Stop bleeding $15/month for a to-do list.
Subscription fatigue is real. Netflix. Spotify. iCloud. Gym. Now apps want $5-20/month just to check off tasks?
Here's the thing: planner apps worked fine before subscriptions existed. You can still find great ones that don't drain your bank account monthly.
Full features. No subscription. No trial that expires. Just free.
We have a Pro version for $2.99 (one-time) but honestly? The free version has everything: life balance wheel, gamification, visual timeline, unlimited tasks.
Business model: We believe productivity shouldn't cost $200/year. Pro purchases support development.
Been free since forever. Will stay free. Google makes money from ads elsewhere.
Built into your iPhone. Apple already has your money from the hardware.
Pay once, use forever. Been updated for years without asking for more money. That's integrity.
Beautiful design. Rock solid. The price tag hurts once but then you're done.
Monthly or lifetime purchase available. If you're going to use it more than a year, lifetime is the play.
Buy GoodNotes once, download a PDF planner template. Old school but it works. No internet required.
Subscription apps love saying "just $5/month!" Makes it sound cheap. But:
For a to-do list. That checks boxes. Wild.
| App | Cost | 5-Year Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funtasking | Free | $0 | Full |
| Things 3 | $50 | $50 | Full |
| Todoist Premium | $5/mo | $300 | Full |
| Motion | $19/mo | $1,140 | AI |
The expensive apps have AI scheduling which is genuinely useful for some people. But for most of us? Free or one-time purchase is plenty.