I need a to-do list app that is simple and does not have subscription features.

If you want a clean, straightforward to-do list that doesn't trap you in a recurring monthly or annual payment, you have some fantastic completely free options or traditional one-time purchase apps.

Here are the best simple, no-subscription options broken down by style:

• Apple Reminders (iOS / Mac) - If you are in the Apple ecosystem, the built-in Reminders app has evolved into an exceptional, deeply capable task manager. It supports subtasks, tags, custom lists, scheduled notifications, and sections with zero ads, zero fees, and no subscriptions.
• Microsoft To Do (Cross-platform) - Completely free with no paid tiers or subscription nags. It features a clean, minimalist design, lets you organize tasks by lists, due dates, and notes, and includes a personalized "My Day" feature to help you focus on what matters right now.
• Google Tasks (Cross-platform / Web) - The definition of simple. It integrates directly inside Gmail and Google Calendar, features a stark, distraction-free interface, and is 100% free with no hidden upgrade walls.
• OmniFocus (Mac / iOS) - If you prefer a traditional software model where you buy it outright rather than renting it, OmniFocus offers robust, deeply customizable task management with traditional license/one-time purchase options alongside their subscription (though it leans toward power-users following the Getting Things Done method).
• Plain Text / Local Markdown apps (Obsidian, Logseq, or standard notes) - If you want ultimate simplicity and absolute ownership of your data without a cloud company locking things down, a local note app or simple text file list completely bypasses the app-store subscription ecosystem.

To help narrow it down, tell me:

• What devices do you use (e.g., iPhone and Windows PC, or strictly Mac/iOS)?
• Do you need cross-device syncing , or just a local list?

If you want simple + no subscription, I’d narrow it down to these:

• Microsoft To Do — probably the easiest all-around choice. It’s free with a personal Microsoft account, works on iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac and the web, and includes lists, reminders, due dates and subtasks.
• Google Tasks — even more stripped-down. Great if you already use Gmail/Google Calendar. It supports lists, subtasks, due dates and notifications, with syncing across devices.
• AtomicList — worth considering if you specifically want offline, no account, no ads, and no subscription. The basic version is free; optional Pro is a one-time €4.99 purchase, not recurring.
• Loopweek — an excellent minimalist option if you're on Android. It's open-source, completely local, with no account, cloud sync, ads, tracking or paywall.

My pick

For “I just want a straightforward checklist and don't want to think about subscriptions”, I'd start with Microsoft To Do. If you want something even more bare-bones, go with Google Tasks.

If you tell me whether you're on iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, I can narrow it down to the simplest 2–3 options for your devices.

Microsoft To Do is a completely free, simple to-do list app with no subscription fees, hidden tiers, or locked core features.

If you prefer a clean alternative that avoids third-party apps entirely, built-in device tools like Apple Reminders (on iOS/Mac) or Google Tasks / Google Keep (cross-platform/web) offer minimalist task tracking completely free of subscriptions.

Top Simple, Non-Subscription To-Do Apps

Breakdown of Recommended Options

• Microsoft To Do: Gives you unlimited lists, subtasks, file attachments, and cross-device syncing without asking for money or pushing a paid upgrade tier.
• Apple Reminders: If you use an iPhone or Mac, the native Reminders app has evolved into a robust, clean checklist tool with custom sections, tags, and zero subscription nags.
• Google Tasks: A bare-bones, straightforward sidebar list that lets you track tasks and view history across devices without clutter.
• Things 3: If you are on Apple devices and willing to make a single, one-time software purchase rather than dealing with a free tier, it provides the cleanest distraction-free task management available.

To help narrow down the best choice, tell me:

• What devices do you use (e.g., Windows and Android, or strictly Apple)?
• Do you need collaboration/sharing features, or is this strictly for personal use?

Absolutely. If your priority is simple + no subscription, I’d narrow it to these:

• Things 3 — My top pick if you use Apple devices. It’s clean, focused, and a one-time purchase with no subscription. The downside is that Mac, iPhone, and iPad versions are purchased separately.
• Microsoft To Do — Best if you want completely free rather than paying once. It works across Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and the web, and is intentionally straightforward.
• 2Do — A good choice if you need Apple + Android and want to buy rather than subscribe. It has more features than Things, though, so it isn't quite as minimalist.
• Apple Reminders — If you're already on iPhone/Mac, don't overlook it. It's free, simple, and has no subscription requirement.

My recommendation

If you have an iPhone and/or Mac: Things 3. It's probably the closest match to “I just want a nice to-do list, not a productivity system.”

If you want $0 and/or use Windows/Android: Microsoft To Do.

If you tell me what devices you use (iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, etc.), I can give you one specific recommendation rather than a list.

If your main requirement is simple + no subscription, I’d avoid apps that have a prominent paid tier.

My top picks

• Microsoft To Do — probably the best fit. It’s straightforward, works across phone/computer, and is free. Good for basic lists, due dates, reminders, and recurring tasks.
• Google Tasks — even simpler if you already use Gmail/Google Calendar. Excellent for a bare-bones task list.
• Super Productivity — a good choice if you want something open-source and free, with no subscription pressure. It’s more feature-rich, though, so it’s less minimalist.

I would not put Any.do at the top of your list. Its basic plan is free, but it explicitly has Premium, Family, and Workspace subscription plans.

My recommendation: Microsoft To Do if you just want to open an app, write down tasks, check them off, and not think about subscriptions.

If you tell me iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, I can narrow it down to the simplest 2–3 options for your device.

