Why Mindwtr (Quick Comparison)

Mindwtr is built for people who want a complete GTD system without lock-in. Here is a brief, respectful comparison with mainstream task apps and GTD-focused alternatives.

Capability	Mindwtr	Todoist	TickTick	Everdo	NirvanaHQ
Open source	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
GTD-native workflow	✅	⚠️	⚠️	✅	✅
All major platforms (desktop + mobile + web, incl. Linux desktop)	✅	✅	✅	⚠️	⚠️
Local-first + no account required	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌
AI assistant (BYOK + local LLM)	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Flexible sync (WebDAV / Dropbox / self-hosted / local file)	✅	❌	❌	⚠️	❌
Completely free	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌

Legend: ✅ = yes, ❌ = no, ⚠️ = partial/limited support.

This comparison is based on the current public capabilities of each product. If any entry is outdated, feel free to open an issue or PR with sources.

Philosophy

Mindwtr is built to be simple by default and powerful when you need it. We focus on reducing cognitive load, cutting the fat, and keeping you in flow. That means:

• Progressive disclosure: advanced options stay hidden until they matter.
• Less by default: fewer fields, fewer knobs, fewer distractions.
• Avoid feature creep: we prioritize clarity over clutter.

Don't show me a cockpit when I just want to ride a bike.

Features

• GTD workflow end-to-end: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Reflect, Engage.
• Focus view combines time-based agenda with next actions.
• Local-first data model with native iCloud / CloudKit sync on supported Apple builds, plus file sync, WebDAV, Dropbox, and self-hosted cloud options.
• Projects support sections, areas, and reorderable project task order for larger multi-step planning.
• Obsidian vault import with note deep links on desktop.
• Optional AI copilot (BYOK + local/self-hosted compatible models).
• Cross-platform apps for desktop and mobile, plus PWA.
• Built-in automation with CLI, REST API, and MCP server.

See all features

GTD Workflow

• Capture - Quick add tasks from anywhere (global hotkey popup, tray, share sheet, voice)
• Clarify - Guided inbox processing with 2-minute rule
• Organize - Projects, sections, contexts, and status lists
• Reflect - Weekly review wizard with reminders
• Engage - Context-filtered next actions
• AI Assist (Optional) - Clarify, break down, and review with BYOK AI (OpenAI, Gemini, Claude, or local/self-hosted OpenAI-compatible LLMs)

Views

• 📥 Inbox - Capture zone with processing wizard
• 🎯 Focus - Agenda (time-based) + Next Actions in one view
• 📁 Projects - Multi-step outcomes with sections, areas, and manual task ordering
• 🏷️ Contexts - Slash-delimited contexts with parent matching (@work/meetings)
• ⏳ Waiting For - Delegated items
• 💭 Someday/Maybe - Deferred ideas
• 📅 Calendar - Time-based planning with adjustable mobile week density
• 📋 Board - Kanban-style drag-and-drop
• 📝 Review - Daily + weekly review workflows
• 📦 Archived - Hidden history, searchable when needed

Productivity Features

• 🔍 Global Search - Search all areas globally with operators (status:, context:, assigned:, due:<=7d)
• 📦 Bulk Actions - Multi-select, batch move/tag/delete
• 📎 Attachments - Files and links on tasks
• ✏️ Markdown Notes - Rich text descriptions with preview
• 🗂️ Project States - Active, Waiting, Someday, Archived
• ♾️ Fluid Recurrence - Next date is calculated after completion
• ♻️ Reusable Lists - Duplicate tasks or reset checklists
• ✅ Checklist Mode - Fast list-style checking for checklist tasks
• ✅ Audio Capture - Quick voice capture with automatic transcription and task creation
• 🧭 Copilot Suggestions - Optional context/tag/time hints while typing
• 🍅 Pomodoro Focus (Optional) - 15/3, 25/5, 50/10 timer panel in Focus view with one optional custom preset
• 🔔 Notifications - Separate start and due reminders with snooze
• 📊 Daily Digest - Morning briefing + evening review
• 📅 Weekly Review - Customizable weekly reminder

Data & Sync

• 🔄 Sync Options - See the Data & Sync wiki for supported backends and setup
• 🍎 Native iCloud / CloudKit Sync - Apple-only structured sync on supported iPhone, iPad, and macOS builds
• ☁️ Dropbox OAuth Sync (Optional) - Native Dropbox App Folder sync in supported non-FOSS builds
• 📤 Export/Backup - Export data to JSON
• ♻️ Restore from Backup - Replace local data from a validated Mindwtr backup with a recovery snapshot first
• 📥 Todoist + DGT GTD + OmniFocus Import - Import Todoist CSV/ZIP, DGT GTD JSON/ZIP, or OmniFocus CSV exports into Mindwtr
• 🔗 Obsidian Integration - Desktop vault task import with deep links back to source notes
• 🗓️ External Calendars (System + ICS) - Mobile reads system calendars and can push due-dated tasks to a dedicated device calendar; desktop supports ICS subscriptions

Automation

• 🔌 CLI - Add, list, complete, search from terminal
• 🌐 REST API - Local API server for scripting
• 🌍 Web App (PWA) - Browser access with offline support
• 🧠 MCP Server - Local Model Context Protocol server for LLM automation

