Subscription fatigue is real. Reddit debates whether $10/month productivity apps are worth it, or if free options do the job just as well.
Last updated: January 2025. Based on discussions from r/productivity, r/apps, r/getdisciplined, r/Frugal.
"I'm paying for Todoist, Notion, Headspace, and a habit tracker. That's $40/month to be productive. I feel more anxious about the subscriptions than I do about my actual tasks."
This is the modern productivity paradox. We're drowning in subscription fees for apps that promise to make us more organized. But do we actually need to pay?
Every week, someone posts "Is [app] Pro worth it?" on r/productivity. The answers are surprisingly consistent: it depends on your use case, but most people don't need premium.
Reddit agrees: premium is justified in specific scenarios.
Before paying, ask: "What specific feature am I paying for?" If you can't name it, you probably don't need premium. Use the free tier for 30 days and note every time you hit a limitation. If it happens less than once a week, stay free.
This debate is even more heated. Reddit strongly prefers one-time purchases when available.
| App | Pricing Model | 3-Year Cost | Reddit Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todoist Pro | $48/year subscription | $144 | Good, but free tier is enough for most |
| Things 3 | $50 one-time (Mac) | $50 | Best value if you're Apple-only |
| Sunsama | $20/month subscription | $720 | "Insane pricing for a planner" |
| Notion | Free / $10/month | $0-$360 | Free tier does everything |
| TickTick Premium | $36/year subscription | $108 | Worth it for Pomodoro + calendar |
| Funtasking | Free / $2.99 one-time Pro | $0-$2.99 | Best value for life balance features |
Not all free apps have these problems. Look for:
| Feature | Free Apps | $5-10/mo Apps | $15-20/mo Apps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic tasks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Due dates & reminders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subtasks | Sometimes | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar integration | Limited | Yes | Advanced |
| Team collaboration | Rarely | Basic | Full |
| Life balance tracking | Funtasking only | Rarely | Sunsama |
| Daily planning workflow | DIY | Some | Guided |
| Integrations | Few | Many | Extensive |
Google Calendar + Notion free tier. Both are completely free, work on all devices, and can be as simple or complex as you need. Many paid apps also offer student discounts (Todoist, Notion Plus).
Most Redditors say no. The daily planning workflow is nice, but you can replicate it with free tools. Try Funtasking instead - it has life balance features similar to Sunsama but is free.
Only if you need reminders, comments, or more than 5 projects. The free tier handles 80% of use cases. Most people upgrade for reminders, then realize they don't use them much.
Things 3 for Apple users (no subscription, beautiful design). For cross-platform, Funtasking Pro at $2.99 one-time is the best value for life balance features.
Audit your subscriptions monthly. Cancel anything you haven't used in 30 days. Prefer one-time purchases. Remember: a $100/year app costs $1,000 over a decade.
Start free. Always. Use the free tier for at least 30 days. Write down every limitation you hit. If the list is short, stay free. If it's long, consider the cheapest paid option that solves your specific problems. Never pay for features you "might" use.
Other apps charge $20/month for life balance tracking. Funtasking gives you 8 life areas, visual planning, and gamification - all free.
No subscription. No ads. No hidden costs. Just a better way to plan your life.
Start Free Forever