10 Best To-Do List Apps for iPhone & iPad in 2026
A side-by-side comparison of the best iOS to-do apps—Things 3, Todoist, TickTick, Reminders, and smarter alternatives.
iOS users deserve apps that feel native and beautiful—but what if your to-do list also made you more productive?
Your iPhone is always with you. It’s where you capture ideas at 2am, check your day over morning coffee, and glance at tasks between meetings. For iOS users, a to-do list app isn’t just software—it’s an extension of how you think and work.
iOS users have specific expectations that Android or web apps often miss. Want to sync between your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac? You don’t need to do anything—iCloud means that’s already set up. And the integrations with the rest of the operating system are great. Adding tasks with Siri couldn’t be easier. Widgets on your home screen. Shortcuts automation. Apple Watch glances. These iOS-native features matter tremendously when you’re using an app dozens of times daily.
The iOS to-do app landscape offers something for everyone. Things does functionality and beauty in a way that never feels cluttered, meaning you can quickly be done with looking at your to-do list and get back to whatever it is you’re doing. Meanwhile, 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, with a Pomodoro timer built right in and habit tracking.
But here’s what most iOS to-do apps miss: they organize tasks beautifully but ignore when you’re actually capable of doing them. Your calendar shows “4pm is free” and books work there—but after six meetings, you’re mentally exhausted. That “available” time isn’t productive time.
We tested the best iOS to-do apps to find which combine Apple-quality design with genuine productivity gains. Here are the 10 best for iPhone and iPad in 2025.
What iOS Users Should Look For
Before diving into specific apps, understand what separates great iOS to-do apps from merely functional ones:
Native iOS Features
Widgets, Siri shortcuts, and Apple Watch support should feel natural, not bolted-on. The best iOS apps use Apple’s design language and integrate deeply with the operating system rather than feeling like web apps in an iPhone wrapper.
Beautiful, Uncluttered Design
iOS users appreciate clean interfaces that fit Apple’s aesthetic. Overwhelming feature lists don’t impress—elegant execution does. The app should feel at home on your iPhone, not like it was designed for another platform and ported over.
Seamless Sync Across Apple Devices
Your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch should stay perfectly synchronized. Changes on one device appear instantly on others. iCloud sync should be invisible and reliable.
Quick Capture
When inspiration strikes or someone mentions a task, you need to capture it in seconds. Natural language input, Siri integration, and iOS share sheet support make this effortless.
Apple Ecosystem Integration
Calendar integration, Contacts sync, and Reminders interoperability matter when you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem. The best apps play well with Apple’s built-in services.
Intelligence Beyond Organization (Bonus)
Most to-do apps organize tasks beautifully. The best apps go further—understanding when you’re actually capable of doing the work, not just storing endless lists.
1. rivva - iOS-Native with Intelligence
Best for: iPhone users who want Apple-quality design with capacity-aware scheduling
rivva brings iOS-native design with the intelligence iOS to-do apps have been missing. Beautiful interfaces are great—but what if your to-do app actually understood when you’re capable of doing your best work?
True iOS Native Experience
Built with SwiftUI, rivva feels like it belongs on your iPhone. The interface follows Apple’s design language precisely. Gestures feel natural. Animations are smooth. It’s not a cross-platform app adapted for iOS—it’s built specifically for Apple devices.
Widgets show your day at a glance with energy forecasting. Siri shortcuts let you add tasks by voice. Apple Watch integration provides quick task viewing and capture. The iOS share sheet works seamlessly—save something to rivva from any app.
The Intelligence Layer
Here’s what separates rivva from traditional iOS to-do apps: capacity awareness through Apple Health integration. rivva uses your wearable data (Apple Watch, Oura, Whoop) to understand when you’re actually sharp versus depleted.
After six meetings, most to-do apps show you’re “free” at 4pm and expect you to tackle demanding work. rivva sees your energy is depleted from your health data and reschedules that work to tomorrow morning when you’ll be fresh. You’re not just managing tasks—you’re managing your capacity to do great work.
Automatic Capture
rivva automatically extracts tasks from your emails—meeting summaries, Notion comments, GitHub issues, direct requests. These captured commitments appear in your to-do list without manual entry. For iOS users tired of constantly inputting tasks, this automation is transformative.
Key Features:
Native iOS app (SwiftUI, not web wrapper)
Apple Watch integration
iOS widgets showing capacity
Siri shortcuts for voice tasks
Apple Health integration for energy insights
Automatic email task extraction
Energy-based scheduling
Seamless iPhone, iPad, Mac sync
Pricing:
Monthly: $13.99/month
Quarterly: $31.50/quarter ($10.50/month billed quarterly)
7-day free trial
Pros:
True iOS-native experience
Only to-do app using Apple Health for capacity insights
Widgets, Siri, Apple Watch fully integrated
Automatic task extraction from emails
Energy-aware scheduling no other iOS app offers
Nia provides intelligent planning
Cons:
Not a one-time purchase (subscription model)
Requires Apple Health/wearable for full features
Newer app with smaller community
2. Things 3 - iOS Exclusive Excellence
Best for: Apple ecosystem users wanting beautiful one-time purchase
Things 3 is a premium to-do list app that has gained recognition for its exquisite design and exceptionally user-friendly interface. It’s iOS and Mac exclusive—a decision that allows the team to focus on making an exceptionally polished Apple experience.
