Best 12 Daily Checklist Apps For Busy Managers

Whether you’re a project manager leading a team or a freelancer working with a few clients, you will likely have tons of daily tasks, and keeping track of them is not easy, especially without using any daily checklist apps. 

These powerful tools will help you create to-do lists and even have additional features, such as reminders or scheduling, that can help you stop procrastinating and plan your day efficiently. Using a daily checklist app boosts productivity, as you can organize, track, and reorder your tasks, ensuring no action item ever gets missed. Plus, you can achieve more in less time since you are always focused on the tasks that actually matter.

This blog has curated a list of the 12 best daily checklist apps, especially geared towards busy managers. 

So, ditch the paper and pencil (or the overflowing Notes app) and get ready to take control of your workday!

What is a daily checklist?

Although daily checklist apps were invented not long ago, the idea behind them is as old as the hills. They are meant to create task lists and help you not fall behind schedule. 

However, they are not made equal. Some are basic and only allow you to create checklists and remove steps as you keep completing daily tasks.

While others provide you with a wealth of tools, making them suitable for managing the entire team’s workflow and integrating with various task management programs. 

Regardless, the benefits of daily checklist apps far outweigh an average paper calendar.

Here’s just a short list of advantages that these apps offer:

• Break down tasks for a day with actionable tips;
• Outline a work plan;
• Help stay organized;
• Improve productivity;
• Give a sense of accomplishment;
• Increase the level of motivation;
• Allow you to hit targets effectively.

Now, let’s check out the best daily checklist apps to consider.

12 Best Daily Checklist Apps to get things done

1. Nifty 

Starting off in this list of to-do apps is Nifty, an all-in-one management solution with an impressive number of tools that will be useful for small and large teams.

Despite being packed with features, the interface of Nifty is clear and easy to navigate, which is another benefit of the app.

Moreover, with Nifty, you can choose how to visualize the data and manage tasks, thanks to its support of Timeline, List, Calendar, and Kanban views.

As mentioned, Nifty is an all-in-one platform, so its collaboration features are quite impressive, too.

Designed to make communication between departments easy, it allows teams to discuss tasks in the project’s thread, create notes, docs, & SOPs and much more.

And thanks to a built-in calendar, it can be seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Outlook and Google for file sharing and instant notifications. 

Highlights:

• Access to the platform from mobile devices;
• Gantt Charts and clear timeline views;
• Support for Waterfall and Agile Methodology;
• Ability to break down projects with multiple variables;
• Email integration;
• Budget management tools with an option to link expenses to departments;
• Timesheet tracking and task management tools.

Price: Free version | Premium starts from just $5 per user per month.

Available for: Android, iOS, and Web.

Our verdict

Nifty is arguably the best project management app out there. Packed to the rafters with convenient features, it’s all you need to keep your workflow smooth and organized. 

✨ Sign up to try Nifty for free.

2. ClickUp

The benefits of ClickUp are numerous. Above all, its strength is that it’s a cloud-based management tool, meaning project managers and team members can access and share tasks in real-time. 

Another standout of ClickUp as a to do list app is that it’s highly customizable. Thanks to this, it can be adapted to the needs and workflows of teams of all types and sizes. Plus, it’s packed with an impressive number of advanced yet easy-to-use features, making it an excellent solution for non-tech-savvy users and IT specialists.   

More on the features, with ClickUp, you get a complete set of tools for project management and professional service automation services. From planning and tracking your daily tasks to visualizing progress in Gantt Charts to setting schedules and creating timelines, you get all that and then some. 

On top of that, the to do list app offers timesheet tracking and project reporting options. This gives you work transparency, as you can get an idea of how long each task takes and set realistic goals. For example, the average hourly rate for a software developer is $30-$50, so it’s critical to assess the real-time spent by specialists on the project to calculate its cost correctly. 

What’s also handy is that all work requests can be made directly from email, thanks to the email integration feature. 

Highlights:

• Cloud-based solution;
• Data visualization in Gantt charts;
• Mobile compatibility;
• Email integration;
• Project and financial reporting;
• A vast range of time management and tracking tools. 

