Getting Things Done revolutionized how people think about productivity back in the early 2000s. David Allen's methodology isn't just another productivity hack - it's a complete system for capturing, organizing, and executing tasks without the mental overhead that crushes most people.
The thing is, GTD demands specific features from your tools. You need robust context tagging (so you can filter tasks by location or tool required), seamless capture (because a GTD system that makes you jump through hoops to add tasks is worthless), project hierarchies (to separate next actions from someday/maybe), and solid review workflows. A generic to-do list app might technically work, but you'll spend half your time fighting the tool instead of actually getting things done.
We evaluated over 20 task management apps specifically for their GTD capabilities. Some apps claim to support GTD but make it clunky. Others never mention GTD but accidentally nail the workflow. This guide covers the apps that genuinely work for Getting Things Done in 2026, whether they were designed for it or not.
Each app here has been tested with actual GTD workflows: weekly reviews, context filtering, next action lists, and the full five-step process. Some are purpose-built for GTD purists. Others are flexible enough to mold into your system.
How We Evaluated GTD Task Management Apps
What Makes a Task Manager GTD-Ready?
GTD apps need specific capabilities that standard task managers often skip. We tested each app against the core GTD workflow to see which ones actually support the methodology versus just claiming they do.
Context tagging matters more in GTD than most productivity systems. You need to filter tasks by where you are (@home, @office, @errands) or what tools you need (@computer, @phone, @agenda). Apps that limit you to one tag per task or bury tags three menus deep failed our test. The best GTD apps make context switching instant.
Capture speed determines whether you'll actually use your system. GTD demands ubiquitous capture - if adding a task takes more than 5 seconds, you'll start skipping items. We tested quick-add on desktop, mobile widgets, email forwarding, and voice capture. Apps that require you to choose a project, set a date, and pick a priority before saving a simple task got marked down hard.
Project hierarchies separate casual task apps from GTD-ready tools. You need the ability to nest projects, distinguish between active projects and someday/maybe lists, and see next actions separately from future steps. Flat task lists don't cut it for GTD practitioners managing 30+ active projects.
Review workflows determine whether your system stays current or becomes a digital junk drawer. The best GTD apps include built-in review modes that surface projects without next actions, overdue items, and stale tasks. Some apps even automate weekly review checklists. We prioritized apps that make the GTD review process smooth rather than forcing you to manually audit everything.
Pricing for individuals matters because GTD is inherently a personal productivity system. We flagged apps that force you onto team plans or charge enterprise pricing for solo users. Most serious GTD practitioners are willing to pay for quality tools, but paying $20/month for features designed for 50-person teams is ridiculous.
1. OmniFocus 4
Best Premium GTD App: OmniFocus 4
OmniFocus 4 is the Rolls-Royce of GTD apps. Built specifically for Getting Things Done on Apple platforms, it maps so perfectly to the methodology that David Allen's company officially recommends it. If you're serious about GTD and live in the Apple ecosystem, this is the gold standard.
The app implements every GTD concept as a first-class feature. Contexts become tags with the ability to filter instantly. Projects can nest infinitely deep. The Forecast perspective shows what's coming up while keeping your next actions list clean. Review mode cycles through projects systematically, marking when you last reviewed each one and surfacing projects that need attention.
Perspectives are where OmniFocus earns its reputation. You can build custom filtered views for any context or criteria, then save them for one-tap access. Want to see all next actions tagged @errands that take under 15 minutes? Build it once, access it forever. The flexibility lets you shape OmniFocus to match your exact GTD implementation rather than forcing you into someone else's interpretation.
The new tags system (replacing the old contexts) gives you multiple tags per task, which is honestly game-changing for GTD. You can now tag a task with both @home and @high-energy, then filter your list by available contexts and current energy level. Previous versions limited you to one context, which always felt limiting.
Key features that make it GTD-ready: forecast view combining calendar events with tasks, built-in review mode that tracks when you last reviewed each project, flexible defer dates that hide tasks until they're actionable, tags for contexts with the ability to stack multiple tags per item, and perspectives that let you build exactly the filtered views GTD requires.
