Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Todo.txt VS Microsoft To-Do

Compare Todo.txt VS Microsoft To-Do and see what are their differences

Todo.txt logo Todo.txt

Track your tasks and projects in a plain text file, todo.txt. A todo.

Microsoft To-Do logo Microsoft To-Do

Task management tool
  • Todo.txt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-15
  • Microsoft To-Do Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-15

Todo.txt features and specs

  • Simplicity
    Todo.txt uses a plain text format that is easy to read, edit, and manage with any text editor.
  • Portability
    Because it is a plain text file, it can be used across different platforms without compatibility issues.
  • Customizability
    The format is flexible, allowing users to create their own conventions for priorities, projects, and contexts.
  • Tool Compatibility
    There are numerous tools, apps, and scripts designed to work specifically with the Todo.txt format.
  • Longevity
    Plain text files are not likely to become obsolete, ensuring long-term access to your data.
  • Low Resource Usage
    Todo.txt requires minimal system resources, making it fast and efficient.

Possible disadvantages of Todo.txt

  • Learning Curve
    New users may need time to understand how to structure their tasks effectively within the plain text format.
  • No Native Cloud Sync
    Todo.txt does not provide built-in cloud sync; users must implement their own solutions for cross-device synchronization.
  • Limited Built-in Features
    Todo.txt lacks advanced features found in specialized task management apps, such as reminders, notifications, and integrations.
  • Manual Management
    Users must manually edit and manage their tasks, which can be cumbersome compared to apps with graphical interfaces.
  • No Native UI
    There is no standalone graphical user interface; interaction is typically through text editors or command-line interfaces unless third-party apps are used.
  • Potential for Clutter
    Without a structured approach, the plain text file can become cluttered and harder to manage over time.

Microsoft To-Do features and specs

  • Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem
    Microsoft To-Do integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services such as Outlook, Office 365, and OneNote, making it ideal for users already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Provides a clean, intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly add, manage, and complete tasks.
  • Synchronization Across Devices
    Tasks and lists are automatically synced across multiple devices, ensuring that users have access to their information whether they are on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device.
  • My Day Feature
    Offers a unique 'My Day' feature that allows users to focus on a daily to-do list, helping to prioritize tasks that need immediate attention.
  • Subtasks and Recurring Tasks
    Supports the creation of subtasks and recurring tasks, making it easier to break down complex tasks and ensure that recurring responsibilities are not forgotten.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft To-Do

  • Limited Integrations with Non-Microsoft Services
    Offers limited integrations with non-Microsoft applications, which can be a drawback for users who rely on a variety of software tools outside the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • No Offline Mode
    Does not offer a robust offline mode, which can be inconvenient for users who need to access their task lists without an internet connection.
  • Basic Features Compared to Competitors
    While To-Do covers essential task management features, it may lack some of the advanced features found in other competing apps like Trello, Asana, or Todoist.
  • No Project Management Capabilities
    Geared more towards individual task management rather than comprehensive project management, making it less suitable for complex team-based projects.
  • Limited Customization Options
    Offers limited customization in terms of themes, layouts, and organizational options, which can be a downside for users who prefer a highly personalized task management experience.

Todo.txt videos

My Todo.txt Workflow

More videos:

  • Review - Todo.txt - Todo List Manager - Linux CLI
  • Review - Todo.txt Workflow

Microsoft To-Do videos

Microsoft To-Do 2019 | Full Tour

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Todo.txt and Microsoft To-Do)
Task Management
32 32%
68% 68
Project Management
30 30%
70% 70
Productivity
0 0%
100% 100
Todos
36 36%
64% 64

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Todo.txt and Microsoft To-Do

Todo.txt Reviews

16 Best To Do List Apps for Linux Desktop [2021]
Todo.txt is a simple plain text file for writing tasks. Using the simple motto, “if you want to get it done, first write it down“, the free and open-source Todo.txt has simplicity at its core as it offers users a handful of applications that are minimal, todo-txt focused apps for managing tasks using the least possible keystrokes and taps.

