Top 10 Best List-Making Apps: Free & Paid

Creating and managing lists has become an essential part of our daily lives, whether for organizing tasks, keeping track of groceries, or planning travel. To help you stay on top of everything, here is a curated list of the best list-making apps—both free and paid—that ensure seamless organization and productivity.

1. Todoist (Free & Paid)

Best for: Task management and personal productivity

Todoist is one of the most popular list-making apps, praised for its user-friendly interface and powerful organizational features. With Todoist, users can create to-do lists, assign deadlines, set reminders, and categorize tasks by project or priority.

Free Version: Provides essential features such as task creation, labels, and reminders.
Paid Version: Unlocks advanced features like task comments, productivity tracking, and automatic backups.

2. Microsoft To Do (Free)

Best for: Integration with Microsoft tools

Microsoft To Do offers a simple, yet effective way to create task lists and to-do items. The app integrates well with Microsoft Office, making it ideal for those who use Outlook or OneDrive for work. It offers features such as due dates, recurring tasks, and task prioritization.

Free Version: Full access to basic task management features, including reminders and subtasks.

3. Google Keep (Free)

Best for: Quick notes and simple lists

Google Keep is a lightweight note-taking and list-making app that lets you create text, voice, and image-based notes. It’s perfect for jotting down quick ideas, making shopping lists, and setting reminders. You can color-code your notes, add collaborators, and access your lists across multiple devices.

Free Version: Full access with no limitations.

4. Any.do (Free & Paid)

Best for: Task management with a clean interface

Any.do is an intuitive app designed for users who need help organizing tasks, reminders, and lists. It syncs across multiple devices, so you can manage your tasks on the go. Its “Moment” feature helps you prioritize daily tasks and plan your day efficiently.

Free Version: Includes basic task management and integration with Google Calendar.
Paid Version: Unlocks features like themes, more storage, and team collaboration.

5. Trello (Free & Paid)

Best for: Project and team list management

Trello is a visual tool for organizing tasks into boards, making it ideal for managing complex projects. You can add tasks as cards, create checklists, set deadlines, and organize tasks by category. It’s a fantastic option for team collaboration, where everyone can track progress in real-time.

Free Version: Offers basic features for personal and team use.
Paid Version: Adds more advanced features such as additional integrations, automations, and priority support.

6. Notion (Free & Paid)

Best for: All-in-one productivity and list management

Notion is a highly flexible app that allows users to manage everything from task lists to notes, databases, and project timelines. With its drag-and-drop interface, users can customize their workspace to suit any type of list-making or productivity goal.

Free Version: Includes core features with limited file uploads.
Paid Version: Unlocks additional file uploads, advanced sharing options, and enhanced collaboration features.

7. Evernote (Free & Paid)

Best for: Comprehensive note-taking and task management

Evernote isn’t just a note-taking app—it’s a complete organization tool. You can create to-do lists, capture ideas, and store documents, images, and web clippings. With its powerful search feature, you can easily find your lists across multiple devices.

Free Version: Provides access to note creation, web clipping, and basic search.
Paid Version: Offers increased storage, offline access, and advanced search options.

8. Wunderlist (Free, now part of Microsoft To Do)

Best for: Legacy users who prefer the old Wunderlist interface

Although Wunderlist was discontinued and replaced by Microsoft To Do, many users still prefer its original functionality. The app lets you create simple to-do lists, set reminders, and collaborate with others. It’s straightforward and easy to use.

Free Version: Accessible with essential task creation and reminder features.

9. TickTick (Free & Paid)

Best for: To-do lists with an integrated Pomodoro timer

TickTick offers a versatile to-do list experience with time management features like the Pomodoro timer and habit tracking. You can create task lists, set priorities, and view detailed statistics on your productivity.

Free Version: Includes basic task management and a limited Pomodoro timer.
Paid Version: Unlocks additional features like custom themes, more time-tracking options, and enhanced calendar integration.

10. AnyList (Free & Paid)

Best for: Grocery and shopping lists

For users who frequently need to manage grocery or shopping lists, AnyList is an ideal app. It lets you create and organize shopping lists, share them with others, and even save recipes. You can also sync across devices to ensure your lists are always up to date.

Free Version: Offers basic grocery and shopping list creation.
Paid Version: Unlocks features like advanced recipe management, shopping list organization, and premium support.

Conclusion

Whether you’re organizing daily tasks, managing projects, or planning your next grocery trip, there’s a list-making app that suits your needs. Free versions of apps like Todoist, Google Keep, and Microsoft To Do offer plenty of functionality for everyday use, while paid versions of tools like Trello, Notion, and TickTick provide enhanced features for users seeking advanced organization and productivity tools. Choose the one that best fits your style, and get started on your path to better organization today!