8 Best Todoist Alternatives in 2025 (Free and Paid)
If you've been using Todoist for a while, you already know it's a solid task manager. But solid doesn't always mean right for you. Whether you've hit the paywall, outgrown the interface, or simply want something that does more than just hold a list, searching for Todoist alternatives is a smart move in 2025.
The good news? The productivity app market has never been more competitive — or more interesting. From AI-powered planners to habit trackers rooted in behavioral science, there are apps out there that don't just help you do more, they help you become more. This guide breaks down the 8 best options, covering what each one does well, who it's best for, and what it costs.
Let's dig in.
Why People Look for a Todoist Replacement
Before we jump into the list, it's worth understanding the most common reasons people move on from Todoist:
- The free plan is limited. Todoist's free tier caps you at 5 active projects and removes reminders — a dealbreaker for many users.
- No built-in habit tracking. Todoist is purely task-based. It doesn't help you build consistent daily behaviors.
- It lacks a growth layer. There's no reflection, no learning, no connection between what you do and who you're becoming.
- The interface can feel cold. For some users, it's functional but not motivating.
If any of those resonate, keep reading. These alternatives solve those exact problems.
The 8 Best Apps Like Todoist in 2025
1. DailyWins — Best for Habit Building + Personal Growth
If you want more than a checklist — if you want an app that actually helps you grow — DailyWins is in a category of its own.
DailyWins is a free iOS app that combines daily task management, habit tracking, and book-backed learning into one streamlined experience. Instead of just logging what you need to do, it connects your daily actions to real personal development insights drawn from popular books in the productivity, mindset, and wellness space.
What makes it different:
- Daily task + habit system that builds momentum over time
- Book-backed micro-lessons that give context to why your habits matter
- Streak tracking and reflection tools to reinforce consistency
- Completely free to get started
Research from University College London found it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit — not the commonly cited 21. DailyWins is designed with that reality in mind, giving you the structure and motivation to actually stick it out.
If you're tired of productivity apps that treat you like a robot with a to-do list, explore how DailyWins reimagines task management with a human-first approach.
Best for: People who want to build better habits, grow personally, and stay motivated long-term Price: Free
2. TickTick — Best All-Around Todoist Alternative
TickTick is arguably the most direct Todoist replacement on the market. It covers nearly everything Todoist does — and then some.
Standout features:
- Built-in Pomodoro timer for focused work sessions
- Habit tracker integrated directly into the app
- Calendar view, Kanban boards, and Eisenhower Matrix support
- Natural language input (type "call dentist Friday 3pm" and it just works)
TickTick's free plan is significantly more generous than Todoist's, offering unlimited tasks and lists. The premium tier ($27.99/year) unlocks calendar integrations and more customization.
Best for: Power users who want a feature-rich, all-in-one planner Price: Free; Premium at $27.99/year
3. Things 3 — Best for Apple Ecosystem Users
If you live inside the Apple ecosystem, Things 3 is widely considered the gold standard for task management on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
What sets it apart:
- Stunning, distraction-free design
- Incredibly fast input and organization
- Deep integration with Apple Reminders, Calendar, and Siri
- "Areas" and "Projects" system that feels natural and logical
The downside? It's a one-time purchase ($9.99 for iPhone, $49.99 for Mac) with no subscription — which is refreshing — but there's no free tier and no Android version.
Best for: Apple-only users who want premium design and speed Price: One-time purchase from $9.99
4. Notion — Best for Customization and Team Projects
Notion has evolved from a notes app into a fully customizable productivity workspace. It can function as a task manager, but it's really much more than that.
Key strengths:
- Infinite flexibility — build any system you can imagine
- Databases, wikis, boards, calendars, and more
- Strong collaboration features for teams
- AI writing assistant built in (Notion AI)
The tradeoff is the learning curve. Notion rewards the time you invest in setting it up, but if you just want to capture a task quickly, it can feel like overkill. It's less of a Todoist replacement and more of a full productivity operating system.
Best for: Teams, creators, and people who love building custom systems Price: Free personal plan; Plus from $10/month
5. Microsoft To Do — Best Free Option for Windows Users
Microsoft To Do is simple, clean, and completely free. If you're embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (Outlook, Teams, etc.), the integration is seamless.
Notable features:
- "My Day" view that encourages you to focus on a short daily list
- Outlook task sync
- Step-by-step subtasks
- Shared lists for family or team use
It won't blow you away with features, but it gets the job done without any cost — and research consistently shows that simplicity in task management leads to better follow-through (Zeigarnik Effect: we remember incomplete tasks, so having a clean list reduces cognitive load).
Best for: Microsoft 365 users who want a free, no-fuss task manager Price: Completely free
6. Habitica — Best for Gamification and Motivation
Struggling to stay motivated? Habitica turns your habits and tasks into a role-playing game. You create a character, earn experience points for completing tasks, and lose health when you skip them.
