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Best Free Reminder and To-Do Program

Updated 18. June 2013 - 14:37 by Juxxize

In a Hurry?

Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide

Introduction

There are literally dozens of free stand-alone reminder programs. Even more if you include sticky notes utilities and calendaring programs that offer reminder features. Many, I can assure you, are not worth installing.

Discussion

Of all the calendar programs I looked at, Rainlendar Lite ( also known as Rainlendar2 ) would be my preferred choice, a solid product which is highly customizable but a tad more difficult to use.

Rainlender is a calendar program that is not only a calendar but a reminder program and a To-Do list built in , in the form of the events / tasks manger, also a very capable "iCal compatible" desktop calendar, although the calendar feature can be turned off.

Used as a reminder and To-Do program, it's very feature rich with lots of options to personalize the software to suit the users needs. The actual calendar interface is attractive and very unobtrusive and can also be personalized with

easy skinning. As it employs things like variable windows transparency, the calendar actually looks as though it is part of my Windows 7 desktop rather than software I added at a later date.

The desktop calendar also has mouse-over effect, just hover your mouse over the calendar for a quick check of what you've got going that month which is very handy. The user can also assign hotkeys for tasks such as create new event , show next month and a number of other useful actions. It also has the ability to synchronize events between clients, as well as Outlook appointment integration (Pro version). I liked, too, the way the tray icon shows the current date. the

events / tasks manger and when the mouse is hovered over it shows any events / tasks for the day.

Another useful feature is Rainlendar supports a back-up and restore option. Unfortunately I found no way to import ICS calendar files from other calendars you may be using at the time like Google calendar or ReminderFox, only imports from Rainlendar Ini format and iCal format are available.

When installed the default setting is to have Rainlendar to run at Windows start-up I'm never keen on having programs run at start-up if they don't need to but this being a calendar/ reminder/ To-Do application I've left it to run at start-up so I don't miss any reminders or To-Do's . Although it does run at start-up I haven't noticed any change in my PC start-up time which is a good thing.

EssentialPIM is not just a calendar, reminder and To-Do program but a very capable all round organiser with a contacts address book, password manager and even a notepad built in.

So let's have a look at some of the features of this all in one calendar and organiser. There is a free android and iPhone/ iPad app available which gives the user the option to access their calendar on the move which will prove very useful The calendar app will sync with the desktop program so if a calendar entry is added on the mobile app it will be added on the desktop version and vice versa provided the user has internet connection, in this mobile age many users will find this invaluable.

The desktop calendar it's self can be displayed in different ways to suit the user and the amount of appointments/ activity's they have on the calendar. It can displayed as day, week, month, year or as a timetable. I also like the option to display your schedule in form of sticky's .There are other options for personalization under the options menu. Another useful time saving feature is if an appointment time changes the user doesn't need to edit the entry they can just drag and drop it into the new time slot.

There is also an option to password protect the calendar and the option to print the calendar if needed. EPIM supports backup and restore, the backups can be set to auto-save every x amount of minutes or on minimizing.

EPIM supports imports from other calendars in ical format and exports from other calendars in HTML and ical format. In these formats reminders and To-Do's can be imported/ exported.

Here is a quick overview of the other feature EPIM has to offer as well as the calendar part of the program. As I mentioned EPIMs has a password manager which supports imports from Roboform, HTML and Keepass XML and also as a CSV file. Password can be saved or exported as a CSV file.

The notepad supports imports and exports in RTF/ TXT, Treepad and Keynote. The notepad also has a built in spellchecker. Your email or other contacts can also be imported in CSV and vcard and exported CSV, HTML, RTF, TXT and vcard.

There is another review for EssentialPIM on Gizmo's here.

Firefox and Thunderbird users also have the option of using the ReminderFox for Firefox and Lightning, which is a calendar extension for Mozilla Thunderbird. Both provide similar functionality.

Lightning gives you the option to synchronize with your online calendar like Google Calendar, letting you view your calendar anywhere on the Web.

