Apple Reminders vs MinimaList
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Apple Reminders
Apple's free to-do app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch
MinimaList
Pared-back to-do list and reminder app for iPhone and iPad
Where they differ
- Apple Reminders is free. MinimaList starts at $2.99 per month, or $5.99 as a lifetime purchase (US App Store).
- Only Apple Reminders lists a web app.
- Apple Reminders also covers templates and kanban boards.
- MinimaList also covers Pomodoro timer.
At a glance
| Apple Reminders | MinimaList | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $2.99 per month, or $5.99 as a lifetime purchase (US App Store) |
| Free plan | The app is listed as free on the App Store, with no paid tier: lists, Smart Lists, tags, subtasks, shared lists, location-based reminders and iCloud sync. | Free to download and use. The App Store listing says Premium gives full access to premium features, but does not say which features those are. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| macOS | ||
| iOS | ||
| Made by | Apple | Inner Grow Limited |
| Price read from | apps.apple.com | apps.apple.com |
| Checked | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 9, 2026 |
Who each one suits
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
MinimaList
- iPhone users who want a pared-back list with reminders
- People who like a Pomodoro timer next to their tasks
- Sharing a grocery list with someone else who uses an iPhone
Worth knowing
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.
MinimaList
- Apple only: iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, plus Macs with an M1 chip or later, where it runs as the iPad app. No Android, Windows or web version is listed.
- The listing's description quotes Premium at $0.99 a month or $5.99 a year, but its in-app purchase list shows Pay Monthly at $2.99 and several lifetime options.
- Neither the vendor's site nor the App Store listing says which features are free and which need Premium.
- A link to a shared list must be opened in Safari, according to the App Store listing.
Key features
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.
MinimaList
- Colored lists and custom themes
- Separate lists serve different purposes and can be color-coded. The background, font style and size, and notification sounds can all be changed.
- Reminders
- Reminders can be based on a time or a location and can repeat. A reminder can be set to snooze itself automatically up to three times.
- Smart input
- A time written inside a task phrase is detected automatically and set as the task's reminder. Tasks also take a memo and sub-tasks.
- Focus Timer
- A built-in timer offers Pomodoro, countdown and count-up modes with sound effects.
- Widgets and Siri
- Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets show lists, tasks can be created and completed from the Today widget, and Siri can add a reminder to MinimaList.
- Sync, sharing and calendar
- Lists sync across iPhone, iPad and Mac, a list can be shared with other people through a link, and tasks can sync with Apple Calendar.
Plans
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.
MinimaList
Free$0
The list and reminder app itself. The listing does not say which features are held back for Premium.
Pay Monthly$2.99
per month
Premium as a monthly subscription, as shown in the in-app purchase list. The app description quotes $0.99 a month instead.
Boost Productivity$5.99
billing period not shown on the App Store listing
Listed among the in-app purchases without a term. The app description quotes a Premium price of $5.99 a year.
Lifetime Premium (best offer)$5.99
one-time purchase
A lifetime Premium purchase. A second item, Lifetime (special offer), is listed at the same $5.99.
Lifetime VIP (50% off)$8.99 to $9.99
one-time purchase; the App Store lists two prices
A lifetime purchase listed twice under the same name, at $8.99 and at $9.99.
Lifetime Family$14.99
one-time purchase
A lifetime purchase labelled for family use.
Ways to pay less
Apple Reminders
No public discounts listed.
MinimaList
- Lifetime license
Lifetime purchases from $5.99
The US App Store lists Lifetime Premium (best offer) and Lifetime (special offer) at $5.99, Lifetime VIP (50% off) at $8.99 and $9.99, and Lifetime Family at $14.99.
