BEATTZ  I bought this app a while back, loved using it, found it to be the best GTD app for my needs. Many months later, the app was still in beta, and there was no accompanying iPhone app, so I decided to try out other solutions. After 2-ish months of doing so, I decided to switch back to TheHitList. When I attempted to open the app, though, I was greeted with a "beta has expired" message.

"Oh great!" I thought, "This must mean it's out of beta!", so I rushed to the Potion Factory website to download the latest copy. Much to my dismay, not only was the app STILL NOT out of beta, I was unable to download the latest version! The link simply did not work, and neither does the link here on this page (which points to the same URL).

There has been little to no word on progress from the developer, so I am starting to believe this is vapourware. I *highly* recommend *against* forking out US$50 for a product that even current license owners are given little reassurance that there will actually ever be a final product.

Avoid.  
(Version 0.9.3.18beta)

SHMK  The HIt List should be called The Perpetual Beta  
(Version 0.9.3.18beta)

MEGAMAN  Good app but development seems to be very slow.

Also, where's the iPhone app?

Customisation is also limited (what's with the notepad stripes and why can't I select an option to remove them?

I wonder if the developers of this application will ever launch a V1.  
(Version 0.9.3.18beta)

AIRWING  In my opinion, this is the ultimate GTD application. You can easily prioritize your tasks by numbering them 0-9, split them into different folders and create sub tasks. You can also tag, mark or edit an item by just pressing various keys.

If you want to organize your tasks, projects or just need to keep a simple to-do list, this is the best application for it. Of course, both OmniFocus and Things are great alternatives, but I still think that The Hit List has several advantages.  
(Version 0.9.3.18beta)

WHITESHARK  Can someone tell me why if you purchased the program it has an expiration date? The latest beta expired today 11/1/2009. As a result the program does not even launch and I cannot access my lists. No update has been posted, although I hope the developer catches the mistake soon. However, at present, I cannot access my data using a program I paid for.  
(Version 0.9.3.18beta)

GRUMPYTICO  I got this app in the MacHeist bundle...and I have stopped using it simply because it won't sync alarms with iCal. That is, there is no way to make a TODO that will alert you when it's due, which defies my purpose of using this.

Otherwise, it's a very nice application with a very cool GUI, hopefully this missing feature will be implemented in the future.  
(Version 0.9.3.17)

XENOPHILE  Excellent GSD app, but way overpriced at $50. To be fair, all GSD apps are overpriced, and $50 seems to be the going rate for entry-level GSDs.

One minor qualm I have is with the literal metaphor, which shows up as a yellow legal pad background. It's cute, but I prefer the more neutral background used by 99.9% of other applications.

The deal breaker for me is the beta status. If a developer wants me to do beta testing, at least give me the beta app for free. If the final release is pay-ware, fine, but don't make me pay to test beta software. It's really quite absurd that The Hit List developer expects users to pay $50 to ferret out and report bugs, but judging by the comments here, plenty of suckers have signed on, so more power to him.  
(Version 0.9.3.16beta)

JEFFREY HARRIS  I really like The Hit List. Better than Things and better than OmniFocus. However, without an iPhone/iPod touch version that syncs with Mac desktop software, it's virtually useless for me.

I was a LONG time Palm OS user and NEED a handheld organizational app that allows me to do the heavy lifting work on my Mac, sync, then add and tweak a bit on my iPod touch.

I really WANTED to be able to use THL, but since the Potion Factory refuses to commit to an iPhone/iPod touch OS version, I was forced to go with OmniFocus. Bummer.  
(Version 0.9.3.15beta)

BUMBLEB  Crazy. For many years, it was all FranklinCovey style to-do apps all over. Then came the GTD wave, and everyone wanted GTD-style apps. Then they slowly came to market (OmniFocus, Things, Actiontastic, iGTD, etc) and now it seems like everyone, including developers, are stuck in the dogma that GTD is the only true way to productivity.

If only I could program, I would do something different. Why not? After all, we live in 2009, and GTD is NOT the holy grail of getting things done. There is room for much improvement!

How about a Do It Totmorrow app based on Mark Forster's ideas? Or an AutoFocus app based on his AutoFocus system? Or something else entirely.

Come on developers, you hold the keys to the kingdom!

