If you’re evaluating Microsoft To Do for task management software, the three strongest independent alternatives in our editorial ranking are Todoist, TickTick, Things 3. Each has a different best-fit buyer — the right choice depends on team size and workflow, not on which has the loudest review-site presence.
Why Microsoft To Do sometimes isn’t the right pick: Buyers needing rich integrations, calendar-first time-blocking, or a serious power-user feature set. See full “worst for” verdict →
9 Microsoft To Do alternatives
| Rank | Product | Best for | Target size | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Todoist | Individuals and 2-10 person teams needing a reliable cross-platform inbox with strong integrations and a long-term-stable vendor. | 1–50 | ● Transparent |
| #2 | TickTick | Individuals wanting calendar + tasks + habits + Pomodoro bundled in one app at a low subscription. | 1–25 | ● Transparent |
| #3 | Things 3 | Solo knowledge workers fully inside the Apple ecosystem who want craft over features and prefer paying once. | 1 | ● Transparent |
| #5 | Google Tasks | Google Workspace and Gmail users who need a minimal task list embedded in email and calendar at no cost. | 1–10,000+ | ● Transparent |
| #6 | Sunsama | Knowledge workers and consultants who want every task time-blocked on the calendar and willing to invest a daily planning ritual. | 1 | ● Transparent |
| #7 | Akiflow | Power-user knowledge workers who want one keyboard-driven daily plan that unifies tasks from many work tools. | 1–25 | ● Transparent |
| #8 | Any.do | Mobile-first individuals and families wanting shared lists, voice input, and calendar reminders in one app. | 1–25 | ● Transparent |
| #9 | Amazing Marvin | Productivity-methodology devotees who want to customize GTD, time-blocking, or kanban workflows down to fine detail. | 1 | ● Transparent |
| #10 | TaskPaper | Developers, writers, and plain-text loyalists on macOS who value owning their data in a flat readable file. | 1 | ● Transparent |
Which alternative for which buyer
Todoist
The cross-platform default for personal task management.
Individuals and 2-10 person teams needing a reliable cross-platform inbox with strong integrations and a long-term-stable vendor.
Apple-only loyalists wanting one-time purchase (Things), calendar-first time-blockers (Sunsama), or users who want everything bundled at lower price (TickTick).
TickTick
Most features per dollar; cross-platform with calendar bundled.
Individuals wanting calendar + tasks + habits + Pomodoro bundled in one app at a low subscription.
DSGVO-strict EU buyers, defense/government adjacent users, or teams needing fast vendor support and Western-jurisdiction data residency.
Things 3
Best-in-class Apple-only task app, one-time purchase.
Solo knowledge workers fully inside the Apple ecosystem who want craft over features and prefer paying once.
Anyone using Android or Windows, teams needing collaboration, or buyers worried about platform lock-in and limited data export.
Google Tasks
Free with Google Workspace; embedded in Gmail and Calendar.
Google Workspace and Gmail users who need a minimal task list embedded in email and calendar at no cost.
Anyone needing projects, labels, priorities, integrations, or a power-user feature set.
Sunsama
Calendar-first daily planner for intentional knowledge work.
Knowledge workers and consultants who want every task time-blocked on the calendar and willing to invest a daily planning ritual.
Users who want a simple list inbox, anyone on a tight budget, or teams needing collaboration features.
Akiflow
Keyboard-driven daily plan that unifies tasks across many sources.
Power-user knowledge workers who want one keyboard-driven daily plan that unifies tasks from many work tools.
Casual list users, anyone on a tight budget, or buyers who prefer touch/mobile-first UX.
Related editorial
Last updated 2026-05-23. Rankings reflect editorial judgment based on the published Top 10 Task Management Software for 2026. We accept no vendor payments. Found something inaccurate? Tell us.