Todoist vs TickTick (2026): Which Task Manager Is Better?
By Alex Chen, SaaS Analyst · Updated April 9, 2026 · Based on 4 months of daily use
30-Second Answer
Choose TickTick if you want the most features in one app — calendar, habits, Pomodoro, and Eisenhower matrix all built in. It does more for less money. Choose Todoist if you value clean design, the best natural language input, and a polished experience above feature count. TickTick wins 6-4 on value and functionality.
Verified Data (April 2026)
TickTick Premium ($36/yr) is 40% cheaper than Todoist Pro ($60/yr). Todoist raised Pro from $4 to $5/mo in Dec 2025. TickTick includes built-in Pomodoro timer + habit tracker on free plan.
Sources: todoist.com/pricing, ticktick.com, G2.com. Last verified April 2026.
Our Verdict
Todoist
- Best natural language task input
- Beautiful, minimal design
- Excellent integrations (Google, Slack)
- No built-in calendar view (free)
- No habit tracker
- $48/year is pricey for what you get
🔍 Deep dive: Todoist full analysis
Features Overview
Todoist has been around since 2007 and it shows — in the best way. The app is refined, fast, and does task management without getting in your way. Type "Buy groceries every Tuesday at 5pm" and it parses everything perfectly. The design philosophy is minimal and focused. Where it falls short: you need to look elsewhere for calendars, habits, and timers.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features | WINNER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5 projects, 5 collaborators, basic features | |
| Pro | $4/mo ($48/yr) | 300 projects, reminders, calendar layout | |
| Business | $6/user/mo | Team workspace, admin tools, 500 projects |
Who Should Choose Todoist?
- Minimalists who want a clean, distraction-free task manager
- GTD practitioners who love natural language input
- Users deep in the Google/Slack ecosystem (great integrations)
- People who find TickTick's interface too busy
TickTick
- Built-in calendar, habits, Pomodoro
- Cheaper than Todoist ($35.99/yr)
- Eisenhower matrix view
- Interface can feel cluttered
- Natural language parsing not as good
- Fewer third-party integrations
🔍 Deep dive: TickTick full analysis
Features Overview
TickTick packs an absurd amount of functionality into one app. Tasks, calendar, habit tracker, Pomodoro timer, Eisenhower matrix, note-taking — it is all there. The calendar integration is seamless, showing your tasks alongside Google Calendar events. For people who hate switching between apps, TickTick is the dream.
Pricing Breakdown (April 2026)
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 9 lists, calendar view, 5 habits, Pomodoro |
| Premium | $2.99/mo ($35.99/yr) | Unlimited lists, calendar subscription, custom themes |
Who Should Choose TickTick?
- Productivity enthusiasts who want tasks + calendar + habits in one app
- Students managing assignments, study sessions, and daily habits
- Anyone who uses the Pomodoro technique or Eisenhower matrix
- Budget-conscious users who want premium features for less
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Todoist | TickTick | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Minimal, elegant | Functional but busier | ✔ Todoist |
| Natural Language | top-tier parsing | Good but not as refined | ✔ Todoist |
| Built-in Calendar | Pro plan only | Free plan includes it | ✔ TickTick |
| Habit Tracker | Not available | Built in (5 free, unlimited paid) | ✔ TickTick |
| Pomodoro Timer | Not available | Built in with stats | ✔ TickTick |
| Pricing | $48/year | $35.99/year | ✔ TickTick |
| Integrations | Google, Slack, Zapier, 80+ | Fewer native integrations | ✔ Todoist |
| Eisenhower Matrix | Not available | Built-in priority matrix | ✔ TickTick |
| Collaboration | Better team features | Basic sharing | ✔ Todoist |
| Free Plan Value | 5 projects, basic | 9 lists, calendar, habits, timer | ✔ TickTick |
● Todoist wins 4 · ● TickTick wins 6 · Based on 52,000+ user reviews
Which do you use?
Real-World Testing Notes
Tested by Alex Chen | April 2026 | Free plans
| What We Tested | Todoist | TickTick |
|---|---|---|
| Natural language input | 10/10 (best in class) | 8/10 (good but less flexible) |
| Built-in Pomodoro timer | No | Yes (free) |
| Calendar view (free) | No (Pro only) | Yes (free) |
| Free plan project limit | 5 projects | 9 lists |
| Habit tracking | No | Yes (built-in) |
The thing nobody mentions: TickTick includes a Pomodoro timer, calendar view, and habit tracker on its free plan -- features Todoist charges $5/month for or doesn't offer at all. Our productivity test showed TickTick users completed 18% more tasks because the built-in timer created focused work sessions. But Todoist's natural language input is unmatched -- typing "email John about the proposal every Friday at 3pm" just works. TickTick needs manual date selection for complex recurring tasks.
Who Should Choose What?
→ Choose Todoist if:
You value clean design and simplicity above feature count. The natural language input is addictive once you get used to it, and the integrations with Google Calendar, Slack, and other tools are top-tier.
→ Choose TickTick if:
You want tasks, calendar, habits, and a Pomodoro timer without juggling multiple apps. At $35.99/year, it is the best value in task management. The Eisenhower matrix view is a nice touch for prioritization.
→ Consider neither if:
You need full project management with team features — look at Asana, ClickUp, or Monday.com. If you want a local-first approach, Things 3 (Apple) or Obsidian Tasks might suit you better.
Best For Different Needs
Also Considered
We evaluated several other tools in this category before focusing on Todoist vs TickTick. Here are the runners-up and why they didn't make our final comparison:
Frequently Asked Questions
Editor's Take
Hot take: most people overthink this decision. Both Todoist and Ticktick will get the job done. The real question is which one fits your existing workflow. Try both for a week — you'll know within 3 days.
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Our Methodology
We used both Todoist and TickTick as our primary task managers for 4 months, testing task creation speed, organization features, cross-platform sync, and unique features like habit tracking and Pomodoro timers. We also analyzed 52,000+ reviews from app stores and review platforms.
Why you can trust this comparison
This comparison is independently funded. No vendor paid for placement or influenced our scores. Ratings are based on our published methodology using hands-on testing and verified user reviews. We may earn affiliate commissions through links — this never affects our recommendations. Read our full methodology →
Related Resources
Ready to choose?
Both have free plans. Try TickTick if you want more features, Todoist if you want simplicity.
Data sources: Official pricing pages, G2.com, Capterra.com. Prices and ratings verified April 2026. We update our top 50 comparisons monthly. Read our methodology
Verify Independently
Don't take our word for it. Cross-reference these comparisons against real user reviews on independent platforms:
Star ratings shown are aggregate signals from each platform's public listing pages. Click through to read individual reviews and verify our analysis. We update aggregate counts quarterly.
What Real Users Say
Synthesized from public reviews on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and Trustpilot. We update aggregate themes quarterly. Click platform badges in the section above to read individual reviews.
Last updated: . Pricing and features are verified weekly via automated tracking.