Task Manager

21 Best Free and Open Source Linux Task Managers

A task manager is software which enables users to compile a list of tasks to be completed. This list is also known as a to-do list or things-to-do. For the purposes of this article, the term ‘task manager’ should not be confused with monitoring software which provides information about programs and processes running on a computer.

The list of activities that may form a to-do list include chores, grocery lists, reminders for important events (such as purchasing wedding presents or birthday gifts), self management, software development, project / business management, and so on. Task managers help to organise your day, ensuring that you know in an instant what you need to do.

Linux has a large range of open source task managers, in part because many of them have a limited feature set and hence are relatively quick to code. This feature selects our personal favorites, including both console based applications and software sporting an attractive graphical user interface.

To be productive, you may need more than a task manager. Our features on Productivity Tools and Personal Information Managers help to organize your day in other ways.

To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 6 proficient task managers. Hopefully, there will be something of interest here for anyone who wants to avoid that sinking feeling of remembering (albeit too late) something important that needs to be actioned. And this Group Test would not be complete without our legendary rating chart.

Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion.

Ratings chart

Click the links in the table below to learn more about each task manager.

Task Managers
TaskwarriorManages your TODO list from the command line
MakagigaTo-do manager, RSS reader, notepad, widgets, image viewer
TreeSheetsFree form data organizer
PlannerKeep track of all your tasks, projects, and goals
Org ModeEmacs major mode for keeping notes, maintaining to-do lists, and more
TodomanSimple, cli, standards-based task manager
Task CoachA friendly and extremely useful todo manager with composite tasks support
ZanshinKDE software to manage your day to day actions
TaskellCommand-line Kanban board/task manager
sleektodo manager based on the todo.txt syntax
GTGPersonal tasks and TODO list items organizer
dstaskSimilar to Taskwarrior but uses git to synchronise instead of a special protocol
DooitBilled as a to-do manager that you didn’t ask for, but needed
TodoistTODO list web application
OpenTodoListSimple todo and task management
YokadiSQLite powered TODO list tool
EndeavourPersonal task manager for GNOME
FromScratchAuto-saving scratchpad built with Electron
Aion-TaskCyclic TODO task manager
todoLightweight and fast CLI-based todo program
DoneTo-do lists reimagined

This article has been revamped in line with our recent announcement.

Best Free and Open Source SoftwareRead our complete collection of recommended free and open source software. Our curated compilation covers all categories of software.

The software collection forms part of our series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. There are hundreds of in-depth reviews, open source alternatives to proprietary software from large corporations like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk.

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