The learning curve is real. OmniFocus gives you power, but you pay for it with complexity. Budget at least a week to get comfortable with perspectives, another week to nail your review workflow, and ongoing tweaks as you refine your system. People who want plug-and-play simplicity will bounce hard off OmniFocus.
Pricing runs steep: the subscription model costs about $10/month (or $100/year), though you can still buy perpetual licenses for each platform separately if you prefer. For serious GTD practitioners billing $50+ per hour, the productivity gains justify the cost quickly. For casual users or people just starting with GTD, it might be overkill.
Best for: Apple users committed to GTD who want the most powerful, flexible task manager available and don't mind investing time to learn it properly.
OmniFocus 4 is a place for busy professionals to manage tasks and sort projects.
2. Nirvana HQ
Best GTD-Native App: Nirvana HQ
Nirvana built their entire app around Getting Things Done from day one. Unlike apps that adapted existing task managers to support GTD, Nirvana uses GTD terminology natively. You don't tag tasks with contexts - you assign them to contexts that Nirvana treats as a core feature. You don't hack projects into folders - Nirvana's project structure mirrors the GTD methodology exactly.
The interface speaks GTD fluently. Next actions appear as a distinct list. Someday/Maybe is a built-in view, not something you fake with tags. Waiting For items get their own section. The app even includes a Reference section for non-actionable items you want to keep accessible. If you've read Getting Things Done and think in those exact terms, Nirvana feels instantly comfortable.
Energy levels and time estimates add practical filtering. Mark a task as requiring high energy, and you can filter to show only those tasks when you're actually energized. Tag tasks with time estimates (5min, 15min, 30min+) and pull up your quick tasks when you have a few minutes between meetings. These are GTD concepts that most apps ignore.
The mobile apps work well enough for capture and reviewing your lists, but honestly feel a generation behind in polish. The iOS app gets the job done but lacks the refinement of Things 3 or OmniFocus. For a methodology that demands ubiquitous capture, having a merely adequate mobile experience is a real limitation.
Key features include: inbox processing workflow that walks you through the GTD clarifying step, contexts as a first-class feature not just tags, built-in waiting for and someday/maybe lists, energy level and time estimate filtering, and focus view that hides everything except your current context.
The desktop app shines while mobile lags. If you spend most of your day at a computer and only need mobile for quick capture and checking lists, Nirvana works great. If you rely heavily on mobile task management, the app feels dated compared to modern alternatives.
Pricing sits at the reasonable end: $5/month or $49/year for Pro, which includes all platforms and features. The free tier is quite limited (single project, no tags), so you'll realistically need Pro for actual GTD use. Still, at $49/year it's one of the better values for a dedicated GTD app.
Best for: GTD practitioners who want an app that speaks the methodology natively, work primarily from desktop, and appreciate having GTD concepts built in rather than bolted on.
3. Todoist
Best GTD App for Beginners: Todoist
Todoist never mentions Getting Things Done in their marketing, yet it's become one of the most popular tools for GTD practitioners. The app is flexible enough to mold into a solid GTD system without the learning curve of purpose-built GTD apps. If you're new to the methodology and want to start simple, Todoist hits the sweet spot.
The natural language input makes capture genuinely frictionless. Type "call dentist tomorrow @phone #health" and Todoist parses the due date, label, and project instantly. When David Allen talks about ubiquitous capture, this is what he means - zero friction between thought and inbox. The mobile keyboard integration on iOS and Android makes capture equally fast on the go.
Labels map perfectly to GTD contexts. Create labels for @home, @errands, @computer, @calls, and whatever other contexts you need. The free tier limits you to 5 active projects, which won't work for serious GTD, but the premium tier ($4/month) removes limits and adds filters. Filters are where Todoist becomes genuinely powerful for GTD - you can build saved searches like "@computer & #work & today" and access them with one tap.
Projects and sub-projects provide the hierarchy GTD requires. Your active projects sit at the top level. Inside each project, you can nest next actions, future tasks, and project support materials. Create a "Someday/Maybe" project for things you're not ready to commit to. Make a "Waiting For" project to track delegated items. Todoist's flexibility means you shape it to your system.
