3. OmniFocus
OmniFocus is available only on iOS devices, so if you’re not an Apple user, you can skip ahead to number five. If you are an Apple user looking for GTD apps, you’ll want to give OmniFocus a good, long look.
Sacrificing hyper-simplicity for horsepower, OmniFocus adds some heft in the features department for users who don’t mind trading a little clutter in the UI in exchange for a few more functions.
The most recent update — OmniFocus 3, released in the spring of 2018 — includes new features such as automation, tags, and batch editing. If you’re really serious about GTD, you’ll love the way OmniFocus was built specifically on a GTD foundation, guiding the user from inbox to processing and delegation to organization to action and review.
Keep in mind that collaboration is not a strong point for OmniFocus, which is designed for single users (the developer has a different product, OmniPlan, for team projects). If your projects require lots of collaboration, you’ll need a separate tool.
BEST FOR: GTD power users who do most of their work alone are fully committed to Apple products and don’t mind spending a little money for their GTD tool. Price: $39.99
4. Things
The curiously named “Things” app started as a Mac program by German startup Cultured Code in 2007 and was actually one of the first apps released for iPhone when the App Store launched in 2008.
Things has remained loyal to Apple, helping to launch the iPad and Apple Watch with updated versions of the popular productivity app. It won the prestigious Apple Design Award in 2009 and 2017 and is now in its third generation: “Things 3” was released in May 2017.
How has Things stuck around for more than a decade, gaining new disciples every year? Reviewers find that the minimalist design fits well with Apple’s ecosystem, and the app has just enough features — inbox, filing system, to-do list, calendar — to fully implement your GTD system without extraneous features to distract you.
While OmniFocus excels in customization and depth of features, Things excels through its simplicity and minimalist design. Like OmniFocus, Things also cuts out collaboration, so you can use it to get your own things done but you’ll need another tool to get your team involved.
BEST FOR: Solo users who want a simple, elegant GTD apps that fit right in with the clean, minimalist Apple aesthetic. Price: $9.99
5. Todoist
If the last two apps sounded perfect to you, but you don’t have an Apple device, you’re in luck. Todoist takes the best elements of OmniFocus and Things and delivers them in a cross-platform package. It even has a browser version.
Dating back to 2007 (the app was created by Bosnian refugee Amir Salihefendic as a way for him to organize his own projects), Todoist has built a user base five million strong (that’s halfway to Flintstones Vitamins)!
What sets Todoist apart from other GTD apps? It has a free option, it includes collaboration tools (unlike OmniFocus and Things, which are designed for one user), and it has a unique gamification feature, rewarding users with “karma” for completing tasks.
It also has all the functions necessary to implement a streamlined GTD process. But perhaps Todoist’s greatest strength is that you can use it on any device with a browser.
BEST FOR: Brand-agnostic and budget-minded project leaders who just need to get things done. Price: Free
What are your favorite GTD apps?
There you have it. I hope these apps get your “Getting Things Done” process up and running smoothly and help you declutter. Remember, everyone needs to tailor their own system. So try out a few of these if you need to, and see what sticks.
What are your favorite GTD apps? Please share them in the comments!
The article on GTD apps originally appeared here and is used by permission.
