Anchor vs Dainvo

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.

Dainvo is a local-first planning workspace for calendars, tasks, projects, meetings, notes, and focused work. Its calendar offers day, week, month, year, and list views, plus weather and time zones. Calendar connections include Google, Outlook, Apple, CalDAV, and Dainvo calendars; task connections include Todoist, Microsoft To Do, Google Tasks, TickTick, monday.com, and Obsidian. Users can schedule tasks, group them into Buckets, and plan work sessions for Projects. Projects can contain ordered tasks, a deadline, one level of subprojects, notes, file links, and multiple calendar blocks. Meeting links support Google Meet, Zoom, Webex, and Microsoft Teams. Connected calendar events and tasks sync with their providers, while Project Notes and local file links stay on the user’s computer. The encrypted local SQLite store uses a key protected by operating-system secure storage. Dainvo has a Free plan and Pro plans at $5 a month or $48 a year. Its Android, iPhone, and iPad apps are listed as Early Access.