Amazing Marvin vs MyLifeOrganized

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

MyLifeOrganized

• People who plan in deep outlines of projects and subtasks
• GTD users who want contexts, reviews and dependencies in one tool
• Syncing a phone with a Windows PC over private Wi-Fi or working offline

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.

MyLifeOrganized

• The Windows app is sold separately in Standard and PRO editions after a 45-day trial; its license prices are not shown in the store listings or included here.
• Recurring tasks, custom views, the calendar view, dependencies and project tracking are Pro features that lock when the 21-day trial ends.
• Cloud sync is a separate subscription, from $4.95 for 30 days to $29.95 for 24 months, with tax or VAT added in some countries.
• The vendor lists apps for Windows, Android and iOS only. The iOS app was last updated in April 2022, and a web version announced in December 2024 has no release date.

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.

MyLifeOrganized

Unlimited task hierarchy

Tasks nest into subtasks without a depth limit, so a project can be broken down until each action is a manageable size. Zoom narrows the view to one branch.

Automatic next-actions list

The app generates a list of only the actions that need attention now, sorted using the priority of each task and of its parents.

Contexts and Nearby view

Actions can be filtered by context. The Pro Nearby view lists actions for your current GPS location, with reminders when you reach or leave a place.

Dependencies and ordered projects

Pro handles sequential and parallel projects, holding back tasks that cannot start until other tasks are finished, and can require tasks to be completed in order.

Custom views, calendar and workspaces

Pro adds custom views with filtering, sorting and grouping, a calendar view of daily workload, project tracking and workspace tabs for switching between views.

Cloud, Wi-Fi or offline

The paid MLO Cloud service syncs mobile devices with the Windows desktop app and lets several people share a task list. Sync over your own Wi-Fi and offline use are also possible.

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.

MyLifeOrganized

• Free$0

  Mobile apps with unlimited task hierarchy, automatic next actions, context filters, inbox, starred tasks, zoom, reminders and templates.

• MLO Cloud Sync$19.95

  for 12 months; $4.95 for 30 days up to $29.95 for 24 months

  Subscription that syncs task lists between devices and the Windows app and allows sharing a list. Also sold in 3-month ($7.95) and 6-month ($12.95) terms.

• MLO v3 Pro (iOS)$29.99

  in-app purchase; billing basis not shown on the listing

  Keeps the Pro features after the 21-day trial: calendar view, custom views, recurring tasks, dependencies, workspaces, Nearby view and review.

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.

MyLifeOrganized

• Other savings

  Lower monthly cost on longer Cloud Sync terms

  MLO Cloud Sync costs $4.95 for 30 days, $19.95 for 12 months (about $1.66 a month) or $29.95 for 24 months (about $1.25 a month).

• Other savings

  Upgrade pricing for iOS version 2 owners

  The App Store listing shows Pro v3 upgrades for owners of version 2 at $19.99, or $9.99 for owners of the v2 HD edition, against $29.99 for a new Pro purchase.