GoodTask - Detailed Review
Collaboration Tools
GoodTask - Product Overview
Introduction to GoodTask
GoodTask is a versatile task manager and planner app that builds upon Apple’s built-in Reminders and Calendars, enhancing their functionality to boost your productivity.
Primary Function
GoodTask’s primary function is to help you organize your tasks, projects, and calendar events in a seamless and integrated way. It allows you to manage your day, from simple checklists to complex project management, all while syncing with your existing Reminders and Calendars data.
Target Audience
The target audience for GoodTask includes individuals who use Apple’s Reminders and Calendars and are looking for a more powerful and flexible task management tool. This can range from people making simple grocery lists to those managing intricate projects. It is particularly useful for anyone who relies on iCloud, Outlook, or other calendar services integrated with their Apple devices.
Key Features
Syncing with iOS Reminders & Calendars
GoodTask syncs all your tasks and calendar events from Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, ensuring that all your data is accessible and up-to-date across all your devices.
Customizable Views
The app offers various viewpoints, including List, Day, Week, Month views, and a Board view that can be filtered by Date, Priority, List, and Tag type. This allows you to manage your tasks in the way that best suits your needs.
Smart Lists
GoodTask features Smart Lists that can be filtered by text, tags, priorities, and more. You can also create lists that include or exclude specific Reminders Lists and Calendars, helping you focus on the tasks that matter most.
Quick Actions and Bulk Actions
The app provides Quick Actions for editing tasks on the fly and Bulk Actions to manage multiple tasks at once. This includes duplicating tasks, changing due dates, adding or switching tags and lists, and more.
Customization and Themes
GoodTask is fully customizable, with various themes and the option to use custom fonts. It also supports portrait and landscape modes on all devices and multi-tasking on iPads, including iPad Pro.
Additional Features
The app includes subtasks, automatic repeat after completion, manual sorting, Apple Watch support with complications, Today Widget support, and time zone support. It also offers notifications and app icon badges to keep you informed.
GoodTask is an award-winning app, recognized as ‘MacStories Selects App of the Year 2018’ and featured in several Apple App Store categories such as ‘Apps We Love Right Now’ and ‘Get Stuff Done’. Its flexibility and powerful features make it an essential tool for anyone looking to enhance their task management capabilities.
GoodTask - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of GoodTask is designed to be intuitive, powerful, and highly customizable, making it an excellent tool for task management.Basic Interface
GoodTask is divided into three main parts:Lists
This section displays your lists, including both the standard lists from Apple’s Reminders app and Smart Lists, which allow you to filter tasks across different lists. On iOS devices, lists appear on the left, while on iPad or Mac, they are displayed in a sidebar.
Tasks
Here, you can view the tasks within a selected list. This view is customizable, offering various display options such as List View, Board View, and Calendar View. In List View, you can switch between day, week, and month views by swiping on the date area.
Task Detail
This section shows the detailed information of a selected task, including title, status bar, notes, quick actions, and subtasks. On Mac, the task detail appears in a separate window, which can be integrated into the main window if preferred.
Customization and Views
GoodTask offers multiple ways to view and manage your tasks:List and Board Views
You can toggle between these views using a button at the bottom left on iOS or top left on Mac. List View includes day, week, and month views, while Board View allows you to organize tasks by date, priority, list, or tag.
Smart Lists and Groups
Smart Lists enable you to filter tasks based on various criteria, and you can manage your lists using groups and spaces to keep them organized.
Interactions and Actions
The app provides several interactive features:Swipe Actions
Swiping on tasks can perform predefined actions, which can be set in the settings. You can also swipe between dates in the day, week, and month views.
Long Tap and Drag & Drop
Long tapping a task opens a context menu, and dragging and dropping tasks allows you to move them between lists. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to move items.
Bulk Actions
The ‘…’ button at the top right offers additional options, including bulk actions to edit, complete, or delete multiple tasks at once.
