12 Task Management Apps That Actually Work in September 2025
We've tested and compared 12 popular task management apps across different categories—from team collaboration to personal productivity and even some unexpected entries that surprisingly help with focus and routine.
Our Top Pick
The best task management app for iOS
Quick Summary
The 12 Best Task Management Apps
Asana: Work Management
Cooking Fever: Restaurant Game
Homebase: Team Management
Nirvana for GTD
Pros:
- Faithful GTD methodology
- Clean, focused interface
- Smart views (Next, Scheduled, Someday)
- Cross-device sync keeps everything current
Cons:
- Steep learning curve if unfamiliar with GTD
- Limited collaboration features
- No free plan—subscription required
If you've read Getting Things Done and want a digital system that doesn't compromise the methodology, Nirvana is your app. Not for casual users, but perfect for GTD practitioners.
Grit: Daily Habit Tracker
Cook It: Cooking-Frenzy Game
Raken Construction Management
Pros:
- Designed for field use, not just office
- Excellent daily reporting tools
- Time tracking with crew management
- Strong safety and quality features
Cons:
- Very industry-specific
- Learning curve for non-construction users
- Pricing not transparent without demo
If you're in construction and tired of paperwork piling up in the trailer, Raken digitizes field operations beautifully. Not for general use, but industry-leading for its niche.
Hitask: Team Task Management
Toggl Track: Hours & Time Log
Doorman Story. Hotel simulator
Toilet Time: Crazy Poop Game
Focus Keeper - Pomodoro Timer
Key Insights
🏆 Overall Winner
Asana takes the overall win for balancing powerful features with accessibility. It scales from personal use to enterprise teams without becoming overwhelming, and the free plan is genuinely useful.
💚 Best Free Option
Homebase's free plan for up to 20 employees is incredibly generous for small businesses—most competitors charge for similar features.
💎 Best Premium Choice
Raken delivers exceptional value for construction teams, though its pricing isn't transparent without a demo. The field-focused design justifies the cost for its niche.
🚀 Most Innovative
The games (Cooking Fever, Cook It, Doorman Story) surprisingly provide genuine task management skill development through gameplay—an innovative approach to learning prioritization and quick decision-making.
Pricing Analysis
Free tiers abound in this category, with Asana, Homebase, and Toggl Track offering particularly generous free plans. Subscription apps like Nirvana and Raken target specific methodologies and industries where users see clear ROI.
Conclusion
Task management isn't one-size-fits-all. The best app depends entirely on whether you need team coordination, time tracking, personal focus, or even skill development through games.
Our Recommendations:
Start with free options—Asana for teams, Toggl Track for time tracking, Focus Keeper for personal focus. The games provide unexpected cognitive benefits if you struggle with task switching or prioritization.
We're seeing more specialization—industry-specific tools like Raken, methodology-focused apps like Nirvana, and even games that develop task management skills. The trend is toward tools that fit specific workflows rather than trying to be everything to everyone.