To-do and planner apps for Mac and iPhoneHead to head

Todoist vs TickTick

Todoist ranks #2 and TickTick ranks #3 in our guide to the best to-do and planner apps for Mac and iPhone. Todoist is the better pick for most people, and TickTick is the best free option.

The Useful TechResearched and written with AI under our rulesUpdated 14 Oct 2026

Better for most peopleTodoist app iconTodoistPick Todoist if you want to add tasks as plain sentences and have dates and repeats filled in for you.Free to startBest freeTickTick app iconTickTickPick TickTick if you want tasks, habits and a focus timer for free, including on Android and the web.Free to start

What decides it

  • TickTick costs less over 3 years: $149.97, against $179.97 for Todoist.
  • Both run on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
  • TickTick has the higher App Store rating: 4.9 from 47K ratings, against 4.8 for Todoist.

Side by side

Prices are checked every day.

At a glanceTodoist app iconTodoistTickTick app iconTickTick
PriceFree for 5 projects. Pro is $6.99 a month or $59.99 a year in the App StoreFree. Premium is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year
How you payFree, with paid upgradesFree, with paid upgrades
3 years of use$179.97 Yearly plan$149.97 Yearly plan Cheaper
Free trialFree to startFree to start
Runs onMac, iPhone, iPad, Apple WatchMac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Where to buyApp Store, DeveloperApp Store, Developer
Rating4.8 130K ratings4.9 47K ratings Higher
FeaturesWidgets, Free trialWidgets
Made byTodoist Inc.Appest Limited
Last updated31 Oct 202630 Oct 2026

Who should get which

Get Todoist if

You juggle work and personal tasks and want to add them as fast as you can type a sentence.

Get TickTick if

You want tasks, habits and a focus timer in 1 app that also works on Android and the web.

Skip Todoist if

You keep a short daily list, and Apple Reminders is free and already syncs everywhere.

Skip TickTick if

You need a shopping list and a few reminders at most, and Apple Reminders does that free.

Our verdicts

Todoist app iconTodoist

Things charges $49.99 for its Mac app alone, while Todoist's free plan covers 5 projects on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Type "Submit report every Friday at 4pm #Work" and it files a dated, repeating task in the right project, or talk through your list with Ramble and let it sort things. Past 5 projects or for full history you need Pro at $59.99 a year.

TickTick app iconTickTick

Free for 9 lists of 99 tasks each, TickTick puts a to-do list, a habit tracker, and a Pomodoro timer in 1 app on iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, Android and the web. Type tasks in plain English, like "call mom Friday 6pm", and it sets the date and reminder. Full calendar and timeline views need Premium at $49.99 a year, and Things fits better if you only use Apple devices and would rather pay once.

What each one helps you do

Todoist app iconTodoist

  • Add a dated, repeating task in 1 sentence
  • Turn a spoken ramble into organized tasks
  • Share a project and assign tasks to others
  • Plan your week on a calendar view

TickTick app iconTickTick

  • Add tasks by typing a plain sentence
  • See your tasks on a calendar
  • Track habits next to your to-dos
  • Run a Pomodoro timer on a task

Where to get them

Todoist

Free for 5 projects. Pro is $6.99 a month or $59.99 a year in the App Store

  • App Store, iPhone, iPad and Apple WatchWith in-app purchases
    Free downloadApp Store
  • Mac App StoreWith in-app purchases
    Free downloadMac App Store
  • From the developer
    Free downloadGet it

TickTick

Free. Premium is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year

  • App Store, iPhone, iPad and Apple WatchWith in-app purchases
    Free downloadApp Store
  • Mac App StoreWith in-app purchases
    Free downloadMac App Store
  • From the developer
    Free downloadGet it

Neither one quite right?

The other picks in our guide to the best to-do and planner apps for Mac and iPhone.

Read the full guideAll Todoist alternativesAll TickTick alternatives

More comparisons