Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Todo.txt VS Scrapbox

Compare Todo.txt VS Scrapbox 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.

Scrapbox logo Scrapbox

A new style of note-taking that lets you create, discuss, and learn together in one self-organizing space.
  • Todo.txt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-15
  • Scrapbox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-05

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.

Scrapbox features and specs

  • Real-time Collaboration
    Scrapbox allows multiple users to edit and view notes at the same time, making it excellent for collaborative projects and brainstorming sessions.
  • Easy Linking
    The platform enables users to easily link between pages with simple syntax, facilitating the organization of notes and the creation of a network of related ideas.
  • Visual Organization
    Scrapbox provides a unique way to visualize the connections between pages, allowing users to see relationships and navigate through their content efficiently.
  • Simple Syntax
    Using a straightforward text format, Scrapbox reduces the learning curve and allows users to focus on content creation rather than formatting.
  • Integration
    Scrapbox integrates with other tools and services, enhancing its functionality and usefulness in various workflows.

Possible disadvantages of Scrapbox

  • Limited Formatting Options
    While the simple syntax is a pro for ease of use, it can be a con for users who need advanced formatting features.
  • Learning Curve for New Users
    New users might find the concept of linking and organization in Scrapbox different from traditional note-taking apps, which can require some time to adjust.
  • Potential Overwhelm with Lots of Links
    With extensive linking capabilities, users might find themselves overwhelmed if their projects have too many interconnected elements.
  • Limited Offline Access
    Scrapbox primarily functions as an online tool, limiting its usability in environments without internet access.
  • Subscription Cost
    Some of Scrapbox's advanced features and collaboration options may require a subscription, which could be a drawback for budget-conscious users.

Todo.txt videos

My Todo.txt Workflow

More videos:

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

Scrapbox videos

Original Scrapbox DreamBox Tour and Review

More videos:

  • Review - Original Scrapbox Sew Station Review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Todo.txt and Scrapbox)
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Office & Productivity
52 52%
48% 48

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 Scrapbox

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.

Scrapbox Reviews

We have no reviews of Scrapbox yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Todo.txt seems to be a lot more popular than Scrapbox. While we know about 40 links to Todo.txt, we've tracked only 1 mention of Scrapbox. 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
View more

Scrapbox mentions (1)

  • Why Your Company's Documentation Sucks
    Scrapbox, an opinionated wiki service, againsts directory structure that can't scale. It's based on hypertext. Try it out. https://scrapbox.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Todo.txt and Scrapbox, you can also consider the following products

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

Idea Notebook - Idea Notebook is an app that allows you to keep track of your logs business ideas and track as well as organize them.

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

RunaBook - RunaBook is a lightweight application that lets you create and organize notes, knowledge bases, and daily routines.

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.

Monkkee - Keep a private journal securely on the Internet – to provide a convenient user experience your...