Zella
Zella: A free web planner for Big 3 priorities, academic calendars, habits and wellbeing. Ranked #113 of 137 in Daily Planner Apps by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free Big 3 planning for academic routines.
At a glance
- Editor score3.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree Big 3 planning for academic routines
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Planning methodPrioritization
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Daily Big 3 keeps planning centered on three priorities
- Imports Canvas, Blackboard and iCal academic calendars
- Adds private mood, energy, period and headache tracking
Where it doesn't
- Runs in a web browser rather than a dedicated mobile app
- Phone-calendar synchronization works in one direction
- Does not include dedicated timed focus sessions
Our verdict on Zella
Zella is a free, web-based daily planner for students and adults who want a shorter, more structured planning routine. Its core method is the Daily Big 3: three priorities for the day, supported by month, week and day calendar views. The product also suits academic routines, with Canvas, Blackboard and iCal calendar imports, recurring events, reminders and planning prompts. Goals, milestones and habits extend the planner beyond a single day, while private mood, energy, period and headache tracking adds a personal wellbeing layer. A parent read-only academic view provides a way to share school planning without giving editing access.
The strongest fit is its combination of prioritization and academic calendar support. Users can add events by voice, manage recurring events and synchronize with a phone's calendar app in one direction. That makes Zella more than a simple checklist while keeping the daily view centered on a small number of priorities. Its browser-based format also removes the need for an app-store download. People who find conventional planners overwhelming, including those with ADHD, dyslexia or anxiety, may find the focused planning structure relevant, though the product's suitability depends on whether the Big 3 method matches their routine.
Zella is currently free, and paid plans may arrive later. The main trade-off is scope: it offers planning prompts and focus-related organization, but not dedicated Pomodoro or timed focus sessions. The web-only platform may also be limiting for people who expect a dedicated mobile experience, while one-way phone-calendar synchronization is less flexible than a two-way workflow. Choose Zella for free, priority-led academic planning with habits and private wellbeing tracking. Choose another daily planner if timed focus tools, broader platform access or two-way calendar updates are essential.
Your product? Our editors can test Zella in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Zella pricing
Zella fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Planning method | Prioritization |
| Calendar sync | Yes |
| Recurring tasks | Yes |
| Mobile platforms | Not verified |
| Daily task limit | Not verified |
| Focus sessions | No |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Canvas, Blackboard, iCal calendar feeds, Phone calendar |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | zellaapp.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Zella integrations
Zella lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Canvas
- Blackboard
- iCal calendar feeds
- Phone calendar
Alternatives to Zella
- SunsamaA guided daily planner for turning tasks, calendars, and workload limits into a focused workday.8.9
- Amazing MarvinA flexible planner for people who want structured days without a fixed workflow.8.8
- MotionA broad AI planner for scheduling, booking, calendars, and project work.8.7
Used Zella? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Zella for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Zella is listed in our Daily Planner Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/zella/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/zella.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update