Best Task Management Apps for GTD in 2024: Top Picks
Best Gtd Task Management Apps
18th Aug, 2024
Getting Things Done helps you capture and do more tasks. But what task management apps are the best for GTD and help get stuff done.
Summary
- The best GTD task management app is Nirvana.
- There are other popular tools like OmniFocus 4, Todoist & 2Do that work too.
- The best Android GTD app for tasks is still Nirvana.
Getting Things Done was developed by David Allen in the 1990s.
Since then, task management apps have come very far. Many of them can now be used with the Getting Things Done methodology to get more tasks done. A lot of these apps are superb for reducing overwhelming and using GTD to capture and organize tasks.
Let's look into more detail about the best task management that follows the GTD system and can help you get more done in your daily routine. If you're hunting for more general to-do list applications, we'd recommend exploring this list.
What is the best task management app for GTD?
The best tools are either Nirvana or FacileThings, both work well to focus on task management using the GTD concept.
Best Task Management Apps for GTD: Picks
Tool | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
Focused GTD management | $3 per month, billed annually | |
iOS and macOS users for GTD | $99 per year | |
All round for general use & GTD | $4 per month, billed annually | |
Classic GTD app with smart list | $59.99 one-off | |
Minimal task app with GTD abilities | $49.99 macOS, $19.99 iPad, $9.99 iPhone |
Tools Reviewed
These to-do list apps best align with the GTD methodology.
Nirvana
Best GTD Task App
Is Nirvana good for Getting Things Done?
Nirvana is one of the best task management apps for following GTD.
Popular with those who follow and use GTD, Nirvana has a structured task management system that uses the same terminology and flows as GTD. Inside of tasks in Nirvana, you can add next actions, add energy levels, and add context tags all useful for GTD.
The desktop app does a decent job at allowing you to add projects, filter by tags and context items, and see what's coming up next for deadlines and tasks.
Should I use Nirvana for my GTD?
If you're looking for something stricter with how GTD operates, Nirvana is the best task management for GTD use. The focused experience and reasonable pricing make Nirvana much more approachable.
OmniFocus 4
Best Premium GTD App
Is OmniFocus 4 a good GTD app for tasks?
OmniFocus 4 is the most premium of the options in this list for GTD.
Great for tracking projects, tasks, tags, and upcoming items in a feature called Forecast. OmniFocus is one of the most attractive and well-built applications that comes on iOS, macOS, and even the Apple Vision Pro. The build quality of OmniFocus 4 is the best and the projects are great for tracking progress and coordinating tasks around a project base.
Should I get OmniFocus 4 for my GTD?
If you've got a budget for something more premium than Nirvana and are open to learning how OmniFocus works, truly making the most out of this powerful tool then we'd recommend it.
Todoist
All Round GTD App
Is Todoist good for task management & GTD?
Todoist is a general to-do list application not necessarily focused on GTD.
This is a to-do list app that has labels and filters useful for context in GTD, boards for visualizing ideas, and lists for projects. The iOS and Android apps with Todoist serve as a super way to capture tasks on the go which is something people need to do with GTD.
This might take a bit of time to get used to, as it isn't like the other tools that have systems built in, but can be shaped with the premium labels and filters to better align with how you do GTD (Getting Things Done). Many people use Todoist and GTD together.
Should I get Todoist for GTD?
If you're getting started with the GTD methodology and the tools like OmniFocus 4 and Nirvana are a bit daunting then we'd recommend looking at Todoist. It isn't an out-of-the-box GTD task management app, but it can be molded to GTD and has templates.
2Do
Old School GTD Task App
Is 2Do good for task management & GTD?
2Do isn't the most attractive tool for task management and GTD.
However, it is functional and works as a system that can be shaped with tags, smart lists, and a range of filtering that can create the perfect lists for your GTD system. It also comes on Android, macOS, and iOS, as an old-fashioned approach to GTD this works.
The other benefit that people like about 2Do is that it is a license, meaning you can get a one-off license and get access to 2Do once.
Things 3
Minimal iOS GTD App
Why Things 3 is good for GTD?
Things 3 is a minimal task management app that can be used for GTD.
Things 3 is good for GTD although not as strict as the others on this list. You can capture using the quick add on macOS and iOS, and the features allow you to add tags and labels to them. Projects also help for better management of tasks and capture into the right places. They also come with deadlines & due dates.
This evening is another feature that breaks up your to-do list and something that David Allen constantly advocates for around managing your list to best suit you, for this evening, you can push tasks into a sub-list within today to avoid overload.
Which GTD Task Management app is the best?
Let's help you narrow down your choice for the best task management app for GTD:
Best GTD task app
The best task app is Nirvana for GTD.
Best for GTD task app for macOS & iOS
The best task app for GTD on macOS and iOS is OmniFocus 4.
Best to-do list app for getting started with GTD
The most approachable to-do app for getting started with GTD is Todoist. This is simple and easy in nature for those new to the 5 steps of GTD.
Best GTD task app for Android
The best GTD app for Android is Nirvana.
Explore More Productivity Apps & Software
From trending reads, trending tools and beyond
Choose from hundreds of productivity tools
View AllWeekly Roundup: Explore People's Productivity Tools
Become a reader to our newsletter exploring what productivity apps people use on a daily basis to get things done