Quick Summary
Routine Strengths
- Timeline Agenda: Offers a detailed view of the day's plan with timestamps, including meeting and event reminders, with options to time-block tasks.
- Week Calendar: Provides a 5-day, week, and month view for task planning, integrating seamlessly with Google Calendar.
- Console Capture: A desktop feature for capturing events, notes, and tasks outside the application, ideal for GTD enthusiasts.
- Centralized Workspace: Combines tasks, notes, and calendar in one space.
Ellie Planner Strengths
- Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
- Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
- Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.
- Customizable Views: Ellie Planner offers customizable views, enabling users to tailor the interface according to their personal productivity styles. This can include adjusting the layout of tasks, events, and notes to best suit one's workflow.
Routine Screenshot
Ellie Planner Screenshot
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Routine | Ellie Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web | macOS, iOS, Android, Web, Windows |
| Integrations | Syncs with multiple calendar services and task managers like Todoist and Google Tasks. | Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Zapier, Slack, Todoist, Microsoft Outlook |
| Calendar | Google Calendar, Notion, Slack, Zapier, Siri, Gmail | Yes |
| Task Management | No | Offers labels, tags, and recurring tasks |
| Natural Language Processing | Offers task creation with date assignment via drag-and-drop | No |
| Analytics | No | No |
| Time Blocking | Available | Yes |
| Time Zones | Yes | No |
| Scheduler | No | No |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | $12 per month, annually | Ellie offers a Free Plan and a Pro Plan for $9.99/month or $299.99 one-time. Pro features include timeboxing, calendar integration, and more. |
| Customer Support | Average | Good |
Video Overview
Routine Video
Ellie Planner Video
Routine Overview
Routine is a productivity tool that sets itself apart with its all-in-one approach, combining elements of task management, note-taking, and calendar integration into a single platform. Designed to cater to the needs of busy professionals and individuals seeking to streamline their organizational process, Routine offers a comprehensive solution for managing daily tasks, appointments, and notes. Its unique selling point is the integration of these features within an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easier for users to track their to-dos, schedule their days, and store important information in one place. This level of integration is particularly useful for those who prefer a unified system to manage various aspects of their work and personal life.
Pricing Details
(i) Free Version: Available for students and hobbyists, though with limited features. (ii) Professional Plan: Priced at $12 per month. (iii) Business Plan: Costs $15 per user per month. (iv) Believer Plan: Priced at $10 monthly or $8 per month for an annual commitment, totaling around $96 annually
Ellie Planner Overview
Ellie Planner is a daily planning application designed to help users organize their week through features like calendar integration, task management, and time-blocking techniques. It includes a brain dump area for capturing thoughts and tasks, and it supports integrations with major calendars and productivity apps such as Google Calendar, Outlook, and Todoist. Aimed at simplifying planning processes, Ellie Planner offers both a free plan and a premium subscription.
Pricing Details
Ellie Planner offers two main pricing options: (i) Free Plan: Includes unlimited task creation, accessible via iOS and Web apps, and a feature called "Braindump". (ii) Ellie Pro Plan: Available for $9.99 per month or a one-time purchase of $299.99. It includes all the features of the free plan plus timeboxing, integration with Google and Apple Calendars, unlimited labels & subtasks, recurring tasks, due dates, and more.
Routine Key Features
Timeline Agenda: Offers a detailed view of the day's plan with timestamps, including meeting and event reminders, with options to time-block tasks.
Week Calendar: Provides a 5-day, week, and month view for task planning, integrating seamlessly with Google Calendar.
Console Capture: A desktop feature for capturing events, notes, and tasks outside the application, ideal for GTD enthusiasts.
Centralized Workspace: Combines tasks, notes, and calendar in one space.
Organization: Utilizes categories and tags for better event and task management.
Daily Plan: Helps in crafting focused daily tasks and important events.
Ellie Planner Key Features
Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.
Customizable Views: Ellie Planner offers customizable views, enabling users to tailor the interface according to their personal productivity styles. This can include adjusting the layout of tasks, events, and notes to best suit one's workflow.
Brain Dump Feature: A dedicated space for "brain dumping" allows users to jot down ideas and tasks as they come, which can later be organized into actionable items. This feature helps in capturing all thoughts without disrupting workflow.
Mobile Accessibility: The planner is accessible via a mobile app, providing the flexibility to manage schedules and tasks on the go. This ensures that users can stay updated with their plans irrespective of their location.
Conclusion: Which Tool Should You Choose?
Both Routine and Ellie Planner offer unique features and benefits for productivity and workflow management. The best choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and workflow preferences.
Choose Routine if:
- Timeline Agenda: Offers a detailed view of the day's plan with timestamps, including meeting and event reminders, with options to time-block tasks.
- Week Calendar: Provides a 5-day, week, and month view for task planning, integrating seamlessly with Google Calendar.
- Console Capture: A desktop feature for capturing events, notes, and tasks outside the application, ideal for GTD enthusiasts.
Choose Ellie Planner if:
- Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
- Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
- Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.