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Kanban vs List: Which One Should You Use?

Both views have strengths — the key is knowing when to switch

·4 min read

ToToday provides two views: list view and kanban view. Many users use only one of them, but the two views fit different scenarios. Learning when to switch can make you much more efficient.

When is list view best?

List view is the default for most people. All tasks are arranged by priority, due date, or category. It is suitable when:

  • You have many tasks and need to browse or filter quickly
  • Tasks are relatively independent and do not have a clear workflow relationship
  • You need to add new tasks quickly
  • You are answering the daily question: "What should I do today?"

When is kanban view best?

Kanban divides tasks into columns by status, usually "To Start," "In Progress," and "Done," so you can see the stage of every task at a glance. It is suitable for:

  • Process-based work: a task needs to pass through several stages before completion
  • Project management: you need to track progress across multiple tasks at the same time
  • Finding bottlenecks: when the "In Progress" column is full, something is probably stuck
  • Showing progress to yourself or your team

How do you switch?

On the ToToday tasks page, click the view switch button in the upper-right corner to switch between list and kanban anytime. Both views show the same tasks, so switching does not lose any data.

My suggestion

Use list view for daily work because it is fast. When you are working on a project that spans several days, switch to kanban to see the whole picture. Each view has its own rhythm, and mixing them is more efficient than sticking to only one.

If you are not sure which one to use, start with list view. When you notice that some tasks stay "half done" for too long, switch to kanban and move them across stages. A view is not a belief system; it is a tool. Use whichever helps you see the next step faster.

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