Summary of Key Insights
2Do is a highly-regarded and feature-rich to-do list application praised for its flexibility, customizability, and lack of subscription fees. Many long-term users express strong loyalty, citing its adaptability to various task management methodologies, including GTD. However, a significant portion of reviews indicate concerns about the app's dated UI, lack of recent updates, and inconsistent syncing across devices. Some users also express a desire for better collaboration features and improved integration with other services like Google Calendar and iCloud Reminders. There's a clear sentiment that while the core functionality remains excellent, the app needs modernization and more active development to remain competitive. A growing number of users are concerned about the lack of updates, fearing the app is being abandoned by the developer.
Overall Sentiment: Positive, with a growing undercurrent of concern.
Overall Rating (estimated): 4.4 stars (weighted average based on review counts).
Score Distribution:
- 5-star: 59.4% (297/500)
- 4-star: 16.4% (82/500)
- 3-star: 8% (40/500)
- 2-star: 6% (30/500)
- 1-star: 10.2% (51/500)
Data & Methodology Overview
- Data Sample Size: 500 reviews from the US App Store.
- Time Frame: Reviews span several years, with a concentration in more recent months (2022-2024).
- Analysis Methods:
- Sentiment analysis based on star ratings and review text.
- Keyword extraction to identify recurring themes, features, and pain points.
- Manual review to categorize and prioritize user feedback.
Key User Pain Points
- Lack of Recent Updates/Perceived Abandonment: Many users express concern that the app is no longer actively developed, leading to outdated features and a fear that the app will eventually become unusable.
- Dated UI/Lack of Dark Mode: A frequently cited complaint is the app's outdated user interface and lack of a dark mode option. Users feel the design hasn't kept pace with modern iOS aesthetics.
- Syncing Issues: Inconsistent syncing across devices (especially with Dropbox, and previously with iCloud Reminders) is a recurring problem, causing frustration and data integrity concerns.
- Limited Collaboration Features: Many users desire the ability to share lists and tasks with others for collaborative task management.
- Poor Apple Watch Support: Users report issues with the Apple Watch app, including slow updates, inaccurate information, and unreliable task completion/snoozing.
- Customer Support Responsiveness: Several users reported a lack of response or delayed response from customer support.
- Calendar Integration limitations: Many users want better calendar integration, prefering to see calendar events and tasks together.
- Location based alerts not working: Several users reported problems with location based alerts.
Frequently Requested Features
- Dark Mode: The most requested feature by far.
- Improved Calendar Integration: Ability to view calendar events and tasks together in a combined view.
- Collaboration/Sharing Features: Ability to share lists and tasks with other users.
- Native iCloud Sync: Move away from Dropbox reliance and utilize iCloud for syncing.
- Windows/Web App: A web or Windows desktop version for cross-platform access.
- More Flexible Recurring Tasks: More advanced options for recurring tasks (e.g., "first Saturday in Jan, April, June and Dec").
- Improved Widget Functionality: Better widgets for iOS, displaying more tasks and information.
- Attachments beyond Images/Audio: Ability to attach files (PDFs, documents) to tasks.
- Natural Language Processing: Easier task creation using natural language input.
- Arabic Language Support: A number of reviewers requested support for the Arabic language.
Strengths and Positive Aspects
- Flexibility and Customizability: Users appreciate the app's ability to adapt to different task management styles and its extensive customization options.
- Comprehensive Feature Set: 2Do offers a wide range of features, including lists, checklists, projects, tags, start/due dates, and smart lists.
- No Subscription Fee: The one-time purchase model is a major selling point compared to subscription-based competitors.
- Reliability and Stability: Many long-term users attest to the app's reliability and stability.
- Powerful Smart Lists: The smart list feature is highly praised for its ability to create custom views and filter tasks.
- Email Integration: The "Email to 2Do" plugin is appreciated for its convenience.
- GTD Support: Users find the app well-suited for implementing the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology.
Prioritized Action Recommendations
High Priority:
- Address Syncing Issues: Investigate and resolve the reported syncing problems across devices (Dropbox, iCloud Reminders). Impact: Directly affects data reliability and user trust.
- Implement Dark Mode: Implement dark mode to improve the user experience, especially in low-light environments. Impact: Addresses a highly requested feature and improves app aesthetics.
- Improve Customer Support Responsiveness: Ensure timely and helpful responses to user inquiries and bug reports. Impact: Enhances user satisfaction and builds trust.
- Assess and communicate development plans: Provide a clear roadmap to assuage users' fears of abandonment and to build excitement for future enhancements. Impact: Builds user trust and encourages continued use of the app.
Medium Priority:
- Modernize the UI: Update the user interface to align with current iOS design trends. Impact: Improves app aesthetics and user engagement.
- Enhance Apple Watch Support: Improve the Apple Watch app's performance, reliability, and complication functionality. Impact: Enhances user experience for Apple Watch users.
- Implement Collaboration Features: Add the ability to share lists and tasks with other users. Impact: Expands the app's utility for collaborative task management.
- Improve Calendar Integration: Allow viewing calendar events and tasks together. Impact: Improves workflow and task scheduling.
Low Priority:
- Add Natural Language Processing: Implement natural language processing for easier task creation. Impact: Improves task entry efficiency.
- Expand Attachment Options: Allow users to attach files (PDFs, documents) to tasks. Impact: Enhances task information storage.
- Implement Arabic Language Support: Add Arabic language support for a wider user base. Impact: Increases accessibility and broadens user base.
Opportunities for Startup Ideas
- Task Management App with Advanced Collaboration: Develop a task management app with robust collaboration features specifically designed for small teams or families.
- AI-Powered Task Prioritization: Create an app that uses AI to analyze tasks and automatically prioritize them based on urgency, importance, and user context.
- Cross-Platform Task Management with Native Sync: Build a task management app that offers seamless syncing across iOS, Android, Windows, and web, without relying on third-party services like Dropbox.
- Customizable UI Themes for Productivity Apps: Offer a service that allows users to customize the UI of their favorite productivity apps with different themes and color schemes.
Trends and Observations
- Growing Concern About App Abandonment: Recent reviews show an increasing trend of users expressing concern about the lack of updates and fearing that the app is being abandoned by the developer.
- Consistent Demand for Dark Mode: The request for dark mode has been a recurring theme for several years, indicating a persistent need.
- Shift Towards Collaborative Task Management: There is a growing demand for features that enable collaboration and sharing of tasks with others.
- Users migrating from other apps: Many users have migrated from Wunderlist (after it was shut down) and from subscription based apps.
Conclusion
2Do remains a powerful and versatile task management app with a loyal user base. However, its dated UI, syncing issues, and lack of recent updates are becoming significant drawbacks. Addressing these issues and implementing frequently requested features like dark mode and collaboration support are crucial for maintaining its competitive edge and preventing user churn. A clear communication strategy from the developer regarding future development plans is essential to reassure users and build confidence in the app's long-term viability.
Overall Recommendation: Prioritize addressing high-priority issues (syncing, dark mode, customer support) and communicate a clear roadmap for future development to retain users and attract new ones.
Original App Link
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/2do-todo-list-tasks-notes/id303656547?uo=2