TL;DR
Todoist vs Reminders: For most Mac users in 2026, Todoist is the better choice for Task managers because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Task managers space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Reminders instead if tasks support is your priority.
Which is better: Todoist or Reminders?
Todoist is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Task managers — it is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Reminders is the stronger choice if you prefer its specific feature set. Both are worth trying.
Todoist vs Reminders
Which is the better Task managers for Mac in 2026?
We compared Todoist and Reminders across 6 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Read our full breakdown below.
Todoist
To-do list and task manager
Reminders
Built-in macOS task management app for creating to-do lists with alerts and Siri integration.
Visual Comparison
Todoist
Todoist — Official Website
Our Verdict
For most Mac users in 2026, Todoist is the better choice for Task managers because it is the more widely adopted, better-maintained option in the Task managers space. Both install with a single Homebrew command, so the switching cost is low. Choose Reminders instead if tasks support is your priority.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Todoist | Reminders |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Replaces | Things 3 ($49.99) | Things 3 ($49.99) |
| Best for | tasks, todo, productivity | tasks, to-do, apple |
| Install | brew install --cask todoist | brew install --cask reminders |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
Quick Install
brew install --cask todoistbrew install --cask remindersLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is Todoist?
Todoist is Doist's long-running task manager, available on macOS (Apple Silicon native), Windows, Linux, web, iOS, Android and extensions. In 2026 its plans are Free (5 projects), Pro (300 projects, reminders, filters, AI Assist), and Business (team roles, SSO). Pricing listed publicly is Pro $4/month billed annually or $6 month-to-month, Business $6-$8/user/month, with education discounts. Features include natural-language Quick Add, priorities P1-P4, labels, filters with queries, boards and list views, activity history, and collaboration on shared projects. Sync is Todoist-hosted and instantaneous. Native Quick Add with system-wide shortcut and a menu-bar presence on Mac make capture fast on Tahoe.
What is Apple Reminders?
Apple Reminders is Apple's native task manager, free with macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and iCloud on the web. On Tahoe 26.x it delivers lists, tags, smart lists, subtasks, attachments, location-based reminders, templates, Calendar integration, Siri creation, and Shortcuts automation. Collaboration covers shared lists with per-item assignment. Data syncs via iCloud with end-to-end style protection when Advanced Data Protection is enabled. There is no cross-platform Windows/Android client beyond iCloud web. For Mac users who stay Apple-only, Reminders offers robust organisation at $0 with offline-native speed and system Haptics, Focus and Watch complications by default.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Cross-platform reach
CriticalNative apps everywhere people actually work: Mac, Windows, web, iOS, Android and browser extensions. No OS lock-in.
Excellent on Apple devices and via iCloud.com, but no first-class Windows or Android app. Deal-breaker for mixed ecosystems.
Verdict: Todoist wins if your life includes Windows, Android, or a browser-first workflow.
Task organisation
CriticalProjects, sections, labels, priorities P1-P4, custom filters with query language, and board/list/calendar views. Scales to hundreds of projects.
Lists, tags, smart lists, sections, flags, subtasks and templates. Improved a lot by 2026, but filters are not as powerful as Todoist queries.
Verdict: Todoist wins expressive organisation at scale.
Quick capture & natural language
HighQuick Add parses dates, priorities, labels and projects in one line ('every Friday @work p1'). Templates and AI Assist help draft recurring task sets.
Inline entry parses dates and times well, Siri creation is best-in-class, and Quick Add via Shortcuts covers power cases but not the full Todoist query grammar.
Verdict: Todoist's one-line capture is still the fastest for keyboard users.
Collaboration & sharing
HighShared projects, comments, file attachments, assignable tasks, and activity log. Business tier adds roles and centralised billing.
Shared iCloud lists with assignees and comments. Solid for family and small-team sharing, but limited to Apple participants viewing via native clients or iCloud.com.
Verdict: Todoist wins for teams that are not all-Apple.
