--- ## **Todoist vs Apple Reminders: A Deep Dive** --- ![[Todist.png]] ### **1. Design Philosophy** |**Feature**|**Todoist**|**Apple Reminders**| |---|---|---| |**Purpose**|Cross-platform, power-user task manager|Native, minimalist, Apple-centric task list app| |**Audience**|Productivity enthusiasts, freelancers, small teams|Individuals in the Apple ecosystem| |**Philosophy**|Structured task tracking with filters & labels|Seamless daily use, integrated with Siri and Apple apps| --- ### **2. Platform & Integration** |**Feature**|**Todoist**|**Apple Reminders**| |---|---|---| |**Platform Support**|iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Web, Linux (via browser)|iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS only| |**Offline Support**|Full offline support with sync|Native iCloud sync with offline support| |**Siri Integration**|Limited (only via iOS Shortcuts)|Deep, native (e.g., “Remind me to… when I get home”)| |**Calendar Integration**|2-way Google Calendar sync|Native integration with Apple Calendar| |**Shortcuts Integration**|Yes (via app and URL schemes)|Extensive native Shortcuts support| |**Automation**|API, webhooks, Zapier, Make|Shortcuts, Focus modes, Automations| |**Widgets / Quick Entry**|Yes (on all platforms)|Native widgets, Siri, Control Center| --- ### **3. Core Features** |**Feature**|**Todoist**|**Apple Reminders**| |---|---|---| |**Task Hierarchies**|Projects > Sections > Tasks > Sub-tasks (4 levels)|Lists > Tasks > Subtasks (2 levels max)| |**Priorities**|P1–P4 with color coding|Flags (binary only)| |**Tags / Labels**|Fully supported|Tags added in iOS 15+, searchable, but less flexible| |**Natural Language Input**|Excellent (“every 3rd Monday”)|Good (“remind me to… every Monday”) via Siri| |**Recurring Tasks**|Highly flexible|Good, but less nuanced| |**Reminders / Alerts**|Time, location, recurring (Pro only)|Time, location, Smart Lists| |**Comments & Attachments**|Pro feature, task-level comments|Free, can add URLs, images, scanned docs| |**Task Delegation**|Yes (Pro & Business: assign to collaborators)|No built-in support| |**Smart Lists / Filters**|Highly customizable query filters (e.g., @errands & p1 & today)|Smart Lists based on tag/date flags (less powerful)| |**Boards View**|Kanban-style boards supported|Not available| |**Themes / Customization**|Multiple themes, dark mode|Light/dark mode, some personalization| --- ### **4. Collaboration** |**Feature**|**Todoist**|**Apple Reminders**| |---|---|---| |**Shared Lists**|Yes, with permissions, task comments|Yes, simple shared lists| |**Team Task Assignment**|Yes (Pro and Business)|No task assignment| |**Audit Trail / Logs**|Yes (activity log for changes)|No audit history| --- ### **5. Strengths & Weaknesses** #### **✅** **Todoist Strengths** - Cross-platform reliability and performance - Advanced query system and label/tag power - Integration with automation tools and external services - Rich collaboration features for teams - API for advanced workflows #### **❌** **Todoist Weaknesses** - Paywall for reminders and comments - No support for attachments in the free version - Lacks native support for start/defer dates - No native calendar view (requires integrations) --- #### **✅** **Apple Reminders Strengths** - Free and deeply integrated with all Apple devices - Best-in-class Siri and Shortcuts integration - Seamless use with Apple Mail, Calendar, and Focus - Simple UX with intuitive Smart Lists and tagging - File and image attachment support built-in #### **❌** **Apple Reminders Weaknesses** - Apple-only (no web or Android access) - Weak task filtering (compared to Todoist’s filters) - No kanban, no priorities beyond “flag” - No team assignment or comment threads --- ### **6. Use Case Comparison** |**Use Case**|**Todoist**|**Apple Reminders**| |---|---|---| |**GTD/Inbox Zero Practitioner**|Great with filters, labels, and quick capture|OK, but lacks defer dates and context tagging| |**Freelancer with Clients**|Better for managing multiple projects and collaborators|Poor—no real delegation or project separation| |**Busy Parent with Apple Devices**|Works well, but Reminders may be simpler and quicker|Ideal—deep Siri + Focus + iCloud syncing| |**Cross-platform User (Windows, Android)**|Excellent experience|Not supported| |**Minimalist Personal Task List**|May be overkill for simple users|Perfect fit| |**Automators / Power Users**|Excellent API and Zapier support|Excellent Shortcuts support (Apple ecosystem only)| --- ### **7. Final Verdict: Which One Should You Use?** |**User Type**|**Recommendation**| |---|---| |**Apple-centric casual user**|✅ **Apple Reminders**| |**Power user needing tags/filters**|✅ **Todoist**| |**Team collaboration**|✅ **Todoist (Business)**| |**People using Android/Windows**|✅ **Todoist**| |**People deep into Shortcuts**|✅ **Apple Reminders**| |**OmniFocus/Things switchers**|Depends—Todoist more powerful; Reminders more native| --- ### **8. Reflection: Simplicity vs Structure in a Distracted World** In today’s **hyper-connected, fractured attention economy**, both Todoist and Apple Reminders offer **antidotes to chaos**—but in different ways: - **Todoist** is a **powerful engine** of structured work. It’s ideal for those who want **control**, **labels**, **filters**, and **cross-platform syncing**. It scales well from personal to small business use. - **Apple Reminders** is **frictionless**. Its charm lies in **seamlessness**. You speak to Siri, and it just works. No logins. No setups. It’s “invisible productivity” for Apple users. Ultimately, the better tool is the one that matches **your level of complexity, device ecosystem, and philosophy of productivity**. ![[todoist_vs_reminders_comparison.png]] - [[A Comprehensive Guide to Markdown Formatting]] - [[Advice for someone stuck with Obsidian and Omnifocus]] - [[Apple Intelligence]] - [[Apple Reminders vs Omnifocus]] - [[Apple Shortcuts]] - [[Building Your Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) and Second Brain with Obsidian- A Comprehensive Guide]] - [[Data Backup]] - [[GTD and Omnifocus]] - [[Harnessing Efficiency with Obsidian Tasks-The Complete Guide]] - [[Mastering Obsidian-Transforming Note-Taking into an Art]] - [[Note Taking in the Digital Age]] - [[Obsidian as a PKM]] - [[Obsidian Quick Add]] - [[Protecting Your Digital Realm--Best Practices for Computer Privacy in Home and Business]] - [[The Daily Note]] - [[The GTD Black Belt]] - [[The Importance of Privacy--Why Average People Should Care]] - [[The Three Biscuit Method of Management]] - [[Understanding Data Privacy]] - [[home]] ◦ [[Contact]]