Looking for the best of 2021 planners and it’s getting you more confused than ever on which one is meant for you. Welcome to my world. I was so confused at the start of the month on which planner I should get for myself for next year.
I personally use two, one for my personal (for basic doctor appointments, birthdays, and house-related stuff) it makes my life easier to manage. Usually, I keep this planner very simple and to the point. The other one is for my work (blogging) which is usually a lot fancier, has many different pages, artwork, stickers. It makes me happy to plan my work on something cheerful & colorful.
So obviously I got down to researching and also did a Q&A on my Instagram handle. I have shortlisted some of the top 2021 planners in this post. Also gonna give you all the required details you will need to make your decision.
The features I have specified are the ones that stand out for me, the planners itself have way more features but most of them overlap. If something is unique or special I have specified.
Caution: I haven’t used every one of them, I have tried a few brands (I’ll specify that whenever I have). The links will be attached so if you need more details or pictures do check the official sites to know more.
Some of the best 2021 Planners are as follows:
1. Factor Notes
They have different cover designs you can select from. The designs are pretty and cute. Also, the planners are simple but classic. The planner has everything you need but in a way that won’t confuse you or leave you with wasted pages.
Features:
- Hardbound
- Comes with cute useful stickers
- Budget/expenses pages are well organized
- Has goal pages
- Special spaces to fill in your favorite things and memories
It can be used for work & personal or combined easily since it has enough pages and space for both. If you want something affordable but with good quality which also has everything, I would suggest this planner for sure. Since it is simple it can be used easily by anyone.
Price: Rs 999/-
To buy it on their website: CLICK HERE
To buy it on Amazon: CLICK HERE
The brand also has really pretty note pads for to-dos. They also have plain notebooks which you can use in different ways. The planners are in limited stock so get one if you are interested, don’t wait too long.
2. Simba Lifestyle
I actually did not know about this brand’s planner until recently. My best friend gifted me one of their planners and I realized how pretty it is. So obviously I had to add it to the list. The quality of the paper is really good and the artwork is really pretty too.
Features:
- Spiral-bound
- A Front & Back Pocket & Bookmark plus 4 pages of stickers
- 12 Postcards (which can be used a decor as well)
- Comes with a Pen (with an attached Stylus)
- Wishlist
- My Year In Polaroids
- Monthly & Weekly Spread
- Monthly Expense & Budget Tracker
- Habit Tracker
- Mid Year Checkup (not a lot of planners have this)
- Travel Planner/Travel To-Do List
Price: Rs 999/-
To buy it you will have to order through their Instagram so linking that for you: CLICK HERE
I am personally gonna use it for my work but it can be used for both personal and work or either. I like that it has everything you will need without being too much. The postcard is the feature no other planner has. Also, the polaroid pictures where you can add in your fav memories.
3. Alicia Souza
If you love art sketches and love everything fancy then this one is made for you. I have used her planner last year for my personal use. The spiral came a little defective but other than that it was of good quality to use. I did find that most of the pages were a waste for me since I don’t need much when it comes to personal use. The best part I loved about the planner was the themed monthly divider, it really motivated me and made me feel nice.
Features:
- Spiral-bound and sturdy
- 11 pages of stickers
- Monthly budget planning
- Goals for the year and goal tracker
- Habit Tracker
- Period Tracker
- Monthly meal plans
- Grocery shopping list
Price: Rs 1699/- (price varies according to discounts)
To buy it from Happy Wagon: CLICK HERE
To buy it from Amazon: CLICK HERE
It may seem a little expensive but the planner comes with a little pocketbook (calendar) which you can carry around with you. Also, this planner can be used for work and personal both since it has enough pages and space for everything. If you like the finer things in life go for this planner. Personally, I would suggest getting this if you are gonna use it for both personal and work otherwise it does seem like a waste. It can’t be just used for work since it has a lot of pages for personal use.