Search and Integration
GoodTask includes a search function that allows you to pull down and search for tasks, with results appearing as you type. The app also integrates well with Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, syncing metadata and allowing seamless updates between the apps.User Experience
The user experience is generally praised for its simplicity and power:Ease of Use
Users find GoodTask easy to use, with a straightforward interface that is highly customizable to match individual workflows.
Performance
Most users report that the app is swift and fast, particularly on the iOS version, although some users have noted occasional responsiveness issues with the macOS version.
Customization
The rich settings and customization options allow users to adjust the app’s appearance, task display, and quick actions to their preferences.
Overall, GoodTask offers a user-friendly and highly customizable interface that caters to various task management needs, making it a valuable tool for individuals seeking to organize their tasks efficiently. GoodTask - Key Features and Functionality
GoodTask Overview
GoodTask, a task and project management app, integrates seamlessly with Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, offering a range of features that enhance productivity and organization. Here are the main features and how they work:
Integration with Apple’s Reminders and Calendars
GoodTask syncs with Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, ensuring that all your tasks and calendar events are consolidated in one place. This integration allows for automatic syncing across all devices connected to the same iCloud account.
Customizable Task Views
The app offers multiple views to manage tasks, including List, Day, Week, Month, and Board views. Each list can be customized to show tasks in different ways, allowing users to focus on what is most important to them.
Smart Lists
GoodTask features Smart Lists, which allow users to filter tasks based on various criteria such as text, tags, and priorities. This helps in organizing tasks across different Reminders lists and makes it easier to find specific tasks.
Recurring Tasks
Users can set up recurring tasks with fully customizable recurrence options. The “Repeat after Completion” feature, unique to GoodTask, creates the next task based on the completion date rather than the due date.
Bulk Actions and Quick Actions
GoodTask allows users to perform bulk actions such as editing, completing, or deleting multiple tasks at once. Quick Actions enable rapid editing of tasks, including duplicating, changing due dates, and adding or switching tags/lists.
Task Management
Task Detail View
Users can view detailed information about each task, including notes and subtasks.
Subtasks
GoodTask supports subtasks, which can be added and managed within the app.
Search and Filter
The app includes a comprehensive search function that allows users to search through lists and tasks. Search results can be filtered to show tasks within a specific list or across all lists.
Notifications and Reminders
GoodTask provides app icon badges and notifications to keep users informed about upcoming tasks and deadlines. It also supports location-based alerts and custom reminders.
Customization
Themes and Fonts
Users can choose from various themes and custom fonts to personalize the app’s appearance.
List and Task Ordering
Lists and tasks can be reordered using drag-and-drop functionality on iOS and Mac.
Multi-Device Support
GoodTask is compatible with iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch, and it supports multi-tasking on iPads. The app also includes Today Widget and Apple Watch complications for quick access to tasks.
AI Integration
While GoodTask itself does not integrate AI directly, its focus is on leveraging the data from Apple’s Reminders and Calendars to provide a powerful task management experience. There is no AI-driven functionality within GoodTask as described in the available resources.
Additional Features
Undo Actions
Users can undo changes made to tasks by shaking the device on iOS or using CMD-Z on Mac.
Copy and Paste
Tasks can be copied and pasted within the app on Mac.
Share Lists
Tasks can be shared via email or other apps in rich text format.
Conclusion
In summary, GoodTask is a versatile task manager that leverages Apple’s ecosystem to provide a seamless and highly customizable experience for managing tasks and projects. While it does not include AI-driven features, it offers a wide range of tools to enhance productivity and organization.
GoodTask - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluation of GoodTask in Collaboration Tools
To evaluate the performance and accuracy of GoodTask in the context of collaboration tools, here are some key points to consider:
Integration and Syncing
GoodTask integrates well with Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, as well as with Outlook.com and MS To Do. This integration allows for seamless syncing of tasks, which is a significant advantage for users who rely on multiple platforms. For example, tasks created in Outlook or MS To Do can be synced to GoodTask, and vice versa, although there may be some limitations with subtasks not transferring perfectly between these platforms.
