Imagine this:
It’s five o’clock on a long Friday and you’re rushing through traffic to deliver a client’s cake before their party starts in an hour.
Luckily, you made it just in time.
Now imagine doing this every week? 😅
It’s definitely not ideal to experience this situation on a regular basis, not to mention how stressful it is to feel like you’re in a hurry and running around with a timer attached.
Fortunately, a daily planner app can make it easier to plan your schedule and feel accomplished every day, week, and month.
With the best planner app, you can keep tabs on your ideas, due dates, meetings… pretty much anything under the sun or fondant.
In this article, we’ll explore what a daily planner app is and highlight the 16 best planner app options available today.
Let’s begin. 📖 ✍️
What Is a Daily Planner App?
A daily planning app is like a digital calendar but way cooler. 😎
It can manage your personal or work-related checklists, meetings, deadlines, etc.
For those who want to manage workflow on the go, you can specifically look for the best planner app for iPad, iPhone, or Android devices to help you collaborate on tasks.
To help you select a good to do list app, here are some questions you could ask yourself:
Does the app:
- Keep things organized?
- Help me be more productive?
- Integrate with my favorite apps?
- Run on different devices?
- Offer a free plan?
With these factors in mind, let’s explore the 16 best planning apps available today:
16 Best Daily Planner Apps for 2023
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is a highly-rated productivity app and one of the best online planners used by productive teams of all sizes to manage their to-do lists.
Whether you’re a task manager, a student managing assignments, or a parent composing your grocery list, ClickUp can be your best weekly planner app.
ClickUp has over 15 ways to view your workload and daily plan, including ClickUp’s Calendar View, where you can see your calendar by day, week, or month to track projects at a high level or dive into task details. Filter to show just the tasks you want to see and share your Calendar with anyone.
And the icing on the cake?
The app has a feature-rich Free Forever Plan supporting unlimited tasks, members, 50+ Integrations, and more.
ClickUp key features
Here’s a quick look into some useful ClickUp features:
- Break down large tasks into tangible ClickUp Checklists and set Goals in ClickUp to tackle them
- Create meeting notes or task lists and collaborate with your team using ClickUp Docs
- Create a virtual floor plan for upcoming tasks with ClickUp Mind Maps
- Boost productivity with Time Tracking
- Scribble your work ideas or even your daily chores in ClickUp’s Notepad
- Set Reminders for tasks as per your calendar
- Create Checklist Templates and Scheduling Templates for repetitive tasks to save time
- Add nested items as Subtasks and assign them to others
- Personal project management to help you make every day productive
- Integrate with other work apps like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Time Doctor, etc.
- Work in Offline Mode when you don’t have access to the internet
- Access ClickUp via an iOS or Android mobile, your iPad, desktop, or through its web app
ClickUp pricing
ClickUp has a Free Forever Plan suitable for individuals and teams of all sizes. The paid plans start as low as $5/user per month.
ClickUp user ratings
- G2: 4.7/5 (2900+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (2000+ reviews)
2. Any.do
Any.do has an easy-to-use interface that lets you create your daily plan on the go. You can add notes and attachments to your list and even color-code priorities.
However, it doesn’t integrate well with other work apps and only offers limited features in its free version.
Are there “Any do-good” features that this app offers? Let’s find out.
Any.do key features
- Get location-based and recurring reminders
- Set up a family calendar to share your list
- See daily tasks one at a time with the moment feature
- Easily sync data across all your devices
Any.do pricing
Has a free version, and the paid plans start at $5.99/per month.
Any.do user ratings
- G2: 4/5 (150+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
3. Trello
Trello is a great personal day planner that comes with kanban boards and automation for task management. It lets you collaborate with teams and manage shared tasks.
However, if you have multiple lists, it can be difficult to search for a particular task in Trello.
Personal planner app with a poor search function?
Guess you’ll have to plan a day just to find tasks.
Trello key features
- Define due dates and deadlines for to-dos
- Group and assign tasks under boards, cards, and lists
- Create custom buttons to build processes quickly
- Integrate with apps like Google Drive, Slack, and Dropbox
Trello pricing
You can use Trello for free. The paid plans start at $10/user per month.