The lack of built-in GTD features is both strength and weakness. You won't find a dedicated review mode or energy level tags. Everything requires manual setup with projects, labels, and filters. For GTD purists who want the methodology baked into the interface, this feels like working around the tool. For people who like flexibility and minimal interfaces, it's perfect.
Key features include: natural language parsing for instant capture, labels for implementing contexts, filters for building custom GTD views, sub-projects for project hierarchies, and recurring tasks for regular reviews and ticklers.
Integrations make Todoist attractive for knowledge workers. Connect it to your email, calendar, Slack, and 80+ other tools. For GTD practitioners who want their task manager playing nicely with the rest of their workflow, Todoist is among the best connected.
Pricing is straightforward and cheap: $4/month or $36/year for Pro, which removes project limits and adds labels, filters, and reminders. That's less than OmniFocus and gets you cross-platform support (Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web). The free tier is surprisingly functional but caps you at 5 projects, which most GTD users outgrow quickly.
Best for: people new to GTD who want a clean, simple task manager they can shape into their system, users who value integration with other tools, and anyone who wants GTD capabilities without paying premium prices or learning complex apps.
4. 2Do
Best GTD App for Android: 2Do
2Do looks like it was designed in 2012 because, well, it basically was. The interface won't win design awards, but underneath the dated appearance sits one of the most flexible and powerful task managers for GTD on Android and iOS. If you can get past the aesthetics, 2Do offers depth that modern minimal apps deliberately avoid.
Smart lists are 2Do's killer feature for GTD. They work like Todoist's filters or OmniFocus's perspectives but with more flexibility. Build a smart list showing all tasks tagged @computer with high priority and due this week, then save it for instant access. Stack multiple criteria with AND/OR logic to create exactly the views GTD demands. The smart list system rivals OmniFocus in power while working on more platforms.
Tags support is genuinely robust. Unlike apps that limit you to one tag or make you choose between tags and contexts, 2Do lets you stack unlimited tags per task. Tag with @home, @15min, and @low-energy, then filter by any combination. The tag hierarchy even supports nested tags, so you can create @work and then @work/computer, @work/phone as sub-tags.
The GTD setup requires manual configuration. 2Do doesn't come pre-configured for Getting Things Done - you build your system with projects, tags, and smart lists. Honestly, this is a pain initially. Budget an afternoon to set up your contexts as tags, build your smart lists for different views, and configure your projects. Once it's done, though, it works smoothly.
Key features include: smart lists with complex AND/OR filtering, unlimited tags per task with hierarchical support, checklists within tasks for multi-step projects, date-based filters for due dates and defer dates, and local sync options that don't require cloud services.
The one-time purchase model appeals to people tired of subscriptions. Pay once per platform (iOS, Mac, Android) and own it forever. No monthly fees, no features held hostage behind subscription tiers. The downside is paying separately for each platform adds up if you want it everywhere.
Mobile apps work across iOS and Android, making 2Do one of the few serious GTD apps that doesn't force Android users to compromise. The Android version actually works well, which is rarer than it should be for productivity apps. If you're committed to Android and frustrated by the lack of quality GTD tools, 2Do deserves serious consideration.
Best for: Android users who need a serious GTD app, people who prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions, and users who want OmniFocus-level power without being locked to Apple platforms.
5. Things 3
Best Minimal GTD App: Things 3
Things 3 takes a different approach to GTD: instead of implementing every concept from David Allen's book, it cherry-picks the ideas that matter most and builds them elegantly. You won't find energy levels or strict context systems. What you get is a gorgeous, intuitive app that supports core GTD workflows without the complexity of purpose-built GTD tools.
The quick entry system nails ubiquitous capture. Hit Cmd+Option+Space anywhere on macOS and a capture window appears. Type your task, hit Enter, and it's in your inbox. The iOS widget does the same from your home screen. For GTD practitioners who've struggled with clunky capture in other apps, Things 3 feels like magic. Capture is so effortless you'll actually use it, which is half the battle.
