18 rules in 5 groups, worth 100 points in all. They were set before any product was scored and apply the same way to all 12.
Version 1, published 8 Oct 2026
In short
Each rule is a yes-or-no fact, a list (such as the systems with an app) or a number with published thresholds, read from the vendor's own pages.
A fact the vendor does not publish earns nothing. A feature in beta or preview does not count.
The list follows the points. A tie goes to the lower price on "cheapest paid plan", then to the name.
Personal task managers for individuals that run on Windows (an app or in the browser). Team project tools, habit trackers and Apple-only or Android-only apps are left out. A line that reads "on at least one plan" counts plans for individuals and small households only.
Systems 24 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Apps
Each system earns 3 points. Windows, macOS and Linux count only with an official desktop app (an installer or the Microsoft Store, Mac App Store or Snap/Flatpak for Linux); iOS and Android need an official app in the store; Web needs a web app that works in a browser. A web app does not earn the desktop points.
18
Works offline
You can view and add tasks on a computer or phone with no internet connection, on at least one plan.
6
Planning 27 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Recurring tasks
A task can repeat on a schedule, such as every week or every month, on at least one plan.
7
Time reminders
The app notifies you at a time you set for a task, on at least one plan.
4
Location reminders
The app notifies you when you arrive at or leave a place you set for a task, on at least one plan.
3
Subtasks
A task can hold smaller tasks or checklist items inside it.
4
Labels or tags
You can group tasks across lists with labels or tags.
3
Dates typed in plain words
The vendor documents that typing a phrase such as "every Friday at 5pm" sets the date and repeat.
3
Board view
Tasks can be shown as cards in columns (a Kanban board), on at least one plan.
3
Calendar and sharing 18 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Tasks in your calendar
Tasks with dates can be shown in Google, Outlook or Apple Calendar (or any calendar app) through an official integration, a subscription (iCal) feed or CalDAV, on at least one plan. Showing calendar events inside the task app does not count.
6
Shared lists
You can share a list with another person who has an account, on a plan for individuals or households.
5
Assign tasks
In a shared list you can assign a task to one person, on a plan for individuals or households.
4
Public API
The vendor publishes developer documentation for an API that reads and writes tasks.
3
Your data 12 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Export your tasks
A documented feature in the app or account settings exports all your tasks to a file such as CSV, JSON or ICS, or backs them up to a file, on at least one plan. A privacy or data-request form does not count.
4
Open source
The source code of the apps is public under an open-source licence.
5
Two-factor sign-in
The vendor documents two-factor sign-in for the account, on at least one plan.
3
Price 19 points
Rule
What it takes
Points
Free plan
A free plan, or free use of the app with sync through the vendor, self-hosting or your own storage (such as Dropbox or WebDAV), with no time limit (not a trial), that keeps tasks in sync on at least two devices.
8
Cheapest paid plan
The cheapest paid plan for one person, in US dollars a month, billed yearly at its regular price. A paid sync or hosting service counts as a paid plan; free self-hosting does not. A product with no paid plan counts as $0. $0 earns 11 points, $3 or less 9, $4 or less 7, $5 or less 5, $8 or less 3, $12 or less 1.