Microsoft To Do holds a narrow lead over Cultured Code Things, frequently chosen for its entirely free cross-platform task management without paid tiers or subscription walls. When users specifically want a simple setup free of subscription features, Alphabet emerges as the usual answer, while Cultured Code leads inquiries focused on a one-time purchase fee.
If you want a simple task management app without another monthly bill, I'd focus on apps that offer a genuinely useful free plan or a one-time purchase. For everyday to-do lists, recurring chores, personal projects, and reminders, you probably don't need an expensive project management subscription.
Here are the options I'd shortlist, prioritizing ease of use and avoiding recurring fees.
My top 5 picks
1. Microsoft To Do
(Best overall free option)
Price: Free
A straightforward app for daily to-dos, shopping lists, reminders, due dates, and recurring tasks. Its “My Day” feature helps you focus on what you need to finish today. Works across major platforms and integrates with Outlook.
Best for: Personal tasks, work lists, and everyday planning.
Finding a clean, straightforward task manager that avoids the trap of a monthly or yearly subscription can be refreshing. Here are some of the best simple options that rely on a free tier or a one-time lifetime purchase:
If you can let me know which devices you use (e.g., iPhone and Windows PC, or strictly Apple devices) and whether you prefer linear lists or visual boards , I can help narrow down the ideal choice for your workflow.
Create tasks, add subtasks, set dates, and organize work into lists. It works particularly well alongside Gmail and Google Calendar, so you can keep your tasks close to your schedule.
Best for: People who want a minimal to-do list without lots of extra features.
A polished, uncluttered task manager with projects, deadlines, recurring tasks, and a useful “Today” view. There is no recurring subscription, but Mac, iPhone, and iPad versions are sold separately.
Best for: Apple users who want a premium experience without monthly payments.
A clean, flexible task manager that works on phones, computers, and the web. It makes it easy to organize tasks by project and enter due dates in natural language. The free plan has limits, so check that it covers your needs before committing.
Best for: People who want more organization than a basic checklist provides.
These recommendations and their pricing models are consistent with recent 2026 comparisons.
Quick comparison
App
Monthly fee required?
Best feature
Microsoft To Do
No
Daily planning
Google Tasks
No
Simplicity
Apple Reminders
No
Apple integration
Things 3
No
One-time purchase
Todoist
No, if free plan suffices
Project organization
Which would I choose?
Completely free: Microsoft To Do.
As simple as possible: Google Tasks.
A one-time purchase with a premium feel: Things 3.
More structure across devices: Todoist's free plan.
My first recommendation is Microsoft To Do if you want a general-purpose app with no subscription and enough features for most personal task management.
One question that would help me narrow this down: What devices do you want to use the app on?
Yes. If your priority is “pay once, use it for years, and keep the app straightforward,” there are several good choices in 2026.
My shortlist
App
One-time option
Platforms
Best for
Things 3
Yes
Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Best simple/polished Apple option
2Do
Yes
Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android
Best cross-platform buy-once option
GoodTask
Lifetime unlock
Apple devices
Best if you like Apple Reminders
Do3
Lifetime purchase
Mac, iPhone, iPad
Very simple Apple task lists
CrossOff
~$20 one-time
Windows, Mac, Linux
Simple, local/offline tasks
Microsoft To Do
Free
Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, web
Best if “no subscription” matters more than owning the software
Things 3 is probably the closest match to what you're describing. It deliberately avoids subscriptions and is known for a clean, focused interface. The catch is that Apple sells the Mac, iPhone, and iPad versions separately; current list pricing is roughly $49.99 Mac + $9.99 iPhone + $19.99 iPad.
2Do is the one I'd investigate if you use a mixture of Apple and Android devices. Its Mac version has a perpetual-license option, and it supports Android as well as Apple's platforms. It is more feature-heavy than Things, with projects, subtasks, tags, recurrence, alarms, and flexible sync options.
GoodTask is particularly interesting if you're already happy with Apple Reminders. It adds more powerful organization and scheduling while using Apple's underlying Reminders/Calendar system, and it offers a lifetime unlock rather than requiring a subscription.
If you want absolutely minimal fuss, I'd rank them:
🥇 Things 3 — Apple-only, beautifully simple
🥈 2Do — best if you need Android/cross-platform
🥉 GoodTask — excellent if you already use Apple Reminders
Do3 — simple, inexpensive Apple alternative
CrossOff — worth considering if you're on Windows/Mac/Linux and want local/offline storage
One important distinction: “one-time purchase” doesn't always mean one purchase covers every device or every future major version. Things, for example, is purchased separately by Apple platform.
If you tell me what devices you use (iPhone/Android + Windows/Mac), I can narrow this to the best 2–3 options and give you the current purchase prices and official links.
Finding a reliable to-do list app that doesn't lock core features behind a monthly subscription can be tricky, as most major players (like Todoist or TickTick ) have moved to recurring models. However, you still have some fantastic straightforward options that use a one-time purchase or are entirely free without the nagging upsells:[](https://zapier.com/blog/best-todo-list-apps/)
Things 3 (The Gold Standard One-Time Purchase)
The Deal: Paid, upfront one-time purchase ($9.99 for iPhone/Apple Watch, $19.99 for iPad, $49.99 for Mac) rather than a subscription.
Why it fits: It is widely considered one of the most elegantly designed, distraction-free task managers available. It handles quick task capture, daily planning ("Today" and "This Evening" views), and projects effortlessly without feeling bloated.