Until then, I've ditched my Things and OmniFocus licenses, and keep on truckin' with Life Balance. It is what works for me.  
(Version 0.9.3.15beta)

XPLICIT  I miss an iPhone app and sync/collaboration.  
(Version 0.9.3.15)

ECKIUS  Nice application; but all these little updates, 0.9.3.11, 0.9.3.12, 0.9.3.13, 0.9.3.14, 0.9.3.15 don't add anything useful. I'm anxiously waiting for 0.9.4, 0.9.5 and so on; in other words, for new features!  
(Version 0.9.3.15)

DANA SUTTON  I only want to make one small comment. Hit List is no doubt a fine product, I don't question that. But I don't like the idea of being charged money for software when the version number is less than 1.0. This would appear to indicate that in the author's mind the item in question is still under development and in the "use at your own risk" stage, so the user is being asked to pay (and in this case, being asked to pay a significant sum) for the privilege of being a beta tester and run the risks associated with running software at that stage. Wouldn't it be a fairer practice to distribute it for free with some kind of built-in time limitation on how long it can be used, and then start charging when v.1.0 is released?  
(Version 0.9.3.14)

GRIZZLER  At the end of my 14-day trial with OmniFocus, I thought I would give this a try. I'd already used Things and wasn't particularly fond of the way it handled attachments to tasks or the interface itself. I like The Hit List for both ease of use and functionality, better, in my opinion, that Things or Omnifocus.   
(Version 0.9.3.13)

DENNY DOUBLEPLUS MARKETING  At this time, I'm only going to leave a comment because I've only been using this one for a week now. I have tried MANY different methods and applications for keeping tracking of things/lists. None have truly worked at the level I wanted and needed. After using The Hit List for only a week, I can confidently say these guys (developers) are onto something REALLY special. There is a fine balance of list/To Do software being an asset or a liability. It has to be easy and powerful enough to use without being cumbersome and overwhelming to the user. In other words, it has to WORK FOR YOU rather you WORK FOR IT. Get it? Well, these guys do seem to understand this very well because they have created a piece of software which is resting comfortably in the sweet spot of it's category. I'm using The Hit List on a day to day basis now and am looking forward to seeing how it evolves (since it's apparently only in "beta." ) Sa-lute !! This is damn fine software! ~ Denny Crane  
(Version 0.9.3.12)

ITISTODAY  I've only tried two of the major GTD apps for OS X, Things and THL. IMO, THL blows Things out of the water in several respects:

== Intelligent Design and Features ==

- I absolutely love the way it presents and handles setting due times for tasks. It has a clear place for the start time, and a place for the due time. These can be quickly adjusted via keyboard shortcuts. Instead of 4 different meta projects (Today, Next, Scheduled, Someday), it only has 2, and that's all that you need, any more and you've got confusion (should I put it in Next? Create a project for it? An "Area"?). THL has "Today", and "Upcoming", what a concept, and you can't create tasks in those areas, leaving no confusion as to where tasks should go.

- Almost everything has a keyboard shortcut, so you end up using the mouse very little to create tasks, set due dates, or even navigate between different lists. This allows you to focus on getting the task out there, the application itself kinda disappears, out of your way.

- The "one up" view that lets you focus on just a single task.

- A task timer! A beautiful one at that! (Request: It should hover over all spaces, or there should be an option).

- Smart Folders, these are just great, and Things doesn't have them.

- Nested folders, and even nested tasks. Great!

== Support ==

- Unlike CC, I actually got a response to my feature requests.

== Why not 5 stars? ==

First, the price. I don't care if Things/OmniFocus are "doing it too", $70 for this program is far too much, that's only $20 off from Parallels, does the developmental effort even compare between those two apps? Even $50 for the beta is too much.

I would never have bought it (and don't recommend it) for this amount of money, the only reason I got it is because of the MacHeist bundle, and had I tried it before that I still don't think this is worth the price, and judging by the comments below, it seems like many people feel the same way. I think the developer has a chance to blow past the competition if they were to lower the price significantly.

Second, there are a couple small issues, a few related to the way THL handles tags, and also the inability to use tag filters to filter for this tag OR another tag (as opposed to this tag AND another tag).

