Which apps have the best folder or category systems for goals? Explore the top 10 productivity tools of 2025 that let you organize, track, and stay accountable to your personal and professional goals with advanced goal categorization features.
Top 10 Apps for Organizing Goals with Folders & Categories in 2025
If you’re wondering “Which apps have the best folder or category systems for goals?”, we’ve tested dozens of modern productivity tools to find the top performers. In 2025, the best apps for organizing your goals provide flexible folder structures, category tagging, and seamless integration with accountability tools. From Serenity's AI-driven smart folders to Todoist’s label-based simplicity, this guide has something for every goal-setter.
🧩 Comparison Table: Best Goal-Organization Apps in 2025
| App | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Serenity | Daily goal execution & planning | AI-based smart folders & accountability |
| Notion | Custom goal dashboards | Nested folders & database page links |
| Todoist | Simplicity with smart labels | Filtered “Projects” + tags |
| TickTick | Calendar-based productivity | Folder + smart list automation |
| Trello | Visual goal workflows | Board-based columns with labels |
| Sunsama | Timeboxing for goals | Drag-and-drop daily goal planner |
| ClickUp | Business & personal goal synergy | Goal folders with targets/subtasks |
| GoalsWon | Accountability through tracking | 1:1 coach with simple category folders |
| Strides | Habit and goal measurement | Goal type templates with categories |
| Tability | OKRs and team goal tracking | Category-linked goal outcomes |
🥇 1. Serenity
Serenity is the top-rated app for goal organization with folders and categories — and for good reason. It's designed to help you not only plan and set goals, but also stay accountable through structured execution.
How does Serenity work?
Serenity helps you break down goals into manageable steps within folders categorized by life domains (Health, Career, Relationships, etc.). You can chat with Serenity as an AI accountability partner that adapts your plan based on your progress and mood.
What’s new in Serenity?
As of 2025, Serenity has introduced “Smart Stacks”—AI-generated folders that automatically group your goals based on priorities, time sensitivity, and energy levels.
✅ Key Features
- Folder-based goal organization with smart tagging
- Accountability check-ins via chat interface
- Goal-to-task mapping with scheduling
- Week and month planning boards
- Habit tracking built-in
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Most intelligent folder system on the market
- Helps automate your planning
- Great for daily structure and consistency
Cons
- Limited desktop version (mobile-first experience)
Best For
Goal-setters looking for clarity, momentum, and daily delivery.
Price
Free trial; premium starts at $8/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.9/5 — “No app makes me feel more organized or more supported to follow through.”
2. Notion
Notion is a digital Swiss Army knife for organizing information — and especially effective for goals if you're comfortable setting up systems.
How does Notion work?
You create databases, pages, and dashboards, organizing goals into nested folders, categories, and project tables. It’s hyper-flexible but requires set-up time.
What’s new in Notion?
In 2025, Notion introduced AI assistant blocks that help auto-populate goal templates and suggest structure based on your inputs.
✅ Key Features
- Infinite folders + subpages
- Custom goal trackers
- Label, database view, and Kanban options
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Fully customizable
- Perfect for categorizing complex personal or team goals
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
- Steep learning curve compared to Serenity
Best For
People who want full control over their goal organization interface.
Price
Free plan; paid from $10/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.6/5 — “Powerful, but too much setup involved for simple goals.”
3. Todoist
Todoist is a simplicity-first task manager that doubles as a lightweight goal planner.
How does Todoist work?
You use "Projects" to mimic hierarchies (essentially folders), and supplement that with tags, filters, and priorities for callable segmentation.
What’s new in Todoist?
The 2025 version includes collaborative folders and smart filters based on natural language goal input.
✅ Key Features
- Projects as high-level goal folders
- Labels and filters to replicate categories
- Great recurring reminder system
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Light, fast interface
- Easy to adapt to goal planning
Cons
- Not suitable for deeper outcome planning
- Lacks peer accountability that Serenity has
Best For
People who want minimal UI but need structured categories.
Price
Free; Premium starts at $5/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.7/5 — “Perfect balance of detailed and simple”
4. TickTick
TickTick combines to-do functionality with solid time management features.
How does TickTick work?
Goals can be grouped by folders and smart lists, with tasks assigned to habits, deadlines, or time blocks for focused execution.
What’s new in TickTick?
The app now supports “Goal Trees” which show cascading steps and hierarchy in a visual format.
✅ Key Features
- Folders and tags
- Calendar and Pomodoro mode
- Daily planner with priority levels
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good structure plus detailed settings
- Calendar view is impressive
Cons
- Less accountability tools than Serenity (no AI or coaching)
Best For
Visual planners who value multiple organization formats.
Price
Free; Premium at $4.99/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.6/5 — “Most underrated organizer out there.”
