Amazing Marvin vs Intend

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

Intend

• People who want daily to-dos tied to a few long-term goals
• Those who prefer a fresh list each day to a growing backlog
• Remote workers who want an accountability partner

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.

Intend

• There is no free plan: after the two-week trial it costs $12 a month, or $120 a year.
• There is no native app. The vendor recommends desktop use; on a phone it runs in the browser and can be added to the home screen.
• Goals are capped at 10 active at a time.
• It is a one-person company, and its founder said in January 2025 that the app is no longer his primary focus, though it will keep running.

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.

Intend

Goals come first

Up to 10 goals can be active at once. Each has its own color, one top priority that stays in view while planning the day, and a setting for who can see it.

A new Today page every day

Each day starts with a blank list of intentions, each tagged with the goal it serves. Anything left undone does not carry over to the next day by itself.

Outcomes and not-dones

At the end of the day you record what was done toward each goal and whether it was enough. Undone items from the last 3 days can be picked up again by choice.

Pomodoro and hourglass timers

The Pomodoro timer has custom work and break lengths, and finished blocks are assigned to intentions. The hourglass timer can be paused or adjusted midway.

Reviews

Weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly reviews are split into a section for each goal and come with preset questions that can be replaced with your own.

Accountability partners and coworking

Linked accounts see each other's intentions and get daily email updates. Coworking rooms share a synchronized Pomodoro clock and chat, and need no Intend account.

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.

Intend

• Yearly$10

  per month, paid as $120 per year

  Access to all features with support by chat and email, billed once a year.

• Monthly$12

  per month, cancel anytime

  The same access to all features with chat and email support, billed month to month.

• 1 on 1 Coaching$200

  per month

  All features plus 2 hours of one-on-one coaching calls a month. The first call is free and sign-up is by contacting the vendor.

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.

Intend

• Annual discount

  About 17% less on the yearly plan

  The pricing page lists the Yearly plan at $10 a month, paid as $120 a year, against $12 a month on the Monthly plan.

• Other savings

  Lower prices on request for tight budgets

  The pricing page invites people who cannot afford the default prices to start the trial and then contact the vendor for other options. No rate is published.