Comparison · Personal Task Managers

Notion vs Todoist vs Microsoft To Do: Which task app is right for you?

We tested three popular task apps on real to-do lists. And here's the honest breakdown.

Notion
vs
Todoist
vs
MS To Do
Quick verdictAt a glanceFull comparisonPricingWhich to choose

Quick verdict

Notion is the pick if you want tasks alongside docs, wikis, and databases in one flexible workspace. Todoist wins as a dedicated, cross-platform task manager with the best quick capture. Microsoft To Do is the best free, simple task app for people who live in Outlook and Microsoft 365. All three handle personal tasks well, so the real choice is whether you want a flexible workspace, a focused task manager, or a free Microsoft-native app.
Notion is best for people who want tasks next to notes, wikis, and databases.
Todoist is best for people who want a fast, dedicated cross-platform task manager.
Microsoft To Do is best for Microsoft users who want a completely free, simple task app.
How we compared them
We ran all three on the same real to-do lists across phone and desktop, then scored them on task capture, notes and flexibility, Microsoft 365 integration, ease of use, free value, and pricing. Pricing and free-plan limits were checked on each vendor's site in June 2026. We are not affiliated with any of them. Want the wider field first? See our guide to the best task management software.

Notion vs Todoist vs Microsoft To Do at a glance

NotionTodoistMicrosoft To Do
Best forTasks + notes + databases in oneDedicated cross-platform task managerFree, simple tasks for Microsoft users
Standout strengthFlexible workspace, docs + databasesNatural language + 90+ integrationsCompletely free + Outlook integration
Starting priceFree; Plus ~$10/seat/moFree; Pro ~$4/moCompletely free, no paid plan
Free planGenerous free for individualsFree, 5 projectsFully free, no limits
Key integrations100+90+ incl. quick-capture toolsMicrosoft 365 (Outlook, Planner)
Ease of useFlexible but setup-heavySimple and fastSimplest, instant
Our rating4.7 / 54.4 / 54.4 / 5

What are Notion, Todoist, and Microsoft To Do?

Notion

Notion is a flexible all-in-one workspace that combines docs, wikis, and databases with tasks. It is unmatched for building your own system, where notes, knowledge, and to-do lists live together, and it adds Notion AI for writing and automation on paid plans.

Todoist

Todoist is a cross-platform personal task manager known for fast, natural-language capture and a clean, reliable experience on every device. It pairs projects, labels, and filters with 90+ integrations and light sharing, making it a longtime favorite for getting things done.

Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To Do is a free, simple task app that comes with Microsoft 365. It offers lists, steps, reminders, and a daily My Day planner, and it integrates with Outlook tasks and flagged emails, making it a natural fit for anyone already in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Feature-by-feature comparison

Here is how the three stack up on the things that decide most personal setups. The winner in each row is shown in purple.
NotionTodoistMicrosoft To Do
Notes & docs alongside tasksDocs, wikis, and databases with tasksNotes inside tasks onlyNotes inside tasks only
Task capture & structureDatabase-driven, flexibleBest natural language, projects, filtersSimple lists, steps, My Day
Microsoft 365 & Outlook fitVia integrationsVia integrationsNative Outlook and Microsoft 365
Flexibility & customizationBuild any workspace; relational databasesFocused on tasksMinimal, by design
Quick personal to-do listsMore than you need for a listFast, frictionless personal listsFast and free, but basic

Pricing & value for your team

Microsoft To Do is completely free with no paid plan and comes with Microsoft 365. Todoist and Notion are freemium, with free plans and paid tiers for power features. Notion's free plan is generous for individuals but limited for teams. Prices change often, so confirm on each vendor's site before you subscribe.
PlanNotionTodoistMicrosoft To Do
FreeFree for individuals; limited for teamsFree, 5 personal projectsCompletely free, no limits
Pro / MidPlus ~$10/seat/mo (annual)Pro ~$4/mo (annual)Free (no paid plan)
Business / TopBusiness ~$20/seat/moBusiness ~$6/user/moIncluded with Microsoft 365
Value verdictBest for tasks + notes in oneBest dedicated task managerBest free task app for Microsoft users

Pros & cons

Notion

Combines docs, wikis, and databases with tasks

Endlessly flexible workspace

Notion AI for writing and automation

Heavier than a dedicated task app

Setup-heavy; teams need a paid plan

Todoist

Best natural-language capture

Works everywhere with 90+ integrations

Projects, labels, and filters

Power features need a subscription

Free plan capped at 5 projects

Microsoft To Do

Completely free, no paid plan

Deep Outlook and Microsoft 365 integration

Simple My Day planning

Basic; limited projects and labels

Weaker outside the Microsoft ecosystem

Which should you choose?

Choose Notion if…

  • You want tasks alongside docs, wikis, and databases.
  • You value a flexible workspace.
  • You want to build your own system.

Choose Todoist if…

  • You want a dedicated, cross-platform task manager.
  • You want fast natural-language capture.
  • You want integrations and projects.

Choose Microsoft To Do if…

  • You want a completely free, simple task app.
  • You live in Outlook and Microsoft 365.
  • You want easy daily planning with My Day.

Can you use all of them together?

Some people do use Notion for notes and projects and a lightweight app like Todoist or Microsoft To Do for daily tasks. But if you want a single tool, pick by priority: notes plus tasks with Notion, a dedicated task manager with Todoist, or free and simple in Microsoft with To Do. Notion wins for combining tasks with docs and databases in one workspace; Todoist wins as a dedicated, cross-platform task manager with the best capture; Microsoft To Do wins as a completely free, simple task app for the Microsoft ecosystem. All three handle personal tasks well. The real difference is whether you want a flexible workspace, a focused task manager, or a free Microsoft-native app.

If none fits, are there are other options available?

TickTick Tasks, calendar, and habits in one affordable app. See the comparison →
Things 3 An elegant, Apple-only task app. See the comparison →
ClickUp An all-in-one work platform for teams. See the comparison →

Frequently asked questions

Notion vs Todoist vs Microsoft To Do: which is best? ⌄
It depends on your needs. Notion is best for combining tasks with docs and databases; Todoist is best as a dedicated cross-platform task manager; Microsoft To Do is best as a free, simple task app for Microsoft users. For notes plus tasks, Notion; for a focused task manager, Todoist; for free and simple in Microsoft, To Do.
Is Notion good for to-do lists? ⌄
Notion can run to-do lists through checkboxes, databases, and boards, and it shines when you want tasks next to notes and wikis. But it is heavier than a dedicated task app. For quick daily lists, Todoist or Microsoft To Do is faster and simpler.
Is Microsoft To Do really free? ⌄
Yes. Microsoft To Do is completely free with no paid plan, and it comes with Microsoft 365. It integrates with Outlook tasks and flagged emails, which makes it ideal for people already in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Is Todoist better than Microsoft To Do? ⌄
Todoist is more powerful, with natural-language capture, projects, labels, filters, and 90+ integrations across every platform. Microsoft To Do is simpler and completely free, with deep Outlook integration. For a serious task manager, Todoist; for free and simple, Microsoft To Do.
Which is cheapest? ⌄
Microsoft To Do, which is completely free with no paid plan. Todoist has a free plan and Pro at about $4 per month, while Notion is free for individuals with paid team plans from about $10 per seat.

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