GTD App Review – Astrid
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Astrid is popular task list app for Android, that is easy to use and comes with a host of syncing options. Incredibly simple and straight forward to use with a pleasant clean UI.
It stands out from other task list apps, with some unique features such as backups, random notifications for overdue tasks and encouragements.
Used with Producteev syncing, means I can use the Producteev Mac app as the desktop client for my GTD system. That review is coming soon.
How it Scored
This is how it scored against the criteria for a great GTD app.
| Criteria | Result |
|---|---|
| Quick add | Yes. But it has no inbox |
| Projects/Sub-tasks | Yes, lists. |
| Contexts/tags | No |
| Order tasks | No |
| Notes | Yes |
| Highlight/star | Yes. Importance stars 1-5 |
| Search | Yes |
| Deadline | Yes |
| Reminder | Yes |
| Recurring tasks | Yes |
| Sync with Google Calendar | Kind of. You can add a calendar entry that is connected to the task |
| User Experience | 4/5 |
Downsides
It’s an impressive app but the lack of GTD specific folders and contexts/tags, means it loses out to those that have them. They of course can be replicated with lists (tasks can belong to more than one list).
You can’t add a task from the lists home page and you can’t set the lists page as your home screen.
You can’t remove or customise the default filters. Like ‘Recently Modified’ which doesn’t feel like a useful filter.
Puzzling
Nothing puzzling, just a straight forward task list app.
Useful Extras
- Time how long it takes to perform a task.
- Workspaces for top level partitioning of tasks. Eg Work, Home etc. When used with Producteev sync.
- Assign tasks to other people and collaborate on lists too.
- Randomly
remindnag you of overdue tasks. - Limited smart task entry. Eg add to list #listname would add the task to listname
- Power packs for more widgets, notifications based on location and voice integration.
- Widget for any list/view of tasks.
- Add limited filters.
- Reminders come with encouragements to complete overdue tasks and a host of other reminder settings.
- Specify defaults for tasks.
- Automated backups, should anything go wrong.
- The app is open source.
- Syncs with Producteev, Google Tasks and it’s own new Web app.
How it Looks
Platforms
Android, iPhone (new) and Web.
Support
They have a feedback forum where employees are active. I’ve been using the Android app for a long time, as an ‘on the go inbox’ and they are always improving the app.
Price
Free for all platforms.
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I’ve been using both Astrid & Producteev and have recently just switched to only Astrid. The random issues with syncing and not getting all of the notes transferred forced me to choose between the two.
Now that Astrid has email 2 task, syncing with GCal (well actually, add to calender option), a more robust Android app & the ability to work in groups on projects (without an additional fee) makes this a real winner.
To handle contexts (.calls, .errands, etc) I have shortcuts on my Android phone that open up directly to the desired list.
Still the biggest drawbacks: Not truly GTD with context, no batch updating of tasks, web app opens up to all tasks at once.
I’ve read that they are considering adding a context of sorts to the tasks but its not for certain yet.
Have you looked at the new features of Astrid recently?
It’s one of the things I like about Astrid, is that it’s continuously being improved. Every couple of weeks there’s always something new and it’s already a great app :) Syncing between the 2 isn’t great and I’ve been using Web Astrid on my Mac mostly instead of Producteev. I particularly like the new task list view which shows you which contexts/lists the task belongs to.
Tom, you should correct your article. In Astrid it is possible to order tasks by dragging them.
The problem I have with Astrid is that it is impossible to hide future tasks.