Downsides:

• No support of Gantt charts in Android;
• Some find the app interface needs to be more user-friendly.

Price: Free | Premium starts from $5 per month

Available for: Android, iOS, and Web.

ClickUp Alternative

Our verdict

Overall, ClickUp is a solid all-in-one PM solution with tons of amazing features. The daily checklist tool is highly customizable, it supports Agile and Waterfall Methodology and can come in handy for small businesses needing practical reporting tools. 

3. Todoist

Another popular checklist app that both entrepreneurs and regular users widely use is Todoist. Easy to use and big on features, it offers everything you need to create and manage tasks and can motivate you and your team to achieve more goals as you complete your daily tasks. 

One of the best features of Todoist is its user-friendly, Kanban-style interface. In fact, it looks similar to Gmail, so even complete newbies who have yet to have much experience using task management tools before will have no difficulty getting the knack for it. 

Color-code labeling is another strong point of the app. Using labels and colors, you can separate professional tasks from family-related chores and focus on those that require the most attention. Todoist has one of the best notification systems that take over most of Google Task and Google Calendar functionality. 

Highlights:

• Easy-to-use Kanban-style interface;
• Reliable alert and notification system;
• A variety of customizable templates;
• Activity tracking and time management tools;
• Reporting and sharing features;
• Synchronization across all devices and platforms, real-time and offline.
• Gantt or timeline view. 

Check out: Leading Todoist alternatives

Downsides:

• No time tracking;
• Reminders and user roles are only available in paid plans;
• Doesn’t have analytics tools.

Price: Free | Premium starts from $4

Available for: Android, iOS, Windows, Web

Our verdict

To sum up, Todoist is so popular for a good reason. It’s a great application with all the necessary tools to keep track of various personal daily commitments and support time management for small teams. The only shortcoming is that it doesn’t have analytics tools, but if you only have a small project to manage, it’ll certainly fit the job. 

4. Toggl Plan

The strength of the Toggl Plan app lies in its simplicity. It’s an ultra-simple, easy-to-use and of the best daily checklist app with a clear timeline view and Kanban-style board. At the same time, its simplicity doesn’t get in the way of its functionality, ensuring seamless integration with various projects. 

Toggl Plan isn’t an enterprise project management software (at least it’s not marketed so). What it is – is a time-tracking tool tailored for collaboration. Here users can write down tasks they’re planning to work on, receive assignments from other users, update their progress on their tasks, and collaborate with people outside the team by sharing real-time timeline views.   

Since it’s a tracking tool, it can also be used to record the time you or your team spend working on the tasks, which can help PMs organize the workflow more efficiently.

When it comes to integrations, Toggl Plan doesn’t offer as many as some other apps, but most important are provided, including the ability to use Toggl Track, Google Calendar, and integrate with Asana, Trello, Jira, and the like. As long as you don’t need billing, invoice, or other specific business tools, it will fit you just right.  

Highlights:

• Clear timeline and board views;
• Time tracking tool;
• An intuitive drag-and-drop interface;
• Works with a variety of apps.  

Downsides:

• No free trial;
• Not available for Android and iOS versions;
• No task dependencies.

Price: Free | Premium starts from $8

Available for: Web

Our verdict

Toggl Plan is a light version of task management software that doesn’t have task dependencies but offers great tracking tools, making it an ideal to do list app suited for small teams who know each other and don’t have tons of pending tasks. 

5. Any.do

Next on the list is Any.do. It is a simple to do list app with extensive daily checklist app features that can fit the needs of both small and mid-sized businesses. The beauty of this app, without a doubt, is its interface.

Using drag and drop, you can create, change, and reassign tasks within just a few clicks. And when you need to delete an item, all you have to do is give your phone a shake – a cool feature unique to the Any.do app.    

Highlights:

• Synchronization across all devices, be it your laptop, iPad, desktop, or phone;
• A range of customized themes to match different project needs;
• Unlimited use of daily planner;
• Seamless integration with Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud calendar;
• Reminders about tasks and missed calls.

