I need a to-do list app that is simple and does not have subscription features.

If you want a clean, straightforward to-do list without being nagged to buy a monthly or yearly subscription, you have some great options depending on your preferred ecosystem and pricing style (free vs. one-time purchase).

Here are the best simple, non-subscription to-do list apps:

• Apple Reminders — If you are in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac), Apple built a remarkably powerful and clean task manager that is completely free with no ads and no subscription . It handles basic lists, subtasks, scheduled reminders, location triggers, and tags without any clutter.
• Google Tasks — If you use Android, a PC, or already live inside Gmail and Google Calendar, Google Tasks is as minimal as it gets. It's a completely free sidebar/standalone app that lets you add text checklists, set due dates, and cross items off cleanly.
• Google Keep — For a slightly more visual, digital sticky-note approach, Google Keep is entirely free with no premium tiers or paywalls. You can make simple checkbox lists, color-code them, and pin them to your home screen or browser.
• Microsoft To Do — A clean, free, and surprisingly polished task manager that syncs across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android without forcing a subscription on you. It features a signature "My Day" daily planner tab to keep your focus narrowed down to what matters right now.
• Things 3 — If you prefer a premium, beautifully designed app and don't mind a traditional one-time software purchase instead of a subscription, Things 3 is legendary in the Apple community. It costs a flat fee per platform (no ongoing subscription costs), offering an ultra-clean interface with zero bloat.

To help narrow this down, let me know:

• What devices do you use? (e.g., iPhone only, Windows + Android, Mac)
• Do you prefer a completely free app or are you okay with a one-time purchase?

If you want a simple to-do list app without subscriptions, I’d avoid the big “productivity suites” and look at minimalist apps. Good options:

• Carry — Very paper-like: one daily page, write tasks, finish them, and move on. It has a free version and a one-time Premium purchase option rather than a subscription. Carry Todo Best for: people who want the closest thing to a paper list.
• ToDo Today — Extremely minimal: daily list, check things off, no accounts, no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases. Good Bar Best for: “I just need a list and nothing else.”
• AtomicList — Offline-first, no account required, and its Pro upgrade is a one-time purchase. AtomicList Best for: privacy and keeping data on your device.
• Todism — Simple swipe-based task list; the core app is free and the Pro upgrade is a one-time purchase. App Store Best for: quick add/check-off workflows.
• Microsoft To Do — Free and reliable if you don’t mind using a Microsoft account. It has more features than the minimalist apps above, but no paid subscription is required for normal use. TechRadar Best for: a free option that works across devices.

My picks:

• Absolute simplest: ToDo Today
• Best overall minimalist choice: Carry
• Best if you want no subscription and offline use: AtomicList

If you tell me whether you use iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, I can narrow it down.

If you want a clean, straightforward to-do list without the annoyance of a monthly or yearly subscription, you have some fantastic options. Depending on whether you prefer a one-time lifetime purchase or something completely free with no strings attached , here are the best simple apps available:

• Apple Reminders — If you are in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, iPad), Apple Reminders has quietly evolved into a powerhouse. It is completely free, built right into your device, features a clean and simple interface, and handles subtasks, tags, and smart lists without ever asking you for a subscription.
• Google Tasks — For a cross-platform, absolute no-frills experience, Google Tasks is entirely free as long as you have a Google account. It integrates directly into Gmail and Google Calendar, letting you tap out quick lists and check items off with zero clutter or upgrade nags.
• Things 3 — If you don't mind a one-time purchase for what many consider the most beautifully designed, intuitive task manager on the market, Things 3 is legendary. It is an independent app for Apple users sold as separate one-time platform purchases (no subscriptions) that gets entirely out of your way so you can focus on your tasks.
• Microsoft To Do — Available across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, Microsoft To Do is completely free. It features a refreshing "My Day" daily planner concept, clean lists, and file attachments without locking core features behind a paywall.

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• What devices do you use (e.g., Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone)?
• Do you prefer a completely free option or a one-time purchase?

