5 Best To-Do List Managers for Entrepreneurs

Business owners are busy people. We often have laundry lists of short-term, medium-term, long-term, urgent, and other tasks we need taken care of; however, it is often difficult to remember to get everything done. I use a to-do list app to keep my tasks in order. Here are a few of the best options for any business owner.

Astrid

I use Astrid every day as my primary task manager, so it goes first on this list. Astrid has both web-based and mobile interfaces that allow you to keep your to-do list managed in the office or on the go.

Astrid allows you to quickly add new tasks, prioritize urgency by color coding blue, yellow, or red. You can add one-time tasks or recurring tasks that re-appear on the frequency you define.

Users are also able to define lists, folders, and collaborate with others. If you are the boss, you can use Astrid to assign tasks to employees and keep track of when they are completed.

I like that I can add tasks by voice using the Android app when I am in the car so I don’t forget them later. I also like using lists to break out personal, blogging, freelance, shopping, work, and travel related tasks.

Note: Astrid was recently acquired by Yahoo. Yahoo has not reported that Astrid will be shut down, but that is a risk to take into account when choosing a new application to manage your list.

Pen and Paper

The old fashioned way is sometimes the best – using a Moleskine notebook and a nice pen. When using paper for my to-do list, I like to use pocket notepads to create check lists to mark items off as I go.

The power of pen and paper is easy to understand. It works anywhere, even without power or an internet connection. It is always there and always works.

And, you can categorize, organize, color code, and prioritize it however you want. It just works.

Any.DO

Any.DO is a very simple, streamlined task manager. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of Astrid, but it is a safe bet to have around for a while and the simple, clean interface makes it a great option to tracking your to-dos.

The app syncs quickly and cleanly between mobile and web based interfaces, allows for sharing and collaboration, and prioritization.

It is lacking in a few features, such as recurring tasks, but if you like it simple, this is the best option.

Remember the Milk

Remember The Milk (RTM) is one of the older online task managers. For years, this was my go-to app to keep my tasks in order.

Like Astrid, you can organize into lists and set recurring tasks. The app also has options to integrate with popular calendar clients like Google Calendar and Outlook. However, there is a big downside.

Free accounts can sync with all devices, but only once every 24 hours. To sync with Outlook, use all mobile features, and sync more often than once daily, you have to pay $25 per year. I know $2.08 per month is not a lot for a valuable tool, but with great competitors that have the same features for free, I decided it was time to jump with.

Google Tasks

Google Tasks is another great option if you like to keep it simple. It is already a part of your Gmail, Android Phone, and Google Calendar. If you are not an iPerson you probably already have it.

Google Tasks is 100% free and is good for checklists. If you need to do something, add it to the list. When it is done, check it off. Those are the only features.

How Do You Do Task Management?

What is your preferred method for managing your to-do list? Please let us know in the comments.

P.S. I am now marking “Entrepreneurship Life post” off of my to-do list.