Trello user ratings
- G2: 4/5 (11,500+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (10,000 reviews)
Check out these Trello Alternatives!
4. Things 3
Things 3 is a decent planner app for iOS devices.
The planner lets you add notes, create lists, create an itinerary, view calendar events, and even get notifications on your Apple watch.
But on the downside, it has no free version.
Plus, Android app users better Google “best daily planner app Android“ (or explore the other apps we covered here) because Things 3 has no app for your OS.
Things 3 key features
- Create interactive to-do lists
- Drag-and-drop items to a list
- Have better visibility with checklist headings
- Search for an important task within multiple lists
Things 3 pricing
The app costs $9.99.
Things 3 user ratings
- G2: 4.3/5 (19 reviews)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (106 reviews)
Bonus: Get organized with the best organization apps!
5. Todoist
With Todoist, you can create to-do lists, share them with coworkers, and choose from different task views.
It lets your team sync their files, emails, and calendars for better collaboration. You can also integrate with apps like Dropbox and Google Calendar.
However, the free version has limited collaboration and filtering options, and creating subtasks can be difficult.
To do or not to do Todoist, we leave that to you. 😬
Todoist key features
- View unlimited activity history
- Set deadlines and recurring reminders
- Prioritize tasks with color-coding and labels
- Analyze task progress with reports
Todoist pricing
This task management tool has a free plan. Its paid plans start at $3/ user per month.
Todoist user ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (1300+ reviews)
Check out these Todoist alternatives!
6. Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a staple calendar app used by both individuals and teams.
You can switch between different to do list views and sync personal events from Gmail.
Even better, you can access multiple calendars from one app.
However, it can be visually difficult to understand your daily schedule if you have multiple events in a day. You’re stuck with viewing in a time-list based format that you have to scroll through, there’s no way to get a quick overview of all your events.
Are we ready to Google “Google Calendar alternatives” yet?
Google Calendar key features
- Toggle between daily, weekly, and monthly views
- Search tasks
- Set reminders and due dates for to-dos
- Connect and sync all your devices
Google Calendar pricing
The Google task calendar is available for free. The paid plan starts at $5/user per month.
Google Calendar user ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (1000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (900+ reviews)
7. Friday
Whether you’re looking for a student planner or need a daily schedule app, Friday is a good option. You can schedule meetings, set routines with recurring reminders, and break down to-do lists into subtasks.
Thank God it’s Friday?
Umm, maybe not.
While it makes a good option for a planner, it doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app yet—and this could be a deal-breaker for others.
Friday key features
- Block distractions for better focus
- Get instant links to join video calls
- Automate routines and get a daily task overview
- Integrate with a project management app like Slack or ClickUp.
Friday pricing
Has a free plan, and the paid version starts at $6/user per month.
Friday user ratings
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
8. Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Outlook has revamped itself into a versatile scheduling app.
You can integrate it with a daily routine planner app like ClickUp, and voila!
Your to-do list feels so much better.
However, Outlook doesn’t integrate well with other mailboxes and planners.
A bit of a loner, you see.
Until it fixes that, can Outlook change your outlook about it?
Microsoft Outlook key features
- Schedule tasks and events
- Collaborate with Microsoft 365 groups
- Filter and group tasks for task management
- Access any MS Office tool on the go
Microsoft Outlook pricing
Free for personal use. You can buy it under the Microsoft 365 plan starting at $6.99/user per month.
Microsoft Outlook user ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (1000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (10000 reviews)
9. ZenDay
Can ZenDay add zen to your life?
This mobile app features a unique 3D display that keeps scrolling as you check off your to do list. You can toggle between one task or view the entire day’s list upfront.
However, ZenDay doesn’t support multiple task list views.
ZenDay key features
- Tasks automatically scroll up with time
- Sync multiple calendars
- Prioritize tasks with color-coding
- Debrief feature for a daily task overview
ZenDay pricing
ZenDay is a free day planner app.
ZenDay user ratings
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
10. Habitica
Habitica is a planner app that can help you build work habits used by successful people.
It gamifies your list and lets you create fun avatars that grow stronger with task completion. You also earn rewards that let you buy cool avatar upgrades.
However, if your project is complex, this habit tracker app may not take you far.
