The Six Best Apps For Getting Shit Done Tweet

To-do lists of the past were scribbled in notebooks, on sticky notes or on whiteboards. Today, they live in our smatphones. Or at least they should.

iOS

2Do

This app almost crosses into full-bore life organiser territory, inhabited by apps like Evernote and Springpad. But by staying true to its core mission – task management – the app doesn’t lose focus. It fares well in any feature comparison, with local and push notifications, calendar syncing, syncing with online services like Toodledo and voice task recording, but the real reason 2Do deserves a spot is its spectacular interface. It’s one of the rare apps that feels like it has a design vision, not just a nice aesthetic. Plus, it’s universal. $9, iOS

Toodledo

A client app to the hugely popular online calendar service, Toodledo. Other paid iPhone apps can sync with Toodledo, but the official app appeals to the utilitarians in us – it’s cut-down, clean and very simple to use. There are plenty of features hidden behind the simplistic interface, including a full note-taking system, but the overall experience is very direct. fulfils the “Get efficient iPhone task manager app” list item quite nicely. $5, iOS

Remember the Milk

This straightforward app syncs with online calendar service Remember the Milk, but just once a day. This is OK, however, because unlike other apps on this list Remember the Milk is completely, gloriously, fantastically free. Free, iPhone

OTHERS TESTED
• iProcrastinate Mobile: Free, basic, and intended to managing homework-style tasks.
• Reqall: A catch-all task manager/notes app, Reqall offers a handful of nice ways to record and organize tasks
• Nubi Do: Silly name aside, this polished little app gives the more expensive 2Do a run for its money

Android

Astrid Task/To Do List

No other app gives as much detail to to do lists as Astrid. Its “advanced” options lets you set priority levels, integrate with Google Calendar, sync with Google tasks, and set up tags, alerts and periodic reminders. Astrid keeps it easy, for the most part, but also offers deeper settings if you’re the obsessive, customize-everything exactly-how-you-want-it type. If you use Remember The Milke or Producteev, Astrid can sync with them too (though it’s not necessary). The app isn’t the prettiest but it doesn’t over complicate things. Spring for the Power Pack to unlock voice features and some better widgets. Free, Android. $4.11 for Power Pack.

Got To Do

One of the more thoughtfully designed Android apps, Got To Do has a great “homescreen” interface (that’s customisable) and syncs with the Toodledo web app (for more features). On top of that, Got To Do has a nice widget, gives options for task templates, and uses subtasks (if you want to break down bigger tasks). It doesn’t throw as many setting tweaks to to do lists as Astrid but by keeping things simple, it’s just as nice to use. Free, Android. $3.25 for Pro.

gTasks

If you’re a big user of Google Tasks, gTasks is the perfect app. It maintains the simplicity of Google Tasks by automatically syncing tasks on gTasks with your Gmail account. There’s a widget, reminders, sharing options and a nice-because-it’s-simple layout. In fact, gTasks is organised just like your Google Tasks. Free, Android. $7.20 to remove ads.

OTHERS TESTED:
• Remember The Milk: If you’re a big RTM user, you’ll have to have the Android app. Too bad RTM services (location based alerts, smart lists) cost $US25/year
• Checkmark ToDo list: Really gorgeous interface that sometimes buries what you need to do
• TooDo: Ridiculously full featured but needlessly complicated. If you’re insane about having perfect settings though, TooDo offers smart folders, geo-notification settings and tons more.
• Taskos: Use your voice to save to do lists
• Google Task Organizer: Another dead simple Google Tasks app
• OI Shopping List: Good for the supermarket.