In this guide, we will examine the main differences between the two apps to discover whether Apple’s Reminders or Microsoft To Do is the best for your Mac.
In our busy lives, we often forget things and have to rely on apps to keep track of our tasks. In the Mac App Store, you can find various to-do list apps. One such popular app is Microsoft To Do. Additionally, macOS has its own app named Reminders which also offers similar functionality. Since both apps are free, it might be hard to choose between them.
User Interface
Apple adopts its standard minimalist approach when it comes to UI in the Reminders app. When you open the app, you will find everything organized into four categories in the sidebar under the headings Today, Scheduled, All and Flagged.
Under these categories, you can see your own lists for further organization. On the right, you’ll see the currently selected category or list, allowing you to focus on one thing at a time.
On the other hand, Microsoft To Do follows Microsoft 365’s design language in its UI. The app has a minimalist look and is designed to help you focus on what matters most.
You’ll find categories like My Day, Important, Scheduled, Assigned to me, Flagged email and Tasks on the left sidebar. However, you will primarily find yourself using My Day, Important, and Tasks.
Features
The Reminders app has a simple approach when it comes to reminding you to do something. You can create reminders with ease and access all the settings by pressing the Edit Details button, which looks like a i inside a circle.
A useful feature of Reminders is that it supports natural language processing. This means the app can detect dates, times, locations, and other information as you naturally type the task into the app.
For example, if you type “Take out the trash tomorrow at 8:00 AM,” it will change the task’s name to “Take out the trash” and set its time and date to 8:00 AM the following day. If needed, you can also create subtasks under a task.
As part of the Apple ecosystem, you can add reminders from any other Apple device and do the same with Siri using voice commands. The Reminders app also works with other apps you might have on your device so that whenever it detects a date, time, location, or even a web link, you can create a reminder with just a tap.
Microsoft To Do, on the other hand, is perfect for planning your day before you start ticking off tasks. When you select a task, you can see all its details on the right sidebar, where you can set a due date, a reminder, add subtasks, files, and notes. If you’re on the My Day tab, the app will automatically suggest adding your pending tasks to the list based on upcoming deadlines.
Additionally, you can connect Microsoft To Do with Outlook (to see flagged emails) and even with third-party apps. For instance, Zapier allows you to automate daily chores that, paired with Microsoft To Do, are sure to boost your productivity. If you are a fan of customization, Microsoft To Do also offers various themes, allowing you to apply a different background for each list.
Similar to Reminders, , Microsoft To Do
supports natural language processing on iOS devices, but unfortunately, this feature has yet to expand to macOS computers.
Convenience
Besides macOS, Reminders is available on iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and the web via the iCloud website. If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, you can easily sync all your reminders and tasks across your devices in real-time.
Keep in mind that the web version of Apple’s Reminders app does not allow you access to all the features.
As we’ve mentioned, you can always ask Siri to add a reminder for you on any Apple device. It goes without saying that you might feel limited if you’re using an Android phone with a Mac computer.
If you have friends or colleagues who also use Apple devices, it’s worth noting that you can also share and collaborate on a using a Mac.
Outside of macOS, Microsoft To Do is available on almost every other platform, including Android, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS. As a Microsoft product, it allows you to keep track of tasks within Microsoft Teams, adding to the practical reasons why you should use Microsoft To Do. You can also access it on other devices via a browser.
Similar to the Reminders app, everything syncs in real-time from one device to another. Because Microsoft To Do works with Microsoft 365, you can also collaborate with others using the Shared List.
Ease of Use
Both the Reminders and Microsoft To Do apps are easy to use on Mac. So, choosing an app depends on what other programs you use.
For example, if you work with a lot of emails through Outlook or make use of Microsoft applications like Excel, Word, or PowerPoint, you should stick with Microsoft To Do.
On the other hand, if you are a die-hard Apple user, you can go with the Reminders app without any doubt, as Apple’s Reminders is available on all Apple devices. You can add Reminders using Siri and create tasks and reminders within Apple apps like Mail, Calendar, Messages, and more. Also, if you don’t need complex features related to due dates or scheduling, Apple’s Reminders app might be the right choice.
Choose the Perfect To-Do List App for Your Mac
Ultimately, you don’t have to worry about the price as both Apple’s Reminders and Microsoft To Doare free on Mac computers. If you are still unsure which app to choose, try both for a week before deciding which best suits your needs. There are many productivity apps for your Mac-based home office, and a to-do list app should be one of them.
Key Features of Apple Reminders
- Minimalist user interface organized into categories
- Supports natural language processing for setting reminders
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices and Siri
- Ability to share and collaborate on reminder lists
Key Features of Microsoft To Do
- Modern, productivity-focused design
- Integration with Outlook and other third-party apps like Zapier
- Customization with various themes
- Natural language processing support on iOS devices
Conclusion
Both AppleRemindersandMicrosoft To Doare excellent apps for managing your tasks and reminders on your Mac. The final choice will depend on your specific needs and the apps you usually use.
If you are a devoted Apple user and want a seamless experience across your devices, Reminders might be the best choice. On the other hand, if you need more integration with Microsoft apps like Outlook, To Do might be the more suitable solution.
Ultimately, both apps are free and easy to use, so we recommend trying them both to see which works best for you. With their respective features and benefits, you are sure to find the perfect reminder app for your Mac workflow.
Pubblicato in Mobile & App
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