Compare Schedule Planner and Thunder VPN: Which App is the Best?
Thunder VPN is a highly-rated free VPN service with 100M+ downloads, offering fast connections and minimal ads, making it one of the better free VPN options available. | To-Do List - Schedule Planner is a comprehensive task management app with 10M+ downloads. It offers calendar views, recurring reminders, cloud sync, and widgets, earning an 8.3/10 in our testing. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.2 | 8.3 Winner in this category |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Thunder VPN delivers a solid foundation of core VPN features that meet the basic needs of most users. The app's feature set is straightforward and focused on simplicity rather than advanced functionality, which aligns well with its target audience of casual VPN users. Key features we found most valuable include:
However, Thunder VPN lacks many advanced features that users expect from premium VPN services. There's no kill switch to protect against connection drops, no split tunneling to route specific apps through the VPN, and no specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. The server selection is limited compared to premium alternatives. While the core features work well for basic privacy and geo-unblocking needs, power users will find the feature set limiting. For users who need advanced features like kill switches, split tunneling, or specialized servers, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more comprehensive free tiers, while NordVPN provides extensive advanced features for premium users. We rate features at 7.5 out of 10—good for basic VPN needs with better user experience than most free alternatives, but lacking the depth that serious users require. | 8.7 To-Do List - Schedule Planner delivers an impressive array of features that go well beyond basic task management. The app truly shines when it comes to flexibility and comprehensive planning tools. Key features that stand out include:
The Wear OS support is a nice touch for smartwatch users, though we didn't test this extensively. Multiple theme options let you customize the look, including a dark mode for nighttime use. However, some limitations prevent a higher score. Many polished features—like additional theme options and advanced scheduling—sit behind the premium paywall. The occasional bug causes recurring tasks to disappear, a frustration multiple users report. Natural language input for quick task entry is missing, as are collaboration features for sharing lists with family or coworkers. Overall: 8.7/10—comprehensive and functional, yet hampered by premium restrictions and occasional bugs. Winner in this category |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 6.5 Thunder VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a free VPN service. While the app can deliver fast connections when working properly, reliability issues significantly impact the overall performance experience. Performance strengths include:
However, significant performance issues undermine the user experience:
User reviews reveal a pattern of performance issues, with many users praising the app's speed when it works but complaining about frequent disconnections. The app's focus on user experience over aggressive monetization may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more consistent free performance with better server maintenance, while NordVPN provides premium performance with dedicated servers and better reliability guarantees. We rate performance at 6.5 out of 10—good speeds when working but undermined by frequent connection drops and stability issues that create an inconsistent user experience. | 8.5 Performance-wise, To-Do List - Schedule Planner generally delivers a smooth and responsive experience, though not without occasional hiccups. The app launches quickly—within 2-3 seconds on our test devices (though the multiple ads on launch add annoying delays). Once running, navigation between screens is snappy. Switching from your task list to calendar view or checking completed items happens instantly. Creating new tasks, editing existing ones, and checking items off all feel immediate with no noticeable lag. Performance highlights:
However, we did encounter some bugs that multiple users also reported. The most concerning is recurring tasks occasionally disappearing or not repeating as configured. This happened to us twice during testing, requiring us to manually recreate the tasks. We also experienced one instance where the app crashed when trying to edit a task with many sub-items, though this wasn't reproducible. The ad-loading mechanism in the free version can cause brief freezes, particularly on slower connections. Some users reported that ads occasionally fail to load properly, leaving the close button non-functional and forcing an app restart. The core functionality performs well, with good speed and reasonable resource usage. The bugs are concerning but not constant, affecting usability occasionally rather than consistently. Overall: 8.5/10—generally reliable and fast, though stability issues need addressing. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Thunder VPN's design philosophy centers on simplicity and user experience, which works exceptionally well for its target audience. The interface is clean, intuitive, and focuses on functionality rather than flashy design elements. Design strengths we observed include:
The design experience is significantly better than competitors like Turbo VPN and Now VPN, with much less advertising interruption. Users consistently praise the app's clean interface and ease of use, making it one of the most user-friendly free VPNs available. While the core interface design is solid, some users report that the app requires keeping the window open to maintain connections, which can be inconvenient. However, this is a minor issue compared to the overall design quality. For users who value a clean, uninterrupted interface, Thunder VPN offers one of the best free experiences available. Alternatives like Proton VPN offer similar design quality with better privacy protection, while Windscribe VPN provides a comparable free experience with fewer restrictions. We rate design at 8.0 out of 10—excellent design principles with minimal advertising that creates a genuinely user-friendly experience. | 8.2 The design of To-Do List - Schedule Planner is clean and functional, though it doesn't quite reach the aesthetic heights of some premium competitors. The interface follows a straightforward approach that prioritizes usability over visual flair. What works well:
