Quick verdict
Notion is a flexible workspace where tasks live in databases beside docs, wikis and AI agents, and it runs everywhere. Tasks is a focused, native Apple task manager with faster capture, deeper Siri and Shortcuts, location reminders and a much lower price.
Notion is a workspace first. Tasks live in databases next to docs, wikis and meeting notes, and a team can shape those databases into almost any system. It runs on the web, Windows, Android and Apple devices.
Tasks is a task manager first. Capture is a tap, a widget or a Siri request away, and reminders can fire when you arrive somewhere or repeat after you finish. Projects still get their own statuses, fields and Kanban board, without building a database.
Both work with AI assistants, in different ways. Notion’s MCP server lets ChatGPT or Claude act with your permissions, and its partner agents can pick up work on Business and Enterprise plans. In Tasks, your own assistant joins a project as a collaborator, labelled Agent, that you assign tasks to and can revoke at any time. Here is how it works.
If your tasks belong inside a shared knowledge base, Notion is the better home. If you want a fast, native place to get things done on Apple devices, Tasks is lighter and far cheaper.
Sources checked: Notion pricing, Notion MCP 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 | Notion |
|---|---|---|
| Capture | ||
| Quick task capture | App, widgets, Siri and extensions | Share sheet and widgets |
| Natural-language dates | Recognised while typing | In @remind reminders |
| Structure | ||
| Projects and subtasks | Folders, projects and nested tasks | Databases, sub-items and dependencies |
| Custom workflow statuses | Defined per project | Custom options in three groups |
| Custom fields | Field layout varies by project | Database properties |
| Views | ||
| Kanban board | Optional project view | Board view |
| Calendar and timeline | Dated filters, not a full calendar | Calendar, timeline and Notion Calendar |
| Saved cross-project filters | Smart Lists with grouping | Filtered database views |
| Reminders | ||
| Fixed recurring schedules | Calendar-based rules | Repeating database templates |
| Repeat after completion | Completion-based recurrence | Not documented |
| Location reminders | Arrival and departure | Not supported |
| Task detail | ||
| Notes and attachments | Text, images, PDFs and files | Full pages, 5 MB files on Free |
| Collaboration | ||
| Assignments and comments | Shared project tasks | Person property, comments, mentions |
| Guests and admin controls | Lightweight shared projects | Guests, SSO on Business |
| Focus | ||
| Task time tracking | Built-in timer and sessions | No built-in timer |
| Automation | ||
| Siri and Shortcuts | More than 50 App Intents | Shortcuts mainly open Notion AI |
| Rules and API | Shortcuts actions and deep links | Database automations and API |
| AI assistants as collaborators | Invite, assign and revoke per project | Partner agents, Business beta, credits |
| Official MCP connector | Hosted server for ChatGPT and Claude | Hosted server, acts as you |
| Platforms | ||
| Apple devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch and Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad and Mac, no Watch |
| Web, Windows and Android | Apple platforms only | Web, Windows and Android |
| Price | ||
| Free use | Free download with limits | Free plan, limits with teams |
| Purchase model | Free, subscription or lifetime Plus | Plus $12 per seat monthly, $10 yearly |
Which should you choose?
Choose Tasks if…
- You want native apps on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch and Vision Pro
- You rely on Siri, Shortcuts, location reminders or after-completion repeats
- You want your own ChatGPT or Claude to join a project without a Business plan
- You want a low price or a one-time lifetime purchase
Choose Notion if…
- Your tasks need to sit next to docs, wikis and meeting notes
- Your team uses Windows, Android or the web
- You need timeline views, dependencies and database automations
- You want Notion's own agents running on schedules and triggers
Limitations worth knowing
Tasks only runs on Apple devices and has no web app, calendar or timeline view, so mixed-platform teams and document-heavy workflows are better served by Notion.
Switching over
Export each Notion task database as CSV and use it as a checklist to recreate projects, statuses and fields in Tasks. An assistant connected to both apps through MCP can help copy tasks across, but check the result before you archive the original.