If there’s one thing I’ve learned about managing my life with ADHD, it’s that having the right task management system isn’t just a convenience—it’s a lifeline. For years, Things has been my go-to app for keeping my life (somewhat) in order. From its beautiful design to its powerful simplicity, Things has set a high bar for what I expect from a task management tool. But as much as I love it, I recently decided to step outside my comfort zone and try something new: Superlist.
Developed by the creators of Wunderlist, Superlist is a fresh take on task management. It’s like Things, but with added collaborative superpowers, integration options, and a pricing model that might appeal to a broader range of users. Could it replace my beloved Things? Let’s dig in.
Why Superlist Caught My Eye
Superlist isn’t just another task management app—it’s a reimagining of what productivity can look like, especially for those who work solo and in teams. It blends many of the features I love about Things (hello, simplicity and elegance) with some exciting extras:
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Team Collaboration: Built-in group messaging and the ability to work on shared tasks.
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Integrations Galore: Direct integration with tools like Slack and GitHub.
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Cross-Platform Access: Unlike Things, which is Apple-exclusive, Superlist works on iOS, Android, macOS, and beyond.
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Flexible Pricing: A free plan plus subscription tiers, as opposed to Things’ one-time-per-platform purchase model.
As someone who loves experimenting with tools but values keeping everything in one place, Superlist’s combination of power and flexibility is intriguing.
Features That Matter to Me
When it comes to task management, I need a system that works with my brain, not against it. ADHD means juggling a million ideas, tasks, and goals at once, so these features are non-negotiable:
Multiple Lists: I create lists for everything—health and fitness, a wishlist for iOS updates, even a bucket list of things I’d love to do someday. Things makes this effortless, and I’m curious to see if Superlist can match its ease of organizing tasks into neatly categorized lists.
A Unified Today View: While I like my lists separate, I need to see everything due today in one glance. Things nails this with its Today view, and it’s a feature I’ll be closely scrutinizing in Superlist.
Simplicity Meets Power: I value apps that are easy to use but powerful under the hood. Features like natural language processing (e.g., “Pickup package tomorrow at 10 AM”), nested task lists, and recurring tasks are essential. Superlist ticks these boxes—and adds extras like real-time collaborationand widgets for quick task access.
Offline Support: Superlist offers offline support, a critical feature for those moments when inspiration strikes in the middle of a no-service zone.
Superlist vs. Things: First Impressions
Design & Simplicity
Things is a minimalist’s dream. Every tap and swipe feels intentional, and there’s never any clutter. Superlist shares this focus on simplicity but introduces a slightly more modern aesthetic. It’s intuitive enough, but will it become second nature like Things has? Time will tell.
Collaboration
This is where Superlist truly shines. Things is phenomenal for solo task management, but if I want to collaborate, I’m out of luck. Superlist’s team features—messaging, shared tasks, and real-time updates—could be a game-changer, especially when working with others on projects.
Pricing
Things requires a one-time purchase per platform, which can add up if you want it on your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro. Superlist, on the other hand, offers a free plan and subscription tiers, making it potentially more accessible. But how does the value stack up over time?
What’s Next?
Over the next few months, I’ll be putting Superlist to the test. Can it replace Things as my ultimate task management tool? Will its collaborative features become indispensable, or will I miss the polished simplicity of Things?
Here’s what I’ll be paying attention to:
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How intuitive it feels for day-to-day use.
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Whether the collaborative features truly enhance my productivity.
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How well it integrates with other tools I rely on, like Slack and GitHub.
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Whether the pricing model offers enough value for the features.
A Work in Progress
Switching task management systems isn’t something I take lightly—it’s like changing the operating system of my life. But I’m excited to see where this journey with Superlist takes me. Whether it becomes my new daily driver or just a fascinating detour, one thing’s for sure: there’s always room to explore new ways to stay organized and (mostly) on top of things.
Stay tuned for updates on how Superlist fares in my ADHD-fueled world of task management!