Microsoft To-Do Reviews

11 Ayanza Alternatives
Microsoft To-Do is a cloud-based task management application that can be used to manage commitments. It is a simple to-do list that consolidates all of your tasks into one place. You may complete your daily tasks while also making as many additional lists as you need to keep track of your employment, grocery shopping, travel, and movie viewing. You can use it to create...
22 Best Wrike Alternatives For Project Management in 2020 (Free & Paid)
Microsoft recently bought out Wunderlist, and as of May 6, 2020, the software is disappearing. It has been officially replaced by Microsoft To Do, which essentially provides the same functions. Wunderlist originally made the list of Wrike alternatives because teams found its simple shared to do lists as good enough for their simple project management.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Todo.txt should be more popular than Microsoft To-Do. It has been mentiond 40 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Todo.txt mentions (40)

  • Calendar.txt
    A very similar idea and philosophy - http://todotxt.org. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Calendar.txt
    For a few years, I evolved a slightly-modified Todo.txt format for this purpose, to represent both tasks and appointments. http://todotxt.org/ https://www.neilvandyke.org/todotxt/ In some ways it worked well, but there were a few drawbacks, and eventually I switched to native calendar programs on desktop and mobile. Drawbacks I personally felt: * In the text file, recurring tasks didn't show up when I looked into... - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Show HN: My Command Line Todo List
    Reminds me of how I started my foray into plaintext task management: - http://todotxt.org - https://taskwarrior.org - https://www.taskpaper.com - https://notational.net Eventually, I decided multi-platform sync and mobile access were more important than the CLI. (Also I have the browser open more than the CLI.) In addition, I found a single line per task was not enough (that's why I started looking into TaskPaper... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: What products other than Obsidian share the file over app philosophy?
    FSNotes for macOS and iOS is one I used for a little while. https://fsnot.es/ todo.txt is another thing that comes to mind. http://todotxt.org/ And of course pretty much all of *nix. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • My productivity app is a never-ending .txt file
    Since at least 2012 I've also been using a text file format from http://todotxt.org/ and more recently I wrote a program that takes a crontab-like list to pre-generate entries on a daily, by-day-name (every Sunday for example), and I also pull in a list of holidays from gov.uk, so they are also populated. [^1]: ( - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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Microsoft To-Do mentions (11)

  • Business of Nigeria Report #22.47
    I'm loving using Microsoft To do on the Web, Android and PC to sync and manage my tasks. It's giving a bit of calm as I chunk through what seems like endless work. Source: over 2 years ago
  • A Developer's Content Writing System. Idea 👉Publish
    Microsoft Todo - It's a to-do app in which you can create multiple lists and folders. I have a list called Blog Ideas. An idea can come at any time and this app offers an android widget that is pinned to my second screen and can be easily accessed by my laptop using windows + W. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Put your personal side project on the market - Perimeter
    The actors : Todoist, Trello, Microsoft To-Do, Google Tasks, and many others... - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • How to use an apple and windows ecosystem
    The Microsoft to do app is called exactly that; Microsoft To Do. https://todo.microsoft.com/ Speaking as someone who has the same setup, the best solution is to install iCloud for Windows from the Microsoft Store, and check the applicable sync boxes. Any ecosystem you choose will work on both platforms, except for Apple’s. All of the Google apps can be installed as a shortcut from Chrome, and all of the Microsoft... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Dopamine sounds.
    Microsoft To-Do has a very satisfying "bling" sound when you check off a task. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Todo.txt and Microsoft To-Do, you can also consider the following products

Todoist - Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

Task Coach - Task Coach is a simple open source todo manager to keep track of personal tasks and todo lists.

TickTick - TickTickis a cross-platform to-do list app & task manager helps you to get all things done and make life well organized.

EssentialPIM - EssentialPIM is a free Personal Information Manager that keeps up with the times and lets you manage appointments, tasks, notes, contacts, password entries and email messages across multiple devices and cloud applications.

Things - Things is an easy to use task manager.

Taskwarrior - Taskwarrior is an ambitious project bringing sophisticated capabilities to a simple and elegant...