ReminderFox has an attractive interface and is easy to use. Practically any type of repeat reminder can be set . One downside is the user is only able to set one pop-up reminder per event. ReminderFox has the option for the user to create their own event categories which is a useful customization option. Reminders and To-Do's can be saved as a ICS file and be exported into other online calendars such as Google calendar or Yahoo calendar.

ReminderFox and Lightning offer the advantage of avoiding the need for running a separate reminder application but at the cost of not having reminders available when Firefox or Thunderbird isn't running.

I would also like to include Google Calendar because of it's accessibility . It is available across browsers and as an Android app so although it doesn't have the most attractive interface Google Calender is very functional because of it's great access across devices. After all what is the use of a pop-up reminder for a dentist appointment on your PC at home when you are actually out and about. So hence a calender that is synchronized between your PC and Android device is a plus.

When offline with the user is able to view and create events on the Android app that will then be synchronized with the online calender when the user has a connection again .When offline the user is able to view a read only version of the calender on the PC. There is also an option to print the calendar.

Google Calender has the advantage that the user doesn't need to download additional software as it is a online / web application all the user needs is a Google account. So that means your calender will be available across computers as well as your Android device. Plus with the ability to set multiple reminders for an event for those who are as forgetful as myself.

Another feature is the ability to create public events, for example a party. Straight from the calender the user can send email invites to the event and also add the option for the guests to be able to see the guest list , event details and even the option to modify the event , which may come in handy when creating a group event.

This Chrome extensions Checker Plus for Google Calendar, gives Google Calendar some extra functionality such as pop-up reminders with alram sounds ( a little like Reminder Fox does in Firefox). The ability to quick add events ( but not delete or edit in the free verison) straight from your Chrome browser toolbar. It also has an option which can be set to still give you calendar reminder notifications even when Chrome isn't running.

Google Calendar is a good calendar and with it's availability across devices it's great to know if you add an event/ reminder to your PC version that it will be added to your phone as-well straight away without you needing to do anything it really makes life easier, but the fact it has limited offline capability is a major drawback.

GMinder goes a long way to solve some of these offline issues, GMinder is a very lightweight Google calendar offline viewer so the user can view all the Google calendars events offline. While offline the user can also receive pop-up reminders with or without sound and configure how to be alerted. With GMinder the user can also add events/ reminders when offline and when the GMinder has an Internet connection again it automatically adds the event to your online Google calendar which I think is really great.

GMinder is really easy to use just download it and add your Google user name and password and download your calendars, it supports multiple Google calendars too. Within the options the user can choose when downloading the calendars how many days ahead to download and how often Gminder will refresh, in other words how often it checks online for changes to your calendars.

Kana Reminder is another good option. Its a lightweight free program which offers a simple reminder option.

It does not contain many options, but it does what it needs to. Its simple user interface doesn't require much of the skill to work with. It can schedule any program to run at specified time or even can set time to log off, shutdown or restart your computer. One main pro I noticed is its lightweight. It won't give a feeling that it is running there, but it is.

Calendar, Reminder and To-Do Programs to be reviewed:

Comments

by djinni on 4. April 2013 - 4:29 (106802)

Thanks for suggesting Rainlender - have been using it for a month or two and simply love it. Can be set up to be completely unintrusive and yet super easy to access and use - love how it integrates with desktop and can be skinned for extra button functions as well as looks. I'll be getting the paid version the minute they make this compatible with android so I can snyc between my devices (that is unless I can find something just as good that also integrates email and contact info!).

by Juxxize on 4. April 2013 - 9:23 (106808)

yes it is a shame Rainlender isn't available on android I did wonder whether to leave as my top pick because of this fact but because this is a review a for desktop software I decided it still was the best of this type of program and deserved to stay as top pick.

by Paxmilitaris on 21. March 2013 - 19:15 (106437)

