Todoist costs $7/mo.
These cost $0.
4 free alternatives to Todoist, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Todoist vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $7/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Productivity | open source | MIT | Local | ★ 21k | Todoist vs Super Productivity → |
| Vikunja | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Local or hosted | ★ 5.0k | Todoist vs Vikunja → |
| Microsoft To Do | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Todoist vs Microsoft To Do → |
| Apple Reminders | free | proprietary, free | Local | ★ $0 forever | Todoist vs Apple Reminders → |
The picks
2 open source · 2 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Super Productivity
open sourceMITLocal21kaug 2026A local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be created
The catch vs TodoistSuper Productivity is primarily a local personal tool and is weaker than Todoist for shared projects, mobile capture, recurring-date language, and integrations.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobilewebone-click install
- install
- Use the browser/PWA or install a packaged desktop or mobile build
- your data
- Tasks, projects, time records, and settings are local-first in browser or app storage; optional synchronization and backups use the user's chosen WebDAV or Dropbox account
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Vikunja
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Local or hosted5.0kaug 2026A capable Todoist replacement once you accept becoming its hosting department
The catch vs TodoistVikunja adds hosting administration and has less polished native mobile, offline, natural-language, and integration support than Todoist.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopwebself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Use the paid hosted service or deploy the free server with Docker Compose, a package, or the standalone binary
- setup
- The free path requires a server or Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and normally a reverse proxy with TLS
- your data
- Tasks, projects, users, and settings live in SQLite, MySQL/MariaDB, or PostgreSQL, with attachments in a persistent files directory, on the selected host
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Microsoft To Do
freeproprietary, freeHostedA polished free task manager, paid for with a Microsoft account rather than money
The catch vs TodoistMicrosoft To Do is weaker than Todoist on labels, custom filters, natural-language recurrence, integrations, and collaborative project workflows.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobilewebthey host it
- install
- Install the Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android app, or use the web app, and sign in with a Microsoft account
- setup
- Requires a Microsoft account
- your data
- Tasks are stored as structured records on Microsoft's Exchange Online servers and surface in Outlook Tasks across synchronized clients
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 04
Apple Reminders
freeproprietary, freeLocalThings minus the polish tax, provided every device in sight has an Apple logo
The catch vs TodoistApple Reminders is confined to Apple’s ecosystem and is less capable than Todoist for cross-platform collaboration, integrations, and complex filters.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobileone-click install
- install
- Preinstalled on iPhone, iPad, and Mac; enable iCloud or another supported reminders account for synchronization
- engines
- Optional Apple Intelligence can suggest or auto-categorize reminders on supported devices; ordinary task management does not require AI
- your data
- Structured reminder records live in iCloud or another configured reminders account and are cached on Apple devices; iCloud provides account-level restore rather than user-visible task files
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Todoist open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Todoist?+
The top free alternative to Todoist is Super Productivity (open source, MIT). A local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be created Other popular Todoist replacements include Vikunja, Microsoft To Do, Apple Reminders.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Todoist?+
Yes. Of the 4 free alternatives to Todoist, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Vikunja (AGPL-3.0+).
How much does switching from Todoist to a free alternative save?+
Todoist starts at $7/month per seat ($84/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Super Productivity saves $420 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own Todoist clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Todoist is YES (the core loop fits in a weekend). A personal task app with projects, recurring due dates, filters, and reminders is a one-sitting/weekend build; collaboration and sync polish are the product moat.
What is the catch when switching from Todoist to Super Productivity?+
Super Productivity is primarily a local personal tool and is weaker than Todoist for shared projects, mobile capture, recurring-date language, and integrations.
