Todoist suits people who want a clean, fast task list built around projects and natural-language task entry. TickTick suits people who want their to-do list, calendar views, habit tracker and a Pomodoro focus timer in one app. Choose Todoist for focus on tasks, TickTick for an all-in-one planner.
Both are excellent to-do apps with free plans and apps on every device. The difference is in how much else each app tries to do around your task list.
What each app puts front and centre
Todoist's plans page lists a free Beginner plan for organising your life, which includes 5 personal projects. TickTick's features page lists a habit tracker, a Pomodoro timer, an Eisenhower Matrix and countdowns, alongside yearly, monthly, weekly, daily and agenda calendar views. So one app keeps you focused on the list, while the other builds a whole planning system around it.
Side by side
| Area | Todoist | TickTick |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Beginner plan with 5 personal projects | Free plan, with premium features on upgrade |
| Calendar | Task list first, with due dates | Yearly, monthly, weekly, daily and agenda views |
| Focus tools | Task-first design | Built-in Pomodoro timer |
| Habits | Recurring tasks | Dedicated habit tracker |
| Best fit | Task-focused users and teams | People who want an all-in-one planner |
The free plan limit worth checking
Here's the limit that often decides it. The 5 personal projects on Todoist's free Beginner plan are plenty for one person who uses projects like big folders, such as Work, Home and Side business, but tight if you create a project for every client. Before you commit, count how many projects you'd need. If it's more than five and you want to stay free, use labels or sections inside fewer projects, or try the app that leans on lists and calendar views instead.
Which suits which person
- Freelancers with many clients: check project limits and filters first.
- People who time-block: calendar views and a focus timer help a lot.
- Habit builders: a dedicated habit tracker keeps routines separate from tasks.
- Small teams: compare shared projects and comments on each.
A one-week test
- Add every task from your head into one app on Monday.
- Plan each day in the morning for five minutes.
- Use the app's quick-add on your phone whenever something comes up.
- Review what you finished on Friday.
- Repeat with the other app the next week and keep the one you opened without thinking.
The habit matters more than the app
Any to-do app works if you review it daily and fails if you don't. If your list never shrinks, my list of tasks you should be outsourcing is a reminder that priorities beat tools, and my piece on why founders are choosing slow travel shows how planning can make room for rest.
Capturing tasks quickly
The best to-do app is the one that catches a task before you forget it. Both apps have quick-add on phone and desktop, and both understand dates typed in plain language, such as tomorrow at 3pm. Try adding five tasks while walking around or between meetings, and notice which app gets them in with fewer taps. Speed of capture matters more than any feature on the comparison chart.
Widgets and keyboard shortcuts help too. If you live on a laptop, learn the shortcut for quick-add in your chosen app on day one.
Planning your week
- Do a weekly review: clear your inbox of tasks and check every project.
- Pick three priorities for the week.
- Give each day a short list, not everything at once.
- Move anything that won't happen to a later date honestly.
- Celebrate what you finished, not just what's left.
If you work with a calendar-first approach, block time for your three priorities before meetings fill the week.
When a to-do app isn't enough
If you're managing client projects with several people, files and approvals, a to-do app can start to creak. That's the point to look at a project management tool, and keep your personal to-do app for your own tasks.
Using a to-do app with a team
Personal to-do apps can handle a bit of sharing, such as a shopping list with a partner or a small project with a colleague. Once tasks need owners, deadlines and comments across a team, check each app's sharing features carefully, or move team work into a dedicated project tool. Keep your personal list personal, and you'll trust it more.
My verdict
If you want a fast, focused list that stays out of your way, I'd start with the task-first app. If you love seeing your day on a calendar and want habits and focus sessions in the same place, the all-in-one planner is the better fit. Try each for a week with your real tasks, then commit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Todoist free?
Todoist's plans page lists a free Beginner plan, which includes 5 personal projects.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Does TickTick have a Pomodoro timer?
Yes. TickTick's features page lists a Pomodoro timer, habit tracker and Eisenhower Matrix.
Which is better for calendar planning?
TickTick's features page lists yearly, monthly, weekly, daily and agenda calendar views.
Can I use either app with a team?
Both offer shared lists or projects. Compare collaboration features on each plan.
What if I need more than five projects on Todoist's free plan?
Use sections or labels inside fewer projects, or consider an upgrade or a different app.
How do I choose between them?
Test each for a week with your real tasks and keep the one you open without thinking.
Can I add tasks in plain language?
Both apps let you type dates naturally, such as tomorrow at 3pm, when adding a task.
When should I use a project tool instead?
When several people, files and approvals are involved, a project management tool usually works better than a personal to-do app.
Which app has the better phone widget?
Both offer widgets and quick-add on phones. Try each on your own phone and keep the one that gets tasks in fastest.
Can I share lists with my partner or a colleague?
Both apps support some sharing. For bigger team projects, a dedicated project management tool usually works better.