Collaboration Features
While GoodTask itself does not have a built-in feature for sharing lists directly, users can achieve this by sharing lists through the Apple Reminders app using iCloud’s sharing feature. Once a list is shared in Reminders, it works seamlessly within GoodTask, allowing multiple users to add and mark tasks as completed.
Performance
Some users have reported issues with slowness and nonresponsiveness in GoodTask, particularly if there are a large number of completed tasks. Removing completed tasks can significantly improve the app’s performance. However, the process of backing up and managing completed tasks can be cumbersome, as it requires individual list selection and does not offer a filter for completed tasks only.
User Interface and Features
GoodTask offers a variety of viewpoints and features, such as List, Day, Week, Month views, and a Board view with customizable filters. It also supports fully customizable recurring tasks, quick actions for bulk editing, and various themes. These features make it versatile for both simple checklists and complex project management.
Limitations
One of the main limitations is the handling of subtasks. Subtasks created in MS To Do or iOS Reminders may not sync perfectly to GoodTask, requiring users to manage them differently or use workarounds like adding subtasks in the note section.
Accuracy
GoodTask is generally accurate in syncing and displaying tasks, but there can be issues with duplicate lists or tasks, especially when using cross-platform setups involving Apple Watch and iPhone. However, these issues seem to be less frequent with recent updates.
Areas for Improvement
- Subtask Management: Improving the synchronization of subtasks between different platforms would enhance the user experience.
- Performance Optimization: Addressing the slowness and nonresponsiveness, especially with a large number of completed tasks, is crucial.
- Backup and Export: Simplifying the process of backing up and exporting completed tasks would be beneficial for users who need to keep records.
- Direct Sharing: Adding a feature to share lists directly within GoodTask would streamline collaboration.
Overall, GoodTask is a powerful task and project management tool with strong integration capabilities, but it has some areas that need improvement to enhance user experience and performance.
GoodTask - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of GoodTask
The pricing structure of GoodTask, a task and project management app, is straightforward and offers several options to cater to different user needs.
Free Trial
GoodTask provides a 14-day free trial for both iOS and macOS versions. During this trial, you can use all the features of the app to see if it meets your requirements.
One-Time Purchase
For iOS, you can unlock the full features of GoodTask with a one-time purchase. This option is labeled as “Unlock Everything” and varies in price depending on the region (e.g., ₹ 1,999 in some regions).
For macOS, GoodTask is available on the Mac App Store at a fixed price of $39.99. This is a one-time purchase with no additional costs.
Subscription Options
While not mandatory, GoodTask offers optional subscription plans to support the continuous development of the app. These include:
- Supporter: An auto-renewing yearly subscription. If you subscribe without unlocking the full features, the app will be unlocked automatically. This subscription helps fund ongoing development and updates.
- Support Once: A one-time payment option for those who want to support the app without committing to a recurring subscription.
Features Across Plans
Regardless of the plan you choose, GoodTask offers a range of features, including:
- Syncing with iOS Reminders & Calendars
- Customizable recurring tasks
- List, Day, Week, Month views
- Board view with Date, Priority, List, Tag type
- Smart Lists with various filters
- Quick Actions and Bulk actions
- Subtasks, Automatic Repeat after Completion, and Manual sort
- Support for Apple Watch, Today Widget, and multi-tasking on iPads.
In summary, GoodTask offers a free trial, one-time purchase options for both iOS and macOS, and optional subscription plans to support the app’s development. The features are consistent across the paid plans, with the subscription options serving as a way to support ongoing updates and improvements.
GoodTask - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Other Tools
GoodTask, a task management app, integrates closely with several tools, particularly those within the Apple ecosystem, due to its reliance on Apple’s Reminders database.
Reminders and Shortcuts
GoodTask users often integrate it with Apple’s Reminders and the Shortcuts app. For example, users can create workflows in Shortcuts to automate tasks, such as finding reminders that match specific criteria and converting them into GoodTask tasks.
