10 Best Simple To-Do List Apps in 2026
Most to-do apps add features until they become overwhelming. Projects, tags, filters, integrations—the list never ends. If you just want to track what needs doing today without the complexity, you need a simple to-do app. This guide reviews the 10 best simple to-do list apps in 2026, ranked by simplicity, usability, and focus.
Why Simple Matters
Research shows that decision fatigue and cognitive overload reduce productivity. Every extra feature in a to-do app—every project to organize, every label to assign—adds friction. The best simple to-do apps reduce choices to what matters: what's due today, what's due tomorrow, and what's waiting in the wings.
We evaluated apps on: learning curve, daily planning focus, interface clarity, free tier quality, and absence of bloat.
Our Ranking Criteria
- Simplicity: Can you add a task and see it in under 10 seconds?
- Daily focus: Does the app help you focus on today and tomorrow, or dump everything at once?
- No feature creep: Does it stay minimal, or push projects, tags, and complexity?
- Free access: Can you use it without paying or hitting artificial limits?
- Cross-platform: Works on the devices you use?
10 Best Simple To-Do List Apps in 2026
1. TaskSpot — Best for Zero Bloat
TaskSpot is a stupid simple to-do app built for daily planning. Today, Tomorrow, Upcoming, Backlog, Done, and Deleted—keep you focused without projects, tags, or reminders. It's free forever with no credit card required.
Pros: Zero learning curve, dedicated Today/Tomorrow workflow, Focus mode for distraction-free work, keyboard shortcuts (j/k/x/e/f), daily streak counter, morning briefing emails, confetti when you finish all tasks, sort by priority or date, dark mode, add to home screen on mobile, Jira integration for developers.
Cons: Web-based (add to home screen on iOS/Android for app-like access), no projects or tags.
Best for: People who want a minimal task tracker and hate feature-heavy apps.
2. Google Tasks — Best for Google Users
Google Tasks is built into Gmail and Google Calendar. It's minimalist, free, and lets you convert emails to tasks and drag tasks onto your calendar. Very simple—almost too simple for power users.
Pros: Free, seamless Gmail/Calendar integration, no learning curve, works everywhere Google works.
Cons: No priorities, no sub-tasks, limited organization, tied to Google ecosystem.
Best for: People already in the Google ecosystem who want basic task capture.
Compare TaskSpot vs Google Tasks →
3. Todoist — Best Balance of Simple and Powerful
Todoist balances power and simplicity better than most. Natural language input ("tomorrow 2pm dentist"), projects, and filters—but it can feel cluttered if you don't use them. The free tier has limits.
Pros: Natural language, cross-platform, good integrations, flexible organization.
Cons: Steeper learning curve, freemium model limits key features, can overwhelm simple use cases.
Best for: People who want some structure but not full project management.
4. TickTick — Best for Calendar + Tasks
TickTick combines tasks with an embedded calendar, Pomodoro timer, and habit tracking. More features than TaskSpot, but still cleaner than full project management tools.
Pros: Calendar view, habit tracking, Pomodoro, cross-platform.
Cons: Feature creep can distract from simple task management, free tier limited.
Best for: People who want tasks and calendar in one place.
Compare TaskSpot vs TickTick →
5. Microsoft To Do — Best for Microsoft 365 Users
Microsoft To Do integrates with Outlook and Teams. "My Day" view helps with daily planning. Free and clean if you're in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Pros: Free, My Day view, Outlook/Teams integration, cross-platform.
Cons: Best experience requires Microsoft account, can feel basic outside Microsoft ecosystem.
Best for: Microsoft 365 and Outlook users.
Compare TaskSpot vs Microsoft To Do →
6. Apple Reminders — Best for Apple Users
Apple Reminders is built into every Apple device. Siri integration, location-based reminders, and shared lists. Simple and capable—if you're all-in on Apple.
Pros: Free, Siri integration, location reminders, shared lists, beautiful design.
Cons: Apple-only, no web access for non-Apple users.
Best for: People who use only iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Compare TaskSpot vs Apple Reminders →
7. Things — Best Premium Design
Things is a beautifully designed task manager for Mac and iOS. One-time purchase, no subscription. Clean interface, GTD-inspired workflow.
Pros: Gorgeous design, one-time purchase, no subscription, distraction-free.
Cons: Apple-only, paid (no free tier), can feel sparse for some.
Best for: Apple users who value design and don't mind paying.
8. TeuxDeux — Best Daily Checklist
TeuxDeux leans into daily checklists. Simple week view, recurring tasks, rollover for unfinished items. "Don't add more decisions to your day" is the philosophy.
Pros: Daily checklist focus, minimal UI, recurring tasks, rollover.
Cons: Paid subscription, limited free trial.
Best for: People who think in daily checklists.
9. Superlist — Best Modern Minimalist
Superlist is a modern, uncluttered list app. Fast capture, clean design, intentionally minimal without feeling bare. Rising quickly in minimalist rankings.
Pros: Modern design, fast capture, minimal UI, cross-platform.
Cons: Newer app, fewer features than established players.
Best for: People who want a fresh, minimal list app.
Compare TaskSpot vs Superlist →
10. Tweek — Best Weekly Planner
Tweek is a very simple weekly planner. Paper-like calendar view, minimalist design. Good if you think in weeks rather than daily lists.
Pros: Weekly view, paper-like design, minimal, straightforward.
Cons: Weekly focus may not suit daily planners.
Best for: People who plan by week.
Comparison Table
| App | Free? | Daily Focus | Learning Curve | Cross-Platform |
|-----|-------|-------------|----------------|----------------|
| TaskSpot | Yes, forever | Excellent | Minimal | Yes (web; add to home screen) |
| Google Tasks | Yes | Basic | Minimal | Yes |
| Todoist | Freemium | Moderate | Moderate | Yes |
| TickTick | Freemium | Good | Moderate | Yes |
| Microsoft To Do | Yes | Good | Minimal | Yes |
| Apple Reminders | Yes | Good | Minimal | Apple only |
| Things | Paid | Good | Minimal | Apple only |
| TeuxDeux | Paid | Excellent | Minimal | Yes |
| Superlist | Freemium | Good | Minimal | Yes |
| Tweek | Freemium | Weekly | Minimal | Yes |
Verdict
TaskSpot is the best simple to-do app if you want zero bloat, free forever, and a dedicated Today/Tomorrow workflow. For Google users, Google Tasks is the simplest free option. For a balance of power and simplicity, Todoist works—but expect a learning curve. For Apple-only users who value design, Things or Apple Reminders are strong choices.
If most to-do apps feel like too much, start with TaskSpot—it's free, takes 2 minutes to set up, and gets out of your way.
See all TaskSpot comparisons or explore our features.