Pad
Where you write. Every open task is here, with a date or without one.
The Apple Notes alternative for notes that are really to-do lists.
If half your notes are called “To do”, you don't need another notebook. You need one list you can write on like a note.
For Mac · macOS 15 or later · Works offline
01 / One list
One list that sorts itself by when.
Instead of a folder of notes, one list where every task sits under the day it is due.
Coming up
Everything with a day ahead of it, grouped by date, so next week's list is already written.
Done
What you finished, by the day you finished it, for the last two weeks.
02 / Why are you leaving?
The right alternative depends on why you're switching.
Diurnal is the answer to one of these, and we'll say so when it isn't.
My notes are really to-do lists
Diurnal is built for exactly this.
- DiurnalWrite like a note; get dates, reminders and a list that tidies itself.
I want a better notebook
Diurnal is not a notes app. Try one of these.
- BearMarkdown notes on Mac, iPhone and iPad.
- ObsidianYour notes as Markdown files in a folder you own.
- NotionPages and databases, for notes with structure.
I need it on Windows or Android
Diurnal is Mac only. These run on more.
- OneNoteWindows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and the web.
- ObsidianWindows, Mac, Linux, iOS and Android.
- Google KeepIn the browser on a Mac, with phone apps.
I share notes with other people
Stay with Notes for those.
- Apple NotesInvite people and edit a shared note together. Diurnal has no sharing.
03 / Questions
Before you switch.
What you keep, what you lose, and how to move over.
Is Diurnal a notes app?
No. Everything you write in Diurnal is a task, with its first line as the title and anything under it as its notes. For notes you keep rather than do, stay with Notes or pick one of the notebooks above.
How do I move my lists over?
There is no import. Copy a list out of Notes and paste it in; a blank line between items makes each one its own task.
Can I share a list with someone?
No. Diurnal has no sharing. Apple Notes lets you invite people to edit a shared note together, so keep shared lists there.
Does it have images, folders or attachments?
No. It holds text: bold, italic, underline, and bulleted, numbered and check lists. Tags stand in for folders, and the list sorts itself by date.
Is it on iPhone or Windows?
No, it is a Mac app only. If you need your notes on another device, OneNote, Notion and Obsidian all run on more platforms.
One list, not twelve notes