Wunderlist 2 is a rare mix of simple list-making and powerful task management
Building a great to-do list app is hard — we want them to be easy to use but impossibly powerful, with every feature imaginable but no friction or clutter. Wunderlist, the product of Berlin-based 6Wunderkinder, found a sizable audience thanks to both simplicity and ubiquity – from desktops to mobile, there's basically no platform with which you can't use Wunderlist, and it's incredibly easy to use. But with the brand-new version 2.0 of Wunderlist, 6Wunderkinder is trying to create an app that's both simple and powerful, and after a week or so using it I'm surprised at how well the company pulled it off.
The most noticeable difference in Wunderlist 2.0 is the look and feel of the app itself. It's simpler and cleaner on every platform, not to mention more consistent; there's a big column view and a sidebar, which you access on mobile by swiping from the left edge and on the desktop through a key command. Options that were previously too-easily available (like the background color) are now hidden in the settings menu, and a number of the sorting mechanisms – Today, This Week, and the like — have been made into Smart Lists. Smart Lists are a much more intelligent way of sorting tasks, and they blend in much more easily with the rest of Wunderlist's structure.
It's much faster, and much better-looking – though that's not high praise
It's also much faster in every case — the app was previously built on Titanium, which lets you build one app and use it everywhere, but it's now native on each platform. The difference is huge, both in syncing speed (there's also a new syncing engine, which works well) and in general smoothness and reliability.
I've never been a fan of the default fake-wood-panel background, or any of the other options either for that matter. I'd much rather pick my own background or just use a solid color, but Wunderlist doesn't offer either option — I picked a textured blue, which seemed like the least of evils. Wunderlist has never been a particularly attractive app, and though the look has certainly been streamlined with the latest version, it's still not much to look at.
The app's basic paradigm hasn't really changed either, and you're still mostly managing lists of tasks. But the tasks themselves are far more powerful: you can finally add recurring tasks (a must for people like me, who wouldn't remember to pay bills without a nagging reminder every month), and add subtasks if there's more than one aspect to something you have to do. You can also get reminders in your email when a task is due, which might be useful to some people but for me is just more inbox clutter. Adding notes to tasks is easy, as is sharing tasks with other Wunderlist users — it's a pretty great tool for families or co-workers, actually. You can't filter by anything other than list or date, which is frustrating to me as a perpetual tagger and sorter, but for most people there's plenty of organization.
It can be simple or complex, depending on how you want to use it
There are still a few frustrating pieces of the app, though. Wunderlist shows your "Recently Completed" tasks, but its definition of recent seems to be any task you've completed, ever, so my lists look perpetually cluttered even when there's not much I have to do right now. Adding tasks is still somewhat clunky — you have to add the task, hit enter, then select the task and add a due date or a note, whereas something like Remember the Milk gives you handy symbols and syntax to add all the information at once. It is easy to add a bunch of tasks at once, though — just tap or click in the entry field, and keep typing and hitting enter every time you want to create a new task.
Wunderlist 2.0 is available now for iPhone, Mac, Android, Windows, and the web, with other platforms presumably coming soon. It's certainly the first task management system I'd recommend to most people — it's free, it's everywhere, and it's considerably more capable than before even if it can't match the power of Things or Omnifocus. Unless you need something endlessly customizable or can't bear to look at Wunderlist's interface (and I wouldn't blame you in either case), Wunderlist is a great way to stop messing with pen and paper, or a million different apps, and finally get your to-do list in order.
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I’ve waited for this for so long! Thanks Wonderlist team!
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:03 AM PST via iPhone app reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Sadly, it still can’t replace the Google Tasks combo for me (Google Tasks can be accesed as a side bar in Google Calendar, popup list in Gmail and via a 3rd party app on Android / iPhone).
