Todoist vs Google Tasks
Todoist offers powerful features and natural language input for $60/year. Google Tasks is free and simple, ideal for Gmail users. Choose based on complexity.
A tie: it depends on what you need
By Ruud CarisDecember 22, 2025
The differences at a glance
| Feature |  Todoist |  Google Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes (max 5 projects) | Completely free |
| Paid plan price | $7/month ($60/year) | None |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web (in Gmail/Calendar) |
| Natural language input | Yes, very advanced | No |
| Gmail integration | Limited (via extensions) | Native, directly convert emails |
| Project management | Advanced (labels, filters, sections) | Basic (lists only) |
| Collaboration | Yes (Team Workspaces, comments) | No (no native sharing feature) |
| Free reminders | No (only in paid plan) | Yes |
| Kanban view | Yes | No |
| Time blocking | Via Outlook integration | Directly in Google Calendar (since Nov 2025) |
| Offline work | Yes | Limited |
| Desktop app | Yes (Mac, Windows, Linux) | No (web only) |
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.3 |
| European company | No | No |
Last checked: January 7, 2026
Prices as listed by the maker, excluding VAT where stated. Always check the maker's site before you buy.
Prices side by side
Todoist
| Plan | Billed monthly | Yearly, per month | Per year | Trial | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeginnerFree | Free | · | Maximum 5 active projects, 5 guests per project, no reminders, 1 week activity history | ||
| ProSubscription | $ 7 | $ 5 | $ 60 | 30 days | |
| BusinessSubscription | $ 10 | $ 8 | $ 96 | 30 days | |
Google Tasks
| Plan | Billed monthly | Yearly, per month | Per year | Trial | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeFree | Free | · | No direct list sharing feature, no native desktop app, limited project management features | ||
Choose Todoist if you
- manage many projects at once and need structure
- find natural language input important for speed
- collaborate with a team on tasks
- use advanced filtering and labels
- want a standalone desktop app
Choose Google Tasks if you
- already use Gmail and Google Calendar intensively
- are looking for a free solution without limitations
- prefer simplicity over complex features
- want to quickly convert emails to tasks
- want to do time blocking directly in your calendar
You want to keep track of your tasks, but which app do you choose? Todoist is popular among productivity enthusiasts. Google Tasks is already in your Gmail. I used both for weeks and I’ll tell you what I encountered.
Todoist in brief
Todoist is a task management app that’s all about speed and structure. You type “tomorrow 2:00 PM dentist” and the app understands exactly what you mean. It works on virtually any device and syncs lightning fast. The app is loved by people who juggle many projects and want to categorize everything with labels and filters. Since December 2025, it has become quite a bit more expensive – the Pro plan went from $ 1 to $ 1 per month.
Google Tasks in brief
Google Tasks is the minimalist sibling in the task management world. It’s hidden in Gmail and Google Calendar, but does exactly what it should do: write down tasks and check them off. You drag an email to your task list and you’re done. No fuss with complicated features. It’s completely free and since November 2025 you can put tasks directly as time blocks in your calendar. Perfect for those who already live in the Google universe.
Todoist vs Google Tasks: the differences
The biggest difference? Todoist is built for people who want to organize their tasks. Google Tasks is for people who just want to write down their tasks.
That natural language input in Todoist is really a killer feature. Type “every Monday 9:00 status update #work @priority1” and the app picks up everything: the recurrence, the time, the label, the priority. With Google Tasks, you have to set all that manually through dropdown menus. Takes more time. Feels less smooth.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Google Tasks has something that Todoist doesn’t have. That direct integration with Gmail and Calendar. Are you in your inbox? One click and that email is a task. No copy-paste, no context switching. And since November 2025, you can drag tasks directly to your calendar as time blocks. That’s time blocking without the hassle. Todoist does have an Outlook integration since June 2025, but it feels less natural.
Project management is where Todoist really shines. You create projects, subprojects, sections within projects. You filter by labels, deadlines, priorities. You see Kanban boards. Google Tasks? You have lists. And more lists. Want complex filtering? Forget it. But honestly, for 80% of people, that’s not necessary at all.
Collaboration is also a different story. Todoist has Team Workspaces where you can share projects, assign tasks, and post comments. Google Tasks has… nothing. No native sharing feature. Want to collaborate? Then you have to go to Google Keep or another tool. That’s just a missed opportunity.
And then the platforms. Todoist runs everywhere: Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web. Google Tasks only has mobile apps and a web version that’s hidden in Gmail and Calendar. No standalone desktop app. Do you work a lot on your computer? Then you have to open your browser every time.
Reminders are also a thing. With Todoist, they’re behind the paywall. In the free plan, you can set deadlines, but you don’t get push notifications. Google Tasks just sends reminders. Free. Although users complain that those notifications are often too subtle.
Pricing compared
Google Tasks is free. Period. No limitations, no paywall, no hidden costs.
Todoist has a free plan, but it’s pretty limited. Maximum 5 projects, no reminders, no labels, no filters. For many people, that’s too tight. Then you have to go to the Pro plan: $ 7 per month or $ 60 per year. That used to be $ 5 per month, but in December 2025 the prices went up. For teams, there’s Business: $ 10 per month or $ 96 per year.
Is that price worth it? Depends. Do you use those filters, labels, reminders, and project management every day? Then yes. Are you a casual user who just wants a shopping list? Then you’re paying for features you’ll never use.
That price increase has caused some unrest, by the way. On Reddit, you regularly see posts from people switching to free alternatives. Google Tasks benefits from that.
Conclusion
Choose Todoist if you need structure and power. If you have many projects, work with teams, or just love that fast natural language input. It’s a professional tool for people who take their productivity seriously. But expect $ 60 per year.
Choose Google Tasks if you want simplicity and are already in the Google ecosystem. If your tasks mostly come from emails and you want to plan them directly in your calendar. It’s free, it works, and it doesn’t get in the way. For most people, that’s enough.
Personally? I use Todoist for work and projects. But for personal tasks and shopping? Google Tasks. Why would I pay for something that can be free?
Frequently asked questions
Can I export my tasks from Todoist to Google Tasks?
Todoist has an export function to CSV format, but Google Tasks has no direct import function. You have to transfer manually or use a third-party tool like Zapier. That makes switching quite difficult.
Which app is better for beginners?
Google Tasks is simpler and less overwhelming for beginners. You don't have to set up anything and it works right away. Todoist has more features, but that can also be distracting if you just want a simple task list.
Does Todoist work offline?
Yes, Todoist works offline on all platforms. You can add and edit tasks without internet. As soon as you're back online, everything syncs automatically. Google Tasks has more limited offline functionality.
Can I collaborate with others in Google Tasks?
No, Google Tasks has no native sharing feature. You can't share lists or assign tasks to others. For collaboration, you need to go to Google Keep or another tool like Todoist.
Is the Todoist price increase worth it?
That depends on your usage. If you use the Pro features like reminders, labels, and unlimited projects daily, then yes. But for casual users, $60 per year is quite pricey, especially with free alternatives like Google Tasks.
Which app has better reminders?
Google Tasks has free reminders, but users often find them too subtle. Todoist has more powerful reminders with location-based options, but only in the paid plan. Neither is perfect.