Best productivity app
I’ve been using this app for years. I ran into my first issue because of an iOS upgrade. I sent an email and got a response with a few hours to fix it. So, not only has the app been great for years without any issues...the one time an issue did pop up (not Omni’s fault) they had it taken care of immediately. Great app - I use it on on the iPad, iPhone and Mac...and I love the fact I can talk to the Apple Watch to add tasks seamlessly into Omni. Awesome!
Show less
Dated and Cumbersome
Omnifocus was the first real productivity app I used on iOS way back in 2011, and it doesn’t look like it has changed much since then. The app does not work well with gestures on iOS and seems to really want to be a Mac-only app (I have no idea how well the web app works), or at least is designed to work best on Mac, with iOS and iPadOS versions not working as well.
Creating smart perspectives seems buggy, in that sometimes the right tasks show up given perspective parameters, and sometimes no tasks show up. It struggles with ID’ing what tasks are “available” as opposed to “remaining,” and needs some updating as to perspectives and search.
Notes are hidden away when they should be front and center with a task.
Setting repeating tasks is confusing, not the least because sometimes repeating tasks don’t become available when they seem like they should. I think other productivity apps have passed Omnifocus by in terms of ease of use, design, and search, especially on mobile and tablet.
Improves and Sustains:
If I had a prioritized wish list of improvements to Omnifocus, I would recommend improving perspectives, particularly by making them work consistently in the same fashion; I would recommend improving the repeating task functionality; and I would update the design to better use space, as the app looks cluttered. I suppose scripting is something I would sustain, but I don’t really use scripting any more.
Creating smart perspectives seems buggy, in that sometimes the right tasks show up given perspective parameters, and sometimes no tasks show up. It struggles with ID’ing what tasks are “available” as opposed to “remaining,” and needs some updating as to perspectives and search.
Notes are hidden away when they should be front and center with a task.
Setting repeating tasks is confusing, not the least because sometimes repeating tasks don’t become available when they seem like they should. I think other productivity apps have passed Omnifocus by in terms of ease of use, design, and search, especially on mobile and tablet.
Improves and Sustains:
If I had a prioritized wish list of improvements to Omnifocus, I would recommend improving perspectives, particularly by making them work consistently in the same fashion; I would recommend improving the repeating task functionality; and I would update the design to better use space, as the app looks cluttered. I suppose scripting is something I would sustain, but I don’t really use scripting any more.
Show less
No Widgets. Subscription-based on the horizon
OmniFocus design is starting to look long in the tooth, it hasn’t changed in over 4 years. Lately they have been very slow to update for new features in iOS. I love the app, but even after shelling out all of the cash for the iOS app and Mac app, I’m seriously considering switching to one of the many options with more frequent updates that are steadily increasing value. OmniFocus gets updates but only bug fixes. By the way, I get the feeling that they are on the verge of moving to a subscription model for all their apps. If it becomes mandatory for OmniFocus, that will definitely be the last straw. I don’t need another subscription service that adds no extra value. For those who haven’t bought into this app, I say start somewhere else first and wait to see what the next version of OmniFocus is (if you can wait that long)
Show less
I keep coming back
Much of the “negative” reviews are opinions about the licensing model, learning curve, etc.
Pricing model: I bought the app + pro upgrade for iOS. I’d love to have it on my Mac but don’t want to pay for it. While it would be nice, I don’t consider it crucial at this time because the iPad is more than sufficient.
Learning curve: If you want an app that works “out of the box” then pass this one by. If you want one that can completely revolutionize your thought process around organizing your life then check it out. Be prepared to invest time in learning how to best use it and tweaking your method.
Pricing model: I bought the app + pro upgrade for iOS. I’d love to have it on my Mac but don’t want to pay for it. While it would be nice, I don’t consider it crucial at this time because the iPad is more than sufficient.
Learning curve: If you want an app that works “out of the box” then pass this one by. If you want one that can completely revolutionize your thought process around organizing your life then check it out. Be prepared to invest time in learning how to best use it and tweaking your method.
Show less
The best of the BEST
I have been using OmniFocus since 2011. Each new version whether major or minor update makes the app better. A lot of people pass up this app because it’s either too expensive or too cumbersome. The old saying “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover” is defiantly true here. Yes, it is expensive, but it pays for itself in how easy your life can become if you take the time to use it. It can be as hard or easy as you wish. Over the almost 10 years I’ve used it I have learned things along the way that I wishe I had known earlier. There are several resources online with video tutorials, to help you get started. Their new subscription model will make it easier for those on a budget. Not enough can be said about the custom perspectives. I’ve got several set up for different things like work, grocery store, Netflix items I want to see. When I walk into the grocery store, I tap the grocery store perspective and all the grocery items I entered in are there. Something in the future? No problem, set the deferred date for the date in the future, and forget about it. OmniFocus will bring it back in view on that date. Do you have trouble remembering to review your task list, don’t worrry OmniFocus reminds you to do that at whatever interval you want. It really is the BEST when it comes to task or project management.