Habitica key features
- In-game rewards for task completion
- Access to a social media community
- Habits scheduling feature
- Avatar upgrades with habit improvement
Habitica pricing
Habitica is a free list app.
Habitica user ratings
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
11. TickTick
TickTick is a great student planner app that lets you schedule tasks, reminders and create a shareable list. With its simple calendar, you get quick overviews of all your tasks.
However, it supports limited integrations.
Be ready to juggle between apps and waste work hours.
Looks like TickTick might just let time tick-tick away. ⏳
TickTick key features
- Voice input to add tasks
- Pomodoro feature
- Different calendar views to see weekly or daily tasks
- Simple reminder settings
TickTick pricing
This reminder app has a free plan. The paid plan costs $27.99/user per year.
TickTick user ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: 5/5 (50+ reviews)
12. nTask
nTask is a popular task management app.
Use this tracker to create collaborative tasks and set deadlines. It also comes with a time tracker to track all your tasks and meetings from a single platform.
However, you can’t attach docs and photos to your lists!
nTask key features
- Team checklists and recurring lists
- Supports kanban method
- Time tracker to boost productivity
- Gantt charts to manage timelines
nTask pricing
Has a free plan. The paid plan starts at $2.99/user per month.
nTask user ratings
- G2: 4.5/5 (20+ reviews)
- Capterra: 5/5 (50+ reviews)
13. My Daily Planner
My Daily Planner includes features like a calendar, to-do lists, and reminders.
This calendar app lets you create nested checklists for better goal setting and auto-calculates your progress for you.
And while the app has a free version, it doesn’t support all features.
You’ll have to make in-app purchases. *scoffs*
My Daily Planner key features
- Create folders to group tasks and to-do lists
- Set unlimited reminders for any tasks
- Auto move tasks to the next day
- Use the tracker in offline mode
My Daily Planner pricing
This planner app is available for free.
My Daily Planner user ratings
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
14. Evernote
Evernote can be a student planner or a professional planning app.
You can jot down your ideas and use different formatting options to organize your list the way you like.
However, Evernote is not the cheapest planner app on this list.
Wish Evernote could keep a note of your money too.
Evernote key features
- Store handwritten notes
- Integrate with apps like Slack, Outlook, etc.
- Scribble notes and create lists templates
- You can use the app offline
Evernote pricing
This day planner app has a free plan. Its paid plan starts at $7.99/user per month.
Evernote user ratings
- G2: 4.4/5 (1800+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (6500+ reviews)
Check out these Evernote alternatives!
15. Fantastical 2
Fantastical 2 is a calendar app for iOS devices that also has task management features.
Use it to schedule events as well as enjoy conference call detection and weather forecast.
However, Fantastical 2 lacks different view options. No app for Android device users as well.
We guess Fantastical 2 isn’t that fantastic after all.
Fantastical 2 key features
- Offers natural language support
- Sync multiple calendars
- Set recurring tasks
- Get geofenced reminders for the most relevant tasks
Fantastical 2 pricing
It’s a free planner app.
Fantastical 2 user ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (10+ reviews)
- Capterra: N/A
16. Planner Pro
Planner Pro is a feature-loaded iOS planner app available on the App Store.
Download this tracker app on your iOS devices to manage your tasks, notes, and more in one place. However, the constant ads in this task management app could annoy you while you check off your to-do list.
Can Planner Pro make you a planning pro? *waiting for the ad to load*
Planner Pro key features
- Create a recurring task and subtasks
- Add, edit, and delete notes
- Organize work under daily, weekly, and monthly modules
- Sync with your iOS calendar
Planner Pro pricing
This iOS app is available for free.
Planner Pro user ratings
- G2: N/A
- Capterra: N/A
Which Daily Planner App Offers a “Sweet” Deal?
All the apps listed here have some yummy features.
But who wins the cake?
ClickUp!
Whether you’re looking for the best planner app for iPhone or one with an awesome free plan, ClickUp is all you need.
This best free planner app offers a Notepad for all your to-dos, a Calendar view to manage deadlines, Mind Maps to manage ideas, and a whole lot more.
Join ClickUp for free and whip up your to do list daily like a pro.
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