If you want a simple to-do list app without subscriptions, I’d avoid the big “productivity suite” apps and look at minimalist ones like these:

• Carry: To-Do list — A very simple “today’s page” style app. It has a free version, no account required, and its optional Premium upgrade is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. Good if you like a paper-like daily list.
• Listography — Extremely basic: make lists, check items off, organize them. It uses a one-time purchase model and keeps data on-device. Best if you want something close to a digital notebook/checklist.
• AtomicList — Focuses on offline use, no account, no ads, and no subscription. It has an optional one-time Pro unlock.
• Do3: Focus To-Do List — A stripped-down task list with no subscription; it offers a lifetime unlock instead.
• ToDo List - Daily Task Planner — Very simple single-list approach, works offline, and offers a one-time purchase to remove ads rather than requiring a subscription.

My picks:

• Simplest possible: Carry or Listography
• No account + privacy focused: AtomicList
• Just one screen with tasks: ToDo List - Daily Task Planner
• iPhone/iPad minimalist option: Do3

If you tell me whether you use iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, I can narrow it down to the best few for your device.

If you want a straightforward to-do list app that keeps things simple and completely avoids recurring subscription fees, you have a couple of great paths: completely free native apps with no paid tiers at all, or one-time purchase premium apps.

The best options matching your criteria include:

• Apple Reminders — Best for Apple users. It is entirely free, comes built into iOS and macOS, has no subscription or ads, and handles lists, tags, subtasks, due dates, and smart lists effortlessly.
• Google Tasks — Best minimalist cross-platform option. It is completely free with any Google account, has zero subscription nags or hidden paywalls, and cleanly integrates into Gmail and Google Calendar.
• Microsoft To Do — Best for a clean, colorful interface. It is 100% free for personal use with no subscription model or ads, offering a signature "My Day" daily planning feature.
• Things 3 — Best premium one-time purchase app. Available exclusively for Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad), it features a stunning, award-winning minimalist design and requires a single upfront purchase rather than a monthly fee.

To help narrow down the best fit, tell me:

• What devices do you use (e.g., iPhone only, Android + Windows PC, etc.)?
• Do you prefer a completely free tool or are you open to a one-time purchase?

Yes. If your priority is simple + no subscription, I’d narrow it down to these:

1. Microsoft To Do — best free choice

   • Completely free.
   • Very straightforward: lists, due dates, reminders, recurring tasks, and a useful “My Day” view.
   • Works across iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and web.
   • No need to pay for a premium tier just to get basic task management.

2. Things 3 — best if you use Apple devices

   • Clean, polished, and deliberately focused on tasks rather than endless productivity features.
   • One-time purchase, no subscription.
   • iPhone/iPad/Mac versions are purchased separately, but syncing is free.

3. Apple Reminders — simplest if you're already on Apple

   • Free and already built into iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
   • Excellent if all you want is “write down tasks and check them off.”
   • No subscription or upgrade necessary.

My recommendation:

• iPhone + Mac: Things 3 if you're willing to pay once; Reminders if you want free.
• Windows/Android/iPhone mix: Microsoft To Do.
• If you want the absolute bare minimum: Apple Reminders.

I would skip Todoist and TickTick for your particular requirement—they're good apps, but their business models are built around optional subscriptions/premium tiers.

If you tell me what devices you use (iPhone/Android, Mac/Windows), I can give you the single best choice.

If your priority is simple + no recurring subscription, I’d narrow it down like this:

• Best overall: Google Tasks — very simple, free, and no subscription. It’s especially good if you already use Gmail/Google Calendar. It’s deliberately basic rather than a full project-management app.
• Best for Android: Tasks.org via F-Droid — open-source, ad-free, works offline, and the F-Droid version has its features unlocked without a subscription.
• Best for a computer + phone: Tasks.org is now available on Windows, macOS, and Linux as well as Android. However, its official desktop version uses a subscription model, so I wouldn't choose it if your requirement is absolutely no subscriptions.
• If you want a one-time purchase specifically: there are some small independent apps, but I'd be more cautious about recommending them because long-term support can be uncertain.

My pick: If you're on Android, use Tasks.org from F-Droid. If you're on iPhone, I'd recommend something different.

If you tell me iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, or multiple devices, I can give you 2–3 genuinely simple options that have no subscription at all.

If you want a clean, straightforward to-do list without a monthly subscription or aggressive upsells, you have two great paths: completely free native apps (with zero ads or paywalls) or a premium one-time purchase.