Google Tasks is a completely free, minimalist to-do list app with no subscriptions, ads, or paid upgrade tiers. It is built directly into the Google Workspace ecosystem, allowing you to jot down tasks, set due dates, and organize simple lists without any financial friction or clutter.

If you want a straightforward task manager that completely avoids recurring monthly fees, consider these top choices depending on your device and workflow:

Top Subscription-Free Recommendations

• Google Tasks: Accessible at Google Tasks Web or via mobile apps, it lets you create multiple lists, add subtasks, and set due dates that automatically sync to your calendar. It is bare-bones by design with zero hidden charges.
• Microsoft To Do: Available through the Microsoft To Do Portal , this app is completely free for personal use. It features smart daily suggestions, file attachments, and shared lists without forcing you into an Microsoft 365 subscription.
• Things 3: If you are in the Apple ecosystem and don't mind an upfront cost rather than a subscription, Things 3 is widely praised for its gorgeous, ultra-clean interface and lightning-fast task entry.

If you share which devices you use (e.g., iPhone and Windows PC, or just Android) and whether you need reminders/due dates , I can recommend the exact app that fits your setup.

Finding a clean, straightforward to-do list that doesn't trap you in a monthly fee can be tough, but great options exist depending on your devices and preference for free vs. one-time payment:

• Apple Reminders (Free) — If you are in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, iPad), the built-in Apple Reminders app has evolved into an exceptional, minimalist task manager. It supports smart lists, tagging, subtasks, recurring tasks, and cross-device syncing without costing a dime or asking for a subscription.
• Microsoft To Do (Free) — Completely free with no hidden paywalls or subscription prompts. It features a clean design, a smart "My Day" focal point, subtasks, file attachments, and cross-platform syncing across Windows, Android, iOS, and the web.
• Google Keep or Google Tasks (Free) — Perfect if you prefer pure, stripped-down utility. Google Keep functions like digital sticky notes with color-coding and reminders, while Google Tasks is a direct, zero-frills checklist that integrates cleanly into Gmail and Google Calendar.
• Things 3 (One-Time Purchase) — If you want a premium, beautifully polished app on Apple devices and don't mind a one-time upfront cost rather than a recurring subscription, Things 3 is widely acclaimed for its gorgeous minimalist interface and fluid task planning.

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• What devices do you use (e.g., iPhone and Windows PC, Android only, Mac)?
• Do you need syncing across multiple different types of devices, or just one main device?

Yes. If your priority is simple + no subscription, I’d narrow it to these:

• Microsoft To Do — my top pick. Free, unlimited lists/tasks, reminders, recurring tasks, subtasks, and sync across phone and computer. There’s no paid tier locking core features.
• Google Tasks — best if you already use Gmail/Google Calendar. Very basic and uncluttered, and completely free.
• Apple Reminders — excellent if you use iPhone/Mac. Free and built into Apple devices.
• Super Productivity — best if you want completely open-source with no subscription at all. It works on desktop and Android and doesn't require an account.
• Tasks.org — a particularly good choice for Android: open-source, free, no account required, and supports unlimited tasks, lists, tags, and reminders. It does have optional paid cloud features, though.

What I'd choose

If you just want “open the app → type a task → check it off,” get Microsoft To Do. It gives you more than enough functionality without turning into a complicated productivity system.

If you tell me iPhone or Android, I can narrow it down to the 2 simplest options with the least subscription/upsell nonsense.

Yes. If your priority is simple + no subscription, I’d narrow it to these:

• Microsoft To Do — best overall. Free, no paid tier, and available on iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and web. It has lists, reminders, recurring tasks, subtasks, and a simple “My Day” view.
• Apple Reminders — best if you use Apple devices. It’s built in, free, and has no subscription/paywall for its core features. It’s especially nice if you use Siri, iPhone, and Mac.
• Google Tasks — best if you live in Gmail/Google Calendar. Very straightforward and free, without the feature-gating you get in apps like Todoist.
• Super Productivity — best if you want truly open-source. It has no premium tier at all and is aimed at people who want a straightforward task manager without subscriptions.

My pick

Microsoft To Do is probably the closest match to what you're asking for: simple, polished, cross-platform, and no subscription to worry about.

If you tell me whether you're using iPhone, Android, Mac, or Windows, I can narrow it down to the simplest one for your setup.

If you want a clean, distraction-free to-do list without a recurring monthly or annual fee, you have some fantastic free and one-time purchase options.

Here are the best simple to-do list apps that don't rely on subscriptions:

• Apple Reminders : If you are in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, iPad), the built-in Apple Reminders app has evolved into a powerhouse. It is completely free, ad-free, has no subscription tier, and lets you make basic lists, subtasks, scheduled notifications, and location-based triggers with zero clutter.
• Google Tasks : A completely free, minimalist checklist tool that lives right inside your Gmail and Google Calendar sidebar. It doesn't have a paid tier or subscription, making it ideal if you just want to jot down fast daily tasks that sync across your devices.
• Microsoft To Do : A straightforward, beautifully designed task manager that is entirely free to download and use across Windows, Mac, and mobile. It includes smart daily planning ("My Day"), recurring due dates, and file attachments without locking core features behind a paywall.
• Things 3 : If you are willing to make a one-time purchase rather than use a free tool, Things 3 is widely praised for having the most gorgeous, frictionless, minimalist design on Apple devices. You buy it once per platform (no subscriptions) and own it for life.

To help narrow down the best fit, let me know:

• What device(s) do you use (iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac)?
• Do you prefer a completely free option or a one-time paid purchase?