The frequent updates are greatly appreciated, I look forward to how this app evolves, and I hope the devs listen to the community and consider lowering the price.  
(Version 0.9.3.12)

ZO219  This is really a phenomenal amount of money for what it is. I gotta think nerve.  
(Version 0.9.3.11)

ABILSTEIN  Just a comment here, I'm not going to give a full review until it's out of beta.

I am an OmniFocus license holder, both Mac desktop and iPhone. It works well enough for me, but I probably don't use it to the full extent and frankly I don't care that much for the UI.

I tried Things, and liked it well enough, maybe better than OmniFocus for my personal workflow, but I couldn't justify switching. Too much cost for the desktop and iPhone app. Once again, OmniFocus was good enough. I had already invested in it and couldn't justify paying for Things.

Previously I had tried The Hit List out of curiosity, but once again wasn't compelled to deviate from OmniFocus. Then along came MacHeist and a full license for The Hit List. I gave it a much fuller shake this time, and I really like it. It just works for me. I love the Inbox and Today views. They just work better for me than OmniFocus.

The bottom line is, you can't go wrong with any of these three programs. Find the one that works best for you and give them your money. I'm still a big fan of Omni in general, and I can't live without OmniGraffle, but my new task manager is The Hit List. I'm looking forward to the iPhone app. Unless of course Omni pulls something fun out of their sleeves. :)  
(Version 0.9.3.9)

ESPIRIDION  I won't rate it since it's a beta, but it's great to see so many bugs being rapidly addressed by the developer.

It looks like a promising Task Manager and I look forward to the non-beta release. Task management is a part of GTD, but this is not likely to replace Thinking Rock as my GTD application.

Lists are also part of GTD, so I hope to eventually integrate THL into my workflow.

As many others, I got it via Macheist. At the regular price or the current sale price I would not have purchased it.  
(Version 0.9.3.8b)

AV  Excellent.

Ive been using it for a week or so now and i think its excellent. In both functionality and presentation its great. This is my first review and it says alot for how i feel this application that has helped me get fully organised very quickly - and i feel like ive spent forever tweaking the way i manage todo's, info, projects etc. endlessly switching apps and/or method. This could be it - 'The One'.

At full price it's alittle too much for me personally so to get it as part of the Mac Heist Bundle is a massive bonus.

I hope future releases add to the functionality & presentation *without* reducing any of its current appeal. It has a good balance between depth and ease of use - which will cater for different 'levels' of users.

The use of yellow notebook background, lines etc. i like and the ability to sort lists individually etc etc shows attention to detail. I would like to this to extend to notes expanded / collapsed per list.... anyway, its great.

Thank you. I look forward to the iPhone app!  
(Version 0.9.3.7b)

MERRIMAC  This app is pure dynamite. I would write a full review, but now that I've gotten so organized thanks to The Hit List, I'm going to defer writing a review in favor of doing the work I really need to do. Thanks, Potion Factory! 5 STARS.  
(Version 0.9.3.7b)

LOUKASH  Out of the whole recent MacHeist 3 bundle, this app surprisingly and unexpectedly turned out to be the only one so far of real value for me. Until now, my organization of upcoming tasks and events was spread over several apps. Partly I was using Dashboard stickies, partly the iCal To Do list (despite the actual usability drawback in iCal for Leopard), partly pasting dates and checkboxes into MacJournal, and partly writing down quick notes in Sidenote... Of course, over the time it was easy to lose track WHERE actually each event has been noted.

The Hit List allows me to combine various kinds of notes in one place without much effort, thanks to its flexibility and keyboard friendliness. It also retains a connection to iCal - and via iCal also to my project timer of choice, TimeLog.

That said, since the app is currently still under development, there are still a couple od issues that definitely need improvement. But the developer is updating very frequently and generally he seems to be on a good path. Congratulations!

Regarding the value, I doubt I would have even looked at the app at its regular pricing. But since the MH bundle was a no-brainer, here I am. :)  
(Version 0.9.3.7b)

XPLICIT  Ok, I've changed my mind. After doing some exercises I like this app better now.

What's good about it is: The Today-Tab is great, lists everything important very clearly. It has good filter features. It's complicated enough, meaning has a lot of useful features, yet simple to use.

