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Todoist logo
Todoist
Reliable task manager
Try Todoist ↗
vs
Ticktick logo
TickTick
Tasks + habits + timer
Try TickTick ↗

Todoist vs TickTick: which task manager wins in 2026?

Both are cross-platform task managers with solid free tiers — but Todoist is the cleaner, simpler pick and TickTick packs far more features for the same price.

Rae Mercer, Editor, ChooseMyStackWritten and scored by Rae MercerUpdated September 2026Independent · no paid placement · how we score
Todoist logo
Choose Todoist
Free · Pro $5/mo

The safest all-rounder — works identically on every platform, has a genuinely useful free plan, and Pro is only $5/mo. Perfect if you want one app that just works.

Try Todoist free ↗
Ticktick logo
Choose TickTick
Free · $36/yr

If you want tasks, habits, a Pomodoro timer and a calendar all in one cheap subscription, TickTick packs more features per dollar than anything else in this category.

Try TickTick free ↗

How they score

Simplicity9.47.8
Feature depth7.69.2
Cross-platform9.59.3
Design quality9.07.5
Free tier value8.58.8
Value for money8.89.4

Feature by feature

FeatureTodoist logoTodoistTicktick logoTickTick
Best forClean, reliable task listsFeature-packed personal system
Natural languageYes — excellent NLP inputYes — good NLP input
Habit trackingNoYes — built-in
Pomodoro timerNoYes — built-in
Calendar viewPro onlyYes, even on free
Kanban boardYesYes
CollaborationYes — shared projectsYes — shared lists
Free plan projectsUp to 5 active projectsUp to 9 lists
DesignClean, minimal, polishedBusier, more information-dense
Shaded cell marks the stronger pick for that feature

Pricing side by side

Todoist logoTodoist
Free
5 projects, 30 tasks each
Free
Pro
Billed yearly
$5/mo
Business
Per user, yearly
$8/mo
Ticktick logoTickTick
Free
9 lists, 99 tasks each
Free
Premium
Billed yearly
$3/mo
Team
Per user, yearly
$4.5/mo

Strengths & trade-offs

Todoist logoTodoist
Strengths
＋Cleanest, most polished interface
＋Identical experience across all 15+ apps
＋Natural language input reads 'every Friday 5pm'
＋Better team collaboration tools
Trade-offs
−Calendar view is Pro-only
−No built-in habits or timer
−Fewer features per dollar than TickTick
Ticktick logoTickTick
Strengths
＋Tasks, habits, Pomodoro and calendar in one
＋Cheapest fully-featured plan on the market
＋Calendar and board views available on free tier
＋Excellent custom smart lists
Trade-offs
−Interface feels denser and busier
−Can lag on large lists
−Collaboration less refined than Todoist
The verdict

Both are excellent — it's simplicity and reliability versus features-per-dollar.

Todoist logoTodoist

Choose Todoist for a clean, dependable task manager that syncs flawlessly everywhere and stays out of your way — the safe pick for pure task management.

Ticktick logoTickTick

Choose TickTick if you want habits, a Pomodoro timer and a calendar view bundled in — three apps' worth of features for the price of one, around $3/mo.

Pro tip — Only want tasks done reliably? Todoist. Want your habits, focus timer and calendar in the same app? TickTick's bundle is unbeatable value.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Todoist or TickTick better?

Todoist is better if you want a clean, reliable task manager that works identically everywhere and stays out of your way. TickTick is better if you want tasks plus habits, a Pomodoro timer and a calendar in one affordable app. Both have genuinely useful free plans.

Is Todoist or TickTick cheaper?

TickTick is around $36/year and packs more built-in features; Todoist Pro is about $5/month (roughly $48/year). Both free plans are strong, so many people never need to upgrade — TickTick edges it on features per dollar.

Does Todoist or TickTick have a calendar?

Both do. TickTick includes a built-in calendar view and Pomodoro timer, while Todoist offers a calendar layout and syncs cleanly with Google Calendar. If a built-in calendar and timer matter, TickTick has the edge out of the box.

Which has the better free plan?

Both are among the best free task managers. TickTick's free tier includes more extras like habits and basic timer features, while Todoist's free plan is simpler but extremely reliable across every platform. Try both and see which fits your workflow.

What is the best Todoist or TickTick alternative?

Things 3 for Apple users who want elegance, Microsoft To Do for a completely free option, or Akiflow and Sunsama if you want time blocking and daily planning on top of a task list.