Mind Mapping and Note-taking Apps
Users have reported successful integrations with mind mapping apps like MindNode and note-taking apps like Drafts.app. These integrations allow for linking tasks in GoodTask to corresponding mind maps or notes in other apps.
Multi-tasking and Split Screen
On iPads, GoodTask supports multi-tasking, allowing users to use it alongside other apps in split screen mode. This feature enhances productivity by enabling users to reference other apps while managing their tasks.
Compatibility Across Different Platforms and Devices
GoodTask is primarily designed for Apple devices and has strong compatibility within this ecosystem.
iOS and macOS
GoodTask works seamlessly on iPhones, iPads, and Macs, leveraging Apple’s Reminders database. This ensures consistent functionality and data synchronization across all these devices.
Landscape Mode and iPad Pro Support
The app supports landscape mode on all iPhones and iPads, including the iPad Pro, providing an iPad-like view on larger iPhones. This flexibility enhances user experience across different devices.
Limitations on Other Platforms
Due to its integration with Apple’s Reminders database, GoodTask does not currently have plans for expansion to other platforms like Windows or a web-based version. This limits its use to Apple device users.
In summary, GoodTask is highly integrated with other Apple ecosystem tools and offers excellent compatibility across various Apple devices, but it does not extend its support to non-Apple platforms at this time.
GoodTask - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
- GoodTask has an active community forum where users can share tips, ask questions, and provide feedback. This forum is a valuable resource for troubleshooting and learning new ways to use the app.
- The app’s official website includes a section for settings and general information, which can help users configure and optimize their experience with GoodTask.
Additional Resources
- User Guides and Tips: The GoodTask forum features detailed posts from users on how they are using the app, including tips, shortcuts, and macros. These user-generated guides can be very helpful for new users looking to maximize the app’s features.
- Shortcuts and Automation: GoodTask supports integration with various automation tools like Keyboard Maestro, Apple Shortcuts, and MailMate. Users can find pre-made shortcuts and macros shared by other users to automate tasks and enhance productivity.
- Community Feedback: The forum allows users to provide feedback and suggestions for future features, which can be insightful for both new and existing users to see what is being considered for development.
App Features and Settings
- GoodTask offers extensive settings options, including preferences for date types, notification settings, board view configurations, and more. These settings are well-documented on the app’s website, helping users customize the app to their needs.
Integration and Compatibility
- Since GoodTask is built on Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, users can leverage the seamless integration with these services. This integration is well-explained on the app’s website, ensuring users understand how to make the most of these features.
By leveraging these resources, users can get the most out of GoodTask and address any issues or questions they may have. The combination of community support, user-generated content, and detailed documentation makes GoodTask a well-supported and user-friendly task management tool.
GoodTask - Pros and Cons
Main Advantages of GoodTask
Integration and Syncing
GoodTask is built on top of Apple’s Reminders app and Calendar data, ensuring seamless integration and syncing across all devices using the same iCloud account. This integration also extends to Outlook.com and MS To Do, making it versatile for cross-platform users.Customizable Views and Lists
The app offers various viewpoints such as List, Day, Week, Month, and Board views, allowing users to manage their tasks and projects in a way that suits them best. Smart Lists can be filtered by text, tags, priorities, and more, providing a highly customizable experience.Recurring Tasks and Subtasks
GoodTask supports fully customizable recurring tasks with options like ‘Repeat after Completion,’ which is unique to GoodTask. It also handles subtasks, although subtasks created in other apps like MS To Do may not sync perfectly.Quick Actions and Task Management
The app features Quick Actions that allow users to quickly edit tasks, set priorities, tags, alerts, and repeating tasks. Bulk actions enable editing, checking, or deleting multiple tasks at once, enhancing productivity.Collaboration
While GoodTask itself does not have a built-in feature for sharing lists, users can share lists through Apple’s Reminders app using iCloud’s sharing feature. This shared list will then be accessible and editable in GoodTask.Themes and Customization
GoodTask offers various themes, including custom fonts, and supports portrait and landscape modes on all devices. Users can also customize how tags are displayed and manage them efficiently.Additional Features