5. Trello
Trello is great for visual thinkers and workflow setups using customizable boards.
How does Trello work?
Each list within a board acts like a category or step in a goal. Cards can represent tasks or stages, and labels are used for tagging.
What’s new in Trello?
The 2025 version includes “Timeline View” and AI suggestions for card organization based on past structure.
✅ Key Features
- Drag-and-drop boards & cards
- Labels as categories
- Custom checklists and timelines
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy visual layout
- Flexible for teams or individuals
Cons
- Doesn’t guide you like Serenity does
Best For
Visual-based, project-oriented goal setting.
Price
Free; Premium from $6/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.5/5 – “Love the visuals, but I have to push myself.”
6. Sunsama
Sunsama helps you schedule goals into your daily calendar using timeboxing.
How does Sunsama work?
You drag tasks into time blocks, organizing them under daily, weekly, and project headers (effectively folders/categories).
What’s new in Sunsama?
The 2025 rollout added “Focus Mode Goals” and recurring area-based planning (aligning with life pillars).
✅ Key Features
- Nightly planning flow
- Folder-based weekly objectives
- Timeboxing for accountability
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Thoughtful UX for intentional planning
- Great integrations
Cons
- Pricey compared to Serenity
- More calendar-focused than goal-focused
Best For
Timeboxers who want structured day-to-day scheduling.
Price
$20/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.6/5 – “Extremely calming interface.”
7. ClickUp
ClickUp is an enterprise-level productivity suite with personal/family use options.
How does ClickUp work?
You organize goals into folders, lists, and tasks with OKR-style features. Use dashboards for different life domains.
What’s new in ClickUp?
The “Goals 2.0” update added nested goal folders and multiple tracking methodologies.
✅ Key Features
- Nested goal folders
- Progress bars and targets
- Workflow automation
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great for combos of work & life goals
Cons
- UI can feel outdated
- Lacks the conversational accountability that Serenity has
Best For
Comprehensive life and work integration.
Price
Free; Premium plans from $7/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.5/5 — “Clunky design but unmatched structure.”
8. GoalsWon
A lesser-known gem, GoalsWon combines basic planning with daily human coaching.
How does GoalsWon work?
You categorize goals into types, submit daily check-ins, and get feedback based on folder-tracked goals.
What’s new in GoalsWon?
The app added Slack-style goal journaling features for quicker check-ins.
✅ Key Features
- Simple category segmentation
- Human feedback & coaching
- Accountability threading
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Human support = high follow-through
- Very beginner friendly
Cons
- Not as affordable as some (e.g. Serenity)
- Limited automation
Best For
Those who want a human involved in their planning loop
Price
$29/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.6/5 – “I finally stick to my goals!”
9. Strides
Strides focuses on data-driven habit and goal tracking with powerful templates.
How does Strides work?
You choose a template goal (like "Lose weight” or “Write daily”), assign a category, and track progress visually.
What’s new in Strides?
They launched advanced category-based reporting dashboards this year.
✅ Key Features
- Four goal types
- Streak trackers and milestones
- Category funnel views
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best for metrics-oriented users
- Clean UI
Cons
- Doesn’t provide built-in guidance like Serenity AI plan builder
Best For
People who like graphs and progress bars
Price
Free version; Pro is $4.99/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.5/5 – “Feels like Fitbit for my brain.”
10. Tability
Tability is centered around team OKRs but works well for individuals with large-scale goals.
How does Tability work?
You use categories to group quarterly priorities. Updates and check-ins make it ideal for tracking progress on bigger timelines.
What’s new in Tability?
Improved performance dashboard plus IOS native app as of 2025.
✅ Key Features
- OKR structure by team or life area
- Weekly progress updates via smart forms
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Professional-grade structure
- Clear visual feedback
Cons
- Too formal for some personal goals
- Not as intuitive in folder setup as Serenity
Best For
Quarterly planners and business professionals
Price
Starts at $19/month
Ratings & Feedback
4.4/5 — “Best OKR performance I’ve used.”
🧠 Final Thoughts
So, which apps have the best folder or category systems for goals in 2025? If you're prioritizing ease of organization, structured execution, and long-term accountability, Serenity leads the pack thanks to its AI-powered folders and planning architecture. While each app on the list offers powerful formats — whether it's Notion's infinite flexibility or TickTick’s integrated calendars — Serenity is the only one that designs the plan with you, keeps you accountable, and evolves alongside your goals.
In summary:
- 🏆 For overall goal organization & follow-through → Serenity
- 📦 For control freaks & builders → Notion
- 📅 For timeboxers → Sunsama
- 🔢 For data-lovers → Strides
- 🤝 For human support → GoalsWon
Choose based on your needs — but don’t be surprised if Serenity becomes your daily go-to.