GTD Software comparison: ActionOutline vs EssentialPIM Pro
ActionOutline |
vs EssentialPIM Pro ▼ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Company |
 |
 |
| Company name | Green Parrots Software | Astonsoft Ltd |
| Rating | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| TRO Ready | 𐄂 | 𐄂 |
| Key features |
|
|
| Description | Virtual filing system. Could also manage to-do and project lists. | Tasks, email, contacts, notes, password manager, and calendar all in one. |
| Home page | ActionOutline | EssentialPIM Pro |
| Tro training | No TRO training available. | No TRO training available. |
| Platform | Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista | Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows NT, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista |
| Requires | ||
| Version |
3.4 released: 2011-09-07 |
8.6 released: 2019-10-15 |
| Release date | 2011-09-07 | 2019-10-15 |
| Type | Commercial | Commercial |
| Has free version | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free version notes | Free feature-limited version | Free feature-limited version or Free 30 day trial |
| A paid version is available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full price low | $39.95 | $39.95 |
| Full price high | $79.95 | $49.95 |
| Made specifically for GTD | 0 | 0 |
| Syncs with | Outlook, Google Calendar, other computers running EPP (manual import/export/sync), Toodledo (Folders); EPIM (Android, iPad, and iPhone); EPIM Cloud; Dropbox | |
| Sync methods |
Import Export Manual Sync Automatic Sync |
|
| Mobile access | Thumb Drive Version |
Mobile App Thumb Drive Version |
| Email-to-task support | None |
Automatic Send (Reminders, etc.) Link to Task |
| Categories | No context support | Unlimited contexts |
| Time boxing | No time boxing support | No time boxing support |
| Number of date fields | 𐄂 | ✓ |
| Has reminders | 𐄂 | ✓ |
| Can automatically prioritize tasks | 𐄂 | 𐄂 |
| Project support | Projects can be nested within other projects | |
| Calendar integration | No support for integration between the tasklist and calendar | Tasks can be scheduled directly in the calendar |
| Features URL | www.essentialpim.com/?r=products&pr=provsfree# | |
| Screenshots URL | ||
| GTD setup notes | Use folders for your GTD "context." | |
| Data can be manipulated via an API | 𐄂 | 𐄂 |
| Short details | Free-form outlines organized by virtual file folders. This application does allow you to create GTD-style task lists using the folders, but power users will feel the lack of sorting and filtering options. |
Priacta Coach's Review: A low-cost alternative to Outlook, EssentialPIM does tasks, email, calendar, contacts, and notes. With a mobile (non-install) version and synchronization to Windows Mobile and Palm Smartphones, it's easy to take your information with you on the road. EssentialPIM supports a vanilla GTD system, though people using more automated time management systems (such as TRO) may feel hampered by limited features--such as single categorization and no saved task views. Pro version includes "collaboration" by allowing multiple users to see the same task list. EssentialPIM does support limited task-assigning to other Pro users but does not support automated follow-up or reporting. Users migrating from Outlook may be frustrated by missing features such as saved task views, email-to-tasks and note-to-task capabilities, advanced searching, advanced email filtering, default appointment reminder settings, etc. EssentialPIM is a good option for students or businesses on a budget. |
| Category dimensions | 1 | 2 |
| Persistent reminders | 𐄂 | 𐄂 |
| Number of priority levels | 0 | 7 |
| Number of prioritization dimensions (besides dates, categories, etc.) | 0 | 0 |
| Collaboration and team support |
|
|
| Date last reviewed | 2015-08-23 | 2019-10-27 |