Align vs Anchor

Align is an iPhone planner that combines tasks and calendar events in a visual time-blocked schedule. Users can drag or resize blocks, set alerts when blocks start or reminders in advance, and add checklist subtasks. Completing every subtask marks the parent block finished. Blocks can repeat daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, and Align imports events from calendars available through the device’s iOS calendar system. Align Plus can move later blocks while preserving their duration. The free plan includes unlimited time blocks, calendar sync, recurring blocks, reminders, colors, icons, and drag-and-drop planning. Plus is an optional in-app subscription or one-time purchase, with weekly, monthly, yearly, and lifetime options listed; prices appear in the App Store. Align requires iOS 17 or later. It runs on iPad in iPhone compatibility mode, while other Apple platforms are not supported today. The maker says data is stored locally or synced to a private iCloud account and that it does not collect, share, or sell personal data.

Anchor is a time-blocking planner for iPhone and Mac. Users place tasks inside blocks for projects or activities, then work through the day one block at a time. Blocks can repeat automatically, and the planner can show one to five days together. Natural-language task entry can set a date, project and urgency; iPhone users can also capture tasks by voice. Anchor supports Siri, Shortcuts, Apple Calendar and Reminders, with two-way Calendar and Reminders sync. During a block, it displays only current work and can show that block on an iPhone Lock Screen, Dynamic Island or Mac notch. On Mac, Claude, Codex, Cursor or another MCP app can help plan tasks through an optional local server. Anchor requires no account, stores data on devices and users’ iCloud, works offline, and has no ads or cross-app tracking. The free plan includes unlimited tasks, projects and blocks; Super Anchor costs 49.99 USD once.