Downsides:

• Weak customer support service;
• The advanced features might take some time to learn.

Price: Free | Premium starts from $2.99 

Available for: Android, iOS, Web

Our verdict

Anyone needing an effective and easy-to-use daily checklist app that can sync across platforms and match different project needs will find Any.do to be the right choice.  

6. Trello: Best online checklist apps

Trello has many advantages, making it a popular task management tool among both PM managers and regular users. 

One of the most remarkable ones is that it creates tasks in the form of a card that presents all details about the project, including information about assigned members, due dates, comments, and so on. Thanks to this, it’s enough to take a quick look at it to see who’s doing what and at what stage the task is.

Another one is its notification system. With Trello, there’s no risk of missing any important changes in the status of a task as it sends both email and push notifications. Moreover, it supports real-time updates, which means notifications are instantly sent to all assigned team members once the change has been made, ensuring no one ever falls behind. 

Highlights:

• Responsive web design;
• Kanban framework;
• Real-time email and push notifications.

Downsides:

• Many task management tools are available only through add-ons;
• Not suitable for multiple projects.

Price: Free | Premium starts from $5 per month

Available for: Android, iOS, and Web

Our verdict

Trello is a great lightweight to do list app that can benefit both small business owners and entrepreneurs. It’s not quite as feature-rich as Nifty or ClickUp, but it’s more than suitable for most simple projects. 

7. Memorigi 

Another excellent to do lists tool for keeping track of your daily tasks is Memorigi. It’s a great app that combines the features of a task planner, to-do list, calendar, and reminders. 

What’s more, it’s a great motivational app. With Memorigi, not only will you never forget an important task at hand, but you will also work your way towards achieving goals and building new habits, thanks to its inspiring notification system.

Perhaps there are better tools for managing a team, but for most personal tasks, like completing a book-to-read list or not forgetting anything when you go shopping next time, it’s a great daily checklist tool. 

Highlights:

• Beautifully designed app; 
• Ability to group tasks in folders;
• Ability to set and change priorities.

Trello Alternatives

Downsides:

• Not available on iOS and Web;
• Limited task management tools.

Price:  Free | Premium starts from $1.99

Available for: Android

Our verdict

Memorigi is a nicely designed to-do app that includes everything you need to organize life and work. It’s also a great tool for boosting motivation, making it ideal for those who often find it challenging to accomplish their goals.

8. Remember the Milk: Best used to organize tasks

Originally designed as a grocery list, the Remember the Milk app very quickly evolved into a personal to-do list app with a decent set of task management features. 

Now, not only does it allow you to create colorful lists of tasks, but it also can be integrated with other apps like Google Calendar, Gmail, and Microsoft Outlook, allowing you to keep up to date with your tasks through emails, texts, push notifications, and even messages on social media.  

Like Memorigi, the Remember the Milk app is for personal use. Still, you could use it for simple projects, like organizing your workflow or prioritizing tasks that need to be done first.

Highlights:

• User-friendly interface;
• Smart sentence recognition;
• Integration with calendars;
• Available on all platforms.

Downsides:

• The Pro version is quite expensive;

Price: Free | Premium starts from $3.33 per month

Available for: Android, iOS, and Web

Our verdict

Though quite simplistic, Remember the Milk is an excellent app for those who want to keep up with their tasks and organize their schedule most efficiently. 

9. No More Zero Days

If you are struggling to start a new habit or feel overwhelmed trying to keep up with your huge to-do list, No More Zero Days is a great app designed for your needs. The app can help you develop positive habits and avoid unproductive days by using a unique gamified approach to keep you motivated and engaged. It encourages you to adopt the “non-zero day” philosophy: try to accomplish at least something small each day.

For example, if you want to make it a habit to write 500 words daily, No More Zero Days will prompt you to write at least 50 words to avoid a non-zero day. This small nudge can help you stay motivated and overcome procrastination. For each activity, users can mark an activity as complete for a day by tapping a category box and adding a note for that category by pressing and holding the box.