Completely Free (No Ads, No Subscriptions)

• Apple Reminders — Best for Apple ecosystem users. Over the last few updates, Apple has transformed Reminders into a powerhouse. It features smart lists, tags, subtasks, sections, and a clean interface across iPhone, iPad, and Mac completely free with your Apple ID and zero subscription nagging.
• Microsoft To Do — Best for cross-platform simplicity (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android). Formerly Wunderlist, it is fast, clean, and completely free for personal use. Its signature "My Day" feature gives you a fresh, blank slate every morning to manually curate what you want to accomplish today.
• Google Tasks — Best if you live inside Gmail or Google Calendar. It is as minimalist as a to-do list gets: you can create lists, add subtasks, and set due dates, and it seamlessly injects your tasks into your digital calendar sidebar without clutter.

One-Time Purchase (No Subscription)

• Things 3 — Best overall design for Apple users (Mac, iPhone, iPad). It is famous for its gorgeous, distraction-free interface and fluid layout. Instead of a subscription, it operates on a traditional software purchase model (priced separately per platform: ~$49.99 for Mac, ~$9.99 for iPhone). You buy it once and own it forever.

To help narrow this down, what devices do you use (e.g., iPhone + Windows PC, or strictly Apple devices) and do you need collaboration / list sharing?

Finding a simple to-do list app that doesn't nickel-and-dime you with a recurring monthly subscription can be tricky, but great free and one-time purchase options exist.

Here are the best simple, non-subscription options depending on your devices:

• Apple Reminders
  • The Vibe: Minimalist, fast, and surprisingly powerful.
  • Why it fits: If you are in the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac), Apple Reminders is completely free, built-in, ad-free, and requires no account setup or subscription. Recent updates added smart lists, tags, subtasks, and a clean grocery/column view without clutter.
  • Platforms: iOS, macOS
• Microsoft To Do
  • The Vibe: Clean, bright, and straightforward.
  • Why it fits: Completely free with no hidden paywalls or subscription tiers. It features the popular "My Day" intelligent daily planner, due dates, file attachments, and simple sharing options. It stays out of your way and just works.
  • Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Web
• Google Tasks
  • The Vibe: Ultra-minimalist.
  • Why it fits: It has virtually zero learning curve. It is 100% free, ties directly into your Google account, and lives neatly in the sidebar of Gmail and Google Calendar. Perfect if you just want to jot down a quick checklist without managing a complex system.
  • Platforms: Android, iOS, Web (via Google Workspace)
• Things 3 (Paid One-Time Purchase)
  • The Vibe: Gorgeous, award-winning design.
  • Why it fits: If you prefer a premium, dedicated third-party app and hate subscriptions, Things 3 is famous for its clean interface and one-time, pay-once-own-forever purchase model (note: separate purchases for iOS and Mac apps). It has no recurring costs.
  • Platforms: Apple ecosystem only (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch)
• Google Keep
  • The Vibe: Digital sticky notes.
  • Why it fits: While technically a note-taking app, it is widely used for simple color-coded checklists and grocery lists. It is entirely free with no paid upgrades or subscriptions.
  • Platforms: Android, iOS, Web

To help narrow this down, what operating systems or devices do you plan to use the app on (e.g., iPhone only, or cross-platform between Windows and Android)?

Yes. If your priority is simple + no subscription, I’d look at these:

1. Do3 — my top pick if you use Apple devices. It has no account, no tracking, works offline, and uses a one-time $19.99 purchase rather than a subscription. One purchase covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

2. Daylist — excellent if you want extremely minimal. It's designed around making a fresh daily list, with no signup or ads. The current App Store listing says it has no subscription and is available via a one-time purchase.

3. Todoist Free — good if you want something more powerful, but it does have paid subscription tiers, so it doesn't really meet your "no subscription features" preference. Its free tier is usable, but I'd skip it if avoiding subscription upsells is important to you.

My recommendation: If you're on iPhone/iPad/Mac, try Do3 first. It seems closest to what you're describing: open app → write tasks → check them off → done, without turning a basic to-do list into a productivity-management system.

If you tell me iPhone, Android, Windows, or Mac, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 options for your device.