Show less
The most powerful and flexible
With OmniFocus, I can handle just about any project or chore that comes up. The app is designed around customization (of your productivity workflow), and it shows. I currently use Now, Next, and Soon tags to organize my actions, with a sprinkling of tasks with actual due dates, but I can tweak my workflow just about any way that I want to. This level of power combined with usability keeps me coming back to OmniFocus despite having tried just about every other task management app out there. My only desire is that OmniFocus was as innovative and smooth UI-wise as the newer apps. But this is a minor complaint.
Show less
Over the cliff
Omnifocus has added share sheet functionality to the iPad. You can now add Taskpaper format and raw html wherever you find them useful. Words fail me.
As we all deal with the coronavirus pandemic, it is crucial to have effective tools. Life is at once simple and complicated. OF may or may not handle complicated for you, but it definitely doesn’t do simple. People are spending hundreds of dollars on third-party instruction.
Omnifocus and I never really clicked, even though I am well-versed in GTD, and have spent more time with it than any other task manager. In principle, it does what I want. In practice, I find it very hard to use. The user interface is needlessly complex, and pulls attention away from your tasks. There are dark corners where the way it works can only be determined by experiment. iOS and Mac versions do not always work the same way. For example, the built-in Flagged views sort completely differently on the two platforms. There is an entire cottage industry devoted to telling people how to use it, and there’s a reason. It is slow, and many features are clunky. Drag and drop is very awkward. I would make it a program of last resort for most people.
As we all deal with the coronavirus pandemic, it is crucial to have effective tools. Life is at once simple and complicated. OF may or may not handle complicated for you, but it definitely doesn’t do simple. People are spending hundreds of dollars on third-party instruction.
Omnifocus and I never really clicked, even though I am well-versed in GTD, and have spent more time with it than any other task manager. In principle, it does what I want. In practice, I find it very hard to use. The user interface is needlessly complex, and pulls attention away from your tasks. There are dark corners where the way it works can only be determined by experiment. iOS and Mac versions do not always work the same way. For example, the built-in Flagged views sort completely differently on the two platforms. There is an entire cottage industry devoted to telling people how to use it, and there’s a reason. It is slow, and many features are clunky. Drag and drop is very awkward. I would make it a program of last resort for most people.
Show less
Amazing Program
OmniFocus is by far the best reminders app for work. On the surface it keeps everything sorted and organized way better than anything I’ve used in the past. I had a little trouble getting my phone and tablet to sync to my Mac correctly but that may have been user error. Once i got it working though it was amazing and the shortcuts on the Mac side have made my days so much easier. I used to forget to set reminders but on the Mac regardless of what program your in you can just hit “control, option, space” and a window pops up to add a new reminder. It’s awesome. The custom perspectives are also a very cool feature that lets you sort and view just what you need, filtering out anything thats not relevant. Those custom perspectives then sync over to all my devices. There is a lot more i need to learn to use this app to its full potential, it has a high learning curve but what I’ve gotten from it so far is incredible.
My only gripe is that the subscription price of $9.99 a month seems steep. I get why they need a subscription model to stay in business but i think $4.99 would be a much more reasonable price for what is essentially a reminders app (albeit a amazing reminders app). Hopefully they bring the price down to a more reasonable level, then i would recommend it to everyone and give it a much deserved 5 star.
My only gripe is that the subscription price of $9.99 a month seems steep. I get why they need a subscription model to stay in business but i think $4.99 would be a much more reasonable price for what is essentially a reminders app (albeit a amazing reminders app). Hopefully they bring the price down to a more reasonable level, then i would recommend it to everyone and give it a much deserved 5 star.
Show less
OF user for many years
OmniFocus is the reason I switched over to iOS after trying so many GTD apps. The price may see hefty, but that’s the only way to support its development by Omni’s great team. Omni Group has a great reputation and their apps are best in class on Mac and iOS. I trust them so much that I live my entire life though the lens of OmniFocus. It amazes me how some people can feel so entitled to expect so much for so little. How is the power and flexibility to managing one’s whole life priorities (in a GTD way) worth only $10 or less to these people? The value of OF doesn’t come from its price. Yet, it’s price is low for what it does and the upgrades for OF 3 haven’t stopped coming. Thank you from a user of OF 1, OF 2 and OF 3.
Show less
Ripped off
I bought the first OmniFocus a few years back for the hefty price tag of $40, thinking that such an exorbitant upfront cost would come with excellent customer service and updates for years to come. When my app started having some bugs I checked if there was an update that I missed, instead they had made 2 new paid versions since I had updated. I went to upgrade and neither the App Store nor the company acknowledged my first purchase to allow a discounted upgrade and instead directed me to just subscribe. After using it for a few months, I realized that I had now spent another $50 on my subscription. I asked to just commute what I had spent towards owning the app. No love. This company is greedy and although the product is good, they exploit the loyalty of their customers.
Show less
