Apple Reminders vs Routine: Which Tool Is Better?

What is Apple Reminders

Apple Reminders is a to-do and task management app built into iOS devices, known for its simplicity and ease of use. It allows users to create task lists, set reminders, and share lists with other iOS users. Key features include location-based reminders and widgets for home screen organization. While it’s a straightforward and clean app, it’s primarily suited for personal use and may lack advanced features required for more complex task management.

Key Features of Apple Reminders

• Simple Interface: Apple Reminders offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to create and manage tasks.
• Location-based Reminders: Users can set reminders that are triggered by their location, such as reminding to buy something when near a specific store.
• Integration with Siri: The app integrates seamlessly with Siri, allowing users to create reminders through voice commands.
• Shared Lists: It allows sharing of lists with other Apple users, facilitating collaborative task management.
• Customizable Lists: Users can customize lists with different colors and icons for easy identification and organization.
• Attachments and Links: The app supports adding attachments like photos and links to reminders, enhancing the detail and utility of tasks.

What is Routine

Routine is a productivity tool that sets itself apart with its all-in-one approach, combining elements of task management, note-taking, and calendar integration into a single platform. Designed to cater to the needs of busy professionals and individuals seeking to streamline their organizational process, Routine offers a comprehensive solution for managing daily tasks, appointments, and notes. Its unique selling point is the integration of these features within an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easier for users to track their to-dos, schedule their days, and store important information in one place. This level of integration is particularly useful for those who prefer a unified system to manage various aspects of their work and personal life.

Key Features of Routine

• Timeline Agenda: Offers a detailed view of the day’s plan with timestamps, including meeting and event reminders, with options to time-block tasks.
• Week Calendar: Provides a 5-day, week, and month view for task planning, integrating seamlessly with Google Calendar.
• Console Capture: A desktop feature for capturing events, notes, and tasks outside the application, ideal for GTD enthusiasts.
• Centralized Workspace: Combines tasks, notes, and calendar in one space.
• Organization: Utilizes categories and tags for better event and task management.
• Daily Plan: Helps in crafting focused daily tasks and important events.

Apple Reminders vs Routine: Features

Features	Apple Reminders	Routine
Integrations	IFTTT, Shortcuts App, Any.do, BusyCal, Fantastical, and Agenda	Syncs with multiple calendar services and task managers like Todoist and Google Tasks.
Calendar	No	Google Calendar, Notion, Slack, Zapier, Siri, Gmail
Platforms	Apple Reminders is available for macOS and iOS. It does not have native apps for Android, Web, or Windows.	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web
Task Management	Labels, priority settings, due dates, location-based reminders	No
Natural Language Processing	No	Offers task creation with date assignment via drag-and-drop
Time Blocking	No	Available
Analytics	No	No
Meeting Scheduler	No	No
Time Zones	Yes, Apple Reminders supports different Time Zones.	Yes
Reminders	Yes	Yes
Customer Support	Average	Average
1:1 User Onboarding	No	No
Pricing	Free	$12 per month, annually

Apple Reminders vs Routine: Pricing

Apple Reminders Pricing

Apple Reminders is a free application provided as part of Apple’s suite of apps on iOS and macOS devices. It does not have separate pricing plans. Users can access and use Apple Reminders without any additional cost.

Routine Pricing

(i) Free Version: Available for students and hobbyists, though with limited features.

(ii) Professional Plan: Priced at $12 per month.

(iii) Business Plan: Costs $15 per user per month.

(iv) Believer Plan: Priced at $10 monthly or $8 per month for an annual commitment, totaling around $96 annually

Apple Reminders vs Routine: Reviews

Apple Reminders Review

Apple Reminders is praised for its simplicity, seamless integration with iOS and macOS, and features like location-based reminders. However, it falls short in more complex task management functionalities and lacks the customization and advanced features found in other dedicated task management apps. It is ideal for Apple ecosystem users looking for basic task management, but may not suffice for users with more intricate project management needs.

Routine Review

Routine stands out for its exceptional design, skillfully combining elements of daily planning, note-taking, and journaling into a user-friendly interface. The application’s free version is especially popular among students and individuals using it for personal or hobbyist projects, making it a preferred choice in these communities. Additionally, Routine’s smart planning and scheduling capabilities are highly valued by users who favor an automated, intelligent approach to organizing their tasks and appointments. However, a significant limitation of Routine, particularly in its free version, is the constrained number of integrations it offers. This restriction is frequently mentioned by users as a downside, as it may limit the app’s effectiveness in more integrated digital workflows.

Which One Should You Pick

Consider Apple Reminders if

1. You Value Simplicity: Ideal for those who want a straightforward, easy-to-use task manager without complex features.
2. Deep Integration with Apple Ecosystem: Perfect for users who are heavily invested in Apple products and enjoy seamless integration with iOS and macOS.
3. Basic Task Management Needs: If your task management requirements are basic, without the need for advanced features like detailed project tracking or extensive customizations, Apple Reminders could be sufficient.

Consider Routine if

1. You Want a Balance Between Calendar and Task Management: Routine offers a mix of these features, but it might not be as comprehensive as some specialized apps in either category.
2. You Like Quick Task and Note Capturing: The app has convenient features for this, though it’s not a full-fledged note-taking application
   
3. You’re Looking for a Personal Planner: Routine is more suited to personal use and less technical users, but it might not meet all the needs of power users or large teams.

Best Apple Reminders and Routine Alternatives

• Akiflow: Akiflow is a time management app offering time blocking, task scheduling, and integrations with various tools. It focuses on productivity and organization through a unified task and appointment interface.
  Akiflow Price: $19 per month, paid annually
• Fantastical: Fantastical is a versatile calendar app designed for Apple devices. It integrates advanced features like natural language parsing, reminders, and weather forecasts. Known for its user-friendly interface, it allows easy scheduling and management of events and tasks.
  Fantastical Price: $4.75 per month, paid annually
• Todoist: Todoist is a task management tool. It enables users to manage tasks, set priorities, and track deadlines across various devices. Its features include task categorization, reminders, and project collaboration, making it suitable for both personal and team productivity. Todoist Price: Premium at $4 per month, paid annually