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"Whenever someone is looking to boost their productivity and they want to do so by using a combination of their Mac and their iOS devices, they are faced with a ton of options. Some of them are great, some of them not so much. But there are a few options that stand out among the crowd for a variety of reasons. Perhaps they were the first ones to step up to the plate, so they have lasting appeal. It could be that they have received a ton of coverage from technology sites, exposing them to the mainstream more than others. Perhaps they are just that good.\r\n\r\nOr perhaps they fit a combination of any \u2013 or all \u2013 of the above.\r\n\r\nRegardless, when the Mac and iOS user is ready to start looking for one of these productivity suites, they have to wade through a lot of information to find out which one suits them best. In this piece I\u2019ll try to create less work for you, by illustrating how each of the more popular suites compare as a whole. The ones I\u2019ll be examining are as follows:\r\n\r\n\tOmniFocus\r\n\tThings\r\n\tWunderlist\r\n\tFlow\r\n\r\nWhile there are others out there, I believe these four offer the most complete experience on OS X and iOS. By breaking them down even further and examining how the apps are integrated, you\u2019ll get an idea of which of these suites will serve you \u2013 and your productivity \u2013 best.\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s get started, first by introducing all of the contenders and then breaking things down further afterward.\r\nOmniFocus\r\nThe Omni Group\u2019s entry into the task management arena is both long and storied. Even now as they work on OmniFocus 2, the original has stood the test of time since its debut a few years ago. I remember putting the beta through its paces on my old MacBook Pro, and having used applications like iGTD and other comparable products, I was blown away by what OmniFocus offered.\r\n\r\nOmniFocus was born through a collaboration between The Omni Group, Kinkless creator Ethan JA Schoonover, and the founder of 43Folders, Merlin Mann. With all of that talent behind it, the product was destined to be the product that many productivity enthusiasts had been waiting for. The application didn\u2019t disappoint, and acquired a loyal fan base quickly.\r\n\r\nOver the years, OmniFocus has become a more complete suite, having added both an iPhone and iPad app in the process. While there are not only differences in the interface between each of the versions, there are strengths (and, in turn, weaknesses) that some have as well.\r\nOmniFocus for Mac\r\nThis is the version that started it all. In fact, it\u2019s the one that you should have to get the most out of the entire suite. It allows for the most control and flexibility, including dealing with Perspectives \u2013 which are essentially user-defined views that display only what you want to focus on at particular times. That said, it isn\u2019t exactly the most pleasing of these four apps to look at on a Mac. There\u2019s a lot of power under the hood, though \u2013 and that\u2019s what wins the hardcore productivity set over time and time again.\r\n\r\nHere are just some of the features that you\u2019ll find in OmniFocus for Mac:\r\n\r\n\tThe ability to enter multiple tasks at once using the Quick Entry Pane\r\n\tStyling and \u201Cskinning\u201D options to personalize the look of the application more to one\u2019s liking\r\n\tA review mode, which is a must for &amp;quot;productivityists&amp;quot; like yours truly.\r\n\tOver-the-air syncing with other devices, so that they can sync when they go online, no matter where a user may be.\r\n\r\nBut the Mac version needs an update. If it wasn\u2019t for its iOS counterparts, OmniFocus\u2019s user base might not be as widely used. Let\u2019s take a look at how the iPhone version integrates with the Mac version.\r\nOmniFocus for iPhone\r\nWhen you start using OmniFocus for iPhone, things (no pun intended) really start to click. Productivity apps are a natural fit for the mobile platform, and OmniFocus does a stellar job of making sure that the fit is snug and secure. Featuring a great over-the-air syncing option \u2013 which includes Omni\u2019s own server \u2013 you can rest assured that if your iPhone is connected that everything will be up-to-date.\r\n\r\nSome of the other aspects of the iPhone app that stand out include location awareness, which allows you to designate tasks based on location. This is incredibly handy for running regular errands at a particular store or if you\u2019ve got a specific project that you\u2019ll be working on in a specific location. You can also add photos and audio clip with action items, which I\u2019ve used often for snapping shots of potential gifts or recording ideas for my writing. I\u2019d be remiss if I didn\u2019t mention the Siri integration, which is simply stellar.\r\n\r\nThat said, the syncing can be sluggish at times (although you can add new tasks while it syncs) and you cannot add any Perspectives from within the app \u2013 you\u2019ll need the Mac version for that. You can view Perspectives, but the ability to add more to one would be a huge plus.\r\n\r\nI use OmniFocus for iPhone about as regularly as I use the Mac version \u2013 and I use them for specific instances and reasons (setting up Perspectives on the Mac, snapping photos and grabbing audio on the iPhone, for example). But it\u2019s the iPad version that I\u2019ve used far more frequently since its arrival on the scene.\r\nOmniFocus for iPad\r\nThe best-looking of the three versions, OmniFocus for iPad is what I\u2019ve used most because the platform is the most appropriate for a productivity application. I mean, the iPad looks and feels like a clipboard to a certain extent, and I\u2019ve used those on numerous occasions to hold to-do lists and project sheets. OmniFocus feels right at home on the iPad \u2013 and it looks that way too.