Best Reminder App in 2026: 8 Apps Compared

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By the Ainotely Editorial Team.
Updated November 2026. 8 min read. Prices and features researched from each vendor's official pages and app store listings at time of writing.
Best Reminder App
Quick picks
  1. 1Todoist logo
    TodoistBest overall
    Visit
  2. 2TickTick logo
    TickTickHeavy reminder users
    Visit
  3. 3Any.do logo
    Any.doCalendar plus reminders
    Visit
  4. 4Google Tasks logo
    Google TasksGoogle users
    Visit
  5. 5Microsoft To Do logo
    Microsoft To DoMicrosoft users
    Visit
Short version:
In this guide Quick comparisonThe best reminder appHow we picked theseWhat to check before you choose a reminder appFrequently asked questionsSources

Quick comparison

ProductIdeal forPrice fromFree version
TodoistBest overallFreeYesVisit
TickTickHeavy reminder usersFreeYesVisit
Any.doCalendar plus remindersFreeYesVisit
Google TasksGoogle usersFreeYesVisit
Microsoft To DoMicrosoft usersFreeYesVisit
Apple RemindersApple usersFreeYesVisit
Google KeepQuick notes with remindersFreeYesVisit
Things 3Apple-only focusSee websiteNoVisit

The best reminder app

These eight apps cover task-based reminders, calendar reminders and note-based reminders. We compared official pricing pages, feature pages and public reviews, focusing on reminder reliability, recurring support and ecosystem fit, since a reminder app fails if its alerts do not reach you.

Todoist logo
#1

Todoist

Ideal for: Best overall

Todoist website
todoist.com homepage

Todoist is the best reminder app for most people because it combines reliable recurring reminders with clean cross-platform apps and natural language dates such as "every Tuesday at 9am". Tasks sync across phone, desktop and web, and the free tier covers five projects with basic task management. Pro costs $60 per year, or $7 per month, and adds reminders, filters and unlimited projects.

The catch is that reminders themselves require Pro, so a free-tier user gets tasks without alerts. For a user who relies on reminders daily, the Pro price is worth it. For a casual user, a free ecosystem app may suffice.

The good and the bad
  • Reliable recurring reminders
  • Strong cross-platform apps
  • Natural language dates
  • Reminders are a Pro feature at $60 per year
  • Free tier covers basic tasks only
TickTick logo
#2

TickTick

Ideal for: Heavy reminder users

TickTick website
ticktick.com homepage

TickTick suits users who set many reminders and want a calendar view of them. Its free tier covers tasks, lists and a calendar, while Premium at $49.99 per year adds unlimited reminders, habit tracking and custom filters. The calendar view shows reminders alongside events, which helps users who plan their day visually.

Free-tier reminders are capped at two per task, so heavy users will need Premium. For a user juggling many deadlines, TickTick's calendar plus reminder combination is the strongest in this list.

The good and the bad
  • Calendar view plus reminders
  • Habit tracker included
  • Premium at $49.99 per year
  • Free tier caps at two reminders per task
  • Interface can feel busy
Any.do logo
#3

Any.do

Ideal for: Calendar plus reminders

Any.do website
any.do homepage

Any.do combines calendar, tasks and reminders in one app, which suits users who want a single view of their day. Location reminders trigger when you arrive or leave a place, and team features cover shared lists and assignments. A free tier covers basic tasks and reminders, with Premium around $7.99 per month, or $4.99 on annual billing.

Some advanced features sit on the higher tier, and the interface prioritizes simplicity over power. For a user who wants calendar and reminders together without a steep learning curve, Any.do is a balanced pick.

The good and the bad
  • Calendar, tasks and reminders in one app
  • Location reminders
  • Team collaboration
  • Premium around $7.99 per month, or $4.99 on annual billing
  • Some features need the higher tier
Google Tasks logo
#4

Google Tasks

Ideal for: Google users

Google Tasks is the best free reminder app for Google users, since it integrates with Gmail and Google Calendar and costs nothing. Tasks created from an email appear in Calendar, reminders sync across devices, and the interface stays deliberately simple. That simplicity is its strength for users who want a reminder without a project manager.

There are no location reminders, and subtasks and collaboration are limited. For a Google user who needs basic, reliable reminders, Google Tasks is enough. For complex projects, Todoist or TickTick fits better.

The good and the bad
  • Completely free
  • Integrates with Gmail and Calendar
  • Simple and reliable
  • No location reminders
  • Limited subtasks and collaboration
Microsoft To Do logo
#5

Microsoft To Do

Ideal for: Microsoft users

Microsoft To Do is the best free reminder app for Microsoft users, integrating with Outlook, Teams and Microsoft 365. Its My Day view helps users plan each morning, tasks sync across devices, and flagged emails can become tasks. It costs nothing for anyone with a Microsoft account.

Location reminders are absent, and automation is thinner than Todoist's. For a Microsoft shop or an Outlook user, Microsoft To Do is the natural, free choice. For a power user, a paid app offers more.

