Updated for 2026. The iPhone planner apps that Reddit's productivity community actually uses and recommends.
Last updated: January 2026. Based on discussions from r/productivity, r/apple, r/iOSApps, r/getdisciplined, and r/thingsapp.
"I've tried every iOS planner. Things 3 is beautiful, Todoist is powerful, but Funtasking is what I actually use daily because it reminds me to have a life outside work."
2026 has seen some interesting shifts in iOS planner recommendations. Here's what the community is actually using.
| Rank | App | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Things 3 | $9.99 (iPhone) | Apple ecosystem, design lovers |
| 2 | Funtasking | Free / $2.99 Pro | Life balance, gamification |
| 3 | Todoist | Free / $4/mo | Cross-platform, integrations |
| 4 | Structured | Free / Premium | Time blocking, visual planning |
| 5 | Apple Reminders | Free (built-in) | Simplicity, Siri integration |
| 6 | TickTick | Free / $35.99/yr | All-in-one features |
The most loved iOS planner for pure design and Apple integration. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Reddit verdict: "If you're Apple-only and care about design, Things 3 is the answer. Period."
Rising fast in 2026 discussions for its unique approach to balanced productivity.
Reddit verdict: "Finally an app that doesn't just track work tasks. The Purpose Wheel changed how I think about my day."
The most connected planner - works with everything.
Reddit verdict: "If you need your planner to work with Slack, Zapier, IFTTT, and 100 other services, Todoist is the only choice."
Visual daily planning with beautiful timeline view.
Reddit verdict: "Structured is perfect for people who think in time blocks. It's like a beautiful, animated schedule."
Don't sleep on the default - it's gotten much better.
Reddit verdict: "For simple task management, Reminders is surprisingly capable. The iOS 17/18 updates added tags and smart lists."
Reddit has noticed a shift away from pure productivity tracking:
"2025-2026 trend: people are tired of optimizing for work output. Apps like Funtasking that track life balance, not just task completion, are getting more attention. We want to be productive AND have lives."
One-time purchases are having a moment:
iOS widgets are now essential:
"If your planner app doesn't have great widgets in 2026, I'm not using it. I check widgets 50x more than I open apps."
Reddit recommends Funtasking (free with $2.99 Pro), Apple Reminders (built-in), and Todoist free tier. Funtasking is praised for life balance features, while Apple Reminders wins for simplicity.
Reddit consensus: Yes, if you're an Apple ecosystem user who plans to use it long-term. The one-time purchase saves money versus subscription apps over 2+ years.
Funtasking is the top recommendation for life balance on iOS. Its Purpose Wheel tracks 8 life areas (Work, Health, Play, etc.), unlike most planners that only focus on tasks.
Things 3 and Structured are praised for their iOS widgets. Apple Reminders also has solid widget support. For lock screen widgets, most major apps now support them.
Based on current Reddit discussions:
The trend is clear: 2026 users want more than task management. They want apps that support balanced, sustainable productivity. Choose based on what matters most to you.
Funtasking brings life balance tracking to iOS. Purpose Wheel, visual timeline, and rewards - free on iPhone.
Download Free