DayBlock, Tiimo, Structured, Sunsama – an honest comparison
Four visual day planners compared: what the providers themselves say, when another app suits you better and what DayBlock is built for. As of October 2026.
The key points
- Tiimo and Structured are native apps with widgets and AI; Sunsama is a guided planning ritual for professionals.
- DayBlock runs in the browser, is end-to-end encrypted and puts the plan back on track with one tap.
- For Apple Watch, AI planning and team tools, another app suits you better.
If you are looking for a visual day planner, you quickly come across the same names: Tiimo, Structured, Sunsama – and maybe DayBlock. I am biased, because DayBlock is my app. That is why I only compare here what the providers themselves say about their apps, and I write honestly when another app suits you better. As of: October 2026.
The four in one sentence
- Tiimo is a visual planner that, according to the provider, was developed with experts for ADHD and autism – with icons, timers and an AI planner that turns a list into a day.
- Structured is a simple timeline for the day, into which tasks and calendar events drop as coloured blocks.
- Sunsama is a guided planning ritual for professionals: plan the day in the morning, wrap it up in the evening, tasks from many tools in one place.
- DayBlock is a day planner in the browser that is meant to feel good: blocks in your day, one tap when the plan falls apart, and everything end-to-end encrypted.
What the providers state
| Feature | Tiimo | Structured | Sunsama | DayBlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android, Mac, web | iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, web | web, desktop, phone | any browser, installable as an app |
| Day as a timeline | yes | yes | yes (calendar) | yes, plus week and month |
| Planning with AI | yes | yes (Pro) | not the focus | no – suggestions by fixed rules, only on your device |
| Guided day wrap-up | not stated | not stated | yes | yes |
| Routines and habits | routines | not stated | not stated | yes, without punishing streaks |
| External calendars | Apple Calendar and Reminders | calendar sync | many integrations | subscribe to public calendars |
| End-to-end encryption | not stated | not stated | not stated | yes, for all content |
| Free to try | free tier | free tier | trial | 14 days without payment details |
Based on the providers’ public pages, as of October 2026. Features and prices change – check with the provider before deciding.
When another app suits you better
- You want to see your day on an Apple Watch or the lock screen. Tiimo and Structured have native apps with widgets. DayBlock runs in the browser and does not have that (yet).
- You want an AI to build your day. Then Tiimo or Structured are closer. DayBlock only suggests by fixed, understandable rules – in return, nothing leaves your device.
- Your tasks live in Jira, Asana or Notion. Sunsama brings them into one place. DayBlock is meant for your own day, not for team tools.
- Your calendar should sync both ways. The others do that better. DayBlock shows public calendars, but writes nothing back.
How to test a planner app properly
Most planner apps look great for the first three days. Whether an app suits you only shows once everyday life gets in the way. That is why an honest two-week test is worth it – with your real day, not a dream day.
- Plan a perfectly normal day. With appointments, small stuff and the one thing you have been putting off for a long time. How long does it take until the day is set? Anything over five minutes will not last in everyday life.
- Leave something undone on purpose. What happens to unfinished tasks? Do they pile up in red, or does the app help you move them to tomorrow or let them go? How it deals with unfinished things decides whether you come back after a bad week.
- Be late. Start your morning an hour later than planned. Can you simply move the rest of the day, or do you have to touch every block individually?
- Take a two-day break. How does coming back feel? A good app welcomes you kindly and helps you tidy up, instead of adding up everything that was left undone.
- Switch devices. Plan on your computer and tick off on your phone. Does everything arrive reliably? Unreliable syncing between devices is one of the most common complaints in reviews of planner apps.
- Read the privacy policy. Where is your data, who can read it, and can you export everything? A day planner knows your everyday life very precisely.
After two weeks you know more than after any comparison article – including this one. The best app is the one you still open on a bad day.
And the prices?
I deliberately do not list prices here: they change often, differ by country and store, and some providers only show them after signing up. All four can be tried beforehand. For DayBlock: 14 days of testing without payment details, then €1.99 per week or €5.99 per month, cancel any time.
When DayBlock is a good fit
- If your day often goes differently than planned. “Move the rest along”, “Make it lighter” and “Put into my day” put the plan back on track with one tap.
- If privacy matters to you. Your entries are encrypted on your device; even I cannot read them.
- If you want to plan without pressure. No red counters, no streaks that drop to zero after a bad day.
- If you plan on different devices. A browser is all you need – on your computer, tablet and phone.
More about what matters in a planner app is in the article The right planner app: nine criteria.
Frequently asked questions
Which planner app is the best?
The one you still open after two weeks. Test two apps for a week each with your real everyday life and pay attention to how they feel on bad days.
Is DayBlock available as an app in the store?
DayBlock runs in the browser and can be installed like an app on phone, tablet and computer. There are no store apps yet.
Does DayBlock plan with AI?
No. Suggestions like “Put into my day” follow fixed rules and are calculated only on your device. That way no content leaves your device unencrypted.