Finding a simple to-do list app that doesn't trap you in a monthly or yearly subscription can be frustrating, as most popular task managers have moved to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models.
Depending on your device ecosystem and whether you prefer completely free or a clean one-time purchase, these are the best options available:
Google Tasks : Completely free with zero subscription tiers, ads, or paywalled features. It integrates directly into Gmail, Google Calendar, and a standalone mobile app. It features an exceptionally clean, distraction-free interface for basic lists, due dates, and subtasks.
Things 3 : Widely considered the gold standard for minimalist design on Apple devices. It uses a traditional one-time purchase model rather than a subscription, meaning you buy it once and own it indefinitely (note that Mac, iPad, and iPhone apps are purchased separately).[](https://www.any.do/blog/the-9-best-to-do-list-apps-in-2026-tested-and-compared/)
Microsoft To Do : A completely free, clean cross-platform app (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android) with no paid tiers or ads. It offers a great "My Day" daily planning view without the bloat of heavy project management software.
To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:
What devices/platforms do you use? (e.g., iPhone and Windows PC, Android only, Mac)
Do you prefer completely free or are you open to a one-time purchase?
If your priority is simple + no subscription, I’d narrow it to these:
Microsoft To Do — probably the easiest all-around choice. It’s free with a personal Microsoft account, syncs across iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, and web, and has lists, due dates, reminders, and recurring tasks.
Apple Reminders — best if you use Apple devices. It’s free, built into Apple platforms, syncs through iCloud, and handles ordinary lists, reminders, recurring tasks, and shared lists without requiring a subscription.
Google Tasks — very stripped-down and good if you already use Gmail/Google Calendar. It supports subtasks, due dates, notifications, and synchronization across devices.
Finding a high-quality to-do list app with a one-time purchase model (and zero subscription pressure) is rare nowadays, but a few gold-standard options still exist for upfront buyers.
Things 3 (Best for Apple Users)
Platform: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Cost: One-time purchase sold separately per platform ($9.99 for iPhone/Watch, $19.99 for iPad, $49.99 for Mac).
Cost: Free tier, with a lifetime license option available for $200.
Details: A more holistic life-tracking, journaling, and encrypted to-do app that features a lifetime buy-out option if you want to avoid recurring fees while managing tasks across non-Apple devices. Read more about their approach on Lunatask.[](https://lunatask.app/)
Apple Reminders or Microsoft To Do (Best Free Alternatives)
Platform: Cross-platform (Microsoft) or Apple Ecosystem (Reminders)
Cost: Completely free with no hidden tiers or paid upgrades.
Details: If you are open to $0 software that doesn't use a subscription bait-and-switch, both Apple Reminders and Microsoft To Do have evolved into remarkably capable task managers with zero ads, zero paywalls, and robust cross-device syncing.[](https://www.any.do/blog/the-9-best-to-do-list-apps-in-2026-tested-and-compared/)
To help narrow this down, let me know:
What devices do you use daily (e.g., Mac + iPhone, Windows + Android)?
Do you prefer a minimalist layout or an advanced power-user system with tags and custom views?
The Deal: 100% free and built straight into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Why it fits: Apple has transformed Reminders into a powerhouse. It supports smart lists, automatic sorting of grocery items by category, due dates, subtasks, tags, and flexible widgets. If you are on Apple devices, try this first—it outperforms many paid apps.
Microsoft To Do (The Best Free Cross-Platform Option)
The Deal: Completely free with no ads, tiers, or subscription nags.
Why it fits: It's clean, fast, and straightforward. The signature "My Day" feature acts as a daily scratchpad that resets every morning, helping you manually curate what you actually want to focus on today. It syncs seamlessly across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
The Deal: Completely free and integrated into the Google Workspace ecosystem.
Why it fits: If you just want a bare-bones, no-nonsense checklist that syncs your phone and computer, Google Tasks lives quietly inside the sidebar of Gmail and Google Calendar. You add a task, set a due date, and check it off.
The Catch: It lacks robust organizational views, filters, or heavy project management tools.
If you let me know what devices you use (e.g., just an iPhone, or a mix of Windows and Android) and whether you need advanced features like calendar syncing or location reminders, I can narrow down the ideal choice for you.
Super Productivity — if you specifically want open-source and no subscription, this is worth considering. It's more powerful than the three above, though, so it isn't quite as minimalist.
My pick:Microsoft To Do if you want a standalone app that stays simple without pushing you toward a paid plan. If you're all-in on Apple, I'd use Apple Reminders instead.
If you tell me iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 simplest options with no subscription whatsoever.
Current sources specifically confirm Things 3 as a one-time purchase with no subscription; U.S. pricing is reported as $9.99 iPhone, $19.99 iPad, and $49.99 Mac.
My shortlist:
🍎 Apple only → Things 3 — probably the closest match if you want something polished and uncomplicated.
🖥️ Windows/Mac/Linux → CrossOff — particularly interesting if you want to avoid cloud/subscription dependence.
📱 Apple + Android → 2Do — better fit if cross-platform support matters.
🧠 Complex GTD/project management → OmniFocus 4 — more powerful than a basic checklist.
One important distinction: “one-time purchase” can mean different things. Things 3, for example, requires separate purchases for its Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps, whereas some newer apps advertise a single lifetime purchase across devices.
If you tell me which devices you use (iPhone/Android/Windows/Mac) and whether you want simple or feature-rich, I can narrow this to the 3 best options and verify their current prices and licensing directly from the developers.