The app’s philosophy is based on the Non-Zero Day philosophy and has a strong community on Reddit (r/NonZeroDay), making it ideal for you to use and get support from other users.

Highlights

• Gamifies task completion by rewarding you for completing tasks consistently and building streaks
• Provides daily challenges to keep things interesting and prevent routine from setting in
• Uses motivational quotes and rewards to keep you focused and engaged
• Easy to learn and use, even for those unfamiliar with task management apps

Downsides

• Focuses primarily on habit building and doesn’t offer advanced task management features like team collaboration or project planning
• Lacks analytics and other advanced features, limiting it to personal usage, mainly personal habits

Price: Free

Available for: Android

Our Verdict

No More Zero Days is a great option for those looking for a fun and engaging way to build positive habits and avoid unproductive days. It is simple and easy-to-use and offers daily reminders to ensure that you can update your progress on a daily basis. However, it lacks advanced analytics or task management and scheduling options, limiting it for personal use. If you need a more robust task management solution with advanced features like team collaboration and project planning, you can consider other options that are ideal for task planning and visualizations.

10. HabitNow Daily Routine Planner

If you are looking for a simple app to track your daily activities, especially habits, HabitNow Daily Routine Planner is a solid option. This Android app goes beyond simple to-do lists, aiming to be the architect of your ideal day.

With the app, you can track daily, weekly, and monthly habits, ticking off what was done and what wasn’t. You can create a habit and set the number of times it will repeat in a day, week, or month, with values like numeric values or yes/no options.

For example, if you want to track the number of hours you have worked each day on a particular project, you can add the project to your app, and when you complete the daily task, add the number of hours with it. Thus, you will be able to see how frequently you complete a particular habit and also how much time was spent on this habit.

Additionally, you can add single tasks, to-do items, and recurring items, which won’t be tracked under habits but will help you plan your calendar efficiently.

Highlights

• Helps you create and track habits and to-dos
• Set goals for daily, weekly, or monthly periods
• Set reminders and alarms
• Track progress
• Customize the experience with themes and icons
• Use widgets to track progress

Downsides

• Task-tracking system is basic— it might not be suitable for people looking for a comprehensive one

Price: Free habit tracker app for up to 7 habits | Premium at $9.99/month

Available for: Android

Our Verdict

HabitNow Daily Routine Planner is a solid choice for individuals seeking an app specifically designed to build routines and integrate habits seamlessly into their daily lives. The app’s focus on habit formation and progress tracking makes it ideal for those looking to establish positive routines and achieve personal goals. However, if you require advanced collaboration features or project management functionalities for your team, you can consider other powerful contenders in the list.

11. Apple Reminders

Now, for iOS and MacOS users, we have an app that can easily help you get reminders and plan your daily activities. This default Apple app, called Apple Reminders, is available on all Apple devices, helping you create and manage your to-do lists and reminders. It seamlessly integrates with your Apple ecosystem, making it a convenient choice for Apple users who want a simple yet effective reminder system.

You can create, manage, and categorize tasks with ease, ensuring a clear overview of your daily workload. With Siri integration, you can create reminders on the fly using voice commands, freeing you from the burden of manual data entry.

Thus, it is the perfect solution for busy professionals who value a no-fuss approach to task management, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: achieving business goals.

Highlights

• Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks for increased organization using Subtasks
• Offers pre-built lists for common tasks like groceries, movies, and shopping, saving you time and effort
• Add notes to your reminders for additional context or details using the Notes feature
• Easily sync all your reminders and tasks seamlessly across all your Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch), ensuring your to-do list is always accessible

Downsides

• While user-friendly, the interface offers less customization compared to some other options since it is a basic to-do list and daily checklist app
• Only available on Apple devices, making it less suitable for users on other platforms or users who are not exclusively tied to the Apple ecosystem

Price: Free

Available for: iOS, MacOS, and all Apple devices

Our Verdict

Apple Reminders is a solid choice for Apple users seeking a simple and convenient way to manage their daily tasks and reminders. Its seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem and user-friendly interface make it a great option for staying on top of your to-do list. However, if you require advanced features like collaboration, project management, or more in-depth task organization, you can check out an advanced project and productivity management platform instead.