\r\n\r\nMany of the features on the iPhone version can be found on the iPad one, but everything just feels better on the iPad. The Forecast view is amazing, allowing you to see any synced calendars in the lower portion of the screen so you can work around anything that is \u201Clocked down\u201D during your day, and the review option is incredibly well-executed, allowing users to conduct a weekly review with ease \u2013 and on time.\r\n\r\nWhenever I\u2019ve used OmniFocus, I\u2019ve set things up on my Mac, including the addition of Perspectives. From that point forward, I spend more time on my iOS devices using it, with a ratio of 2:! favouring the iPad version. Like so many others, I\u2019m impressed with all that the OmniFocus suite has to offer, but it does have its drawbacks\u2026which I\u2019ll get to when comparing all of the apps at the tail end of this piece.\r\n\r\nFor now, on to other things. Literally.\r\nThings\r\n\r\n\r\nThings by Cultured Code has had a presence in this space for a long time as well, often winning over those who might have opted for OmniFocus because the interface was more appealing than its closest competitor. But the design isn\u2019t the only thing that this app has going for it.\r\n\r\nLongevity has been its ally as well, having been around since 2009. Things has been given several awards in its history, which has helped propel it to significant heights in the productivity and task management application field.\r\n\r\nThings is one of those apps that really is more than meets the eye, no matter what platform you use.\r\nThings for Mac\r\nAs mentioned, Things seemingly puts design at the forefront, which has helped it gain a loyal and fairly large following. But there is a lot of punch underneath its glossy exterior.\r\n\r\nHere are some of the features that the Mac version has to offer:\r\n\r\n\tA handy \u201CToday\u201D view right out of the gate\r\n\tThe ability to assign tasks to others\r\n\tA \u201CSomeday\u201D list that allows you to create a variant of the GTD-style \u201CSomeday/Maybe\u201D list\r\n\tA daily review so that you can keep track of what you did\u2026and when you did it\r\n\r\nThere\u2019s plenty to love with the Mac version of Things, and when you take a look at how it works alongside its iOS editions then you\u2019ll see how it starts to really shine.\r\nThings for iPhone\r\nThe Things iPhone app is just as elegant-looking as the Mac version, and since Cultured Code has added Things Cloud to the mix the ability to sync has become much improved. The app is also built for speed \u2013 from startup to syncing \u2013 and entering tasks is set up in such a way that it is as friction-free as possible.\r\n\r\nThings also allows you to easily filter by tag, which results in dealing with items on your task list easily and\u2026quickly.\r\n\r\nThe iPhone version of Things has seen enhancements galore since it first arrived on the scene, and it is a perfect complement to both the Mac and iPad components of the suite.\r\nThings for iPad\r\nThe iPad edition of Things takes full advantage of the platform, and like its aforementioned competitor, seems to work best overall on the device.\r\n\r\nThe overall look and feel of Things on the iPad is strikingly similar to its OS X counterpart, but it also sports a feature that allows users to really customize their workflow so that they can find things a whole lot easier.\r\n\r\nThe best part about Things is that all of the pieces work so well together that no matter which version you use, you\u2019ll be able to keep on top of\u2026things. Again, no suite is perfect \u2013 and Things does have its faults \u2013 but there\u2019s a reason it has had staying power.\r\n\r\nUp next is one of the newer entries into the space\u2026\r\nWunderlist\r\nWunderlist is pretty new to the task management space, having only stepped up to the plate in 2010. It is a multi-platform task management solution, with cloud syncing and apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.\r\n\r\nAnd unlike any of the other suites in this shootout, it is free.\r\n\r\nWunderlist is the most diverse of any of the contenders here in that the Mac is just one of the platforms supported. Beyond Apple\u2019s platforms, the app is also available on Windows, Linux, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. That means that no matter where you are or what device you\u2019re using, you can use Wunderlist. That means Mac users who need to use non-Apple smartphones can use Wunderlist freely and keep on top of what they need at all times.\r\nWunderlist for Mac\r\nWunderlist looks good \u2013 it has a slick design \u2013 and is further designed for quick and simple task management. It may not be as fully featured tas the rest of the candidates here, but the app supports reminders, notes, stars for important tasks, and emailing tasks \u2013 which is all that some users really want\u2026or need.\r\n\r\nGetting started with Wunderlist is easy, and unlike with the others on this list, it is n\u2019t necessary to start things off on the Mac. Still, to get the real lay of the land it is probably a good idea to start here regardless.\r\nWunderlist for iPhone\r\nThe iPhone extension of the Wunderlist suite has a streamlined interface, but it\u2019s tough to even begin to compare it to what both OmniFocus and Things have to offer. So I won\u2019t try.\r\n\r\nInstead, I\u2019ll tell you exactly what Wunderlist for iPhone is: a to-do list that screams simplicity. Simple customizations, simple alerts, simple structure, and a simple calendar. Nothing more, nothing less.