The app includes features like app icon badges, notifications, Apple Watch complications, Today Widget support, and time zone support. It also integrates well with Siri, Shortcuts, and Automator, making it highly functional within the iOS ecosystem.Main Disadvantages of GoodTask
Limited Subtask Integration
Subtasks created in other apps, such as MS To Do or iOS Reminders, may not sync properly with GoodTask. Users might need to manage subtasks using workarounds like notes sections.No Direct Sharing Feature
GoodTask does not have a direct feature for sharing lists within the app. Users must use the Reminders app to share lists, which can be a minor inconvenience.Sync Issues with Certain Setups
There have been reported sync issues, particularly when using Outlook tasks with Apple Watch and iPhone, which can result in duplicate lists. However, these issues may have been resolved in recent updates.Subscription Model
While GoodTask offers a lot of features for free, some advanced features require a subscription, which might be a drawback for users who prefer a one-time purchase or free service. In summary, GoodTask is a powerful task and project management tool that excels in integration, customization, and productivity features, but it has some limitations in subtask integration and direct sharing capabilities. GoodTask - Comparison with Competitors
Integration and Platform
GoodTask is built on Apple’s Reminders and Calendars, making it highly integrated with iOS and macOS ecosystems. This seamless sync with native Apple apps is a unique feature, particularly beneficial for those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.
In contrast, tools like Taskade, Miro, and ClickUp offer more cross-platform compatibility. Taskade, for example, integrates with over 5,000 apps via Zapier, allowing it to connect with a wide range of tools and services. Miro supports over 150 integrations, including Jira, Asana, and Slack, making it versatile across different platforms.
AI Capabilities
GoodTask does not explicitly highlight AI-powered features. It focuses more on enhancing the basic task management capabilities of Apple’s Reminders and Calendars with additional features like smart lists, quick actions, and text snippets.
On the other hand, tools like Taskade and ClickUp incorporate significant AI capabilities. Taskade uses AI agents powered by GPT-4 Turbo to automate routine tasks, generate actionable insights, and assist with research and content creation. ClickUp’s AI assistant, ClickUp Brain, provides contextual and role-based features, such as generating project updates, creating meeting summaries, and handling routine tasks automatically.
Collaboration Features
GoodTask is primarily a task manager and does not offer the same level of real-time collaboration features as other tools. It is more suited for individual task management rather than team collaboration.
In contrast, tools like Miro and ClickUp are designed with real-time collaboration in mind. Miro offers an infinite canvas for visual collaboration, interactive video walkthroughs, and immediate cursor tracking, making it ideal for team brainstorming and project planning. ClickUp provides real-time collaboration through its chat system, virtual whiteboards, and advanced detection alerts when team members view or edit tasks.
Visual Collaboration
While GoodTask does not have visual collaboration tools, Miro stands out in this area with its infinite canvas and smart drawing capabilities. Miro’s platform supports advanced diagramming tools and interactive video sessions, which are particularly useful for visual teamwork and brainstorming.
Task Management
GoodTask is strong in task management, offering features like detailed subtasks for each task, smart lists, and quick actions. However, it lacks the comprehensive project management features found in tools like Asana and ClickUp. Asana provides task management with workflow builders, smart summaries, and AI-driven project management. ClickUp offers a task management system with over 15 different views, time tracking, and resource allocation tools.
Conclusion
GoodTask is an excellent choice for individuals who are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and need a powerful task manager that enhances Apple’s native apps. However, for teams requiring robust AI-driven collaboration, real-time collaboration features, and comprehensive project management, tools like Taskade, Miro, and ClickUp might be more suitable alternatives. Each of these tools offers unique features that cater to different needs, so it’s important to evaluate which set of features aligns best with your specific requirements.
GoodTask - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about GoodTask
Q: How does GoodTask sync with other services?
GoodTask syncs with Apple’s default Reminders and Calendars, including iCloud and Exchange. It also supports integration with Outlook.com, allowing you to use tasks and calendars from Outlook and sync them with GoodTask.Q: What are the key features of GoodTask?
