Todoist Vs Microsoft To Do: Which Is the Better Option?

Compare Todoist vs Microsoft To Do side by side for 2025.

Jun 4, 2025
Todoist Vs Microsoft To Do: Which Is the Better Option?
If you're like me, you've probably bounced between multiple to-do apps, hunting for that one tool that finally helps you stay on top of everything without getting in your way.
For a while, I used Todoist—the structured, productivity geek's dream. Labels, filters, Karma scores—it felt powerful, but also a bit... much.
Then I tried Microsoft To Do. Clean, simple, and perfectly synced with Outlook—but lacking the depth I needed once projects got messy.
After months of juggling both, I realized neither really nailed the balance between flexibility, speed, and focus. That’s when I discovered Focuzed.io—a smart, distraction-free task manager built specifically for the modern workflow.
It’s not just another task manager — it’s a self-organizing system.
  • Automatically prioritizes based on effort, urgency, and energy.
  • Includes energy-aware scheduling— planning your day around your cognitive capacity.
  • Built-in focus feedback shows you where your attention is leaking.
  • Tracks your task history to adapt recommendations over time.
Focuzed.io dashboard showing energy-based task scheduling
I’ll explore the Todoist vs Microsoft To Do comparison in depth — but if you’ve ever wanted your task manager to actually manage things for you… stay with us.
Let’s break it down.

Overview: Todoist Vs Microsoft To Do at a Glance

Both Todoist and Microsoft To Do offer robust task management features, but they cater to different user preferences and ecosystems.

Todoist: Feature-Rich Flexibility

Todoist stands out for its advanced task organization capabilities, allowing users to create detailed projects, subtasks, labels, and filters to keep everything structured. Its natural language input simplifies task creation, and its cross-platform compatibility ensures seamless access across devices.
Todoist

Microsoft To Do: Seamless Microsoft Integration

Microsoft To Do offers a clean, intuitive interface that integrates effortlessly with Microsoft's suite of products. It's designed for users who are deeply embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem, providing a straightforward task management experience.
Microsoft To-Do

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do: Task and Workflow Management

Todoist

  • Advanced Organization: Supports nested subtasks, labels, and filters for detailed task management.
  • Natural Language Input: Quickly add tasks using phrases like "Submit report every Monday at 9 AM."
  • Productivity Tracking: Features like the Karma system help users track and improve productivity over time.
Todoist-task & workflow management

Microsoft To Do

  • Simplicity: Offers a straightforward interface suitable for basic task management needs.
  • Integration: Seamlessly connects with Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft 365 applications.
  • Collaboration: Allows task sharing and collaboration within the Microsoft ecosystem.
Microsoft To-Do - Task & Workflow Management

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do: Project Visualization Tools

Todoist

  • Multiple Views: Provides list, board, and calendar views to visualize tasks.
  • Customization: Users can create custom filters and views to suit their workflow.
Todoist’s Board view

Microsoft To Do

  • List-Based View: Primarily offers a list-based task view with limited visualization options.
  • Integration with Outlook: Tasks can be viewed within Outlook's calendar for a broader perspective.
Microsoft To-do’s List View

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do: Automation and AI

Todoist

  • Automation: Offers integrations with tools like Zapier for task automation.
  • Smart Scheduling: Suggests optimal dates for task completion based on user behavior.

Microsoft To Do

  • Basic Automation: Limited automation features, primarily through integration with Microsoft Power Automate.
  • AI Features: Currently lacks advanced AI-driven task management features.

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do : Reporting and Analytics

Todoist

  • Productivity Reports: Provides insights into task completion rates and productivity trends.
  • Karma System: Gamifies productivity by awarding points for task completion and streaks.
Todoist’s Productivity System

Microsoft To Do

  • No Built-in Reporting: Microsoft To Do doesn't have built-in reporting or analytics features for tracking task completion, due dates, or other metrics.