The good and the bad
  • Completely free
  • Integrates with Outlook and Microsoft 365
  • My Day view
  • No location reminders
  • Fewer automation options than Todoist
Apple Reminders logo
#6

Apple Reminders

Ideal for: Apple users

Apple Reminders is the best free reminder app for Apple users, built into iPhone, iPad and Mac with Siri integration, location and time reminders, and shared lists for families. It costs nothing beyond the device, and reminders sync through iCloud across Apple hardware.

There is no Android or Windows app, so mixed-device households will struggle. For an all-Apple user, Apple Reminders covers most needs without a subscription. For a cross-platform user, Todoist or Google Tasks fits better.

The good and the bad
  • Completely free on Apple devices
  • Siri integration
  • Location and time reminders
  • Shared lists
  • Apple-only
  • No Android or Windows app
Google Keep logo
#7

Google Keep

Ideal for: Quick notes with reminders

Google Keep suits users who capture quick notes and want a reminder attached. Notes are fast to create, color-coded and searchable, with time reminders that sync to Google Tasks in current flows. It costs nothing and works across web and mobile.

Location reminders were dropped, and Keep is not a task manager, so complex projects need another app. For a user who thinks in notes first and tasks second, Keep's speed is appealing. For a reminder-heavy workflow, Todoist or TickTick is stronger.

The good and the bad
  • Completely free
  • Fast note capture
  • Time reminders
  • Color-coded notes
  • Reminders moved to Google Tasks in some flows
  • Location reminders were dropped
  • Not a task manager
Things 3 logo
#8

Things 3

Ideal for: Apple-only focus

Things 3 is the premium Apple-only pick for users who want a beautiful, focused task manager with reminders. Its design stays out of the way, projects and areas organize work cleanly, and a one-time purchase per device replaces a subscription, which appeals to users who dislike monthly fees.

There is no free tier, no Android or Windows version, and each device needs its own purchase. For an Apple user who values design and focus over cross-platform reach, Things 3 is worth the price. For a mixed-device user, it is not a fit.

The good and the bad
  • Beautiful, focused design
  • One-time purchase
  • Strong Apple integration
  • Apple-only
  • One-time purchase per device
  • No free tier

How we picked these

We compared official pricing pages, feature pages and public reviews for reminder apps available in October 2026. We favored apps with reliable alerts, a real user base and current pricing, and we weighed reminder flexibility, recurring support, ecosystem fit and price, since a reminder app that does not reach you on time has failed at its core job.

What to check before you choose a reminder app

Start with your devices, not the feature list. If you live on Apple hardware, Apple Reminders is free and reliable. If you live in Google or Microsoft apps, Google Tasks or Microsoft To Do integrates cleanly. If you switch devices often, Todoist, TickTick or Any.do syncs everywhere. A reminder app that only works on one platform will fail you on the other.

Then test the reminder types you actually use. Time reminders suit most tasks, location reminders suit errands, and recurring reminders suit habits and bills. Check that your chosen app supports the types you need on your devices, since location reminders were dropped from some Google flows and are absent from others.

Finally, check alert reliability before committing. Enable notifications, set a test reminder for five minutes ahead, and confirm it arrives on your phone, watch and desktop. A reminder that arrives late or silently is worse than no reminder, because it creates false confidence.

If you are still unsure, trial the top two options from this list with a real project before committing to a paid plan, since hands-on use reveals fit faster than any feature list. Check how each option handles your everyday tasks, how quickly support answers a question, and how easy it is to export your data if you later switch. A short trial with real work gives you evidence that no comparison table can, and it protects you from paying for features you will never use.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best reminder app?

Todoist is the best overall reminder app for most people, with reliable recurring reminders and cross-platform apps, though reminders require Pro at $60 per year. TickTick suits heavy users, while Google Tasks and Apple Reminders are the best free ecosystem options.

Is there a free reminder app?

Yes, Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do, Apple Reminders and Google Keep are completely free, and Todoist, TickTick and Any.do offer free tiers. Paid plans add unlimited reminders, location triggers and advanced filters.

Can reminder apps do location reminders?

Yes, Apple Reminders and Any.do support location reminders that trigger on arrival or departure. Google Keep dropped location reminders, and Google Tasks and Microsoft To Do do not offer them.

What is the difference between Todoist and TickTick?

Todoist offers cleaner cross-platform task management with reminders on Pro, while TickTick adds a calendar view and habit tracking, with Premium at $49.99 per year. TickTick suits visual planners, Todoist suits users who prefer a simpler task list.

Do reminder apps work on watch and desktop?

Most apps in this list sync across phone, desktop and web, with watch support on Apple Watch and Wear OS for major apps. Check your chosen app's watch support before buying, since it varies by platform.

Sources

  1. https://todoist.com
  2. https://ticktick.com
  3. https://www.any.do
  4. https://tasks.google.com
  5. https://todo.microsoft.com
  6. https://support.apple.com/guide/reminders/welcome/mac
  7. https://keep.google.com
  8. https://culturedcode.com/things