I've spent decades testing, reviewing, and using different to-do list applications. It's a career, yes, but it's also a bit of an obsession.

And I think we can all admit that most of these apps are way too complicated. A to-do list is just a list. Humans have been making lists for thousands of years, long before computers existed. Paper works well, but so does a stone slate if that's what you've got handy.

It's possible that you, a modern human, absolutely need a to-do list application with bells and whistles—due dates, recurring tasks, sharing features, and maybe even an AI integration. But there's a good chance all you need is the digital equivalent of a piece of paper: A simple list of things that need to get done.

And that's what Tasks.txt, a totally free Mac app, offers. From Ukrainian programmer Yevhen Kharkivskyi, this tool is based on the todo.txt system developed by Gina Trapani. It's a complete alternative to a to-do list app that is based on a single text file.

The important thing here, though, is that it offers more than just a text file. This is a well-executed app. Open Tasks.txt and you'll see a simple list broken down into three categories: Done, Next, and Backlog. The general idea is to use 'Next' for the tasks you want to accomplish today and 'Backlog' for the things you want to do later. The 'Done' section is populated as you check things off, then cleared out at the beginning of every day.