Managing personal tasks is a challenge many people face, but coordinating tasks with family members or friends who may not be as tech-savvy or who simply prefer different tools can add an extra layer of complexity. Most task management apps require all parties to be on the same platform, which can become a hurdle for effective collaboration. Enter Karo, an iOS app designed to bridge this gap.
Unlike traditional to-do apps that rely on all users having the app installed, Karo enables users to assign and track tasks with others—even if the recipients don’t have the app. This flexibility allows users to manage both personal and shared responsibilities with ease. The app integrates seamlessly with common communication tools like WhatsApp and text messages, ensuring that task assignments and reminders reach others through platforms they are already using. This approach not only simplifies coordination but also eliminates the friction of onboarding others to a new app, making task delegation across different social circles and family structures much more manageable.
Developed by India-based software developer Mustafa Yusuf, Karo is designed to address the challenges of personal task management and the delegation of tasks to individuals who may not use the same platform. Yusuf, who previously created a more sophisticated task management application known as Tasks, conceptualized Karo in response to the limitations of existing solutions.
According to Yusuf, no existing application allowed for the seamless delegation and tracking of tasks assigned to individuals within his personal contacts, such as his accountant, sister, or electrician. He expressed a desire to assign tasks through commonly used communication platforms like WhatsApp or Messages and receive notifications when these tasks were completed. Prior to the development of Karo, this process required manual reminders, often leading to tasks being forgotten or untracked.
Features:
- Karo features an interface that resembles a messaging app, making it straightforward and easy to use. Users can enter tasks in natural language, and the app will automatically detect and assign deadlines if a specific date or time is included. Tasks can be assigned to individuals by @mentioning them, or by using designated buttons to add contacts, dates, and times. This approach simplifies task management and delegation, ensuring that the process feels familiar and accessible to all users.
- The app lets users attach images, videos, PDFs, and voice notes to tasks. It also uses AI to break down complex tasks or help plan events by creating to-do lists.
- When a task is assigned, the recipient gets a notification if they have Karo. If not, Karo sends it via WhatsApp or text. Reminders are sent on the due date, with follow-ups two and four days later for scheduled tasks, and two, four, and six days after for non-scheduled tasks.
Tasks are organized by contact in a chat-like interface, allowing users to view and manage them. An activity tab shows all task updates in one place for easy tracking.
Ideal for Casual and Small-Scale Use:
Karo shines for users seeking an informal, straightforward task management solution, particularly in regions like India where WhatsApp is a primary tool for business coordination. Its seamless integration with WhatsApp and support for group tasks make Karo an attractive choice for those lacking formal systems. Small businesses and groups—such as study groups and book clubs—are already embracing Karo to streamline task assignment and tracking, capitalizing on its user-friendly approach to task management.
For example, a dry fruit distributor in Houston uses Karo to assign packaging and delivery tasks via WhatsApp, and the team checks off tasks without needing to log into a dedicated task management system.
Pricing and Availability:
Karo offers a free version with basic functionality, while advanced features such as group task management, custom themes, and attachments are available through subscription plans. Pricing begins at $4.99 per month, with additional options for annual subscriptions at $39.99, and a lifetime plan at $99.99. Introductory discounts are available across all plans.
Karo is currently only available on iOS, but Yusuf is planning to launch an Android version soon. He thinks people will still find Karo useful because it can send reminders even if the recipient doesn’t have the app.
Basically, Karo makes it easier to schedule tasks, providing a simple way to manage personal and group responsibilities across different platforms.