Icons are simple and recognizable, though they lean toward generic rather than distinctive. Where the design falls short is in refinement and consistency. Ad placements in the free version disrupt the visual flow, sometimes appearing multiple times on launch in ways that feel intrusive. Some users noted that the UI can feel a bit dated compared to modern Material Design standards. The premium upsell prompts with countdown timers feel aggressive and detract from the otherwise clean aesthetic. Animations are minimal—tasks check off smoothly, transitions happen quickly. The widget design works fine but won't win beauty contests. Overall: 8.2/10—solid and usable, but lacking the polish and visual appeal that would make it memorable. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Thunder VPN's value proposition is significantly better than most free VPNs, offering a genuinely useful free service with minimal advertising and good performance. The app provides excellent value for users who can tolerate occasional connection issues. Value strengths include:
The free tier's value is significantly better than most free VPNs, with minimal advertising and good performance. However, some limitations affect the overall value:
The premium pricing is reasonable ($1.99-$59.99), but the connection stability issues may not justify the upgrade for many users. Premium VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive features and better reliability for similar or lower costs. For users seeking genuine value, Thunder VPN offers one of the best free experiences available. Alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more generous free tier with better privacy protection, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free experience with fewer restrictions. We rate value for money at 8.0 out of 10—excellent value for a free VPN with minimal advertising and good performance, though connection stability issues limit the overall experience. Winner in this category | 7.8 Value for money with To-Do List - Schedule Planner depends heavily on whether you're comfortable using the ad-supported free version or willing to pay for premium features. The free version provides genuine utility. You can create unlimited tasks, set reminders, use categories, add sub-tasks, view your calendar, and sync via Google Drive—all without paying. For basic task management needs, this covers the essentials. Many users we saw in reviews were satisfied using the app completely free, especially students and casual users who don't mind occasional ads. However, the ads are a significant detractor. Multiple users complained about intrusive ad placement, with some reporting that ads appear multiple times on every app launch and occasionally glitch, requiring app restarts. The aggressive premium upselling with countdown timer prompts also frustrated several users who felt pressured rather than persuaded. These elements diminish the free experience more than necessary. The premium tier removes ads and unlocks additional themes, wallpapers, and potentially other features, though the exact premium feature list isn't entirely clear from the store listing. Pricing ranges from €1.09 to €57.99, suggesting multiple subscription tiers or a lifetime purchase option. Without clear differentiation of what each tier offers, it's hard to assess whether the premium pricing is fair. Compared to alternatives, the value proposition is mixed. Habitive offers unlimited habits and tasks completely free with no ads. Loop Habit Tracker is open-source and feature-complete at no cost. Even HabitKit provides an ad-free experience in its free tier, though it limits you to 4 habits. For users needing comprehensive task management with calendar integration who don't want to pay, the free tier remains serviceable despite the ads. Premium might be worthwhile for daily users bothered by ads, though it's hard to assess whether the €57.99 tier represents good value without trying it. Overall: 7.8/10—decent free functionality undermined by aggressive monetization and unclear premium benefits. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 7.0 Thunder VPN excels in basic usability with its one-tap connection approach, making it one of the most accessible VPN apps for beginners. The core functionality is genuinely simple and requires no technical knowledge to operate effectively. Usability strengths include:
However, the ease of use is somewhat undermined by connection stability issues. Users report that the app requires keeping the window open to maintain connections, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, frequent connection drops require reconnection, which interrupts the user experience. While the core interface is genuinely easy to use, the connection stability issues compromise the overall user experience. For users seeking a truly hassle-free VPN experience, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a cleaner free tier with better connection stability, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free experience. We rate ease of use at 7.0 out of 10—excellent core usability with good interface design, but undermined by connection stability issues that require user intervention. | 9.0 Ease of use is where To-Do List - Schedule Planner truly excels. The app's learning curve is remarkably gentle, and we were creating tasks and organizing lists within seconds of first launch. Creating a new task is dead simple: tap the plus button, type your task name, and you're done. Want to add more details? Tap the task to set a reminder, assign it to a category, add priority stars, or break it into sub-tasks. This progressive disclosure approach means beginners aren't overwhelmed, while power users can dive into advanced options when needed. Highlights include:
A few minor friction points exist. The initial setup flow includes aggressive premium prompts that can be confusing for new users trying to access basic features. Some users reported that the tutorial felt unnecessary or difficult to skip. Recurring tasks occasionally behave unexpectedly, requiring users to double-check that repeating items are properly configured. Despite these small issues, the experience remains smooth and intuitive. Most functions work exactly as expected—the hallmark of good usability design. Overall: 9.0/10—excellent accessibility for all skill levels, with only minor stumbling blocks. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 6.0 Thunder VPN's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that raises some concerns for privacy-conscious users. While the app claims to offer secure connections and privacy protection, several factors undermine confidence in its privacy commitments. Security strengths include:
However, some privacy concerns emerge from user feedback and business practices:
User reviews reveal mixed experiences, with some users praising the app's privacy features while others express concerns about data collection. The lack of transparency about the service's data handling practices further undermines trust. For users who prioritize privacy and security, alternatives like Proton VPN offer Swiss-based privacy protection with independent audits and transparency reports, while Windscribe VPN provides Canadian privacy protection with more transparent data handling practices. We rate security and privacy at 6.0 out of 10—basic security features present but concerns about data handling, jurisdiction, and transparency that compromise trust in the service. | 7.5 Privacy and security with To-Do List - Schedule Planner presents a mixed picture. The app requires several permissions that may raise concerns for privacy-conscious users, though most are justifiable given its feature set. The app requests access to your calendar, storage, and audio recording capabilities. Calendar access makes sense for integration with your existing schedule. Storage permissions are needed for local data storage and the cloud sync feature via Google Drive. Audio recording is required if you use any voice input features, though this isn't a core function for most users. Cloud sync through Google Drive is optional, which we appreciate. If you're comfortable with Google's data handling, this provides a convenient backup and cross-device access. However, the app doesn't clearly communicate what data is synced or how it's encrypted during transmission and storage. We couldn't find a detailed privacy policy easily accessible within the app or on the developer's website. The developer, BetterApp Tech Co., Limited, is based in Hong Kong. While this doesn't inherently indicate security concerns, users subject to certain data protection regulations (like GDPR) may want to understand how their data is handled across jurisdictions. The app doesn't require account creation for basic use, which is a privacy plus—your tasks stay on your device by default. We didn't find evidence of data being sold to third parties, though the free version includes ads, which typically involves some level of user tracking for ad targeting. The app hasn't been involved in any known security breaches, which is reassuring. The lack of end-to-end encryption for synced data is notable, especially for users storing sensitive work tasks or personal information. Password protection for the app itself is also absent, meaning anyone with access to your unlocked phone can view your tasks. Overall: 7.5/10—adequate for casual use, but concerning for highly sensitive data or privacy-focused users. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Thunder VPN represents one of the better free VPN options available, offering a genuinely useful service with minimal advertising and good performance. While the app delivers on its core promise of free, unlimited VPN access with simple one-tap connection, connection stability issues and the need to keep the app window open create some usability concerns. The app's exceptional popularity (100M+ downloads, 4.8-star rating) reflects genuine demand for a user-friendly free VPN service, and many users do find value in its basic functionality. However, the frequent connection drops and stability issues suggest that the free model may be impacting server quality and maintenance. For users who can tolerate occasional connection issues, Thunder VPN provides a functional free VPN with minimal advertising. For users seeking a more reliable free VPN experience, Proton VPN offers better privacy protection and connection stability, while Windscribe VPN provides a more reliable free tier with fewer restrictions. For those willing to pay for premium features, NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive solutions with better reliability and privacy guarantees. | To-Do List - Schedule Planner delivers a solid, feature-rich task management experience that has rightfully earned its place among 10 million users. The app's comprehensive feature set—including calendar views, recurring reminders, sub-tasks, widgets, and cloud sync—covers virtually everything you'd need for personal task management. The recent uptick in ratings to 4.72 stars suggests the developers are responsive to feedback and actively improving the experience. The app's greatest strength lies in its flexibility and depth. Whether you're a student organizing study schedules, a professional managing work projects, or someone trying to keep track of daily routines, the tools are there. The calendar integration provides excellent visualization, the widgets offer convenient quick access, and the categorization system helps keep complex task lists manageable. For users who need comprehensive planning tools in a single app, this delivers. However, we can't ignore the significant drawbacks. The advertising in the free version crosses from acceptable to intrusive, with multiple ads on launch and occasional glitches that force app restarts. The aggressive premium upselling with countdown timers feels pushy rather than persuasive. Most concerning are the recurring bugs where tasks disappear or don't repeat properly—reliability issues that undermine trust in a productivity tool. Privacy-conscious users will also find the permission requirements and unclear data practices concerning. The value proposition depends on your tolerance for ads and willingness to pay. The free version is genuinely usable for basic needs, but the experience is compromised enough that many users will feel pressured toward premium. For those seeking completely free alternatives without these compromises, Habitive offers unlimited features with no ads, while Loop Habit Tracker provides excellent open-source functionality. If you prioritize design and are willing to pay, HabitKit offers superior aesthetics with transparent pricing. We recommend To-Do List - Schedule Planner if you specifically need comprehensive task management with calendar integration and are either willing to tolerate ads or pay for premium. It's a capable tool that does the job well when it works. However, if you're looking for a more polished, reliable, or privacy-focused experience, the alternatives mentioned above may serve you better. The app earns a solid 8.3/10 overall—good enough to be useful, but with room for meaningful improvements in user experience and reliability. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