Design Excellence
The design is so clean that it almost makes you want to plan your day. What I really like is how you can break your tasks down into areas and projects without it feeling like a chore. Every interaction feels thoughtfully designed. Gestures are natural. The interface never overwhelms.
Things 3 includes system-wide quick entry, calendar integration for seeing appointments while planning, keyboard shortcuts, and native notifications. Everything sync
s beautifully across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
The One-Time Purchase Appeal
Things 3 requires a one-time purchase, which makes it a paid app, and in a way is one of its main advantages because you won’t have to commit to spending a regular amount forever more. Pay once ($79.99 total for all devices), own it forever.
Pricing: $49.99 for Mac, $19.99 for iPad, $9.99 for iPhone
Pros:
Stunning design and minimal feel
One-time purchase (no subscription)
Excellent Apple ecosystem integration
Great gestures for iOS
“This Evening” mode for personal tasks
Cons:
iOS/Mac exclusive (no Windows/Android)
No collaboration features
Separate purchase per device
No capacity/energy awareness
3. Todoist - Cross-Platform Powerhouse
Best for: Users who work across multiple platforms
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.
Natural Language + Cross-Platform
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.
The iOS app includes widgets, Siri support, and Apple Watch compatibility. While cross-platform means it’s not quite as iOS-native as Things 3, Todoist maintains consistency across all platforms—valuable if you use Windows at work.
Pricing: Free tier available, Pro $7/month (annual) or $9/month (monthly)
Pros:
Works everywhere (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web)
Natural language input
Affordable pricing
Strong Apple integrations
Karma system gamifies completion
Cons:
Not purely iOS-native
Calendar view requires paid plan
No capacity awareness
Basic compared to specialized iOS apps
4. TickTick - Feature-Rich Value
Best for: Budget-conscious iOS users wanting comprehensive features
TickTick is an ideal choice for those looking for a to-do list app that’s easy to use and has many features. The app helps you to organize your schedule meticulously, with wide cross platform compatibility and even a watchOS app for keeping track of your lists from your wrist.
Surprising Power
It has a Pomodoro timer built right in. So if you’re the kind of person who works better in short bursts, this is a game changer. And then there’s the habit tracker. You can set daily habits and track your streaks inside the same app.
The calendar view helps visualize your day, and the iOS app includes widgets, Siri support, and Apple Watch complications.
Pricing: Free tier available, Premium $35.99/year (under $3/month)
Pros:
Incredibly affordable ($3/month)
Pomodoro timer and habit tracking
Calendar view for time blocking
Strong iOS features
Generous free tier
Cons:
Interface less polished than Things 3
Cross-platform means not purely iOS-optimized
No capacity awareness
Some features feel cluttered
5. Apple Reminders - Built-In Simplicity
Best for: iOS users wanting free, seamless integration
Apple Reminders provides a straightforward and seamlessly integrated task management solution, ensuring perfect synchronization with other Apple devices and services, with location-based reminders and Siri voice-controlled task creation.
The Free Option
Every Apple user looking for a to-do list should give Reminders a spin. You just might find it works for you, which could save you the trouble of testing and paying for other apps.
Apple Reminders has evolved significantly, now including smart lists, organization into lists and groups, collaboration features, and deep Siri integration. For basic needs, it’s surprisingly capable—and it’s already on your iPhone.
Pricing: Free (built into iOS)
Pros:
Completely free
Perfect Apple ecosystem integration
Location-based reminders
Siri integration is seamless
No setup required
Cons:
Basic compared to specialized apps
No capacity awareness
Limited automation
Simple features may not satisfy power users
6. Microsoft To Do - Microsoft Ecosystem Integration
Best for: Users in Microsoft 365 ecosystem
Microsoft To Do integrates seamlessly with Outlook, Microsoft 365, and Teams. If your work life lives in Microsoft’s ecosystem, To Do connects those services with your iPhone naturally.
The “My Day” feature provides focused daily planning. Smart suggestions surface tasks that might be relevant today. The iOS app includes widgets and Siri support, though it feels more cross-platform than iOS-native.
Pricing: Free
Pros:
Free with good features
Excellent Microsoft integration
Clean, simple interface
Works well on iOS
Syncs across platforms
Cons:
Best for Microsoft ecosystem users
Not iOS-native feel
Basic features
No capacity awareness
7. OmniFocus - Power User GTD
Best for: iOS power users using Getting Things Done methodology
OmniFocus 2 allows you to organize tasks into Projects with summary dots—for example, red means the task is overdue and orange means its due soon. You can set up contexts for tasks in certain areas, making sure you never miss a task when you’re out running errands.
