TaskUnifier is a free, feature-rich desktop-based task management software that syncs with cloud-based online task management service Toodledo, allowing you to manage your to-do and task lists on multiple devices and smartphones (including iPhone), or multiple computers.
The feature-rich program supports the GTD methodology (GTD, which stands for “getting things done”, is a popular method for task management that adheres to a few basic principles, foremost of which is classifying tasks together in lists). TaskUnifier will let you several kinds of lists; e.g. categories (called folders), contexts (e.g. on the phone”), 
locations, and even “goals”. It also lets you apply user defined tags and provides a search function.
PROS: here’s why this app is cool
1- Supports Toodledo rather than Remember the Milk: while these 2 are the most widely used cloud-based task management web services (I previously reviewed my favorite RTM desktop client), I’ve abandoned RTM and now use Toodledo. This is for 2 reasons (1) the fact that RTM forces you to pay for the premium version every month in order to use the RTM iPhone app, and seem to actively resist third party to-do app support for RTM, and (2) the fact that Toodledo, while not as clean-looking as RTM, is more feature rich.
2- Feature rich: aside from the supported lists (Contexts, Folders, Locations, and Goals), you can define custom views (listed under ’Personal’ in the sidebar), offers a search function, allows you to “star” items (Gmail-style), and lets you define task “templates” (see below). It also supports recurring tasks, a priority field, and start and due dates. Subtasks can be created by dragging and dropping one task over another.
3- Saved searches: the “Personal” section in the sidebar allows for creating and saving
sophisticated searches and views.
4- Task templates: supposing you find yourself adding a certain task under a certain folder, a certain context, tags, etc.; you could make it quick and easy to do so by defining and using a template that includes all of these details.
5- Clean and simple interface: straightforward and functional. Click on a column header to sort it ascending or descending.
6- Plugin architecture: Toodledo support provided via a plugin; TaskUnifier can in theory support other services with the release of new plugins.
CONS: or wish list, or how to make this program even better.
1- Search function: searches tasks only, not tags or any of the other fields. Needs an “advanced” search function (setting up a saved search in the “personal” section, while very worthwhile, is somewhat labor intensive).
2- Tags somewhat redundant: they can only be used to any good effect in the “Personal” saved searches section. The solution: include tags in normal searches (see above).
3- Syncing: changing the settings for the syncing behavior (when to sync and how often) is somewhat hard to determine. I set it to synchronise on launch and exit but cannot for the life of me find those settings again.. Also beware: if there are any tasks that you create and leave blank without a title, syncing will error out and not tell you why it is doing so.
4- Needs an undo function: would make it easier to work with the program.
The verdict: very versatile and value-added task management app.
As I mentioned elsewhere on this site, I cannot imagine using a task management program that does not sync online, because only then could I work with a unified task last on my PC and my smartphone/iPhone. I finally found a desktop client for Toodledo and it happens to be an excellent one.
Version Tested: 0.7.0
Compatibility: Windows. Requires Java 1.6 or higher.
Go to the program home page to download the latest version (approx 5.2 megs).
Samer Kurdi
Another excellent alternative (if you have Outlook) is Jello http://www.jello-dashboard.net and ToodledoSync http://www.chromadrake.com (both free)
Toodledoo is wrong, Toodledo!
0.7.1 released.
Wow. Amazing. I just switched from RTM to Toodledo and was looking for something like this. I have it synced with outlook but wanted quick and large access. This is perfect and works quite well. If the publisher reads this, my one suggestion is “minimize to tray” option. It’s only taking 2mb of memory on my system. Quite a keeper. Thanks!
@ shinyplastic: thanks for letting me know. I am very interested in Outlook add-ons for Toodledo
@ emisjerry: oops; thanks for tipping me off. Fixed.
@ FE: I’m glad you like this software as much as I do!
Thanks you very much, wonderful news!
Also installs easily and works nicely in Linux using Wine. (Ubuntu and Mint tested.)
Actually we don’t have to use wine because it is a Java software so we can use it on Linux without wine. It is cross-platform.
This app is nice. Thanks for the great post!
Hi!
Thanks for the recommendation, this is indeed a great freeware!
I, too, couldn’t find the setting to make it sync on startup and close
So I opened a new feature request on the sourceforge page : https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&aid=3192920&group_id=380204&atid=1581864
*UPDATE*
Just to let you know, version 0.7.4 just got out and there’s now an option for sync on startup and close!
The developer seems very open to suggestion so I recommend you enter your feature request here : https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=380204&atid=1581864
How do you compare toodledo vs thinkingrock 2.2.1. (free version)?
Am I missing something or does this free software only sync with Toodledo if you buy a $8.99 license from the developer?
@ Wendy: unfortunately, since I wrote this the developer has started charging a licensing fee for the Toodledo plugin. The ‘unlicensed’ version of the plugin still works, but the sync is delayed by 30 seconds. I have been using it with this limitation and to be honest it really isn’t such a big deal (esp. with periodic syncs that happen without user intervention).
But I will admit I was quite disappointed with this turn of events.
Hi all, how can i sync Taskunifier with outlook. i`m getting an error message: “Cannot comunicate with taskunifier. please check that Task unifier is started”. the application is up and runing though !
i have anoother request, how can i get email notification or popup notification on “overdue”… tasks.
thanks for your help
please try http://www.comindware.com/task-management/ its very powerfull free task management software.