GoodTask offers a range of features, including fully customizable recurring tasks, various viewpoints (List, Day, Week, Month, and Board views), smart lists with filtering options, quick actions for bulk editing, subtasks, automatic repeat after completion, and manual sorting. It also includes app icon badges, notifications, dark theme, and Today Widget support.Q: How do I share lists for collaboration in GoodTask?
You cannot directly share lists within GoodTask, but you can achieve this by sharing the list through the Reminders app using iCloud’s sharing feature. Once shared, the list will be accessible and editable in GoodTask for all collaborators.Q: Can I use GoodTask with Outlook or other non-Apple services?
Yes, GoodTask can be used with Outlook.com and MS To Do. It supports tags, subtasks, and file links from OneDrive, and you can create tasks from emails in Outlook. However, there may be some limitations, such as sync issues with subtasks created in MS To Do.Q: What is the pricing model for GoodTask?
GoodTask is available as a one-time purchase on both the iOS and Mac App Stores. There are optional supporting subscriptions (Supporter) available on the iOS version, which are auto-renewing and help support the continuous development of the app. The Mac version is sold as a pay-upfront model.Q: Is there a free trial for GoodTask?
Yes, GoodTask offers a two-week free trial. During this period, you can use the app fully featured, and all tasks you have in Reminders will show up in GoodTask. This allows you to try out the app without committing to a purchase.Q: How do I manage subtasks in GoodTask?
GoodTask supports subtasks, but these must be created within GoodTask or Apple’s Reminders app to function properly. Subtasks created in MS To Do or other external apps may not sync correctly with GoodTask.Q: Can I customize the appearance and functionality of GoodTask?
Yes, GoodTask is highly customizable. You can create and share custom visual themes, use different fonts, and adjust various settings to fit your needs. It also supports portrait and landscape modes on all devices and has Apple Watch complications.Q: Does GoodTask support time zone differences?
Yes, GoodTask includes time zone support, which helps manage tasks and events across different time zones.Q: How do I get support or ask questions about GoodTask?
If you have questions or need support, you can mention @goodtaskapp on Twitter or send an email to contact@hahaint.com. The GoodTask forum is also a valuable resource for tips and troubleshooting. GoodTask - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of GoodTask
GoodTask is a highly versatile and feature-rich task management app that builds upon the foundation of Apple’s Reminders and Calendars. Here’s a comprehensive overview of its benefits and who would most benefit from using it.Key Features
Integration with Apple Ecosystem
GoodTask seamlessly integrates with iOS Reminders and Calendars, making it an excellent choice for those already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Customization and Views
The app offers multiple views such as List, Day, Week, Month, and a Board view with various filters. This flexibility allows users to manage their tasks in a way that best suits their needs.
Smart Lists and Quick Actions
GoodTask features advanced Smart Lists that can be filtered by text, tags, priorities, and more. Quick Actions and bulk actions enable efficient task management, allowing users to edit, check, or delete multiple tasks at once.
Additional Features
The app supports subtasks, automatic repeat after completion, manual sorting, and even Apple Watch complications. It also includes features like global keyboard shortcuts, URL schemes for complex projects, and comprehensive keyboard shortcut support.
Who Would Benefit Most
GoodTask is particularly beneficial for several types of users:Apple Ecosystem Users
Those who are already using Apple devices and rely on Reminders and Calendars will find GoodTask to be a natural extension, enhancing their task management capabilities.
Task Management Enthusiasts
Individuals who need advanced features like customizable recurring tasks, multiple views, and quick actions will appreciate the depth of functionality GoodTask offers.
Project Managers
For those managing complex projects, GoodTask’s ability to handle subtasks, repeat tasks, and various filtering options makes it an invaluable tool.
Productivity-Oriented Individuals
Anyone looking to boost their productivity by organizing their day more effectively will find GoodTask’s features, such as Smart Lists and bulk actions, highly useful.