Actions vs Apple Reminders

Actions

• iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want a card-based to-do list
• People who already use Bonobo's Timepage calendar
• Households sharing lists under one Family Bundle
• Typing tasks with dates and repeats in plain English

Apple Reminders

• People who use only Apple devices
• Shared grocery and household lists among iCloud users
• Location-based reminders and adding tasks by voice with Siri

Actions

• There is no free plan: after the 7-day trial the app stays in read-only mode without a membership.
• Memberships are bought through Apple's App Store and billed to an Apple ID. No Android or Windows app is listed, only the web app.
• Bonobo sets prices by purchasing power parity, so they vary by country. The figures here are from the US App Store.
• Natural-language entry works in English only, and the help article lists it as supported on iOS and the web.

Apple Reminders

• Apps are listed only for Apple devices; on anything else, reminders are reached in a web browser at iCloud.com.
• On iCloud.com a reminder's title, notes, day or location alert and flag can be edited; Apple directs you to the app for other details.
• Sync and shared lists depend on iCloud, and collaborators need to use iCloud as well.
• Apple notes that certain features are available only in select languages and regions.

Actions

Action Cards

Each task is a card with a title, due date and reminders, and a card can hold its own checklist and free-form notes.

Color-coded Lists

Cards are grouped into Lists, each with its own color, which can be sorted, filtered and archived. Cards keep their list's color in the other screens.

Schedule and Logbook

Schedule shows today and the coming week, and cards are rescheduled by dragging. Completed cards move to the Logbook, where they can be reviewed or restored.

Natural-language entry

Typing a phrase such as "Pay rent on the 1st of every month" sets the date, repeat rule and reminder. It works on iOS and the web, in English only.

Shared lists

A list is shared by sending an invitation link to other Actions users. Collaborators' initials show on the list, and change notifications can be switched off per list.

Siri, Shortcuts and Timepage

Tasks can be added and checked by voice with Siri and automated with Shortcuts actions. With Timepage installed, calendar events appear in the Schedule screen.

Apple Reminders

Smart Lists

Built-in lists such as Today, Scheduled, Flagged and Assigned to Me fill themselves. Custom Smart Lists gather reminders by tag, date, time, location, flag and priority.

Tags, subtasks and sections

Reminders can carry tags and subtasks. A list can be divided into sections and shown in a column view, which Apple suggests for simple kanban boards.

Time, location and Messages alerts

A reminder can repeat daily, weekly or at a custom interval, fire on arriving at a place or getting in the car, or appear the next time you message a tagged person.

Shared lists and assignments

Everyone on a shared list can add and complete reminders, changes show up for all collaborators in real time, and reminders can be assigned to people on the list.

Grocery lists and templates

Grocery lists group items into sections such as dairy and produce on their own. Any list can be saved as a template and shared with others through a link.

Natural language and Apple Intelligence

A typed phrase such as "Jog every other morning" sets the schedule. Apple Intelligence can sort a list into categories and suggest tasks from shared text or web pages.

Actions

• Monthly Membership$3.99

  per month

  Actions on its own, billed monthly through the App Store. One membership covers iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac and the web app.

• Annual Membership$19.99

  per year

  Actions on its own with the same access on every device, billed once a year.

• Bonobo Bundle (Annual)$29.99

  per year

  Actions together with the Timepage calendar and the Flow notebook app under a single membership.

• Bonobo Bundle (Annual Family)$49.99

  per year

  The same three-app bundle shared with up to six people through Apple Family Sharing.

• Bonobo Bundle (Lifetime)$129.99

  one-time purchase, as labelled on the App Store

  The three-app bundle sold as a lifetime in-app purchase on the US App Store listing.

Apple Reminders

• Free$0

  Every feature of the app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, plus browser access at iCloud.com.

Actions

• Annual discount

  Annual membership costs less than five months

  The US App Store lists the Annual Membership at $19.99 against $3.99 a month, which is $27.89 less than twelve monthly payments, a saving of about 58%.

• Lifetime license

  Bonobo Bundle lifetime purchase

  The US App Store listing includes a Bonobo Bundle (Lifetime) in-app purchase at $129.99, covering Actions, Timepage and Flow.

• Other savings

  Bundle saving on Bonobo's three apps

  Bonobo says the bundle of Timepage, Actions and Flow saves up to 44% compared with subscribing to the apps individually.

• Other savings

  Free membership for Apple employees

  Bonobo offers free memberships to Apple employees who email from an @apple.com address after creating an account.

Apple Reminders

No public discounts listed.