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do : Integrations

Todoist

  • Extensive Integrations: Connects with over 80 apps, including Google Calendar, Slack, and Trello.
  • Third-Party Tools: Supports integrations with various third-party productivity tools.
Todoist’s Intergration

Microsoft To Do

  • Microsoft Ecosystem: Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365 applications.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations: Fewer integrations outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
Microsoft To-Do’s Integration

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do: Pricing and Plans

Todoist

  • Free Plan: Offers basic task management features.
  • Pro Plan: Approximately $3 to $5 per month when billed annually, unlocking advanced features like labels and filters.
  • Business Plan: Generally costs about $5 to $10 per user per month when billed annually, suitable for teams.

Microsoft To Do

  • Free: Available at no cost with a Microsoft account, offering a full suite of basic task management features.
  • Included in Microsoft 365: Enhanced integration and features available through Microsoft 365 subscriptions.

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do: Support and Resources

Todoist

  • Support: Provides email support and a comprehensive help center.
  • Community: Active user community and forums for peer support.

Microsoft To Do

  • Support: Access to Microsoft's support channels, including forums and help centers.
  • Resources: Extensive documentation and tutorials available through Microsoft Learn.

Todoist Vs Microsoft To-Do: Final Comparison Table

Criteria
Todoist
Microsoft To Do
User Interface
Feature-rich with customizable views
Simple and clean interface
Task Management
Advanced features with labels, filters, and subtasks
Basic task lists with due dates
Integrations
Extensive third-party app integrations
Deep integration with Microsoft 365 apps
Automation
Supports automation through integrations
Limited automation via Power Automate
Reporting
Productivity tracking with Karma system
Minimal reporting features
Pricing
Free and paid plans starting at $3/month
Free with Microsoft account; included in Microsoft 365
Best For
Users needing advanced task management features
Users within the Microsoft ecosystem

So… Which One Should You Choose?

If you're deep in the Microsoft ecosystem and want something simple, synced, and free — Microsoft To Do is the obvious pick. It’s clean, intuitive, and perfect for keeping your work and personal life aligned if you live in Outlook and Teams.
If you’re a productivity power user who loves structure, labels, filters, and gamified tracking — Todoist gives you a powerful sandbox to build your own productivity system from scratch.
But here’s the catch: both tools still expect you to manage yourself — your time, your energy, your cognitive load — manually.
That’s where Focuzed.io changes the equation.
It’s not just another to-do app. It’s a smarter, adaptive system that:
  • Using built-in energy-aware scheduling, it helps you assign deep work, light tasks, or creative sprints based on your productivity rhythms—not just deadlines.
Focuzed.io showing task list aligned with user’s energy levels
  • The clean interface is designed to induce clarity, not clutter. No overwhelming dashboards, no feature fatigue—just a clear daily flow tailored for indie makers, founders, and deep thinkers.
notion image
  • Use distraction-free Focus Mode and Pomodoro timers to protect your flow without needing third-party hacks.
Focuzed interface with a Focus Bar
  • Focuzed.io blends task management, daily planning, notes, and calendars into one minimalist workspace—so your flow isn’t scattered across tabs.
You don’t just use Focuzed — it works with you.
So if you’ve ever wanted a tool that thinks with your brain, not just for your calendar…
👉 Give Focuzed.io a try. It might just be the productivity partner you’ve been missing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What is the difference between Microsoft To Do and Todoist?
Microsoft To Do offers a simple, streamlined task list tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, while Todoist provides more advanced task organization, automation, and cross-platform flexibility.
  1. What is the Microsoft equivalent of Todoist?
Microsoft To Do is the closest Microsoft alternative to Todoist, designed for basic task management with strong integration into Outlook and other Microsoft services.
  1. What's better than Microsoft To Do?
For users needing advanced features, automation, and detailed project management, Todoist or Focuzed.io offer more powerful and customizable workflows.
  1. Which app is best for team collaboration?
Todoist supports comprehensive team collaboration with shared projects and comments, whereas Microsoft To Do focuses on individual task management with basic sharing features.