Productivity tools are a prominent category in the Google Play store and in this case we are going to focus on a very popular typology that can be very useful on a day-to-day basis: task managers. For the occasion, We take on seven of the most comprehensive task management services.
Google Keep: simplicity for personal use
Google Keep is part of the package of applications that come installed as standard with Android and is an option very interesting for personal organizationalthough it is very limited to give it a professional use, especially if you work in a team.
One of its strong points, in addition to the fact that it is totally free, is that it allows you to create different types of content. We can choose between text notes, task checklists, freehand drawings, voice notes or images. In addition, it is one of the few that offers the option of location-based remindersto notify us when we arrive at a specific place.
Google Keep: notes and lists
Google Tasks: the perfect companion for Calendar
We continue with another proposal from Google, this time more focused on creating tasks and reminders. Google Tasks is very simple and here lies much of its comfort. We can create task lists to keep our projects well organized, assign a date and time to each task, specify details or add subtasks.
Its strong point is that syncs with Gmail and Calendar, so that we can add tasks from an email or see those that we have pending directly on the calendar. Without a doubt, the most recommended option if you use the Google suite to organize yourself.
- Android version: from 6.0
- Developer: Google LLC
- Download it at: google play
- Price: Free
- Category: Productivity
Microsoft To Do: A Very Worthy Wunderlist Heir
We change the third and go with Microsoft, a company that a few years ago bought the famous Wunderlist task app and that today they have transformed into Microsoft ToDo. Has a very simple and clean interface that allows us to create different task lists and has other predefined views such as ‘My day’ or ‘Planned’ to see scheduled tasks.
It is a simple app, but it offers many options. We can invite other users and assign tasks to them, so may be suitable for teamwork. In addition, in each task we have many options such as adding reminders, setting a deadline, making them repeat themselves, adding files or subtasks that depend on them. It can also be integrated with Office 365.
Microsoft ToDo
Workflowy: don’t let its simplicity fool you
If simplicity is your thing, Workflowy is probably the app for you. The interface is a blank page where we can go creating a list of tasks. We can simply stay on the name or, if we click on it, add subtasks, share with other participants, add files and much more. To complete the tasks you just have to swipe to the right and they will be crossed out.
Perhaps simplicity is also its weak point and it is that, as we said, at first glance Workflowy looks like a blank page. You have to add tasks and subtasks to uncover all potential, which is not a small thing.
WorkFlowy
- Android version: from 5.0
- Developer: Workflowy
- Download it at: google play
- Price: Free
- Category: Productivity
Notion: you won’t finish it
Notion is much more than a task app. In fact, to-do lists are just a small portion of everything it allows us to do, but it deserves a place on this list because it allows many options when it comes to organizing our day to day. Simple ‘to-do’ lists or much more complex databases with associated tags, dates and more details can be created.
If simplicity is a double-edged sword with Workflowy, the same thing happens with complexity of Notion and here I can speak in a personal capacity. Even though it’s been the app I’ve been using on a daily basis for months, I still haven’t reached its full potential. Another point against it is that the desktop version is much more powerful than the app. If you want to take full advantage of it, the ideal is to use it on both platforms.
Any.Do: one of the most popular and complete apps
Any.Do is one of the most popular homework apps, and there are reasons. Has a very clean interface that allows us to organize our work by projects and tasks, which in turn allow us to add subtasks, and offers many functions focused on teamwork. It also highlights its calendar integration to be able to see all our tasks ordered by days.
With Any.Do it is possible to share projects and make comments between members, but yes, if you want to take full advantage of its team organization capabilities, you will have to get a Premium subscription. It also has the option of place reminders, allows you to attach files and add media files to notes.
Any.DO Task List
Todoist: maximum productivity
Todoist is available on all types of platforms (mobile, desktop, wearables) and is one of the most popular solutions for task management. It allows you to organize tasks by labels, create subtasks and, of course, work as a team with the possibility of making comments and attaching files.
One of the most interesting details of Todoist is that we allows you to set the priority of each task in four levels and also generate tasks that are repeated over time. The downside is that if you want to get the most out of it, you have to checkout, but it’s worth paying if you use it often.
Todoist: To Do List
Asana: special for teams
If you want to manage the tasks of a team of people, Asana is undoubtedly one of the options to consider. It can also be useful as a personal manager, but its focus is clearly aimed at coordinating work between various members.
It has a fairly dynamic interface and offers the usual equipment options, but takes a more social turn with the possibility of adding Likes, mentioning other users in the comments or highlighting messages.
Trello: versatility in a very visual interface
Trello is a clear example that the interface is a key point in the organization of tasks. With a unique structure of boards and cardsTrello makes it easy to stay organized by displaying all your tasks in a much more visual way, so you can see how you’re doing at a glance.
The tasks, or rather cards, are grouped into a kind of list that they have baptized boards, but moving them is as simple as dragging them to another board. Within each card we can add lists of subtasks, attach files or add comments. It is also organized by colors and allows you to add stickers to highlight cards.
Trello
Task managers, which one to choose?
We could pick a winner, but in the end the decision to use one task manager or another It depends on the particular needs of each user. We have tried to choose a fairly varied selection of apps in the sense that we find different approaches. If you are looking for a simple task list and use Google services, Google Keep or Google Tasks are the best option.
Microsoft To Do, Todoist and Any.Do are perhaps the three strongest options if what you are looking for is an app with a focus on tasks, but that offers many options. For their part, Workflowy and Notion opt for somewhat different approaches, the first stands out for its simplicity and the second for the opposite.
We finish with Asana and Trello, two very powerful tools that can come in handy if you want to manage team tasks and with very visual interfaces. And you, With what app do you organize your day to day?
In Engadget Android | Work with Android: task managers and calendars