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:32 AM PST reply Recommend (7) Flag actions
Too many steps and no native apps kills that combo for me.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:13 AM PST reply Recommend (7) Flag actions
I use a native app on my phone and a dropdown in Chrome. I guess it’s all about preference.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:06 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
There isn’t a native app on Android (which surprises the hell out of me) but there are two amazing 3rd party apps – Tasks and GTasks. I don’t know about iOS though, but I’m sure there are some options. The best thing though is that Gmail and GCal accessibility, having your To Do list right in front of you all the time you deal with mail and calendar is gamechanging.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:41 AM PST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Yeah Gtasks is awesome!
I used to use wunderlist, and switched to gtasks.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 5:40 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
The one thing I don’t like is that I can’t get Tasks to sync with my Calendar on stock Android. Surprisingly Sense on my One X had this feature, and I seriously miss it.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 4:16 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I’ve waited so long for it, but it make me disappointed. I cannot logging for first 20 minutes after its released. When I logged in, it does not sync anything, it “not responding” almost of time and it doesn’t allow me to add due day for subtasks. I am in loving with Taskpaper, it’s deathly-simple and very efficient to me. Of course Wunderlist is free and Taskpaper is 25$ but I prefer Taskpaper. PS: Sorry for my english :)
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:38 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I just moved from Wunderlist to Clear about 3 weeks ago. :(
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:10 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I absolutely love Clear and hope soon they have a web-based or Dropbox compatible version so I can switch full time.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:17 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Does clear do notifications yet?
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 1:49 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Clear is amazing! I use a combination of Clear and Things. Both are indispensable.
Posted on Dec 19, 2012 | 12:33 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Is it offline? Can’t seem to log in, and resetting my password sends me to a beta website asking for login
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:16 AM PST via iPhone app reply Recommend Flag actions
looks like they’re updating right now, I was just trying to download the new app
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:18 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Love wunderlist, been through quite a few task-management programs and always seem to come home to wunderlist at the end of the day. I find it’s just simple enough while still having the features I need….and it has the option to have a monster pic as the background..nice change from the staunch feelings of to-do lists.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:17 AM PST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Where is the new app? it’s not on the Android Play Store
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:21 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wunderkinder.wunderlistandroid
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:27 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
So I guess you don’t like their interface!!
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:21 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Second on the “not in the Play Store” boat.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:22 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wunderkinder.wunderlistandroid
Just went on their website and found the link …
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:27 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Looks great. I’m a big OmniFocus user so I probably won’t use this long term, but since it’s free I’ll try it out.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:24 AM PST via iPhone app reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s night and day different. Both serve their purpose but the major selling point I found was that the wife would actually use Wunderlist when she wouldn’t use apps like Omnifocus and 2Do. We have all of our shopping lists broken out by Store. Makes it so easy for me to shop ALONE! :-)
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:37 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I just downloaded it from the App store and as soon as I try to sign up for an account I’m met with “A key part of the WunderAPI service is down.” which leaves the App totally useless. It’d be nice if I could at least use it and sign up for an account later…
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:27 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
The update is rolling out. Give it some time…
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:34 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I know, I also eventually figured out I could use the App without signing up for an account. They managed to hide that button at the bottom of the window by giving it the same hideous wood texture as the background it was sitting in, I guess that’s skeuomorphic camouflage?
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 2:35 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Great opportunity to compare iOS and Android apps in terms of design and polish.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:39 AM PST via iPhone app reply Recommend Flag actions
All my devices? Where is my Windows Phone App then?
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:42 AM PST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
And iPad?
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 9:51 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
how does wunderlist make it’s money? Always reluctant to use a free service, without knowing how the company stays in business.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:05 AM PST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
Second this. First, I want to know if I’m the product, or if the money comes from ads, upgrades, commercial versions, etc. Also, don’t want to become invested in a “free” service or app whose company goes out of business because they never found a way to make money.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:41 AM PST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
If i remember correctly, they once won over 4 million $ in a startup competition :)
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:11 AM PST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
From one their latest tweets:
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 8:58 PM PST reply Recommend (2) Flag actions
App for iPad is comming early next year. and the problems are caused by heavy traffic, according to their Twitter account: https://twitter.com/Wunderlist/status/281091473536081922
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:09 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Windows Phone??? I have the first wunderlist on that OS, the new wunderlist 2 will be available too?