The user experience is much more thought through than Things', means I list tasks and the programme tells me what I should be up to now. It also lets me prepare myself for what's coming next. That's where Things s..., uh, is not so good, it gives you no usable overwiew. And OmniFocus is way too complicated to use, gave that up soon.

What's not so good is: The contexts and tags could be more user friendly. I don't know where the @ sign and the / are on an english keyboard, but they cannot be used directly in other languages. Another thing is, there are some shortcuts to learn if you want to be fast using this app.

And - sorry, but I must say this - 69 bucks is still heavy. (Don't know why it's necessary to make Mac apps that pricey. Selling 2000 to 3000 units should be possible, right? What's that in total then? Help me out here.)

Missing the following stuff:

- iPhone app (coming up, ok),

- Collaboration - synchronising with other people, that would be really great.  
(Version 0.9.3.5b)

DTRUETT1  Keeping it short - I’ve used OmniFocus, Things, and even Process for task and project management. It’s been a mess, spreading tasks over the first two programs while testing. All in all, Hit List has won me over with it’s interface, keyboard shortcuts, and the ability to use both tags and context as I choose.

On the downside, it doesn’t have an iPhone app yet, but that should be coming. OmniFocus has full synching which works perfectly keeping my home and work computers synchronized. However, if you use Dropbox (and you should), you can create a new lHit List ibrary there by holding down the option key when you open Hit List (Things will do this also). I'd rather have the OF sync type, and I haven’t been at work since I got it, but this should serve the needed function.  
(Version 0.9.3.5b)

RAWN027  The Hit List is my fourth try and a GTD app that doesn't get in my way. I was traditionally someone who wrote everything down on a sheet of paper and just started crossing things off as I got them done. This was not efficient or advanced enough for me, I needed more flexibility and more features. I started with iGTD, was much too clunky, then used Things and I found myself "loosing" my tasks, then OmniFocus which was a great advancement over Things but in the end seems too complicated for a GTD app. OmniFocus has every feature you need and then some.

The Hit List on the other hand has the features, the simplicity, and the keyboard amazingness... (yeah, thats a word)! There anent many apps that have such a well define keyboard interaction method. I have never been in and out of a GTD so fast in my life! It has gone back to the simplicity of writing on paper, but with many more advanced features.

Fantastic job!   
(Version 0.9.3.5b)

FOOFOORABBIT  I used to despise GTD apps. The idea of spending (wasting) time to organize and micromanage things that I have to do within an app was a total turn-off for me. Especially so when the GTD were excessively complicated. To add insult to injury, most GTD apps that I've tried (OmniFocus, Things) had hefty price tags.

Because of this, I've stopped looking for GTD apps since I just couldn't imagine ever paying 50+ bucks to waste time *thinking* about what to do.

Things changed with MacHeist 3 though. When The Hit List got unlocked, I decided to try it out. I hadn't heard of The Hit List until now. Boy, oh, boy does The Hit List not disappoint.

I went from hating GTD apps to loving them...well, loving The Hit List at least. Simple, straightforward, elegant. I managed to learn the shortcuts very rapidly. The 3rd person shooter style "awsd" movement keys are intuitive (at least to a gamer).

This no nonsense GTD app is a must. Of course, with MacHeist 3, this app was essentially free for me. I probably would never have shelled out more than 25 dollars for a GTD app anyway...

...however, The Hit List has won me over. If Potion Factory ever releases a version 2.0, I would not hesitate to pay for this app. Although to be honest, I'm not sure I'd use any new feature since I find The Hit List perfect in its simplicity.

Stable and Mac-like. This app really is perfect.  
(Version 0.9.3.4b)

ANG  Nearly perfect.

And really the best GTD app i know !

One thing i really need :

The ability to use CMD+S for saving when i want and not only when i quit the app...

Also an option for autosave each time i put a new entry...

Because my hit list stay always open.  
(Version 0.9.3.4b)

ANG  Nearly perfect.

And really the best GTD app i know !

One thing i really need :

The ability to use CMD+S for saving when i want and not only when i quit the app...

Also an option for autosave each time i put a new entry...