System integration
HighShortcuts, Calendar URL scheme, and email-to-project. Not as deep as a first-party Apple app for Siri and Focus.
First-party glue to Siri, Calendar, Mail data detectors, Shortcuts, Focus modes, and Apple Watch. The most ambient way to capture tasks on iPhone and Mac.
Verdict: Reminders wins inside the Apple ecosystem.
Privacy & offline
HighCloud-synced with encrypted transit/at rest. Offline works via cached clients; eventual consistency rather than true local-first.
Local-first on device with iCloud sync. Works offline instantly and is covered by Apple's Advanced Data Protection option. Minimal vendor exposure.
Verdict: Reminders wins offline privacy and local speed.
Pricing
HighFree is capable for light use; Pro $4/month annually or $6 month-to-month unlocks reminders, filters and AI Assist. Business ~$6-$8/user/month.
Free forever with macOS and iOS. No premium tier. Private sync via iCloud included.
Verdict: Reminders wins price; Todoist wins capability-per-dollar if you need cross-platform power.
Automation & templates
MediumFilters as saved searches, templates and integrations with Zapier, IFTTT and API access on all paid tiers.
Smart lists with tag/date logic, list templates, and Shortcuts automation. Third-party integration is narrower than Todoist's ecosystem.
Verdict: Todoist's ecosystem of integrations is broader.
Who Should Choose Which?
1Freelancer on Mac and Windows
Needs identical tasks everywhere the job happens.
2Family sharing grocery and home lists
Free shared iCloud lists with location reminders just work.
3Manager with delegated tasks
assignee, comments and board view beat Reminders sharing.
4Apple Watch heavy capturer
Siri on watch and iPhone is instant.
5Student organising courses
Labels and filters scale across hundreds of assignments.
6Privacy-focused solo user
On-device first with iCloud sync.
Migration Guide
Todoist → Reminders
Export Todoist as CSV/templates, then import into Reminders via iCloud web or drag lists via Shortcuts. Recreate labels as tags and filters as smart lists; priorities become flagged colours.
Reminders → Todoist
On Mac, share or export Reminders lists (copy, or via iCloud web export workflows to CSV) and import into Todoist. Rebuild smart lists as Todoist filters and tags as labels.
Pro Tips
Start with your top 3 active projects. Keep the source lists as archives for a week before deleting. Verify recurring tasks carry over correctly on both systems.
Final Verdict
Todoist
Winner
Runner-up
In August 2026 Todoist remains the more capable tasks system for most demanding users, especially those crossing Mac, Windows, web and Android. Reminders wins decisively for Apple-only households that prize free, private and ambient capture with Siri and Apple Watch.
Bottom Line: Pick Todoist if your work spans platforms or you live in filters and shared projects. Pick Reminders if you live entirely on Apple devices and prefer free, private tasks without another subscription.
Video Tutorials
How to Organize Your To-Dos with Todoist (Tutorial)
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Sources & References
Key Verified Facts
- Todoist Pro is $4/month billed annually ($48/yr) or $6 month-to-month; Business is $6 annual/$8 monthly per user as published on todoist.com/pricing in August 2026.[cite-todoist-pricing]
- Apple Reminders is included free with macOS and iOS with no paid tier.[cite-apple-reminders]
- Reminders supports tags and smart lists for tag-based organisation as of 2026.[cite-apple-reminders-tags]
- Todoist offers labels, filters with queries, and shared projects with comments and assignments.[cite-todoist-pricing, cite-doist-blog]
- Apple Reminders integrates with Siri, Calendar and Shortcuts on Tahoe.[cite-apple-reminders]
- 1Todoist Pricing , Plans for you and your team
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 2Doist Blog , What's New in Todoist
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 3Apple Support , Use Reminders on Mac
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 5Apps Deals , Best task managers for Mac in 2026
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 6Wikipedia , Reminders (Apple)
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 7Wikipedia , Todoist
Accessed Aug 9, 2026
- 8G2 , Todoist Pricing 2026
Accessed Aug 9, 2026