an honest list · checked September 2026
The best Todoist alternatives.
Todoist is one of the best to-do apps ever made: fast, on every device, with brilliant filters. If it works for you, keep it. But people leave for real reasons, and there are good apps for each one.
Full disclosure: we make one of the apps below (Nuffo). We’ll say which, and we’ll say when something else is the better pick.
Why people look for a Todoist alternative.
- The free plan got tight. Five personal projects, and some features only on Pro.
- It got pricier. Pro went from $4 to $5 a month (yearly) and from $5 to $7 (monthly) in December 2025.
- The list never ends. Todoist is great at holding everything, which can mean 200 tasks and no idea where to start.
- Karma can nag. Streaks and points motivate some people and quietly guilt others.
The quick pick.
| app | best for | free plan |
|---|---|---|
| TickTick | a cheaper all-in-one with habits and a focus timer | yes. 9 lists, 99 tasks each |
| Things 3 | Apple users who love great design | no. free trial on Mac |
| Microsoft To Do | free and simple, especially with Outlook | yes. free |
| Nuffoours | fewer things, not more features | yes. everything, while we're young |
| Any.do | families and shared lists | yes. tasks, reminders, daily planner |
| Notion | people who enjoy building their own system | yes. unlimited pages, AI as a trial |
| Pen & paper | anyone who wants zero setup | yes. cost of a pen |
The alternatives.
- 1
TickTick
best for a cheaper all-in-one with habits and a focus timer
A to-do list with a whole toolbox attached: calendar, Pomodoro timer, habit tracker, Eisenhower matrix.
- better than Todoist
- Pomodoro timer, habit tracker, calendar and Eisenhower matrix built in, for less money.
- the catch
- So many features that it can become its own distraction.
- price
- yes. ~$36–50/yr (often discounted)
- runs on
- yes. iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Watch
- 2
Things 3
best for Apple users who love great design
The most beautiful to-do app on Apple devices. Two Apple Design Awards. Paid once, no subscription.
- better than Todoist
- Beautiful, calm, and paid once. No subscription at all.
- the catch
- Apple devices only, and no sharing.
- price
- yes. one-time: Mac $49.99, iPhone $9.99, iPad $19.99
- runs on
- partly. Apple devices only
- 3
Microsoft To Do
best for free and simple, especially with Outlook
Free, simple lists that fit right into Outlook and Microsoft 365. My Day gives you a fresh start every morning.
- better than Todoist
- Completely free, with a My Day list that starts fresh every morning.
- the catch
- Microsoft's new work goes into Planner and Copilot, so To Do moves slowly.
- price
- no. none
- runs on
- yes. Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- 4
Nuffowe make this one
best for fewer things, not more features
A to-do list that keeps you to three things a day. Dump anything; it sorts it.
- better than Todoist
- Caps today at three things and your projects at three. AI sorts your brain dump; new ideas wait a week. No streaks.
- the catch
- No native apps yet (web app), no repeating tasks, no shared lists.
- price
- partly. Pro planned at $9/mo or $72/yr, not on sale yet
- runs on
- no. installable web app; iOS app planned
- 5
Any.do
best for families and shared lists
Tasks, calendar and a daily planner in one app, with family sharing and reminders on WhatsApp.
- better than Todoist
- Family plans, WhatsApp reminders, tasks and calendar together.
- the catch
- Repeating tasks are on Premium only.
- price
- yes. Premium $4.99/mo yearly, $7.99 monthly
- runs on
- yes. iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Watch
- 6
Notion
best for people who enjoy building their own system
A blank canvas for docs, wikis and databases. You can build any to-do system you can imagine.
- better than Todoist
- Tasks next to your docs and notes, as flexible as you like.
- the catch
- You have to build the system, and maintain it.
- price
- yes. Plus $8/seat yearly, $10 monthly
- runs on
- yes. iOS, Android, Mac, Windows
- 7
Pen & paper
best for anyone who wants zero setup
The Ivy Lee method, from 1918: each evening write down six things for tomorrow, do them in order. Still brilliant.
- better than Todoist
- Free, private, offline. The Ivy Lee method has worked since 1918.
- the catch
- No reminders, no sync, easy to lose.
- price
- no.
- runs on
- no.
How to choose.
- Want a cheaper all-in-one with habits and a focus timer? Try TickTick.
- Want Apple users who love great design? Try Things 3.
- Want free and simple, especially with Outlook? Try Microsoft To Do.
- Want fewer things, not more features? Try Nuffo.
- Want families and shared lists? Try Any.do.
- Want people who enjoy building their own system? Try Notion.
- Want anyone who wants zero setup? Try Pen & paper.
Still not sure? Most of these have a free plan or trial. Use one for a week with your real list. The right app is the one you still open on day eight.
Switching from Todoist
Todoist exports projects as CSV from each project's menu. For a quick start anywhere, you can also just copy a chunk of tasks and paste it: in Nuffo, paste up to 40 things into the dump and it splits and sorts them.
Quick answers
What is the best free Todoist alternative?
Microsoft To Do if you want a free, full-featured list, especially with Outlook. TickTick if a generous free plan with habits and a timer appeals. Nuffo if you want something that keeps you to three things a day. Pen and paper, honestly, for zero setup.
Is TickTick better than Todoist?
Different, not better. TickTick packs in more tools (timer, habits, calendar views) for less money. Todoist is more polished, with better filters, integrations and an official MCP server for AI assistants.
What's a Todoist alternative for people who feel overwhelmed?
Look for an app that shows you less, not more: a daily limit, a clear 'today' and a place for someday things. That's the idea behind Nuffo (three things a day) and Microsoft To Do's My Day.
Three things. Then go live.
If the problem isn't your app but how much is on your list, try Nuffo: dump everything, it sorts it, and you do three things a day. Free.
Try nuffo free
