Best To-Do List Apps for 2026: What Wirecutter Recommends

At the start of a new year, many of us look for ways to get more organized. A good to-do list app can help, but with so many options, picking the right one is not straightforward. Task management tools vary widely in features, pricing, and—something people often overlook—how they handle your data.

The product review site Wirecutter, part of The New York Times, recently published its updated picks for the best to-do list apps of 2026. Their team tested dozens of apps based on usability, cross-platform support, collaboration features, and privacy. Here is a summary of what they found, along with some context for making your own choice.

What Happened

Wirecutter’s latest roundup narrowed the field to three apps that consistently outperformed competitors: Todoist, Things, and Microsoft To Do. Each serves a slightly different audience.

  • Todoist is their top overall pick, praised for its balance of power and simplicity. It works on nearly every platform (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web, and even email clients) and offers strong collaboration tools. It uses natural language input and can handle complex projects with labels, filters, and reminders. Todoist also allows you to export your data, which is important for privacy-conscious users.

  • Things remains the best choice for people who only use Apple devices. It is a paid app (one-time purchase) and is known for its elegant design and thoughtful workflow, such as the “This Evening” section. However, it has no collaboration features and no web or Android version, so it only suits a single-platform household.

  • Microsoft To Do is the free option that integrates deeply with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Planner). It is reliable and simple, with features like shared lists and due dates. The trade-off is that it lacks some advanced capabilities like natural language input and project hierarchies that Todoist offers.

Wirecutter also noted that while Apple’s built-in Reminders app has improved, it still lags behind for power users who need subtasks, tags, and multi-platform access.

Why It Matters

A to-do list app might seem like a small decision, but it can have a real impact on productivity and even digital privacy. Many free apps rely on tracking usage data or showing ads. Paid apps like Things avoid that model entirely, and Todoist offers a paid plan with end-to-end encryption for tasks (though only in the business tier). Microsoft To Do stores data in the cloud under Microsoft’s privacy policy, which may be acceptable for Microsoft 365 subscribers but worth noting for others.

Choosing an app that works on all your devices and fits how you actually think about tasks can save time and reduce frustration. Conversely, picking a flashy app that does not sync reliably or lock you into a single ecosystem can create more work.

What Readers Can Do

If you are shopping for a to-do list app, start by asking a few questions:

  1. Which devices do you use? If you use both a Windows PC and an iPhone, Things is ruled out. Todoist and Microsoft To Do are better cross-platform options.
  2. Do you need to share lists with others? For family or work collaboration, Todoist is the strongest. Microsoft To Do works well for simple shared lists, especially if everyone is on Microsoft 365.
  3. What about privacy? Consider whether you are comfortable with cloud storage and the company’s data practices. If you want full control, Todoist allows data export and has a transparent privacy policy. Things stores everything locally on your Apple devices.
  4. How much complexity do you want? For straightforward grocery lists or quick reminders, Microsoft To Do may be enough. For managing multiple projects with deadlines and priorities, Todoist is worth the learning curve.

You can also try the free versions of Todoist and Microsoft To Do before committing. Things offers a 30-day trial on its iPhone and iPad versions.

Sources

Wirecutter, The New York Times. “The 3 Best To-Do List Apps of 2026.” Published December 10, 2025. (Subscription may be required for full article.)

Additional context from independent app reviews by sites like Zapier and PCMag, which generally echo Wirecutter’s findings as of early 2026. App features and pricing may change, so check the official websites for the most current information.