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 10:19 AM PST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Wunderlist is not powerful when it comes to task management. Ive tried it before and it sucks. Most task managers show a complete lack of understanding of how to prioritise your to do list, and so I feel does this article. Mylifeorganized is a better example of a cross platform powerful task manager. It has projects, outline hierarchy and it prioritises your task list based on task importance And urgency. http://www.mylifeorganized.net/products/index.htm
Its certainly not simple but after a short learning curve , it is powerful. I have no connection to the app BTW.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:23 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Force closes on android when trying to complete my signup. Uninstalled.
Does anyone know the name of the video though? Catchy as hell.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:24 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s Tim McMorris – Life is Beautiful. It’s production music, though – not available for streaming or $0.99 purchase.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:46 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Try it again. It force closed on me and then worked the second time.
I’m willing to let it slide because I bet their servers are getting hammered.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 12:01 PM PST via mobile reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
David Pierce “Its still not much to look at”
Yeah…. wow.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:54 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Good grief, what a train wreck. The new update seems to have rolled back all of my todo lists by several days. Even worse, all the apps keep saying their syncing, so my phone and the web site all have different lists as I didn’t know they were having an epic redesign today.
Man, if there was ever a way to lose users.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 12:50 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Looks like they’re having some serious issues. Tried to register and don’t know if it went through. Tried to sign in with the Windows app, got “An unexpected and unhandled error has occurred.” Not a good first impression.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 1:45 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
It’s visually pretty, but still too many clicks to do anything useful, moving todos into lists is unintuitive, you can’t schedule notifications based on things like “1st Monday of the month”, too much focus on glitz to the expense of usable space, no apparent option to hide completed to-dos…
I think it suffers form the same issue as Wunderlist 1. Too much focus on a pretty interace, not enough thought on what makes a to do app actually useful.
2Do is still my gold standard, though it takes some getting used to. For simpler experiences, just stick with any.do or orchestra ( I still think Clear is ridiculous and overrated)
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 2:12 PM PST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions
Astrid is my favourite. Come out with a Windows Phone version plz!
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 2:24 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Based on your review I just downloaded the App to my iPhone 4s and tried to sign up. But got message about their servers having a problem. Not a good thing for a first timer.! Support says they’re “under heavy load” but geez, will this be a regular thing?
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 3:00 PM PST via iPhone app reply Recommend Flag actions
Tried Wunderlist, but decided to stick with Google Tasks. This update doesn’t look like it adds a whole lot to win me back.
Tasks on Android about makes up for there being no love in the form of support on Android, but I’d still love to see if Google could make something even better. Also, even though it’s unlikely, I’d love support for Google Tasks on OS X Reminders, if only to have a to-do list show up in my Notification Center.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 7:04 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t see anything particularly compelling about this app that would draw me away from Catch or Springpad.
Both are nice looking, with catch being the nicest looking of the bunch but springpad being the most feature filled.
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:35 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
I don’t see either. Especially because they don’t have an app for WP8 which SUCKS. And they’re not planning to create it :(
Posted on Dec 18, 2012 | 11:40 PM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
How do you know they aren’t planning to make one?
Posted on Dec 19, 2012 | 12:32 AM PST reply Recommend Flag actions
Many users totally prefer simple and cool apps like Clear, but I’ve found that the device Reminders app serves pretty well, especially with its Siri integration. It is probably what I use Siri for the most.
We found that our users were totally diverse the way they managed to-do lists and tasks — some use online systems like Google Tasks, Toodledo or Asana — while others prefer a device only approach, where some keep things simple with checklists, or do heavyweight task management (effort, due date, category, owners, etc.). We designed LifeTopix (iOS only) to accomodate all of that with online and device app integrations. Although LifeTopix is not a simple task management app, it does allow tasks to be managed by themselves, or in the context of things like projects, trips, events, calendars, etc.
It seems like everyday there is yet another simple to-do list app.
Adi
Posted on Dec 19, 2012 | 8:37 AM PST reply Recommend (1) Flag actions