{"id":5640,"date":"2009-01-20T17:07:43","date_gmt":"2009-01-20T11:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=5640"},"modified":"2026-10-11T16:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T11:16:04","slug":"free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Best Free Todo List Apps and Task Managers in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for a free todo list app that you will actually keep using? Writing tasks down is still the simplest way to stop forgetting things, but sticky notes on your desktop are no match for apps that sync to your phone, remind you at the right time and share lists with family or colleagues. Here are the best <strong>free todo list<\/strong> apps and task managers in 2026, replacing the tools in our 2009 list.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-63940\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-todo-list-apps-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Best free todo list apps and task managers\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-todo-list-apps-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-todo-list-apps-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-todo-list-apps-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-todo-list-apps-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-todo-list-apps.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> The best free todo list apps are Microsoft To Do and Google Tasks for simple lists, Todoist and TickTick for power users, Apple Reminders for iPhone and Mac owners, and Trello or Notion for team projects. All have free plans and sync across devices.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae7c42033ba3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae7c42033ba3\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#Best_free_todo_list_apps_in_2026\" >Best free todo list apps in 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#How_to_choose_a_todo_list_app\" >How to choose a todo list app<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#Features_to_look_for\" >Features to look for<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#Tips_to_make_your_todo_list_work\" >Tips to make your todo list work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#What_is_the_best_completely_free_todo_list_app\" >What is the best completely free todo list app?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#Is_Todoist_free\" >Is Todoist free?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/01\/free-todo-list-keepers-task-managers\/#Can_I_use_Gmail_as_a_todo_list\" >Can I use Gmail as a todo list?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_free_todo_list_apps_in_2026\"><\/span>Best free todo list apps in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/to-do.office.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Microsoft To Do<\/a>:<\/strong> completely free with a Microsoft account. The &#8220;My Day&#8221; view helps you plan each morning, and tasks sync with Outlook.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tasks.google.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google Tasks<\/a>:<\/strong> built into Gmail, Google Calendar and Android. This is the modern version of the Gmail Tasks feature from our original list. Great if you live in Google apps.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/todoist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Todoist<\/a>:<\/strong> fast task entry in plain language (&#8220;Pay rent every month on the 1st&#8221;), projects, labels and filters. The free plan covers most personal use.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ticktick.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TickTick<\/a>:<\/strong> tasks plus a built-in Pomodoro timer and habit tracker, with a generous free plan.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Apple Reminders:<\/strong> free on iPhone, iPad and Mac, with shared lists, grocery categories and location reminders.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.any.do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Any.do<\/a>:<\/strong> a clean daily planner that combines tasks and calendar events.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/trello.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Trello<\/a>:<\/strong> Kanban boards with cards you drag from &#8220;To do&#8221; to &#8220;Done&#8221;. Ideal for small teams and visual thinkers.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.notion.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Notion<\/a>:<\/strong> notes, docs and task databases in one workspace. Best if you want to build your own system.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_choose_a_todo_list_app\"><\/span>How to choose a todo list app<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Just need a simple list?<\/strong> Microsoft To Do, Google Tasks or Apple Reminders.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Many projects and deadlines?<\/strong> Todoist or TickTick.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Working with a team?<\/strong> Trello or Notion.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Freelancer juggling clients?<\/strong> Pair a task app with one of these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/11\/best-scheduling-tools-for-freelancers\/\">scheduling tools for freelancers<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Features_to_look_for\"><\/span>Features to look for<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sync:<\/strong> the same list on phone, computer and the web.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reminders:<\/strong> time-based, and location-based if you need them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Recurring tasks:<\/strong> for bills, renewals and weekly chores.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quick capture:<\/strong> add a task in seconds from a widget, shortcut or voice assistant.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sharing:<\/strong> shared shopping lists and family chores.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_to_make_your_todo_list_work\"><\/span>Tips to make your todo list work<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Write tasks as actions: &#8220;Email Ravi the invoice&#8221; instead of &#8220;Invoice&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>Pick no more than three important tasks for today.<\/li>\n<li>Give big jobs smaller steps you can finish in under an hour.<\/li>\n<li>Review your list every evening and plan tomorrow.<\/li>\n<li>Delete or postpone tasks you keep moving. A shorter list gets done.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_best_completely_free_todo_list_app\"><\/span>What is the best completely free todo list app?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Microsoft To Do and Google Tasks are fully free with no paid tier, and both sync across devices.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Todoist_free\"><\/span>Is Todoist free?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, Todoist has a free plan with a limited number of projects. Reminders and some advanced features need the paid plan.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_use_Gmail_as_a_todo_list\"><\/span>Can I use Gmail as a todo list?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Open the Tasks icon in Gmail&#8217;s side panel, or drag an email into Tasks to turn it into a to-do with a link back to the message.<\/p>\n<p><em>Originally written by guest author Manpreet Singh, who wrote about web, tech news, blogging and productivity at cyberspirits.net. Updated for 2026 by QuickOnlineTips.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for a free todo list app that you will actually keep using? Writing tasks down is still the simplest&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[44],"class_list":["post-5640","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","tag-guest-posts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5640"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63941,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640\/revisions\/63941"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}