Best To-Do List Apps for Mac: Menu Bar, Widgets and iPhone Sync Compared

Last checked 2026-10-17 · Based on Aria 1.1.4 · Written by LIPSON, the maker of Aria

This guide was written by LIPSON, the maker of Aria. Details about other apps come from their US App Store and Mac App Store listings (descriptions, price and supported devices) and each company’s official pages as of October 17, 2026, and may change with updates. It is a guide to help you choose, not a ranking.

What should a Mac to-do app do well?

On a Mac you often call up a to-do app for a moment while working rather than keeping it open. So check three things.

1. A quick way to add — can you add something without leaving your current window, with a shortcut or the menu bar?
2. Visible on the desktop — can you show today’s tasks in a desktop or Notification Center widget?
3. Same data as your iPhone — check which account it syncs through and whether the Mac app is a separate purchase.

Mac apps at a glance

On the US App Store, Things 3 costs $9.99 for iPhone, $19.99 for iPad and $49.99 for Mac, bought separately for each device. The others are free to download, and you add a subscription if you need it.

How do the menu bar and desktop widgets work?

The Aria Mac app lives in the menu bar. If something comes to mind while you are writing a document, click Aria in the menu bar and type one sentence in the chat, like “Reply to the quote tomorrow at 10 a.m., review the contract by Friday,” and it files that as tasks and events.

For the desktop widget, Control-click an empty spot on the desktop, choose Edit Widgets, find Aria and place it. Today’s tasks and deadlines then show on the desktop or in Notification Center. For iPhone widgets, see how to add a to-do widget.

How do you match your records with your iPhone?

1. Sign in with Apple on both devices In Aria on your Mac and iPhone, go to Settings → Account and tap Sign in with Apple with the same Apple Account.
2. Check the sync status If Settings shows Synced, you have the same records. If it shows Guest · This Device, the records are saved only on that device.
3. Check calendars separately Device calendar events sync through the calendar accounts (iCloud, Google and others) you connected on each device.

If they still do not match, go through Aria not syncing in order.

How do you add things faster with shortcuts?

The App Store descriptions mention Quick Entry for Things 3, Command+Shift+A for TickTick and keyboard shortcuts and Quick Add for Todoist. Aria supports Siri and Shortcuts, so open the Shortcuts app on your Mac, search for Aria to see which actions you can use, and make a shortcut for what you enter often. The basic rules for organizing tasks on a Mac are the same as in to-do list app for iPhone.

Frequently asked questions

Can I show my to-dos on my MacBook desktop?

Yes. Control-click an empty spot on the desktop, choose Edit Widgets, and place a to-do app’s widget. Aria shows today’s tasks and deadlines, and the Things 3 and Reminders listings also mention widgets.

Do I have to buy the Mac app separately?

It depends on the app. Things 3 is a separate Mac purchase ($49.99 on the US Mac App Store as of October 17, 2026). The Todoist, TickTick and Aria Mac apps are free to download, and you pick a paid subscription later if you need one.

What if tasks I wrote on my iPhone do not show on my Mac?

First check that both devices are signed in with the same account. In Aria, sign in with Apple using the same Apple Account on both and make sure Settings shows Synced.