or planning a trip, you can both add and check off items in real-time.

Now, it doesn’t come with fancy stuff like Pomodoro timers or calendar views, and you won’t find project templates here. 

But if you want a clean, zero-cost to-do list app that plays nice with your other tools, this one’s hard to beat.

5. Structured – Best for Time-Blocking Fans

Pros:

• Visual timeline of your entire day
• Great for ADHD or scattered focus
• Super beginner-friendly
• Free to start, premium is cheap

Cons:

• Doesn’t have traditional checklists or subtasks
• Not ideal for complex project planning

Price: Free, $2.99/month, $9.99/year, or $49.99/lifetime.

Structured is different from every other app on this list.

And I mean that in a good way. 

It’s not your usual to-do list where you just jot down random tasks. 

Instead, it lets you map out your day hour by hour in a beautiful, scrollable timeline.

If your brain works better when you can “see” how your day looks, this app will click instantly. 

You add your tasks, give them a time slot, and your whole day is organized visually. 

It’s like a calendar, but without the headache of calendar apps.

This one’s especially good if you have ADHD or you’re just someone who struggles with focus. 

Seeing blocks of do this now and take a break here can seriously help reduce that overwhelmed feeling. 

And even if you don’t follow the timeline perfectly, it still gives you structure (no pun intended).

You can also set routines, color-code stuff, and even add emojis to make your day feel less like a chore and more like a flow.

The free version is pretty generous.

But if you want extras like syncing across devices or recurring tasks, the premium is like a few bucks — totally worth it.

Overall, Structured isn’t for managing big projects.

But if you just want to make sense of your daily chaos, this to-do list app is a lifesaver.

6. Any.do – Best for Voice Entry

Pros:

• Fast task entry with voice
• Built-in calendar and reminders
• Works great with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant
• Clean design and daily planning feature

Cons:

• Some features need premium
• Can feel too basic for power users

Price: Free, $7.99/month, or $59.99/year.

Any.do is the kind of app you use when you just want to get stuff out of your head fast. 

Like, you’re walking to your car or making coffee, and you just tell Siri what you need to do, and it’s added to your list. 

No tapping, no typing. 

That’s the magic of Any.do.

The app itself is super clean. 

You get your daily tasks, a built-in calendar, and reminders all in one spot. 

And every morning, it shows you a quick daily planner view — kinda like saying, “Hey, here’s what’s on your plate today.” 

It’s a small thing, but helps kick your day off with a bit more direction.

It also plays nice with other smart assistants, which is a big deal if your life’s already running on voice commands. 

You can literally say “Remind me to call mom” into your smart speaker, and it’ll show up in Any.do. 

That kind of hands-free setup makes everything so much more convenient.

Now, the free version covers most basics.

But features like recurring tasks, location-based reminders, or themes sit behind the premium wall. 

So if you just want a clean daily planner with voice control, you’re golden. 

But if you’re a heavy planner, you might hit those limits quickly.

Still, for quick task dumps, planning your day on the go, or just keeping life from slipping through the cracks — Any.do makes it all feel effortless.

7. Minimalist – Best for Distraction-Free Task

Pros:

• Clean, focused, and no distractions
• Beautiful design with gesture-based controls
• Built-in focus timer (Pomodoro-style)
• Great for simple, everyday tasks

Cons:

• Not ideal for complex planning or projects
• iOS only

Price: $2.99/month, or $14.99/lifetime.

Minimalist lives up to its name. 

Open the app and boom — it’s just you and your tasks, no buttons, no clutter, no chaos. 

It feels more like writing on a blank sheet of paper than using an app. 

And honestly, that’s what makes it so refreshing.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the bells and whistles in most productivity apps, this one is like a breath of fresh air. 

You swipe to check things off, pull down to add new tasks, and tap to start a built-in focus timer. 

That’s it. 

The whole vibe is calm and distraction-free, which makes it perfect for quick task dumps or focused work sessions.

The built-in Pomodoro timer is actually slick. 

Just hit start, focus for 25 minutes, and then take a break. 

If you struggle with getting started or staying locked in, this feature alone makes the app worth it.

Now, it’s definitely not made for managing big projects or organizing your life into color-coded sections. 

There’s no calendar view, no priority levels — just a simple list and a timer. 

But that’s exactly why some people love it. 

It’s productivity without the pressure.

If you’re the kind of person who just wants to write down a few things and get them done, Minimalist is as smooth and simple as it gets.

My Final Take

At the end of the day, picking the right to-do list app comes down to how your brain works.

Some people need structure and time blocks, others just want a clean list to check off.

No app is perfect.

But these are the ones that actually helped me stay on track without driving me crazy.

You don’t need all of them. 

Just pick one that feels right and roll with it.

Here’s a quick peek at my top picks:

• Things 3 – Best for clean, personal planning
• Structured – Best for visual thinkers and ADHD brains
• TickTick – Best all-in-one app with Pomodoro and habits

If you’re still unsure, start with one of these three. 

You’ll know pretty quickly if it’s your vibe or not.

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