Projects and areas provide enough structure for most GTD implementations. Create an area for Work, another for Personal, and organize projects under each. Inside projects, you can add tasks with headings to separate next actions from future steps. It's not as deeply hierarchical as OmniFocus, but honestly, most people don't need that depth.
Tags replace the old contexts but feel less natural for GTD than dedicated context systems. You can tag tasks with @home, @errands, @calls, but Things 3 treats tags as supplementary rather than core to the workflow. The tag interface is clean, but if you rely heavily on context filtering as most GTD practitioners do, Things 3 feels like it's fighting you a bit.
This Evening and Upcoming are clever takes on GTD concepts. This Evening lets you defer tasks from Today into a sub-list for later, which addresses the common GTD problem of overloading your daily list. Upcoming shows what's coming without cluttering your today view. These aren't standard GTD features, but they solve real problems GTD practitioners face.
Key features include: instant capture from anywhere with keyboard shortcuts, clean project and area organization, today view that separates current tasks from evening tasks, deadlines that trigger tasks to appear when they become relevant, and checklists for breaking down complex tasks.
The biggest limitation is Apple-only. Things 3 works beautifully on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and even Apple Watch, but if you need Windows or Android, you're completely out of luck. The developers have been asked about other platforms for years and show zero interest in expanding beyond Apple's ecosystem.
Pricing uses one-time purchases per platform: $50 for Mac, $10 for iPhone, $20 for iPad. If you want it everywhere, you're paying $80 total, which is steep upfront but cheaper than OmniFocus subscriptions long-term. The lack of recurring fees appeals to people tired of subscription fatigue.
Best for: Apple users who want GTD workflows in a beautiful, minimal interface, people who find OmniFocus overwhelming, and users who value design and ease of use over GTD purist features.
6. FacileThings
Best for GTD Coaching: FacileThings
FacileThings takes a unique approach: instead of giving you a flexible tool you shape into GTD, it forces you to follow the methodology exactly as David Allen wrote it. The app literally walks you through the five GTD phases - capture, clarify, organize, reflect, engage - refusing to let you skip steps or take shortcuts.
The guided workflow appeals to people learning GTD or struggling to stay consistent. When you process your inbox, FacileThings prompts you with GTD questions: "Is it actionable? What's the next action? Does it require multiple steps?" The app won't let you move forward until you've made decisions, which sounds annoying but actually enforces the discipline GTD requires.
Habits mode automates recurring GTD maintenance. The app reminds you to do your daily review, weekly review, and monthly review, then walks you through checklists for each. For practitioners who know they should review consistently but don't, having the app nag you and provide structure helps tremendously.
Key features include: step-by-step inbox processing that enforces GTD methodology, built-in daily and weekly review workflows, energy and time context filtering, project templates for common workflows, and vision/goals tracking for higher-level GTD planning.
The rigid structure is both strength and weakness. If you want to follow GTD by the book, FacileThings keeps you honest. If you've adapted GTD to your own workflow or prefer flexibility, the app feels restrictive. You can't really hack FacileThings into your own system - you adapt to its interpretation of GTD or go elsewhere.
The interface looks dated and cluttered compared to modern apps like Things 3 or Todoist. FacileThings prioritizes function over form, which is fine for serious GTD users but makes the app feel less enjoyable to use daily. It works, but it's not pretty.
Pricing runs about $60/year, which is reasonable for what you get but more expensive than Todoist and Nirvana. You're essentially paying for GTD coaching built into the software. If you need that structure and accountability, it's worth it. If you just want a clean task manager, you're paying for features you won't use.
Best for: people learning GTD who need structured guidance, practitioners who struggle with consistency in reviews and processing, and users who prefer being forced to follow the methodology correctly rather than having flexibility to deviate.
Which GTD Task Management App Should You Choose?
Decision Framework for GTD Apps
Your ideal GTD app depends on your experience level, platform requirements, and whether you want flexibility or structure.
If you're new to Getting Things Done and want to start simple, go with Todoist. It's cheap, works everywhere, and gives you flexibility to grow your system as you learn GTD better. The learning curve is gentle, and if you decide GTD isn't for you, Todoist works fine as a general task manager.