Cross-Platform

• 🖥️ Desktop - Tauri v2 (macOS, Linux, Windows)
• 📱 Mobile - React Native/Expo (iOS via App Store/TestFlight, Android) with in-app tips for gestures and app shortcuts
• 📲 Android Widget - Home screen focus/next widget
• ⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts - Vim and Emacs presets
• 🎨 Themes - Light/Dark
• 🌍 i18n - English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, German, Russian, Japanese, French, Portuguese, Polish, Korean, Italian, Turkish, Dutch
• 🐳 Docker - Run the PWA + self-hosted sync server with Docker

Installation

Desktop (Linux)

Arch Linux (AUR, prebuilt recommended):

# Using yay
yay -S mindwtr-bin

# Using paru
paru -S mindwtr-bin

Arch Linux (AUR, build from source):

# Using yay
yay -S mindwtr

# Using paru
paru -S mindwtr

Debian / Ubuntu (APT repo, recommended):

curl -fsSL https://dongdongbh.github.io/Mindwtr/mindwtr.gpg.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/mindwtr-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/mindwtr-archive-keyring.gpg] https://dongdongbh.github.io/Mindwtr/deb ./" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mindwtr.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install mindwtr

Fedora / RHEL / openSUSE (DNF/YUM repo, recommended):

cat <<'EOF' | sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/mindwtr.repo
[mindwtr]
name=Mindwtr Repository
baseurl=https://dongdongbh.github.io/Mindwtr/rpm
enabled=1
gpgcheck=0
EOF

sudo dnf install mindwtr

Flatpak (Flathub):

flatpak install flathub tech.dongdongbh.mindwtr

Other methods: AppImage or .deb/.rpm from GitHub Releases.

Desktop (Windows)

Microsoft Store (recommended):

Winget:

winget install dongdongbh.Mindwtr

Scoop:

scoop bucket add mindwtr https://github.com/dongdongbh/homebrew-mindwtr
scoop install mindwtr

Portable ZIP (no admin required):

• Download mindwtr_<version>_windows_x64_portable.zip from GitHub Releases.
• Extract it to a writable folder and keep portable.txt next to mindwtr.exe.
• Mindwtr stores data under profile/ in the extracted folder.

Other methods: installer .exe from GitHub Releases.

Desktop (macOS)

Mac App Store (recommended):

Install from the Mac App Store: Mindwtr on Mac App Store. TestFlight beta (macOS): Join the beta.

Homebrew:

brew install --cask mindwtr

Other methods: .dmg from GitHub Releases.

Mobile

Android:

Install with IzzyOnDroid:

1. Install an F-Droid-compatible client (Droid-ify, Neo Store, or F-Droid).
2. Add the IzzyOnDroid repository: https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/repo.
3. Open Mindwtr on IzzyOnDroid and install.

Other methods: APK from GitHub Releases.

iOS:

Available on the App Store: Mindwtr for iOS. TestFlight beta: Join the beta.

However, maintaining the iOS version on the App Store requires a substantial annual fee (see the Apple Developer Program), which I currently cover out of pocket.

To ensure Mindwtr's continued existence and future development, your support is greatly appreciated! If you find value in the app, please consider supporting the project via GitHub Sponsors or Ko-fi.

Docker (PWA + Cloud Sync)

Run the web app (PWA) and the self-hosted sync server with Docker:

• Guide: docker/README.md

Install guides: 🚀 Getting Started

Community

Mindwtr is shaped by its users and contributors. Thank you for helping improve it.

:hearts: Contributing & Support

If you want to get involved, start with CONTRIBUTING.md.

You can help in several ways:

1. Spread the word: Share Mindwtr with friends and communities, and support it on Product Hunt and AlternativeTo.
2. Leave store reviews: A good rating/review on the App Store, Google Play, or Microsoft Store helps a lot.
3. Star and share: Star the repo and post about Mindwtr on X, Reddit, or LinkedIn.
4. Report bugs and request features: Open issues on GitHub Issues.
5. Join the community chat: Come to Discord.
6. Help with translations: Contribute locale updates in packages/core/src/i18n/locales/.
7. Contribute code/docs: Open a pull request and follow the contribution guide and commit conventions.
8. Pick and build: Community members are welcome to pick any item in the Roadmap or any open issue and submit a PR.
9. Sponsor the project: Support ongoing development via GitHub Sponsors or Ko-fi.

Roadmap

• 🤖 Add to F-Droid (#219)
• 🗣️ Direct Siri capture -> Mindwtr Inbox (#388)
• 📥 Apple Reminders -> Mindwtr Inbox import (#387)
• ✉️ Email to Inbox (#35)
• 🗓️ Expand one-way Mindwtr -> local system calendar sync beyond the shipped mobile implementation (#361)

Documentation

• 📚 Wiki - Complete user guide
• 🚀 Getting Started
• ❓ FAQ
• 🔄 Data & Sync
• 🔗 Markdown Links
• 🛠️ Cloud Deployment
• ☁️ Cloud API
• 🧠 MCP Server
• 📝 Release Notes Index

Star History

Sponsors

Thanks to these monthly sponsors for supporting Mindwtr.

_{@jarrydstan · @ronmolenda · @laripernu · @karl1990}