\r\n\r\nBut it\u2019s effective and looks good while being so.\r\nWunderlist for iPad\r\nWunderlist for iPad is designed similarly to the iPhone version of the app. I\u2019m definitely a fan of the iPad\u2019s form factor for productivity apps, and while Wunderlist doesn\u2019t have as many features as other entries in this space I still think it shines best here.\r\n\r\nSyncing through a Wunderkit account means that all aspects of the suite are able to remain current. That means peace of mind \u2013 which is important no matter how robust \u2013 or simple \u2013 your task management suite is.\r\nFlow\r\n\r\n\r\nFlow is another recent addition to the landscape, but unlike the aforementioned it was designed to help teams effectively manage their workflow. But it\u2019s much more than that. It\u2019s very versatile and has the flexibility to be used by those just wading into a task management app for the first time to those who could be considered \u201Cpower users\u201D. Flow goes further than some of the other app out there in that it provides information in real-time so that users are always able to see the most recent live interactions. It looks great and its functionality matches its looks.\r\n\r\nIn the same way that Wunderkit requires an account. so does Flow. But the pricing is unlike Wunderkit, which I\u2019ll get to later.\r\nFlow for Mac\r\nFlow works both on the Mac in desktop and web-based formats, meaning that it isn\u2019t as platform-dependent as some of the more robust apps out there (like OmniFocus and Things).\r\n\r\nOne of the advantages of arriving to the party later than some of the stalwarts is that you can learn from what they\u2019ve done and make changes to improve the user experience within your own app, and MetaLab (the team behind Flow) certainly has done that. As mentioned, Flow offers an efficient solution for businesses \u2013 but it also is flexible enough to work for personal purposes, and the consistency between the Mac app and the web app is astounding.\r\n\r\nAnd that consistency carries over as much as possible to the iOS versions.\r\nFlow for iPhone\r\nThe experience on the Mac and web continues on the iPhone, complete with push notifications, task creation, task delegation, and the ability to view activity as if you were checking out Flow on the web.\r\nFlow for iPad\r\nAgain, this app looks and works great on the iPad. It\u2019s recently been updated to take advantage of the newer iPad screen sizes (albeit not for the iPad mini as of yet), but MetaLab is consistently working on updates and lending support to its customers which means that any users of Flow can expect more to come with this already robust app sooner rather than later.\r\nPricing\r\nI\u2019ve already mentioned that Wunderkit is free, but its lack of features when stacked up against the other three contenders does put things in perspective.\r\n\r\nTo purchase the entire suite of Things will set you back $79.97, while picking up OmniFocus for the Mac, iPad, and iPhone will run you $139.97. These seem like pretty steep investments, but when you think about all of the money you will save (or earn) as a result of utilizing your newly adopted productivity suite, the price tag seems worth it \u2013 no matter which one you go with.\r\n\r\nFlow cost $9.99 per month, which makes it the most expensive options of the bunch. But it is also the only one truly allows you to collaborate, and the price tag isn\u2019t out of the realm when you take that into account. It definitely is something that will give people pause, as will the price tag for those thinking about OmniFocus and Things.\r\nSyncing\r\nAll four contenders offer syncing, but OmniFocus offers the most options. You can use their syncing service, Dropbox, or even a WebDAV if you\u2019d like. The others only deal with the service offered through signing up to use the app or a standalone service of their own (as in Things Cloud).\r\n\r\nWhen it comes to syncing, having a variety of options is never a bad thing. That\u2019s why OmniFocus might be the best on this front.\r\nDesign\r\nThis is a tough one. All four apps have great design in some form or another (with only OmniFocus\u2019s Mac app trailing in this regard), but the overall form and function champion is Flow.\r\n\r\nThe team at MetaLab has assembled a great looking app from top to bottom, and even Things comes up short as a result.\r\nFeature Set\r\nOnly Wunderlist really lacks here. All the others have some great features that some of the others don\u2019t (Things\u2019 Daily Review, OmniFocus\u2019 Siri integration, Flow\u2019s real time activity feed) and it\u2019s going to be a matter of personal choice in this area.\r\n\r\nI\u2019ve found all three of the remaining apps to be great choices, but I\u2019ve spent the most time with OmniFocus over the years.\r\nThe Last Word\r\nAll of these productivity suites have something to offer, but when it comes down to making a choice the ball is really in your court. If pricing is a concern and simplicity is what you need, then Wunderlist might be the way to go. If you\u2019re dealing with others throughout your workday and need a task management solution for teams and price isn\u2019t a concern, choosing Flow would be a wise move. But there will be other criteria to take into account, and what matters most to me will be different from what matters most to you.\r\n\r\nThe bottom line is this: with any of these apps you\u2019ll be only a keystroke or swipe of the finger away from connecting to what you need to get done. That\u2019s a lot of progress right there.\r\n\r\nNow go and make progress yourself with one of these productivity suites.\r\n\r\nImage Credit: Marwan Naamani/Getty Images"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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