I created this video to highlight what I genuinely believe is the best to-do list app, and it’s probably already on your iPhone: the native Apple Notes app.

Yep — not Todoist, not Notion, not TickTick or Things. Just good old Apple Notes. The more tools I’ve tested (and I’ve tried most of them), the more I’ve come back to simplicity, speed, and availability. And Apple Notes nails all three.

Here’s why I think it deserves the crown.

Speed matters more than features

When it comes to productivity, the best tool is the one you’ll actually use. And Apple Notes is:

  • Always one swipe away

  • Fast to open

  • Easy to jot things down

You don’t need to load a workspace or dig into folders. Just open a note and start typing. For ideas, tasks, reminders, and lists — speed always wins.

Surprisingly powerful for task management

What makes Apple Notes work so well for to-do lists?

  • Checkboxes: You can quickly turn a bulleted list into a checklist with a tap

  • Pinned notes: Keep your to-do list at the top

  • Folders: Organize by project, week, or theme

  • Search: It’s lightning fast and super accurate

  • Shareable: Collaborate on a note with someone else

In the video, I show my current setup — including how I use a “Today” checklist, a “Waiting On” list for tasks I’ve delegated, and a “Weekly Planning” folder I reset every Sunday.

Works seamlessly across devices

Apple Notes syncs instantly across:

  • iPhone

  • iPad

  • Mac

  • Apple Watch (view only, but still helpful)

If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, it just works. I can write something down on my phone, then drag and drop it into a project note on my Mac 30 seconds later.

I’ve used tools like Notion and Evernote for years — and while they have their place, nothing beats Notes for daily action tracking.

It’s free and built-in

No subscriptions, no learning curve, no browser tabs. You don’t need to teach yourself a new interface. Apple Notes just does the job — especially when paired with widgets, Siri voice capture, and Spotlight search.

And if you’re into workflows: you can even link notes together, add file attachments, or scan paper notes right into your to-do system.

Final thoughts

Sometimes the best productivity boost is about removing complexity, not adding it. That’s why I’ve ditched the flashy apps and settled into a reliable rhythm with Apple Notes.

What’s your go-to system — and are you overcomplicating your productivity stack?