Rainlendar IS portable
http://www.rainlendar.net/cms/index.php?option=com_easyfaq&Itemid=26#faq2

by Juxxize on 21. March 2013 - 23:24 (106442)

corrected

by Paxmilitaris on 21. March 2013 - 19:05 (106436)

EssentialPIM is not freeware, it is trialware.
Most of the features only work in the pro version.

by Juxxize on 21. March 2013 - 23:22 (106441)

please note in the quick selection guide EssentialPIM is listed as 'Feature limited freeware', the main locked features are the synchronisation options but the user is still able to synchronise with android and Iphone . I have been using EssentialPIM for over 6months ( the free version) and it has met my needs, maybe try one of the other options if it doesn't meet your needs, as with most freeware pro features are often locked this is normal you just have to look at your needs and find what suits you best.

by Paxmilitaris on 22. March 2013 - 0:29 (106443)

I hadn't seen the 'Feature limited freeware' part, thanks for pointing that out. I decided to use Rainlendar, it is also feature limited and i am familiar with such freeware.

What i was referring to is this: http://www.essentialpim.com/pc-version/pro-vs-free
That's not "just" the synchronization options, as is the case for Rainlendar, that's more then half the options being pro only. That is what i call trialware. You can barely see what the program does before you realize you need the pro version to do what you want to do.

Sorry if it sounds aggressive, I've just had so many programs piss me off that way.

by Juxxize on 22. March 2013 - 11:39 (106461)

hi Paxmilitaris like MC said This same scenario can be applied to many software groups, most freeware made be commercial company's is feature locked freeware after all they aren't going to make the free stuff better than the paid products because well at the end of the day they need to sell products like any other business and as long as the free products still function that's sits fine with me it's the way the world turns. What I tend to do is to use two similar freeware products together so I get the function of a paid product ( if that makes any sense ) even with paid products a user can very rarely find one that is a prefect fit for them . The list of features in the pro features looks like a lot but I found EssentialPIM to have more than enough features to be reviewed and possibly if it did have all them features it would have too many features for the average user like myself who just want a calendar , reminder and to-do program.

by MidnightCowboy on 22. March 2013 - 1:14 (106444)

This same scenario can be applied to many software groups. It is after all how vendors fund development and hope to make a profit from their endeavors. As our editor pointed out though, for most the free versions of programs are adequate and this would definitely apply to the majority of our users. If on the other hand you need more than the basic features, there is no option other than to consider a commercial product. I spend most of my life online and have done for years. During that time I have only ever purchased two programs. One is a visual enhancement for Windows and the other I was forced into having to satisfy the conditions of my ISP's service call attendance. MC - Site Manager.

by Paxmilitaris on 22. March 2013 - 1:22 (106445)

The site manager?
Am i in trouble?
Limitations of the free version should be clearly described, don't you think?

by MidnightCowboy on 22. March 2013 - 1:47 (106446)

As matter of course we do not feature products which editors regard as "crippleware". Other than that, there is little point in listing out every feature (or missing feature) when comparisons between versions are readily available at the vendors site. How individuals then apply these to their own requirements is up to them. MC - Site Manager.

by Juxxize on 22. March 2013 - 11:54 (106462)

very true MC , different users have different needs/ requirements , what's good for the goose may not be good for the gander ' although I have no idea what a gander is :) '

by El Laurens on 18. January 2013 - 9:20 (104612)

As far as I can see none of these programs support the import, in one step, of times for multiple reminders, eg as an Excel or text file. I did look at several in the comments and on the net also.
I needed to flag multiple events (up to 50 sometimes)on the one day and the input of single entries is simply not practicable.
Outside of that requirement holiline looked very interesting, however it must be conflicting with something on my PC as it crashes immediately on start. It is to the author's credit that a crash sets up a routine where, at the user's choice, the crash details can be automatically gathered and forwarded to the author. Excellent support for a freeware program.