4. Ink Bucket
If too much fancy stuff confuses you and you prefer something that is simple but stylish at the same time then this one is for you. These planners have most of the required pages and more but the layout is minimal so it won’t be overwhelming in any way. Plus it’s pretty to look at thanks to all the artwork. They do have different cover designs you can choose from.
Features:
- Hardbound but sturdy
- Monthly appointment view
- Monthly plans spread
- Weekly and daily view pages, gratitude and reflections page, plans page
- 3 full pages of stickers
- Bookmark ribbon
- Comes with separate pages for notes
Price: Rs 1899/-
To buy it from Happy Wagon: CLICK HERE
The quality of this brand is really good so it’s a good option to invest in. Again can be used for both personal and work or either. I would personally keep this for personal use but it will work really well for work-related stuff. My fav part is the monthly spread.
5. The June Shop
I think this one is more on the affordable side compared to what we get for the price. It is fancy but not too artistic that you can’t enjoy it. Most planners sometimes overdo it and seem waste in the end but this one looks like something you can use thoroughly. The brand does offer different front cover designs. All of them are pretty for sure.
Features:
- Spiral-bound
- Month overview
- Habit tracker for the month
- Make monthly lists
- Monthly meal plan
- Week and day wise planning (every month has 6 weeks included so it’s 72 weeks in total)
- Stickers (6 pages)
- Budget planning for the year
- 20 things I want to do (bucket list)
- Period tracker
- Morning and nighttime ritual sections for every month
Price: Rs 1399/-
To buy it from the website: CLICK HERE
It can be used for both personal and work. I would suggest this one is great for work-related activities even though it has a period tracker (you can always convert it into something you want for work) If there is one planner I definitely want to try is this one, maybe next year.
6. Space Beauty Let’s Goal
This one isn’t your ordinary regular planner. It’s special in terms of being a personal growth planner. If you are someone who needs extra motivation or a big push to do better things for yourself in 2021 then this planner is a good option for you. So this planner has a lot going on for it and it’s divided into the yearly and monthly spread. I’ll specify a few (that stand out for me) under features since there are a lot.
Features:
- Hardbound & compact
- The artwork is very soothing and unique
- Concentrates more on self productivity
- Yearly Spread: Vision board, Bookstagram, Self Care, Make yourself a Priority, Sacred Rituals, Bucket List, Memories, Subscriptions.
- Monthly spread: Goal Tracker, Events, To Do, Ideas, Quotes, Habit Tracker, Sick Day/Period Tracker Expense Tracker, Shopping List, Clean eating, Weight Tracker, Diet Tracker, Exercise Tracker, Water Tracker, Sleep Tracker, Sugar/Junk Tracker, Meal Planner, Movies, Tv Shows.
- Comes with stickers
Price: Rs 1675/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
Bonus it comes with some free goodies like Ultimate Sticker Book, Pop Socket, Bookmarks(2), Ikigai WorkSheets, Postcards, and a Protective Keepsake box. I really like the way they have drawn stacks of books to write the name of the books you have read or want to read. As a book lover, it’s something that makes me happy. It comes in only one cover but it’s pretty and cute. I would suggest this one only for personal use.
7. Maicara Planner
Simple planner but really cute looking. This one also has simple but very beautiful and soothing artwork inside. If you are someone who suffers from anxiety or anxiousness and can’t concentrate on the basic tasks you should check this planner out. I do think it will help even if you end up not using all the pages. Specifying the features that stood out for me.
Features:
- Hardbound and compact
- Different front cover designs to choose from
- Soothing but beautiful artwork
- Fancy designs without being overwhelming
- Has yearly, monthly and weekly spreads.