OmniFocus is comprehensive, powerful, and deeply integrated with iOS. Perspectives, contexts, and advanced automation make it ideal for GTD practitioners. But the power comes with complexity—there’s a learning curve.
Pricing: $49.99 for iOS (separate Mac purchase)
Pros:
Extremely powerful for GTD users
Deep iOS integration
Advanced automation
Comprehensive feature set
Perspectives for custom views
Cons:
Expensive
Steep learning curve
Can be overwhelming
Overkill for simple needs
8. Any.do - Clean Calendar Focus
Best for: Users wanting calendar-integrated tasks
Any.do emphasizes calendar integration, showing tasks and events together. The clean interface and moment feature (daily planning prompt) help you start each day organized.
The iOS app is polished with good widget support and Siri integration. Any.do works well for people who think in calendar terms rather than pure task lists.
Pricing: Free tier, Premium $5.99/month
Pros:
Clean, attractive interface
Strong calendar integration
Daily planning prompt
Voice entry works well
Good iOS widgets
Cons:
Free tier is limited
Not as feature-rich as TickTick
Some features require premium
No capacity awareness
9. Structured - Visual Timeline Planning
Best for: Visual thinkers wanting timeline-based planning
Structured uses a timeline layout, so you can easily see your day at a glance, including recurring tasks like routines. Many users love its visual design, making it popular with those who prefer aesthetic applications.
The timeline approach helps visualize how your day flows. Drag tasks onto the timeline, see time blocks visually, and understand how everything fits together. The iOS app is beautiful and includes an AI feature for voice planning.
Pricing: Free tier, Pro $9.99/month or $49.99/year
Pros:
Beautiful timeline visualization
Intuitive for visual thinkers
Clean iOS design
AI voice planning feature
Recurring task handling
Cons:
Primarily mobile-focused
Premium required for full features
Smaller feature set than competitors
No web/desktop version
10. Google Tasks - Google Workspace Integration
Best for: Google Workspace users
If you live in Gmail and Google Calendar, Google Tasks is an obvious free to-do list app to try out. That’s because it lives right in the sidebar of those two apps.
The iOS app is simple and functional. If your work happens in Gmail and Google Calendar, Tasks integrates directly where you already spend time. It’s not the most feature-rich option, but for Google users, the integration value is high.
Pricing: Free
Pros:
Free with Google Workspace
Gmail/Calendar integration
Simple, uncluttered
Works across platforms
No learning curve
Cons:
Very basic features
Not iOS-native feel
Limited organization options
No advanced features
Best for Google ecosystem only
Free vs Paid: What’s Worth It?
Things 3’s one-time purchase totals $79.99 (macOS, iPad & iPhone) allowing you to keep that license forever. Apple Reminders is completely free.
When Free Apps Are Enough
Apple Reminders or Google Tasks suffice if you need basic task management, don’t require advanced features, and want simple capture and completion tracking.
When Paid Features Justify Cost
Advanced features like capacity-aware scheduling (rivva), comprehensive project management (OmniFocus), or beautiful design with powerful organization (Things 3) justify subscriptions or one-time purchases.
rivva’s Value Proposition
At $13.99/month (or $14.99/month quarterly), rivva costs more than Things 3’s annual equivalent but adds capacity-aware intelligence no other iOS app offers. If understanding when you’re actually capable of work matters—not just organizing what to do—the intelligence justifies the price.
How to Choose Your iOS To-Do App
Match apps to your needs:
Choose rivva if: You want iOS-native design with capacity-aware intelligence that schedules tasks when you’re actually capable of doing them well.
Choose Things 3 if: You want the most beautiful iOS to-do app and prefer one-time purchase over subscription.
Choose Todoist if: You work across multiple platforms and need consistency everywhere.
Choose TickTick if: You want comprehensive features (Pomodoro, habits, calendar) at budget pricing.
Choose Apple Reminders if: You want simple, free, and perfectly integrated with iOS—good enough for basic needs.
Choose OmniFocus if: You’re a GTD practitioner wanting maximum power and customization on iOS.
Choose Structured if: You’re a visual thinker who loves timeline-based planning.
The key is matching features to how you actually work, not collecting the app with the most checkboxes.
Conclusion
iOS users deserve to-do apps that feel native, beautiful, and genuinely productive. The App Store offers excellent options across every use case—from free and simple (Apple Reminders) to premium and powerful (Things 3, OmniFocus).
But most iOS to-do apps share one limitation: they organize tasks beautifully without understanding when you’re actually capable of doing them. Your calendar shows availability. Your to-do list shows what needs doing. Neither considers your actual capacity.
rivva combines iOS-native excellence with capacity-aware intelligence. You get Apple-quality design, seamless ecosystem integration, and AI that schedules work when you’re genuinely sharp—not just when calendar slots are empty. It’s what iOS to-do apps should have been all along: beautiful AND intelligent.
Experience iOS task management with intelligence. Try rivva free on your iPhone and see what happens when beautiful design meets capacity-aware scheduling.