Amazing Marvin vs Goblin Tools

Amazing Marvin

• People who want to shape a task manager around their own workflow
• People who struggle with procrastination or feel overwhelmed by long lists
• Planning a day with time estimates and time blocks
• Linux users who want a desktop app

Goblin Tools

• People who find large tasks overwhelming and want them split into steps
• Neurodivergent users, the audience the tools were designed for
• Quick one-off help with tone, time estimates or decisions

Amazing Marvin

• There is no free plan; when the 14-day trial ends, tasks cannot be added or completed until you subscribe.
• Monthly billing is $12; the $8 price applies only when paying $96 for a year.
• There are no dedicated iPad apps; the vendor says tablets can use the web app.
• Time tracking needs an internet connection, and the Zapier integration can only create tasks in Marvin.

Goblin Tools

• The vendor warns that results come from general-purpose AI models and should be treated as guesswork, not as fact.
• The website is free, but the Android and iOS apps are paid downloads: $0.99 and $1.99 in the US stores.
• Sync, history, templates and list sharing need the Pro subscription, and Pro sync covers the web only, with app support still to come.
• Pro costs more inside the iOS app ($3.99 a month) than on the website ($3 a month).

Amazing Marvin

Switchable features and workflows

More than 100 features can be turned on or off, and the vendor describes workflows for day planning, list-based work, spontaneous work and GTD.

Day planning and time blocking

Plan a day or week with time estimates, a calendar view and time blocks. A capacity estimator gives feedback on whether the plan is realistic.

Focus tools

Super Focus Mode shows a single task at a time, Spotlight runs focus sessions of 1 to 3 hours, and a built-in timer supports Pomodoro intervals.

Calendar sync

External calendars such as Google Calendar sync one-way into Marvin or two-way, and events can be imported as events, tasks or time blocks.

Habits and gamification

Track habits and streaks, and earn points, levels and rewards for completed work.

Offline use and API

Tasks are saved on the device first and synced when online, so the desktop and mobile apps keep working without a connection. An API is documented on GitHub.

Goblin Tools

Magic ToDo

A to-do list that works out the steps for a task automatically. A spiciness level hints at how hard the task feels, and a higher level produces more steps.

Taskmaster

Works through a to-do list one step at a time, so that attention stays on a single task instead of the whole list.

Estimator and Compiler

Estimator gives a rough time estimate for a task or activity. Compiler turns a messy brain dump of text into an organized list of actions.

Formalizer and Judge

Formalizer rewrites text to match a chosen tone or level of formality. Judge offers a second opinion on the emotion or intent behind a message.

Professor, Consultant and Chef

Professor explains a complicated subject in simpler terms, Consultant compares options to help with a decision, and Chef invents a recipe from ingredients on hand.

Goblin Tools Pro

The subscription keeps Magic ToDo lists in sync across devices on the web, stores the last 50 results of each tool, and adds templates, custom tones and shareable lists.

Amazing Marvin

• Marvin Pro$8

  per month, billed annually ($96); $12 billed monthly

  Every feature, unlimited tasks and projects, custom workflows and views, analytics, all apps and personal email support.

Goblin Tools

• Website$0

  All nine tools in a web browser, including Magic ToDo, Formalizer, Judge, Estimator and Compiler.

• Android app$0.99

  one-time purchase on Google Play

  The same tools as an Android app. Pro is sold separately as an in-app purchase.

• iOS app$1.99

  one-time purchase on the App Store

  The same tools as an app for iPhone and iPad. Pro is sold separately as an in-app purchase.

• Goblin Tools Pro$3

  per month on the web ($3.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly on iOS)

  Magic ToDo sync across devices on the web, the last 50 results per tool, templates, custom tones, standing instructions and list sharing.

Amazing Marvin

• Annual discount

  Save 33% with annual billing

  The pricing page lists a 33% saving on the annual plan: $96 a year, equal to $8 a month, against $12 when billed monthly.

• Education

  50% off for students

  Students get 50% off the monthly or the yearly plan. The discount is claimed by emailing the vendor.

• Other savings

  Reduced price on request for financial hardship

  The vendor says it does not want finances to prevent anyone from using Marvin and invites people who cannot afford the regular price to email for a price that works.

Goblin Tools

• Annual discount

  Yearly Pro on iOS costs about 16% less

  The App Store lists Pro at $3.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly, about 16% less than 12 monthly payments ($47.88). The $3 monthly price on the website is lower still.