Quick verdict
Microsoft To Do is free, simple and runs everywhere, with tight Outlook integration. Tasks stays on Apple devices but adds project structure, Kanban, location reminders, a timer and AI assistants as project collaborators.
Microsoft To Do is free, clean and available everywhere: Windows, Android, the web and Apple devices. Flagged Outlook emails turn into tasks, which makes it a natural choice for anyone who lives in Microsoft 365.
Tasks is built only for Apple devices, and uses that focus for native widgets, Siri, Shortcuts and location reminders. Projects can grow beyond a simple list with their own statuses, fields, Kanban board and comments.
Tasks also works with AI assistants. Connect ChatGPT, Claude or another assistant through MCP, invite it to a project and assign it tasks like a teammate. To Do has no official MCP server, and shared-list assignees must be people. Here is how it works.
If you need your list on a Windows PC or an Android phone, To Do is the practical choice. If you work on Apple devices and your lists are turning into projects, Tasks gives them room to grow.
Sources checked: Welcome to Microsoft To Do, To Do due dates, reminders and repeats and Tasks on the App Store.
Feature by feature
The questions that usually decide which app fits. For more detail, browse all 201 Tasks features.
Scroll sideways to compare both apps
| Question | Tasks | Microsoft To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Capture | ||
| Quick task capture | App, widgets, Siri and extensions | Share sheet and two Siri shortcuts |
| Natural-language dates | Recognised while typing | Dates, reminders and repeats |
| Structure | ||
| Projects and subtasks | Folders, projects and nested tasks | Lists with one level of steps |
| Custom workflow statuses | Defined per project | Done or not done |
| Project-specific custom fields | Field layout varies by project | Importance and categories only |
| Views | ||
| Kanban board | Optional project view | Boards live in Planner |
| Saved cross-project filters | Smart Lists with grouping | Built-in smart lists only |
| Reminders | ||
| Fixed recurring schedules | Calendar-based rules | Daily to yearly and custom |
| Repeat after completion | Completion-based recurrence | Not in the documented options |
| Location reminders | Arrival and departure | Time-based reminders only |
| Task detail | ||
| Notes and attachments | Text, images, PDFs and files | Files only in personal lists |
| Collaboration | ||
| Shared lists and assignments | Shared projects and assignees | Shared lists and assignees |
| Task comments | Comments live with the task | No task discussion thread |
| Focus | ||
| Task time tracking | Built-in timer and sessions | No timer or tracking |
| Automation | ||
| Siri and Shortcuts | More than 50 App Intents | Add Task and Open List |
| API and workflow automation | Shortcuts actions and deep links | Microsoft Graph and Power Automate |
| AI assistants as collaborators | Invite, assign and revoke per project | Assignees must be people |
| Official MCP connector | Hosted server for ChatGPT and Claude | No official To Do server |
| Platforms | ||
| Apple devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch and Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch |
| Web, Windows and Android | Apple platforms only | Web, Windows and Android apps |
| Price | ||
| Free use | Free download with limits | Free with a Microsoft account |
| Purchase model | Free, subscription or lifetime Plus | No paid tier |
Which should you choose?
Choose Tasks if…
- You want custom statuses, fields and Kanban boards
- You need location reminders or repeats that restart after completion
- You discuss work with comments and files inside shared projects
- You want an AI assistant working in a project as its own teammate
Choose Microsoft To Do if…
- You also work on Windows, Android or in a browser
- You want a capable list app that is completely free
- You turn Outlook flagged emails into tasks every day
- Your work already runs on Microsoft 365, Planner and Power Automate
Limitations worth knowing
Tasks only runs on Apple devices, so anyone who also needs their list on Windows, Android or the web is better served by To Do.
Switching over
To Do has no built-in export; Microsoft suggests exporting the Outlook Tasks folder from Outlook desktop. Use that as a checklist to recreate your lists in Tasks, starting with the ones you use every day.