OmniFocus (opens in new tab) is a product of the Omni Group, an American software company that specializes in products for the macOS, iOS, and watchOS platforms. The company was founded more than three decades ago by a trio of entrepreneurs named Will Shipley, Ken Case and Tim Wood.
The first version of the OmniFocus app was released in 2008. Since then, the Omni Group has released several subsequent versions, including the last one in 2021. The to do app (opens in new tab) is exclusively for iOS and macOS devices, with no plans to port it to other operating systems.
Many Apple users praise OmniFocus for its rich feature set and simplicity. We decided to see for ourselves if the app lives up to the fanfare it has attracted.
OmniFocus: plans and pricing
One criterion where OmniFocus stands out is the pricing, as the app is quite expensive. You have to pay $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year to unlock all features. You also have to pay an additional $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year to unlock access to the web version so you can access it from any Apple device.
You can get significant price discounts if you purchase multiple subscriptions for a team. You can also take advantage of the app’s 14-day free trial to test it out before making a final purchase decision.
OmniFocus: Features
The onboarding process on OmniFocus is not a short process. Unlike many task management apps that allow you to register online and easily access the web interface, OmniFocus requires you to download and set up the app first. After installing the app, you must create an account before using it and set up sync to sign in to OmniFocus on the web.
Once you’ve set up your account, you’re good to go. The first feature that stands out in the OmniFocus app is the Inbox. In this section you can edit your . add and organize actions (tasks). One great thing we noticed in the app is that you can add actions via voice commands on Siri, Apple’s popular virtual assistant. You don’t have to type in every task if you can just use your voice.
After you add an action, you can do a lot more with it. You can set an expiration date and a reminder so that the app sounds an alarm on your device at the set time. You can also add notes to each action to provide explanations. Likewise, you can set unique tags for each action so you can sort them without stress.
In the OmniFocus app, you can group actions under individual projects to help you keep an eye on them. After that, you can organize projects into separate folders. This feature helps you stay focused on one set of tasks at a time instead of multitasking, which can be distracting.
The OmniFocus app has a sync system for each user, making every change you make reflected across all your devices and the web interface. This system is encrypted to prevent malicious actors from snooping around your scheme.
Some features of the OmniFocus are not available in the free trial, but only for paying subscribers. They include customizing your home screen and sidebar to your unique taste and integrations with third-party applications.
OmniFocus: Interface and Usage
In terms of user-friendliness, the OmniFocus app scores excellent. It has that kind of elegant and simple interface that the Apple ecosystem is known for. One particular feature that we liked in the app is the presence of light and dark modes for the user’s convenience.
OmniFocus: Customer Support
If you experience any issues with the OmniFocus app, you can contact the app developer directly via email or phone. The customer service is quite reliable, judging by user reviews on the internet.
There are also comprehensive user guides and video tutorials for the OmniFocus app on the developer’s official website. You can use these materials to learn how to navigate the app.
OmniFocus: the competition
OmniFocus’ main rivals are Evernote, Todoist (opens in new tab)and TickTick (opens in new tab)† OmniFocus is a more advanced app with better features, but it is only available for iOS or macOS users.
OmniFocus: Final Verdict
If you want an advanced task management app, OmniFocus is an ideal choice. The app offers a wide range of task management features that you will rarely find elsewhere. Its main drawback is that it is limited to the iOS/macOS ecosystem. It would be great if the app’s developer, Omni Group, releases Android and Windows versions, but the company has made it clear it won’t be doing that anytime soon.
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