Your task list is overflowing. Another deadline missed. You know you need a better system, but which to-do app fits your way of working? I’ve worked with Todoist and Microsoft To Do for weeks to make that choice easier for you.
Todoist in brief
Todoist is the veteran among task list apps. It has existed since 2007 and has built up a loyal following of users. Its strength lies in natural language input: type “tomorrow 2:00 PM meeting with Jan” and the app understands exactly what you mean. The interface is clean and works on every platform you can think of, including Linux. It’s built for people who take their productivity seriously and are willing to pay for it.
Microsoft To Do in brief
Microsoft To Do is the successor to Wunderlist and completely free. It integrates seamlessly with Outlook and Teams, making it the logical choice for anyone already in the Microsoft ecosystem. The ‘My Day’ feature helps you focus each morning on what’s really important. It’s simple, clear, and does exactly what it needs to do without any fuss. Perfect for those who don’t need complex project management features.
Todoist vs Microsoft To Do: the differences
You notice the biggest difference within thirty seconds. With Todoist you type “every Monday 9:00 standup” and the task is there. Complete with recurrence and time. With Microsoft To Do you have to click, scroll, select the date, set recurrence. It takes more steps.
That natural language input isn’t just a nice extra. It changes how quickly you can capture tasks. Are you in a meeting and five action items come up? With Todoist you type them in within seconds. Microsoft To Do requires more patience.
But here’s the flip side: Todoist charges quite a bit for that. Since December 2025 you pay $ 7 per month for the Pro subscription. That used to be $ 5. And the free plan? Limited to 5 projects and without reminders. Microsoft To Do gives you everything for free. Unlimited.
Then the integrations. Do you use Outlook for your email? Microsoft To Do automatically picks up flagged emails and converts them into tasks. Do you work in Teams? Your tasks appear there too. That integration isn’t perfect – the synchronization sometimes falters – but it works out of the box. With Todoist you have to set up integrations yourself via Zapier or IFTTT. That gives more flexibility, but also costs more time.
Project management is where the philosophies really differ. Todoist offers labels, filters, priorities and even kanban boards. You can set up a complete GTD system. Microsoft To Do keeps it simple: lists with tasks. Subtasks are possible, but they’re limited. No subtasks of subtasks. No advanced filters.
Microsoft To Do’s ‘My Day’ feature deserves separate attention. Each morning you start with a blank canvas and consciously choose which tasks you want to tackle today. The app suggests tasks based on deadlines, but you decide. It’s a philosophy: focus on today, not on your endless backlog. Todoist doesn’t have this. There you always see everything at once, unless you set up filters yourself.
Platform support? Both apps work on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and web. Todoist adds Linux to that and generally has better widgets. Todoist’s iOS widget lets you add tasks without opening the app. Handy.
And then there’s Ramble, Todoist’s new voice-to-task feature. You just talk to your phone – “I need to walk the dog tomorrow and go to the dentist next Tuesday” – and the app creates two tasks from it. It’s still in beta, but it works surprisingly well. Microsoft To Do has no voice feature.
Prices compared
Microsoft To Do is free. Period. No limitations for personal use. You only need a Microsoft account, and you probably already have one.
Todoist has three tiers:
- Beginner (free): 5 projects, 5 guests per project, no reminders, 1 week activity history
- Pro ($ 7/month or $ 60/year): 300 projects, 25 guests per project, reminders, 12 months history, filters and labels
- Business ($ 10/month or $ 96/year): 500 projects per team member, 50 guests, team features and admin rights
That price increase from December 2025 surprised many users. From $ 5 to $ 7 per month feels significant. Especially since the free plan is so limited. No reminders in a task list app? That’s painful.
Honestly? If you already have a Microsoft 365 subscription for work, the choice is simple. Microsoft To Do is included. Why would you pay extra for Todoist then? Unless that natural language input and advanced features are worth $ 84 per year to you.
For teams it gets more interesting. Todoist Business costs $ 10 per user per month. Microsoft To Do is free, but lacks team features. Do you really want to collaborate on projects? Then you actually need Microsoft Planner, and that requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription.
Conclusion
Choose Microsoft To Do if you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem, don’t want to spend money, and are looking for a simple task list that just works. The ‘My Day’ feature is fantastic for daily focus. The Outlook integration is worth its weight in gold if you work a lot with email.
Choose Todoist if you’re a power user who wants to build a flexible productivity system. That natural language input is addictively fast. The filters and labels give you control. And Ramble is a game-changer for capturing thoughts on the go. But be prepared to pay.
My personal preference? Todoist, because that speed and flexibility really saves me time. But that price increase bothers me. I wish Todoist had a fairer free plan with at least reminders. Then the choice would have been easier.