If you're an Apple user committed to GTD long-term, invest in OmniFocus 4. The learning curve is steep, but once you master perspectives and review workflows, nothing else comes close for power and flexibility. The app will grow with you as your GTD practice matures.
If you want an app that speaks GTD natively and guides you through the methodology, choose Nirvana for desktop-focused work or FacileThings if you need coaching. Both apps use GTD terminology and structure, so you're learning the app and the methodology simultaneously.
If you're on Android and frustrated by the lack of serious GTD apps, 2Do is your best option. The interface isn't pretty, but the smart lists and tag system rival OmniFocus in power while actually working well on Android.
If you value design and simplicity over GTD purist features, Things 3 delivers the most elegant experience. You'll work around its limitations for some GTD concepts, but the gorgeous interface and effortless capture make it a joy to use daily.
Many GTD practitioners switch apps multiple times before finding their fit. That's normal. Start with something approachable like Todoist, learn the methodology, then evaluate whether you need the power of OmniFocus or the structure of FacileThings.
GTD Task Management Apps FAQ
Common Questions About GTD Apps
Can I use GTD with a simple app like Apple Reminders or Google Tasks?
Technically yes, but you'll be fighting the tools constantly. GTD requires contexts, project hierarchies, and review workflows that basic apps don't support well. You can hack these apps into something GTD-shaped with creative use of lists and tags, but honestly, you're better off using an app designed for more complex workflows. The time you save with proper GTD features pays for itself quickly.
Which GTD app is best for teams?
GTD is inherently a personal productivity system, so most GTD apps focus on individual use. If your team wants to share certain projects while keeping personal tasks private, Todoist handles this best with shared projects alongside personal ones. OmniFocus recently added sharing but it's limited. Nirvana and Things 3 don't support collaboration at all.
Do I need the paid version of these apps for GTD?
For most apps, yes. The free tiers of Todoist and Nirvana limit projects to levels that don't work for serious GTD practice. Things 3 and OmniFocus require purchase upfront. 2Do uses one-time purchases. The only app where free might suffice is Todoist if you have very few active projects, but realistically you'll hit the limits fast and need to upgrade.
How long does it take to set up a GTD system in these apps?
It varies wildly. Nirvana and FacileThings come pre-configured for GTD, so you can start in 15 minutes. Todoist and 2Do require building your context tags, creating your project structure, and setting up filtered views - budget 2-3 hours. OmniFocus can take days to configure properly if you're learning perspectives and building complex workflows. Don't rush the setup - a solid foundation makes everything easier.
Can I switch GTD apps without losing my system?
Most apps support exporting to standard formats (CSV, plain text), but importing into a new app rarely preserves all your metadata. Tags, contexts, defer dates, and custom fields often get lost in translation. Plan on spending several hours migrating and rebuilding parts of your system. This is why it's worth taking time to choose carefully upfront rather than app-hopping constantly.
Is GTD still relevant in 2026, or should I use a different productivity system?
GTD's core concepts remain solid: capture everything, clarify what it means, organize by context, review regularly, and execute on next actions. The methodology works as well today as it did in 2001. That said, some people find GTD too rigid or complex for their needs. If you've tried GTD and bounced off it, explore alternatives like time blocking, bullet journaling, or simpler priority systems. The best productivity system is the one you'll actually use consistently.
Final Thoughts on GTD Task Management Apps
Start Simple, Grow Your System
The right GTD app removes friction from the methodology rather than adding complexity. Start with an approachable option like Todoist or Nirvana, learn the GTD workflow, and evaluate whether you need more power as your practice matures.
Don't over-engineer your system before you understand your needs. Many people jump straight to OmniFocus, get overwhelmed, and abandon GTD entirely. Build competence with the methodology first, then layer in advanced features as you identify specific pain points.
Remember that the app is just a tool - Getting Things Done succeeds or fails based on your commitment to processing, reviewing, and executing, not which software you choose. Pick an app that removes friction from your workflow, then focus on actually implementing the methodology consistently.
Explore the apps above using free trials where available, and build your system incrementally rather than trying to configure everything perfectly upfront.