The short answer
- Apple Reminders: best built-in, already on your Mac and iPhone.
- Things: best designed, Apple devices only.
- Todoist: best if you also use Windows, Android or the web.
- TickTick: best all-in-one with calendar views and a focus timer.
- SayBriefly: best if your tasks come from client calls and email.
A to-do list app for Mac is a desktop app that holds your tasks, reminds you about them and lets you tick them off. Every app here does that well. The real difference is how tasks get onto the list in the first place.
We build SayBriefly, so read this with that in mind. We checked each competitor's own website in September 2026 and gave each one the credit it earns.
You type it
Reminders, Things, Todoist and TickTick. Fast capture, but you have to remember.
A call adds it
SayBriefly. Action items from your calls land on the list when you switch that on.
An email adds it
SayBriefly. Asks and deadlines in Gmail become tasks linked to the thread.
Mac to-do list apps at a glance
| App | Best for | Platforms | Calendar view | Tasks from calls and email |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 SayBriefly | Client work | Mac, Windows, Chrome extension | Yes | Yes, when switched on |
 Apple Reminders | Simple personal lists | Apple devices, iCloud web | Via Apple Calendar | No |
 Things | A calm, beautiful list | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch, Vision Pro | Calendar events in Today (reviewers report) | No |
 Todoist | Every platform | Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, web | Pro plan | No |
 TickTick | Tasks plus focus timer | All platforms | Premium | No |
Checked on each app's own website, September 2026. Todoist offers Task Assist and Email Assist AI features on its plans; the last column is about tasks created from your own meetings and inbox.
The 5 best to-do list apps for Mac
1. SayBriefly: best when tasks come from calls and email
Most tasks do not start in your to-do app. They start on a call ("I'll send the scope by Friday") or in an email. SayBriefly is one list fed from your calls, email and client projects. It records calls from your Mac with no bot, and when you switch on auto tasks, your action items land on the list. Every task keeps a link to the call or email it came from.
Tasks with a time sit on your calendar, synced with Google Calendar. Start the focus timer on a task. Double-tap Shift to dictate a task; on a Mac it uses Apple's own speech engine. Ask the agent, Scribbble, what you owe a client this week, and it answers from calls, email and tasks together.
Good
- Tasks from calls and email, each linked to its source
- List, calendar, notes and focus timer in one app
- Works on Mac and Windows
Worth knowing
- No iPhone or Android app
- Email is Gmail only for now
- More than you need for a grocery list
Pick SayBriefly if your tasks come from clients.
See the SayBriefly to-do list app.
2. Apple Reminders: best built-in
Reminders is already on your Mac, costs nothing extra and syncs to your iPhone and Apple Watch. You can add tasks with Siri, share lists and sort by date or tag. For a personal list it is hard to beat.
Worth knowing
- Apple devices only, apart from iCloud on the web
- Nothing links a task to the email or meeting it came from
Pick Reminders if you want zero setup.
3. Things: best designed
Things has won the Apple Design Award twice, and it shows. Today, Upcoming and Areas make a calm structure, and it feels at home on a Mac. Pricing is set per platform on the App Store; Cultured Code points you there to check your country's price.
Worth knowing
- No Windows or Android app
Pick Things if you live on Apple devices and want the nicest list.
4. Todoist: best across every platform
Todoist runs everywhere and says it has more than 50 million users and 90+ integrations. The free plan gives you 5 personal projects. Pro adds the calendar layout, task durations and more filters.
Worth knowing
- Calendar layout needs Pro
- Tasks still start with you typing them
Pick Todoist if you switch between a Mac and other devices.
5. TickTick: best all-in-one
TickTick puts tasks, a focus timer and habit tracking in one app. Premium adds multiple calendar views and task durations. Sync across devices works on the free plan too.
Worth knowing
- Calendar views need Premium
- Lots of features can feel busy
Pick TickTick if you want a timer and calendar with your list.
The best list is the one you don't have to remember to fill.
How to choose a to-do app for your Mac
| Your situation | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Personal list, Apple devices | Apple Reminders |
| Want the most beautiful Mac app | Things |
| Mac at work, Android phone | Todoist or TickTick |
| Tasks come from client calls and email | SayBriefly |
| Team on Mac and Windows | SayBriefly or Todoist |
Want a list on paper first? Try our to-do list template. Planning by the hour? Read calendar to-do list.
Questions people ask about Mac to-do apps
What is the best to-do list app for Mac?
It depends on where your tasks come from. Apple Reminders is built in and fine for personal lists. Things is the most polished Mac-only app. Todoist and TickTick work on every platform. SayBriefly is for people whose tasks come from client calls and email, because it can put them on the list for you.
Does the Mac have a built-in to-do list app?
Yes. Apple Reminders comes with every Mac and syncs with your iPhone through iCloud.
Is Things available on Windows?
No. Things lists Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Vision Pro. If you use Windows too, look at Todoist, TickTick or SayBriefly.
Is Todoist free on Mac?
Todoist has a free Beginner plan with 5 personal projects. Pro adds the calendar layout and more projects. Check todoist.com/pricing for current prices.
Does TickTick have a calendar and a Pomodoro timer?
TickTick's upgrade page lists multiple calendar views on Premium. It also has a focus timer. Premium is listed at US$49.99 a year.
Can a to-do app add tasks from my meetings?
SayBriefly can. It records calls from your Mac with no bot, and when you switch on auto tasks, your action items land on the list linked to the call.
Does SayBriefly have an iPhone app?
No. SayBriefly runs on Mac and Windows, with a Chrome and Brave extension for Gmail. If you need your list on your phone, Reminders, Things, Todoist or TickTick are better picks.
Can I dictate tasks on a Mac?
In SayBriefly, double-tap Shift and speak. On a Mac it uses Apple's own speech engine and types the words where your cursor is.