Because my hit list stay always open.  
(Version 0.9.3.4b)

LUNA  Still in beta and allready well worth the price. This GTD app gives Omnifocus and Things a beating. Easy to useand navigate, simplicity without hiding all you need (and hiding really doesn't make it simple), nearly bug free in beta. And 69$ (49$ atm, or 35$ as part of the macheist bundle) really isn't that much for an app that is intended to be used day in day out.  
(Version 0.9.3.3b)

SUM1  Great Program. I have been using it for few days and is becoming my choice for task management thing. However, I would like to see a price that gives OmniFocus and Things as they have great GDT programs with a high price tag. It would be even a greater program if it could sync with OmniFocus.app for the iPhone and sync with ToodleDo.com, which is a great FREE GDT site that is really lacking a clean interface.

Great Job.  
(Version 0.9.3.3b)

HITME  This is a great tool and I use it since the first public beta.

As much as I like the dock icon and the clean view of Things, The hit list is just a much more complete GTD app, compared to that.

There are many differences but what I like a lot is the easy way you are able to convert mails to taskk by just dragging the mail on top of THL icon.

On other thing I miss in Things is the abillety to assign time to a task. THL gives you this option (just like OF) but also comes with a timer.

Still much more to come..

Don't want to spam this thread but just wanted to let everybody know. In case your intrested in THL. It's in the new MacHeist bundle, waiting to be unlocked for only a fraction of what it would cost you otherwise.

If you are intrested and willing to help me, use my link:

http://www.macheist.com/bundle/u/28439  
(Version 0.9.3.3b)

DON SYKES  I'm just starting to play with it and it seems pretty intuitive. If you want a good price on it, head over and check out the MacHeist bundle. Note: It's one of the ones that needs to be unlocked with enough sales.  
(Version 0.9.3.3b)

MYSTERY TRAMP  Memo to everyone complaining about the price: Don't buy it. Nothing says success or failure better than the amount of money you get for your creation.

Memo to developer: A screen shot showing your software filled with to-do items might be a better way to show off your hard work.  
(Version 0.9.3.3b)

AROBULACK  Holy crap. That price is ridiculous. Get real, dude.  
(Version 0.9.3.3b)

FLASH1296  Paying quadruple what it is worth only serves to encourage egomaniacal software developer.

There are freeware and shareware solutions galore. More than can be easily counted.

Save your money for something that is less ugly and better written than this.  
(Version 0.9.3.2b)

LAWRENCE GOODMAN  Whoa! That’s a lot of money for this app and while it’s a nice piece of work and easy to use, it is very ugly, almost Windows-like.  
(Version 0.9.3)

FLASH1296  There are several dozen appl's like this, many of them are free.

The price for this one is thoroughly obscene.  
(Version 0.9.3)

RANSKY  Keeping in mind this is still beta...I've found this program simple, clean, and straight forward. Very quick to enter tasks. I've tried Omni Focus as well, but this is the one I use.  
(Version 0.9.3)

XPLICIT  Complicated, expensive.

If you like to learn a lot of shortcuts and flags and hate to start working right away you'll love this app. The time you save by organising your things are consumed again by working with this program. I don't like Things either but that's how it should be done. Keep it simple!

And why would I pay 70$ for a some kind of notepad with grouping, sorting and filter features?  
(Version 0.9.2.2)

IBRYCHGO  Wow. I just dropped so much $ on another popular task manager for my mac AND my iPhone. 3 Weeks of frustration later I find myself avoiding my task manager because it stresses me out to use it.

2 hours after downloading THL I feel like I have control again and it's a joy to use. It thinks the way I do (and is flexible enough to think the way you do too.) Powerful, intuitive, and an elegant Mac app.

Even though THL doesn't have iPhone support (yet), I'm switching.  
(Version 0.9.2.2)

BLODWYN  This is still in beta with a few features still to be implemented (like recurring actions), so no official rating given, but I would give it a 5 star rating based on its potential given the way it's working now. The Hit List strikes a great balance between elegance, ease of use, and power. It supports the usual GTD actions, projects and contexts, and also supports tags, tabbed views and smart folders.

OmniFocus is the big dog in this category, and has plenty of depth, but is a bit austere in its appearance and lacks tags. THL has the elegance of a Mac application and hits all of the features most people would want. I'm running OF and THL in parallel at the moment and am finding I much prefer the experience of using THL.   
(Version 0.9.2.2)