- Yearly spread: Birthdays / Anniversaries, Bookstagram, Movies / Series, Bucket List, Goal Planner, Medications, Social Stats
- Pages on all about travel, weight & budgets
- Monthly spreads: Schedule, Grocery List, Shopping List, Gratitude, Week Focus, Weekly Chores, Savings Tracker, Exercise Tracker, Water Tracker, Sleep Tracker, To-Do, Appointments
- No stickers though
Price: Rs 999/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
My fav feature from this planner is the memory lane where you can add in polaroid size pictures. I may stop doing it in 3 months since I am lazy but if you love taking pictures and remembering your moments then this is a pretty good planner to go for. This one is more for personal use. Since it concentrates on your self in terms of exercise, habits, meals, and also budget. I also find it affordable in terms of what it offers.
8. Odd Giraffe
If you are looking for a no-fuss but pretty-looking work planner then this is a good option to go for. I used to use Odd Giraffe planners before there were so many options in the market. I liked the simple but cute design and monthly dividers.
Features:
- Hardbound and compact
- 4 pages of stickers
- Monthly view
- Cute compliments.
- Fun weekend to-do’s.
- Doodle sections.
- Color-coded month tabs.
- Lots of notes pages.
Price: Rs 1399/- (depends on the discounts)
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
To buy it from Amazon: CLICK HERE
You can actually use this for both personal and work but I would recommend this as a simple work-related planner. The quality is good for the price and you get nice motivating cover designs to choose from.
9. Paper Design
One of those perfect work planners I would totally recommend to anyone who needs a sturdy, cute but simple planner. If you are someone who gets confused with too many goal pages (like me) then this one is a really good option. It has enough pages for notes and to do’s. Good quality for the price you pay.
Features:
- Hardbound
- Different front cover designs to choose from
- 3 pages of stickers
- Simple with good artwork on monthly dividers
- Monthly spread
- Expenses tracker
- Things to remember
- Page for contacts
Price: Rs 990/- to 1090/- (depends on the design)
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
This planner has all the important pages for it to be a work planner while looking pretty. A brand I definitely recommend checking out.
10. Gifts of love
If you are someone who is fed up with looking at all this and that planners with different spreads. Or if you are someone who is utterly confused with any kind of choices and extra pages about goals and visions then this planner is made for you. Just close your eyes and get it. This one works for both personal and work. Best for quick appointments and reminders. The best part it’s super affordable and can be carried anywhere. The brand also offers a weekly planner in a similar pattern. Check out their note pads too.
Features:
- Small and cute
- Different front cover designs to choose from
- No artwork no spreads to confuse you
- Notes pages after every month
Price: Rs 350/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
11. myPaperClip
If you are a guy and are completely annoyed with all the fancy sticker-related planner choices I have provided then this one is for you. Well, you don’t have to be a guy to like this. If you are the simple but elegant kind then this planner is something you can check out. This one is more of a daily planner instead of being a monthly spread.
Features:
- Simple solid cover made with rounded corners.
- Thread bound
- Comes with a bookmark and an elastic closure
- Has daily pages perfect for the long day of meetings
Price: Rs 995/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
If you are looking to get a planner as a gift for your brother, dad, or husband then this is a good option. They do have some good solid cover colors. It’s perfect for them to carry around without being made fun of for carrying something too fancy.
12. Coveritup
Now I saved best for the last. What makes this a special planner is the theme of these planners. It comes in two themes one is the FRIENDS and the other is HARRY POTTER. Most of you here will be a fan of either or both of these themes. I am a fan of both clearly but in terms of layout and utility and my personal preference is the FRIENDS themed one.
There is a slight difference in terms of the layout of both planners. Design and art are based on the theme you are buying. But overall both themes look amazing and if you don’t mind a bulky but fancy planner you should check these out for sure. Also, these are limited edition so great for gifting purposes too.
Features:
- Spiral-bound
- 4 pages of stickers
- Tear-able Cards
- Daily Planner
- Meal planner
- Habit Tracker
- Checklists
- Lists to write down your favorite albums, songs, Series (my fav part)
Price: Rs 1499/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
For the price, I think it’s a great option to try. It can be used for both personal and work but I would say it will work better as personal. Since it has special pages for personal subjects. My fav is definitely the watchlist (Netflix is an important part of my life). Also, the monthly dividers are so perfect. I guess you can say I am fangirling with these planners.
