Add Todo-List / Task-Management Tools

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Suggestion

I propose adding a new section dedicated to recommending to-do list managers and task management tools. While some of the currently recommended notebook applications—such as Standard Notes, Joplin, and Notesnook—offer basic to-do list functionalities (with Notesnook even providing reminders), they do not deliver the full range of capabilities provided by dedicated task management tools. The same can be said for tools like Obsidian and Anytype, which are currently not recommended. Additionally, there is Org Mode which is not suitable for everyone due to its UI and Linux exclusivity.

Criteria

The criteria for task managers could be based on those used for notebook applications but with some adjustments. Specifically, we might need to remove the strict requirement for tools to be open-source due to the scarcity of such options in this category. Instead, we could require that these tools be either open-source or have undergone a third-party security audit to ensure user privacy.

Software

Some cross-platform solutions I am aware of include Legend, Lunatask, Illumtori, and Everdo. These applications are E2EE but proprietary—though Legend is partially open-source.

For users within the Apple ecosystem, OmniFocus (which is E2EE and audited) and Apple’s Reminders (which becomes E2EE when used with ADP) are notable options.

On Android, there’s Tasks.org, an open-source application that is not E2EE unless used in conjunction with EteSync.

On Linux there is Todo.txt and tools based on it such as Sleek.

For those interested in self-hosted solutions, Vikunja and OpenProject are open-source alternatives, though they lack E2EE.

Outside of privacy-focused tools, there are popular mainstream options such as Any.do, Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do, Things, TickTick, and Todoist. However, these are not considered privacy-friendly for various reasons.

Discussion

The intention of this proposal is not to endorse specific tools but to initiate a discussion on whether we should add a category for task management tool recommendations. If we decide to proceed, we need to determine what criteria should be established based on the options currently available. I have certainly not listed all available tools, rather just a selection of tools I know.

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For the sake of completeness: The majority of the tools I’ve listed I haven’t used personally and therefore have no personal experience with them. I also haven’t checked each tool individually to see how the E2EE is implemented and what the privacy policy is. Basically, we should also distinguish between cloud-based, local, and self-hostable tools (similar to the notebook recommendations).

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This sort of feels off topic already, but i just want to provide some context around Org-mode. Orgmode isn’t really “Linux Only”. Rather Org-mode is exclusive to Emacs which is available for Linux, MacOS, Windows, and even Android if you enjoy suffering. With that said; Org itself is just a special markdown syntax which can be editted in any plain text editor.

Personally i don’t consider Org-mode to be a task todo program even if that is a function it provides. This is mostly to do with how I organize my notes in Org-mode though and others may consider it a task/todo tool.

I do think it could be good to have a task/todo section on Privacy guides; though i am not sure where the dividing line would have to be between notes/knowledge base recommendations vs task/todo recommendations.

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With tasks.org, you can sync to other targets. Like a Nextcloud instance one controls/owns. And anything that can get through DAVx5 or CalDAV.

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I’d love to have something that works both in the browser and offline on desktop and mobile (own app or CalDAV interface), all while having E2EE.

I think Etesync is the best option for that but people say it’s unreliable.

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All I want is a cross-platform E2EE tasks app. Cross-platform meaning: browser, offline Android app, offline Linux app.

Unfortunately, for me, they all have some issues:

  • Lunatask, Everydo: no web app
  • Illumtori: no desktop app

Legend was the most interesting but it seems a bit overkill and unfortunately there is no way to import my existing CalDAV tasks.

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5 posts were split to a new topic: Super Productivity (Open-Source Task Manager)

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This isn’t a bad idea but I fear this is quite complex and personal. There is no one-size fit all, and some people might prefer local or cloud options. If we talk about local apps, then they would just be so many of them.

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I think there are some common guidelines for choosing which apps to recommend here, and that if you really try to fit them you’ll find not more than 2-7 apps :

Mandatory:

  • E2EE : basically the privacy advantage we are looking for, otherwise most apps would do the work.
  • Cross Platform : if you just want an app for one device (either only phone, or only desktop) there are plenty, and you don’t really need fancy encryption. Also, network features need not be enabled, so there isn’t much of a risk by using a random app.
  • Not a note taking app with tasks : there is already a section about note taking apps, here it’s about a fully fledged task manager.

Optional, but a plus :

  • FOSS
  • Audited

I would present them in this order probably :

  • Super-Productivity (first because it checks almost all the boxes)
  • Lunatask / LegendApp
  • Everdo (a little lower than the others because the dev almost abandoned development, but if people are looking for GTD there’s that)
  • Omnifocus / Apple Reminders (with advanced data protection) - Bottom because both are apple only

Edit: removed Illuminori from the list since not all data is E2EE, and they don’t seem to have plans for Open source / Audit / self Hosting

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FOSS or Audited should be mandatory if it connects to Internet. If it isn’t FOSS, the audit should also talk about private data collection.

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In an ideal world yes, but if we ask this there will be only one app in the list I mentioned above, which is clearly not enough for everyone.

Lunatask allegedly plans an audit “for next year” they said one year ago. They also want to open source the server side at some point so people can self host, but this may take years.

Everdo is not FOSS, but it can sync using the local network if one doesn’t trust their E2EE claim.

Omnifocus allows you to self host the database and their encryption design is audited.

At least let us start with this, we can remove the least private ones as more options appear in this space.

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Legend android app has not been updated in past 2 years though their web version keeps getting features, i would rank it below Lunatask due to that!
I think Illuminori is still a good option, though not as good as Lunatask

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Illuminori doesn’t encrypt everything, I confirmed with the dev that only goals, notes, and diary are e2ee. It kind of defeats the point.

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Just an update on Legend Legend is joining Vella.ai 🎉 - Legend Forum.
Its not shutting down tho, just acquired.
Tho i think this may speed up there development, not sure how it will impact the privacy aspect! kinda wait and watch!!

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Thanks a lot for proposing this idea and taking the time to reference all the task/todo tools available. :hugs: