Comparison

Shovel Study Planner vs Task Forge

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Shovel Study Planner

This app helps students manage their academic workload through time-blocking and executive functioning skills. It predicts if tasks can be completed on time and allows for flexible schedule adjustments. It requires initial setup on a web platform.

Highlights
  • Time-blocking for tasks
  • Real-time time cushion estimates
  • Consolidated task management
  • Ideal schedule building
  • Rotating class schedule support
  • Detailed task progress tracking
  • Weighted grade calculation
Features
Read full description

Become a STRESS-FREE student with TIME-BLOCKING and proper EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS. **This is only a companion app. Requires account setup on our web platform shovelapp.io** Shovel is a unique study planner that will help you build a solid foundation for life. Shovel is the only study planner that will tell you if you can get every task done on time or if you need to adjust your schedule, way before you run into trouble! SHOVEL FEATURES: TIME-BLOCKING • Plan exactly WHAT task you will work on, WHEN, and for HOW LONG. TIME CUSHION • Know if you have enough time to get your task done on time, continuously in REAL-TIME. EVERY TASK FROM EVERY CLASS IN ONE PLACE • Real-time information on every task • The Time You Have Available • The Time You Need to Complete Every Task • Time Cushion Information for Every Task YOUR IDEAL SCHEDULE • Build your dream week. Block out the times when you’re busy, including 'Me-Time' for fun and personal activities and see how it affects your study schedule going forward. Shovel will tell you if you can do it all, or if you need to adjust your plan. ROTATING CLASS SCHEDULE • Create events that repeat every XX weeks with ease. DETAILED TASK MANAGEMENT • Know how long each reading will take (we do the math for you!) • Estimate how long to study for each exam • Estimate how long you need for each assignment • See how changes affect your future study time • Track your progress on every task • Move tasks to Completed or Do-Later • Adjust on the go PLANNER ON STEROIDS • Assign tasks to specific study times • Know how long you’ll work on each task and when • See which tasks you haven’t planned or how much of a task you haven’t planned yet TIMELINE OF EVERY DAY • See how you use every minute • Classes, Activities, Meals, Me Time, and Events • Even the time you spend walking to and from • Unplanned Study Times • Planned Study Times (with the tasks you plan on doing) NOTIFICATIONS • Never miss a beat. Get notified about the things you have to do, and make sure you record the things you've done. TIME EVERYTHING • Use a built-in timer to track time spent on each task WEIGHTED GRADES • Know how you're doing in each class by putting in your grades properly weighted based on your grading rubric CREATE • Tasks • Weekly commitments • Events ADJUST ON THE GO • Adjust time needed based on your progress • Adjust estimated reading times with one click and instantly see how it affects your schedule • Adjust anything in your schedule COLLEGE IN YOUR POCKET • Your entire semester at your fingertips With Shovel, there are no surprises. You’ll be in complete control of your studies. You’ll know what’s next, how long it will take, if you have time to get it done, and when you’ll get it done. Get organized and become the best student you can be. *** REQUIRES SETUP IN WEB APP FIRST*** Because college syllabi have a lot of information, the fastest way for you to get started is to set everything up on your laptop in the Shovel web-app. Sign up at: https://shovelapp.io *** QUESTIONS*** Go to our website https://shovelapp.io and use the chat. We'll be more than happy to help.

About

Task Forge

This app automatically converts Canvas assignments and Google Calendar events into tasks with spaced reminders. It sends push notifications and syncs across devices via iCloud, simplifying task management for students and professionals.

Highlights
  • Canvas assignment integration
  • Google Calendar event import
  • Automated spaced reminders
  • Push notifications
  • iCloud device syncing
  • Simple task management
Features
Read full description

Task Forge seamlessly integrates with Canvas and Google Calendar, automatically converting your Canvas assignments and Google Calendar events into tasks. These tasks come with spaced reminders that are set up automatically, ensuring you never miss a deadline. You can create multiple spaced reminders for each task to effectively plan your study sessions and work commitments. Task Forge also provides push notifications for your reminders, helping you stay on top of your responsibilities. With iCloud syncing, Task Forge keeps all of your devices synchronized. Designed with simplicity in mind, Task Forge allows you to focus on getting your work done. Say goodbye to the hassle of manually tracking your assignments—download Task Forge today!

Screenshots

Shovel Study Planner4 screens
Task Forge3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Task Forge at 5.0 against Shovel Study Planner's 4.1. Task Forge also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks). Shovel Study Planner's advantage is ratings volume (195 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Shovel Study Planner sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Task Forge asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Task Forge holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shovel Study Planner has 195 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shovel Study Planner ships an update every 5 weeks, Task Forge every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Shovel Study Planner versus Task Forge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShovel Study PlannerTask Forge
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (195 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings195 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHow To Study Smart, LLCCarter Hawkins

Customer experience

Shovel Study Planner

All ratings195 ratings
Positive75.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative16.4%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive52.3%
Neutral17.8%
Negative29.9%

Task Forge

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Shovel Study Planner

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App crashes when attempting to edit task times
  • Blank white screen on app launch
  • Touch input not responding on iPad with Apple Pencil
  • Tasks and calendar items disappear after login
  • Tasks fail to save when entered
Show 11 more
  • Widget shows 'log in' prompt despite being logged in
  • Notifications arrive at wrong times or not at all
  • Dropdown menus extend beyond screen on iPhone
  • App freezes when trying to resize tasks
  • SSL certificate lapsed, preventing login access
  • App crashes when typing in new task times
  • Duplicate notifications sent for single tasks
  • Calendar refresh is slow
  • Drag-to-reschedule functionality doesn't work properly
  • Free trial data disappears after trial ends without warning
  • App won't recognize password after web signup

Requested features

16 requests
  • Push notifications for tasks and assignments
  • Dark mode for mobile app
  • Widget functionality that works reliably
  • Offline access and offline storage
  • Landscape mode for iPad
Show 11 more
  • Monthly calendar view on mobile
  • Task repeat/recurring task options
  • Ability to edit and add tasks fully on mobile
  • Integration with Google Calendar
  • Pomodoro timer feature
  • Support for 6-day school cycles
  • Non-school related task/to-do list functionality
  • Downloadable desktop app for Mac
  • In-app purchase option for premium version
  • Better iPad optimization
  • Cushion feature on mobile app

Task Forge

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Shovel Study Planner

One-time2
  • Lifetime plan$13.99
  • Lifetime plan$46.99
None

Task Forge

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Shovel Study Planner free?
Shovel Study Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Task Forge free?
Task Forge is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Shovel Study Planner or Task Forge?
Task Forge is rated higher. Shovel Study Planner averages 4.1 out of 5 from 195 ratings, while Task Forge averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Shovel Study Planner or Task Forge have ads?
Neither Shovel Study Planner nor Task Forge shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shovel Study Planner or Task Forge?
Shovel Study Planner ships an update every 5 weeks, and Task Forge every 5 days. Most recently, Shovel Study Planner was updated on October 14, 2026 and Task Forge on September 22, 2026.

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