Why it works for some people:
- Gamification triggers dopamine reward loops that reinforce behavior
- Social accountability through guilds and parties
- Works for habits, daily tasks, and long-term to-dos
- Fun visual design that makes productivity feel playful
A 2019 study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found gamified apps significantly improved user engagement and habit adherence compared to non-gamified alternatives. Habitica is one of the most committed examples of this approach.
Best for: Gamers, students, and anyone who struggles with motivation Price: Free; Subscription from $4.99/month
7. Any.do — Best for Simplicity and Calendar Integration
Any.do focuses on doing less, better. Its clean interface and smart calendar integration make it one of the friendliest productivity apps to pick up and use immediately.
Highlights:
- "Plan My Day" daily review feature
- WhatsApp integration for task capture
- AI-powered task suggestions
- Grocery and shopping list mode
Any.do recently introduced an AI assistant that can break down large goals into actionable steps — a genuinely useful feature rather than a gimmick.
Best for: Minimalists and people who want quick, smart task capture Price: Free; Premium at $5.99/month
8. Structured — Best for Visual, Time-Blocked Planning
Structured takes a fundamentally different approach: instead of lists, it shows your tasks on a visual timeline. Every task gets a time block, and you see your day laid out like a schedule.
Why time blocking works:
Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, argues that time blocking is one of the most effective ways to do meaningful work — it forces intentionality rather than reactive task-picking. Structured makes that approach visual and effortless.
Key features:
- Beautiful, intuitive timeline interface
- Natural language scheduling
- Recurring tasks and multi-day projects
- Apple Watch and widget support
Best for: Visual thinkers and deep work practitioners Price: Free basic version; Pro at $29.99/year
How to Choose the Right Todoist Alternative for You
With eight solid options, the right choice depends on a few key questions:
- What's missing from Todoist for you? Habit tracking? Motivation? Team features?
- What platform do you use? iPhone-only users have different options than cross-platform users.
- How much do you want to spend? Several strong free options exist — you don't need to pay.
- Are you focused on tasks, habits, or both? This distinction matters more than people realize.
Here's a quick reference:
| App | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DailyWins | Habit building + growth mindset | Free |
| TickTick | All-around power users | Free / $27.99/yr |
| Things 3 | Apple ecosystem lovers | From $9.99 |
| Notion | Teams + custom systems | Free / $10/mo |
| Microsoft To Do | Free simplicity | Free |
| Habitica | Gamification + motivation | Free / $4.99/mo |
| Any.do | Minimalists | Free / $5.99/mo |
| Structured | Visual time blockers | Free / $29.99/yr |
What the Best Productivity Apps Have in Common
After reviewing hundreds of apps and the research behind behavior change, the best productivity tools share a few core traits:
- They reduce friction. The harder it is to add a task, the less likely you are to use the app consistently.
- They build habits, not just lists. A task manager that helps you repeat behaviors over time is fundamentally more valuable than one that helps you forget tasks faster.
- They connect action to meaning. The most motivating systems tie daily actions to a larger goal or identity. James Clear's Atomic Habits puts it well: "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."
This is exactly why apps like DailyWins are gaining attention in 2025. Smart task management isn't just about getting things done — it's about building the version of yourself who naturally gets things done.
The Case for Going Beyond a Simple To-Do List
Here's a hard truth most productivity apps don't want you to realize: the problem is rarely your to-do list. It's your habits, your motivation, and your ability to stay consistent when life gets messy.
A 2021 study from Dominican University found that people who wrote down their goals and tracked weekly progress were 76% more likely to achieve them than those who didn't. That's not just about listing tasks — it's about consistent reflection and accountability.
The Todoist replacements that will serve you best in 2025 are the ones that go beyond task capture. They help you build systems, understand your patterns, and stay connected to why you're doing any of this in the first place.
Discover how a well-designed task management system can change your daily life — and start treating productivity as a personal growth practice, not just a checklist exercise.
🎯 Try DailyWins Free — The Productivity App Built for Growth
If you're ready to go beyond basic task management and build real momentum in your life, DailyWins is the place to start.
It's free, it's built for iPhone, and it's designed around one simple idea: your daily wins — the small, consistent actions you take every day — are what actually shape your life over time.
Here's what you get from day one:
✅ A simple daily task + habit tracker ✅ Book-backed micro-lessons to fuel personal growth ✅ Streak tracking to celebrate consistency ✅ Reflection tools that keep you focused on what matters
No overwhelming features. No bloated interface. Just a clean, focused system that helps you show up every day and get better.
👉 Download DailyWins for free on the App Store and start building your best daily habits today.
Final Thoughts
The best Todoist alternative isn't the one with the most features — it's the one you'll actually use every day. Whether that's the power-packed TickTick, the beautifully simple Things 3, or the growth-focused DailyWins, the key is to pick something that fits your life and commit to it.
Start small. Track consistently. And remember: productivity isn't about doing everything — it's about doing the right things, repeatedly, until they become who you are.