by Juxxize on 18. January 2013 - 10:40 (104614)

one of the reasons i am yet to test/ review hotline is because of incompatibility issues with newer windows OS I'm on windows 7 but hotline isn't compatible with windows 7 ( but it is supposed to be compatible with windows 8 so go figure ) so these compatibly issues may be why it crashes your PC . As regards with your other issue google calendar provides to function to set multiple reminders for events I don't know how many reminders it supports because I've never needed to set more than 4 for one event but I will look into it. As regards with import I also found google calendar had the easier import option and it was just a case of importing a ICS file saved on my PC and out of all the calendars it seems google calendar was actually designed to work with other calendars as regards to imports and sync with other calendars.

by Panzer on 8. November 2012 - 8:41 (102029)

Holiline Reminder:
http://holiline.com/features/

by Juxxize on 10. November 2012 - 12:20 (102116)

thanks , I'll take a look at it , it's looks good and simple to use .

by clas on 17. October 2012 - 16:19 (100920)

lots of good little programs. Kana was just tried and cant get any easier than that one. will give it a good run. thanks.

by Juxxize on 18. October 2012 - 21:06 (101015)

good I'm glad you found something to meet your needs, please feel free to let me know how you get on.

by Roshan Khilnani (not verified) on 30. May 2012 - 17:03 (94199)

Please do consider
http://www.wieldy.de

great piece of software

very neat interface

by 78zinman (not verified) on 6. May 2012 - 17:59 (93134)

Anyone know of a program that can sync between the PC and an iPad? I use the PC mostly, but when I leave home, I take the iPad. It would be very helpful to be able to power up the iPad, sync, then when back home, sync from the PC

by Jojoyee on 7. May 2012 - 2:03 (93147)

See How to Sync iPad with PC-based iTunes (More ways in iOS 5)

by HvH (not verified) on 6. April 2012 - 2:07 (91694)

This one is ok as well - despite its name: http://FreeAlarmClockSoftware.com
- small size, efficient, versatile...
& for the bigger picture: UK's Kalender at http://www.ukrebs-software.de/.

by sushang (not verified) on 12. January 2012 - 21:47 (87097)

thanks for the introduction, very impressive. Will have a try on Rainlendar Lite

by Zirus (not verified) on 17. November 2011 - 2:11 (83413)

Im after a prog that will simply make a bingbong sound every 1min or so with a sound thats not annoying or pref, can be changed by me :-)

Suggestions?

cheers :-)

by straydog (not verified) on 4. January 2012 - 5:14 (86514)

http://www.dartfrogmedia.com/timer/

by AndrewK on 23. February 2011 - 23:21 (66987)

I have found Minireminder (http://www.minireminder.com) very useful - it is small, simple and loads when you start up your PC (unlike Reminderfox which I had used previously). It is fine for fixed dates like birthdays, but cannot manage day-of-the-week holidays (e.g. 2nd Monday of March).

by Joey_aka_Pepe (not verified) on 21. March 2011 - 19:06 (68274)

I just stumbled upon "Remind Me Please", from Spacejock Software: ( http://www.spacejock.com/RMP3.html ). Simple, loads at windows' start, seems able to synchronize through a network (I haven't tested that option, so can't confirm), and handles day-of-the-week holidays.

( You should also take a look around that site, some very nice programs there)

by Mert Nuhoglu (not verified) on 18. October 2010 - 19:04 (59708)

I really like QuotePad as a reminder application.

It is very easy to setup new reminders. It is very flexible. It has good keyboard support. Also it can be used as a note taking application. The only drawback is that I need to click "Ok" button every time after a reminder is triggered.

by deck.hazen on 9. October 2010 - 0:17 (59288)

Sorry Elmo, Rainlendar is bloated and hard to drive, ReminderFox requires a browser (I don't always have one open, and it's not always FireFox), Lightning (same as ReminderFox), Kana Reminder apparently does not like working with Windows 7 - 64-bit (I keep getting error messages that I can't fix).

Got anything else? (simple, no browers required ? )

by Juxxize on 20. October 2012 - 10:26 (101101)

maybe try saving your data and try a fresh install

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