Sunsama vs Ellie Planner: Comprehensive 2024 Comparison

What is Sunsama

Sunsama is a distinctive task and calendar management tool that stands out for its holistic approach to planning and productivity. Designed for professionals and teams, it combines the elements of a daily planner, task manager, and calendar into one integrated platform. Sunsama’s unique feature is its ability to help users plan their day by dragging tasks into a daily schedule, encouraging a more mindful and intentional approach to work. This integration of tasks with calendar events allows for a clear visualization of the day ahead, fostering better time management and focus. Sunsama’s emphasis on daily planning and reflection makes it particularly appealing for those who seek a more structured and balanced approach to their professional life.

Key Features of Sunsama

• Task Dashboard: Consolidates tasks from various apps like ClickUp, Notion, and Gmail into one view, reducing the need to switch contexts frequently.
• Guided Planning & Hand Holding: This feature assists in planning by helping refine tasks, align them with weekly objectives, and prevent overloading of the to-do list.
• Focus Mode & Meeting Notes: Offers a clean design and functionality for focused work, including a timer and space for making notes during meetings.
• Integration with Multiple Tools: Sunsama can connect with tools like Todoist, Trello, Asana, ClickUp, Notion, Jira, GitHub, Gmail, Outlook, and Slack.
• Efficient Task Management: The app allows effective management of tasks with features like time-blocking and linking back to the original task for completion tracking.
• User-Friendly Interface: The app’s design emphasizes ease of use and minimalism, contributing to a more mindful and focused task management experience.

What is Ellie Planner

Ellie Planner is a daily planning application designed to help users organize their week through features like calendar integration, task management, and time-blocking techniques. It includes a brain dump area for capturing thoughts and tasks, and it supports integrations with major calendars and productivity apps such as Google Calendar, Outlook, and Todoist. Aimed at simplifying planning processes, Ellie Planner offers both a free plan and a premium subscription.

Key Features of Ellie Planner

• Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
• Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
• Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.
• Customizable Views: Ellie Planner offers customizable views, enabling users to tailor the interface according to their personal productivity styles. This can include adjusting the layout of tasks, events, and notes to best suit one’s workflow.
• Brain Dump Feature: A dedicated space for “brain dumping” allows users to jot down ideas and tasks as they come, which can later be organized into actionable items. This feature helps in capturing all thoughts without disrupting workflow.
• Mobile Accessibility: The planner is accessible via a mobile app, providing the flexibility to manage schedules and tasks on the go. This ensures that users can stay updated with their plans irrespective of their location.

Sunsama vs Ellie Planner: Features

Sunsama vs Ellie Planner: Pricing

Sunsama Pricing

Sunsama offers two main pricing plans. They have a yearly subscription priced at $16 per month, billed annually, and a monthly subscription priced at $20 per month. Additionally, they offer a 14-day free trial without requiring a credit card.

Ellie Planner Pricing

Ellie Planner offers two main pricing options:

(i) Free Plan: Includes unlimited task creation, accessible via iOS and Web apps, and a feature called “Braindump”.

(ii) Ellie Pro Plan: Available for $9.99 per month or a one-time purchase of $299.99. It includes all the features of the free plan plus timeboxing, integration with Google and Apple Calendars, unlimited labels & subtasks, recurring tasks, due dates, and more.

Sunsama vs Ellie Planner: Reviews

Sunsama Review

Sunsama is a task management and daily planner tool that focuses on integrating tasks from various applications into a single dashboard. Its standout features include a user-friendly interface, guided planning, and focus mode for enhanced productivity. However, it may not be suitable for those who require more advanced project management features or extensive customization options. Additionally, the pricing might be a bit steep for individual users or small teams.

Ellie Planner Review

Ellie Planner is praised for its simplicity and effectiveness in daily planning, offering features like calendar and task views, brain dump for capturing thoughts, and integration with other apps like Google Calendar and Todoist. Users appreciate its clean interface and focus on time-blocking techniques to improve productivity. However, some drawbacks include its higher price point compared to alternatives like Todoist, and a relatively lighter set of features which may not suit those seeking more robust functionality. The app is primarily developed by a solo developer, which adds a personal touch but might affect the pace of feature updates and support. Overall, Ellie Planner is a commendable tool for those seeking a straightforward daily planner with essential features.

Which One Should You Pick

Consider Sunsama if

1. You Need Integration with Existing Tools: Sunsama could be right for you if you rely on various apps for task management and seek a tool that consolidates them in one place.
2. Focused Daily Planning Appeals to You: If you prefer a guided approach to daily planning, Sunsama’s features can help, although it might not be ideal for those needing in-depth project management tools.
3. Minimalist Interface is Your Preference: Sunsama’s user-friendly and clean design is great for focused work, but it may not suit those looking for extensive customization options.

Consider Ellie Planner if

1. You Appreciate Simplicity in Planning: Ellie Planner could be a good match if you prefer a straightforward, no-frills daily planner with essential features like calendar views and task lists. It might lack the depth of features found in more comprehensive tools.
2. You Use Basic Integration: If you need basic integrations with tools like Google Calendar or Todoist, Ellie Planner offers this functionality, though its integration options are not as extensive as some other planners.
3. You Enjoy Personalized Support: Since Ellie Planner is developed by a solo developer, you might appreciate the personal touch in customer support, although this could also mean slower updates and enhancements compared to bigger competitors.

Best Sunsama and Ellie Planner Alternative

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