Quick verdict
OmniFocus is the deepest GTD system on Apple devices, with defer dates, Forecast, Review and serious scripting. Tasks is lighter and cheaper to start, and adds custom statuses, fields, Kanban, shared projects and AI assistants that join a project.
OmniFocus is built for Getting Things Done. Defer and planned dates, Forecast, weekly Review and Omni Automation give a dedicated GTD practitioner more control than almost any other Apple task manager.
Tasks starts lighter. Capture stays quick, and a project can grow into its own statuses, fields and Kanban board when the work needs them. Projects can also be shared, with assignees and comments, which OmniFocus does not offer.
AI assistants are a newer difference. Omni has announced MCP support that is still in testing. Tasks already connects to ChatGPT, Claude and other assistants through MCP, and an assistant can join a shared project as its own collaborator that you assign tasks to. Here is how it works.
If your system is a GTD practice you have tuned for years, OmniFocus is hard to beat. If your projects move through stages or involve other people, Tasks is the easier fit.
Sources checked: OmniFocus, OmniFocus pricing 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 | OmniFocus |
|---|---|---|
| Capture | ||
| Quick task capture | App, widgets, Siri and extensions | Quick Entry, Mail Drop and Siri |
| Natural-language dates | Recognised while typing | Date parser, optional Apple Intelligence |
| Structure | ||
| Projects and subtasks | Folders, projects and nested tasks | Folders, projects and action groups |
| Custom workflow statuses | Defined per project | Fixed Active, On Hold, Dropped |
| Project-specific custom fields | Field layout varies by project | No custom-field system |
| Views | ||
| Kanban board | Optional project view | On Omni's roadmap, not shipped |
| Calendar and forecast | Dated filters, not a full calendar | Forecast with calendar events |
| Saved cross-project filters | Smart Lists with grouping | Custom perspectives need Pro |
| Tags | Reusable tags and global search | Tags, tag groups and location tags |
| Reminders | ||
| Fixed recurring schedules | Calendar-based rules | Regular repeat schedules |
| Repeat after completion | Completion-based recurrence | Repeat from completion |
| Location reminders | Arrival and departure | Location tags and Nearby |
| Task detail | ||
| Notes and attachments | Text, images, PDFs and files | Rich notes, files and audio |
| Collaboration | ||
| Shared projects, assignments and comments | Built-in collaboration | Single-user task manager |
| Focus | ||
| Task time tracking | Built-in timer and sessions | Estimated duration field only |
| Automation | ||
| Siri and Shortcuts | More than 50 App Intents | App Intents and Shortcuts actions |
| Scripting | Shortcuts actions and deep links | Omni Automation and AppleScript |
| AI assistants as collaborators | Invite, assign and revoke per project | No shared projects or assignees |
| Official MCP connector | Hosted server for ChatGPT and Claude | Announced, still in testing |
| Platforms | ||
| Apple devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch and Vision Pro | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch and Vision Pro |
| Web, Windows and Android | Apple platforms only | Web app, no Windows or Android app |
| Price | ||
| Free use | Free download with limits | 14-day trial |
| Purchase model | Free, subscription or lifetime Plus | $74.99 or $149.99 license, or $99.99/year |
Which should you choose?
Choose Tasks if…
- You want custom statuses, fields and a Kanban board per project
- You share projects and need assignees and comments
- You want an AI assistant working in a project as its own teammate
- You want a free start and a lower price than a Pro license
Choose OmniFocus if…
- You run strict GTD with defer dates, planned dates and weekly Review
- Forecast with calendar events beside due work is central to your day
- You script your system with Omni Automation or AppleScript
- You need browser access or prefer a perpetual license
Limitations worth knowing
Tasks has no web app and nothing like Omni Automation, so people who reach their tasks from a browser or script elaborate GTD workflows will find it thinner.
Switching over
Export from OmniFocus with File > Export as CSV on Mac, or Export to CSV in Database settings on iPhone and iPad. Use that file as a checklist to rebuild active projects in Tasks rather than moving years of completed history.