12. TickTick

TickTick is a feature-rich daily checklist app that combines a beautiful, user-friendly interface with powerful task management functionalities. It caters to individuals and teams seeking a comprehensive solution to organize their daily schedules, manage projects, and stay productive.

The app comes in all shapes and sizes, including a downloadable Android and iOS app that can be used on multiple devices. For PC, you can view it on the browser or get the Windows or Linux app. Plus, it offers browser extensions in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and even as an add-on for your Gmail and Outlook, making it a truly versatile option. Imagine all your activities being in sync and having the ability to add tasks and to-dos from multiple sources.

But TickTick doesn’t stop at mere organization. It equips you with advanced functionalities to optimize your workday. Utilize the built-in Pomodoro timer to leverage the power of focused work intervals, maximizing your productivity and minimizing distractions.

Thus, TickTick is more than just a daily checklist app. It can take your task planning and habit-tracking to the next level and is ideal for busy managers who need an app to help them prioritize their lives. 

Highlights

• Sync your activities across devices and platforms since it is available not just for download but also in-browser, browser extension, Gmail, and Outlook add-in
• Assign tasks, share projects, and collaborate seamlessly with your team in real-time (available in premium plans)
• Track your daily habits and build positive routines with dedicated habit-tracking features
• Choose between different list views like Kanban boards, Eisenhower Matrix, and traditional lists to fit your needs and preferences
• Utilize the built-in focus timer with Pomodoro Technique integration to maximize productivity and minimize distractions

Downsides

• Some key functionalities, like habit tracking and collaboration features, are locked behind the premium paywall
• The desktop app requires a separate purchase after the free trial period

Price

• Free | Premium starts at $35.99/year

Available for: Mac, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Web, Browser Extensions (Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox), Outlook Add-in, Gmail Add-on

Our Verdict

TickTick is a powerful and versatile daily checklist app that caters to individual and team needs. Its beautiful design, diverse list views, and focus timer make it a compelling option for staying productive. However, the free version is limited in some key features, and the desktop app requires a separate purchase.

How to choose the right daily checklist app? 

With so many options to choose from, how do you know which daily checklist app is right for you? We don’t have an answer to this question because the decision is up to you, but we can offer you a few tips to help make up your mind and help you pick the best daily checklist app: 

1. Data Visualization 

How the data is displayed on the screen won’t bother people who only use the app as a personal to-do list assistant. However, if you have multiple projects to manage at once, ensure that the app you choose allows you to customize your data views as you see fit.

2. Design

It is also important that the app is easy to use, and design plays a significant role here. If there’s a steep learning curve when using the app interface, you might be better off with a more user-friendly alternative. 

3. Sync and Sharing Options

If you’re looking for an app to use with your team, check if it supports sync and data-sharing options. These are essential collaboration tools that can improve communication within the team and help you control the project cycle. 

4. Budget

The budget is also an important point of consideration, especially if your business is relatively small and you’re still determining if the project will thrive. Luckily, most daily checklist apps offer free plans, so you can try them before making a commitment. 

To-do list & daily checklist apps – FAQs:

Is there an app for a daily checklist?

Yes, there is. You may be overwhelmed with choosing apps for your daily checklist. The market offers numerous options like Nifty, Asana, Todolist, and others.

How do I create a daily checklist?

The process is as simple as it gets. Think of all your tasks and write them down on your daily checklist app while prioritizing each task. The key is to organize tasks in order of priority to avoid missing anything important.

How do I make a daily checklist on my iPhone?

If you’re an iPhone user, you have two options: use the proprietary Notes app, which will allow you to create a basic daily to-do list, or download the daily checklist app from the list we shared above, which will allow you to streamline much more complex projects than just keeping track of your grocery list.

Is there a free checklist app?

Yes, there are many free checklist apps in the market. Nifty, Google Task, ClickUp, and Todo list are popular free daily checklist apps.