2Do vs Apple Reminders
These two don't have to be an either-or choice, because 2Do syncs two-way with Apple Reminders. Reminders is the system app: free, on every Apple device, and connected to Siri, the Watch, CarPlay, and HomePod. 2Do is the deeper app you move to when one alert with early and urgent options stops being enough. Connect them and you keep both: anything that writes to Reminders reaches 2Do as well.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026.
At a Glance
| Criteria | 2Do | Apple Reminders |
|---|---|---|
| Primary model | Flexible lists, projects, and checklists, stored locally and synced where you choose | The built-in system app, light and always at hand |
| Best fit | Power users who want depth, scheduling, and data control | Casual capture and shared household lists |
| Strength | Feature depth, alarms, search, and sync choice | Free, zero setup, Siri and Apple-device integration |
| Trade-off | Costs money | Limited scheduling and no structured export |
Connect 2Do to Reminders (Settings > Sync > Setup → Reminders) and you can use both without keeping them apart. Say "Hey Siri, remind me to pick up the cake" from your wrist, your car, or a HomePod, and the task is waiting in 2Do; plan it properly there and the changes flow back. Any app or device that writes to Reminders now writes into 2Do. See Sync with Apple Reminders.
Task Management & Sync Comparison
Where Apple Reminders May Be Better
- It's free and already on every Apple device you own, including the Watch, CarPlay, HomePod, Vision Pro, and iCloud.com in a browser.
- Siri capture is native everywhere, with zero setup.
- Shared iCloud lists are effortless for households, and reminders can be assigned to people.
- Grocery lists sort themselves into categories as you type.
- Sections and the column (board) view give lists a light project-board feel.
- List templates let you reuse a packing list or routine without copying it by hand.
Where 2Do May Be Better
- A task can be scheduled at both ends, with start dates and times as well as due dates, durations with lead-up windows, and Smart Scheduling that keeps future-start tasks out of sight until they begin.
- Recurrence covers the awkward cases: repeat from completion as well as from the schedule, stop after N occurrences, start-and-due pairs preserved every cycle, and per-occurrence edits.
- You can set several alarms on one task, with repeat sounds that keep going until you act, 2Do's own alarm window, and per-list silencing.
- Searching is a real tool: Smart Lists with a full query syntax, typo-tolerant search, a dozen per-list sort options, a one-click Focus Filter, and tag filtering with AND / OR / NOT.
- Attach a Call, Message, Email, Visit, or Browse action to a task and run it with one click, or the
Pkey. - Notes take Markdown and type-to-link task links, and a task holds audio recordings as well as pictures.
- Your data can leave: export any list as .ics or .csv, automatic local backups with per-list restore, and password protection with Touch ID. Reminders offers no structured export.
- You choose the sync: Dropbox, iCloud CalDAV, CalDAV, Reminders itself, Todoist, or Toodledo, and 2Do also runs on Android.
- Mac automation is covered by AppleScript, Shortcuts, and a built-in MCP server for Claude and other AI agents.
- Connecting the two costs you nothing you already have: Siri still captures into 2Do, so only the app you plan in changes.
Ready to pair them instead of picking? See Sync with Apple Reminders for setup and exactly how the two stay in step.
Official Links
Want to compare a few more options before deciding? Browse all 2Do comparison guides.