The HARRY POTTER themed is better for work-related since it has an expense tracker and professional to-do page.
Un-dated 2021 Planners
13. Type7
Some of us work a few months in a year where some days or weeks are busier than the others. Especially in the year 2020 most of our months during lockdown went waste. This planner is perfect for those people who like the daily planning hustle but don’t want to do it consistently. Also perfect for people who work seasonally.
Features:
- Spiral Bound
- Basic Monthly view (these are back to back)
- Travel Planning and Recommendation Page
- Goal Tracking Pages
- Drawing/Doodling Blank Page
- 180 Daily Planning Pages
Price: Rs 650/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
This planner can be used for both personal and work-related appointments. For me, this was perfect for 2020. I used up the monthly view but I have most of the daily pages saved which I can use in 2021. If you like the concept of undated planners you would prefer this a lot more compared to the above-mentioned ones.
14. Capota
Now this planner has everything a fancy dated planner has but it’s undated for the people who prefer more flexibility in their day-to-day planning. In this, you can have all the fancy stickers, beautiful monthly spreads, goals, and list pages while being easily adjustable according to your schedule. They also have different front cover designs you can choose from.
Features:
- Spiral Bound
- Bucket List
- Yearly Goals page
- Important birthdays page
- Monthly plans page, calendar
- Weekly Planner and Tracker spread( 5 weeks per month) & daily view page
- Ruled pages for notes and Grid pages
- 12 colorful monthly illustrations
- 3 sticker sheets
Price: Rs 1299/-
To buy it online: CLICK HERE
If by chance you are an event planner or do something related to events or shows. Or are you in the entertainment sector where you need a lot of pages and space? but need to adjust according to your working season then this planner is perfect for you. It can be used as work and personal both or either depending on your preference.
Other Options:
Also, check out doodlecollection.com They do have some different themed planners according to different uses.
If you are someone who is fed up with the confusing planners or none of them seem to match your taste. Then check out plain notebooks (without lines or un-ruled) The best one I have tried is from Story Sketchers (for simple and pretty notebooks)
I personally always ended up buying PapelJam for my work planner. I really love the simple but elegant design, nothing too fussy. It worked perfectly for my everyday blogging needs. But since this year they did not come out with one I went out to find more brands that do planners.
How to decide which one is meant for personal use?
If the planner has more pages dedicated to personal stuff like meal planner, weight & period trackers then it’s a personal planner. But if the pages are balanced between budget goals and trackers then it can be used as both personal and work planner
What makes a planner perfect for work use?
When it’s simple and not confusing has separate pages and space for extra notes. Also, pages like expenses/budget or professional to-do lists or meetings and appointments pages make it perfect for work use. Daily pages for work calls & emails makes it perfect for managing your appointments well in advance.
Can you use one planner for both work & personal use?
Definitely, as long as there is enough space for your planning which usually depends on your style and work. Personal preferences play a huge role in this. It totally depends on what you personally like doing more and what is the main agenda of the year.
Whenever you are confused about a planner you can check its features in two places.
- Their own website where they usually put up pictures and write down all the features or pages available.
- The Instagram page of the brand is the best place to judge it, usually, someone comments underneath about their experience, or some blogger would have done a post on using it with the help of pictures or video.
This should help you in understanding and deciding which planner is meant for you. Never buy a planner in a haste or just because it looks really pretty. It may not be useful for you in the end. The main job of the planner is to motivate you and make you more productive. If a planner can’t do that then it’s a waste of money.
Hope this helped you in some way. Even if it made you decide you don’t need one I would feel like I did something good, so please share your thoughts underneath. It would make me really happy.💖
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*P.S: As always all opinions are my own and honest.
What worked for me may or may not work for you. A patch test is recommended.