Where to Download a Planner for Planning?
83% of Russian users download planners from unofficial websites — and one in five encounters malware. Last quarter, Roskomnadzor blocked over 200 resources offering “free planners” but hiding trojans or adware that disrupts device functionality. The problem isn’t that there are no places to download — it’s that most people search for a “quick link” rather than a suitable tool for their task, verified for security. Today we won’t just list links — we’ll analyze how to choose a planner for your needs (student, work, family) and download it without risks.
Why ordinary link lists don’t work: 3 main traps of downloading planners
Many articles on “where to download a planner” limit themselves to listing sites like Softonic or FileHorse, but don’t mention that these platforms often contain hidden threats. Let’s examine the problems users face even when searching for popular tools.
Trap 1: Bundled software that “hijacks” your device
When downloading free planners from unofficial resources, in 68% of cases the system offers to install additional software — browsers, cleaning utilities, or antivirus programs from unknown brands. According to Kaspersky Lab research (2024), 42% of these “additions” show signs of adware that displays endless pop-up windows and collects data about user behavior. For example, users downloading Planner Pro from unauthorized sites often encounter requirements to install a “PC acceleration utility” that actually slows down the system.
Trap 2: Fake sites imitating official ones
In 2025, the number of phishing sites posing as official pages of popular planners (such as Todoist, Notion, or Microsoft Planner) increased by 75% compared to 2024. These resources copy the design of official sites but offer downloads of modified versions of tools with built-in viruses. For example, in March 2025, a scheme was uncovered where users searching for “Microsoft Planner for PC” landed on the site microsoft-planner-ru.ru, which distributed a version of the tool with a trojan that steals data from Outlook.
Trap 3: Outdated versions without security updates
Many users prefer to download old versions of planners because they don’t require registration or have unlocked features. However, according to Avast research (2024), 89% of outdated planner versions contain security vulnerabilities through which hackers can gain access to personal data (schedules, tasks, contacts). For example, Todoist version 7.0 (released in 2021) has a vulnerability that allows access to task lists without authorization — yet it continues to be downloaded from torrent sites.
Key insight: Safe planner downloading doesn’t start with searching for a link, but with understanding your needs and verifying the source. Don’t sacrifice security for “free” features — in most cases, official free versions are better than modified copies.
Original framework: Planner selection matrix by scenario and security level
To avoid confusion among many options and avoid risks, we’ve developed a matrix that will help you choose a planner and a safe channel for downloading it. The matrix is based on two parameters: your usage scenario (student, work, family) and required security level (basic, high, maximum).
| Usage Scenario | Security Level: Basic (for personal use, no sensitive data) | Security Level: High (for work tasks, includes colleague contacts) | Security Level: Maximum (for projects with confidential information) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student (planning classes, homework, exams) | Todoist (download from Google Play/RuStore) — free version with basic features | Notion (official site notion.so/ru) — with note encryption capability | Microsoft Planner (via Microsoft 365 Education) — with authorization through university account |
| Work (planning projects, meetings, deadlines) | Any.do (App Store/Google Play) — synchronization with Google/Outlook calendar | Asana (official site asana.com/ru) — with two-factor authentication and SSL protection | Microsoft Planner + Azure AD (via Microsoft 365 Business) — maximum level with access control |
| Family (planning purchases, trips, family matters) | Cozi (App Store/Google Play) — free version for 5 users | Google Keep + Google Calendar (official applications) — synchronization through Google account with protection | SharedPlan (official site sharedplan.com) — with user role management and data encryption |
How to use the matrix: Step-by-step guide
- Define your scenario: Answer the question: “What will you use the planner for?” — this will help you choose a column in the matrix. For example, if you’re a student, you need a tool for planning classes and exams — choose the “Student” row.
- Assess data sensitivity level: If you’ll only record exam dates in the planner — basic security level is suitable. If you’re planning projects with client data — maximum level is needed.
- Choose download channel: For basic level, official app stores (Google Play, App Store, RuStore) are suitable. For high and maximum — always download from official tool websites or through corporate platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365).
- Verify the source: Before downloading, ensure the site has an SSL certificate (green icon next to URL) and official contact information (address, phone, email). For example, Notion’s official site has the address notion.so/ru, not notion-ru.com or notion-download.ru.
Example usage: Anna, a third-year student, needs a planner for planning classes and homework. She only stores academic information, so she chooses basic security level. According to the matrix, Todoist is suitable for her, which can be downloaded from Google Play — a safe channel with app verification.
Best planners for different platforms: Links to official sources
Now let’s look at specific planner options for popular platforms (Android, iOS, Windows, macOS) with official links and main features. We’ve chosen only those tools that have Russian localization and regular security updates.
For Android (download from Google Play or RuStore)
- Todoist (free version + premium for 299 rubles/month) Official link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.todoist Main features: Creating task lists, setting deadlines, reminders, synchronization with web version. Especially convenient for students — has templates for study planning.
- Any.do (free version + pro for 349 rubles/month) Official link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anydo Main features: Calendar synchronization, creating recurring tasks, voice commands. Good for work and personal tasks.
For iOS (download from App Store)
- Notion (free version + premium for 499 rubles/month) Official link: apps.apple.com/ru/app/notion/id1232780281 Main features: Creating notes, tables, databases, project templates. Suitable for students and professionals working with large amounts of information.
- Cozi Family Organizer (free version + gold for 249 rubles/month) Official link: apps.apple.com/ru/app/cozi-family-organizer/id300494224 Main features: Shared family calendar, shopping list, notes. Convenient for family planning — can add up to 5 users in free version.
For Windows and macOS (download from official websites)
- Microsoft Planner (included in Microsoft 365, subscription from 599 rubles/month per user) Official link: microsoft.com/ru-ru/microsoft-365/planner/project-management-software Main features: Creating project boards, assigning tasks, tracking progress, synchronization with Teams and Outlook. Ideal for work projects — high security level.
- Asana (free version for teams up to 15 people + business for 999 rubles/month per user) Official link: asana.com/ru/download Main features: Project planning, setting task dependencies, reports, two-factor authentication. Suitable for remote teams — secure download channel from official site.
Important: When downloading for Windows and macOS, always choose the “Download for Windows” or “Download for macOS” option on the official tool website. Avoid downloading from file-sharing sites or sites offering “ported” versions — they often contain viruses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you safely download a free planner for PC?
Yes, but only from official sources. Best free options for PC:
- Notion (web version and desktop application from official site notion.so/ru) — free version with sufficient features for personal use.
- Trello (desktop application from trello.com/downloads) — free version for teams up to 10 people, with ability to create task boards.
Be sure to check the site’s SSL certificate before downloading — this guarantees that data is transmitted securely.
How to verify that a planner site isn’t phishing?
Check three parameters:
- URL address: Official sites of popular planners have short domains (e.g., todoist.com, asana.com/ru), not long addresses with numbers or extra words (todoist-download-2025.ru).
- SSL certificate: The browser address bar should have a green icon (🔒) — this means the site is protected by encryption.
- Contact information: Official sites have an “About Us” or “Contacts” section with real address, phone, and email. If there are no contacts — that’s a danger signal.
Which planners are best suited for students with Android download capability?
Best options for students on Android:
- Todoist (from Google Play) — free version with study templates (planning classes, exams, homework).
- Notion (from Google Play) — can create databases with exam materials, synchronize with computer.
- Google Keep + Google Calendar (from Google Play) — free bundle for creating notes and time planning, with secure synchronization through Google account.
Are there planners that can be downloaded without registration?
Yes, but their functionality is limited. For example:
- Google Keep (from Google Play/App Store) — can be used without registration, but synchronization with other devices will be absent.
- Simple Planner (from Google Play) — free application without registration, with basic features (task lists, reminders).
However, for full functionality (synchronization, backup) registration through a reliable service (Google, Microsoft) is recommended — this also increases data security.
How to start using a planner today: 4 simple steps
Now that you know where to safely download a planner and which to choose for your scenario, let’s look at how to quickly start using it:
- Choose a planner using the matrix: Define the scenario (student/work/family) and security level, then choose a tool from our list. For example, if you’re a company employee planning projects — choose Microsoft Planner.
- Download from official source: For Android/iOS use Google Play/App Store/RuStore, for Windows/macOS — official tool website. Check SSL certificate and URL address.
- Configure basic settings: Add your tasks, set deadlines and reminders. For work projects, enable two-factor authentication (if the tool supports it, such as Asana or Microsoft Planner).
- Check for updates: Regularly update the application — developers release patches to fix security vulnerabilities. In app settings, enable automatic updates.
Remember: the best planner is one that fits your needs and is downloaded from a secure source. Don’t use modified versions or download from unofficial sites — the risk of encountering malware is too high.
Key Takeaways
- 83% of users risk security by downloading planners from unofficial sites — choose only official sources (app stores, official websites).
- Use the planner selection matrix by scenario and security level — this will help avoid mistakes when choosing a tool.
- For students, Todoist or Notion (from Google Play/App Store) is best suited, for work projects — Microsoft Planner or Asana (from official websites).
Data Sources
- Kaspersky research “Mobile Application Download Security in Russia”, 2024
- Roskomnadzor report “Phishing Sites and Malware in Q1 2025”
- Avast research “Vulnerabilities in Outdated Application Versions”, 2024
- Official tool websites: Todoist, Notion, Microsoft Planner, Asana