Todo lists are one of the essential factors in the productivity world. Many tasks apps are offered today, and in this battle, we have Google Tasks and Microsoft To Do.
Their free nature can attract anyone. So, which is the one you should be using? This is the Google Tasks vs. Microsoft To Do comparison to help you decide.
What are both
Google Tasks
Google Tasks is a simple tasks app to create and complete tasks. You can create multiple lists to separate your work.
The Tasks app is available for mobile phones, but you can access your tasks in the right sidebar of Gmail, Google Sheets, and Calendar websites.
Microsoft To Do
Microsoft To Do is the to-do app from Microsoft. It’s more advanced than Google Tasks, and its apps are available for mobile phones and desktops.
Microsoft To Do has some default sections, including important, my day, and assigned to me.
You can add your lists and separate tasks. Unlike its opponent, it supports collaboration for teams to work on projects.
Related: Todoist vs. Microsoft To Do
Platforms
As mentioned, we have the Google Tasks mobile app, but to access tasks on a PC, we must go to either Sheets, Gmail, or Calendar sites.
Microsoft To Do is compatible with desktop PCs, web browsers, and mobile devices. You can download it from the Microsoft Store as well.
Reminding features
The next round of Google Tasks vs. Microsoft To Do is discovering how both remind us. Unlike other paid apps, you can set reminders with a due date in both.
Google Tasks is integrated with Google Calendar on mobile. You can open the app and tap on the plus sign, and tap on the task to add new.
However, you must have a mobile app because the app only provides alerts through mobile.
Features comparison
Tasks and subtasks
Both tools support the generic task and subtask creation approach. You can add tasks to existing default lists or create new ones.
You can specify due dates, reminders, and whether or not the task should be repeated. Both also allow you to create subtasks called Steps in To Do.
You can also attach files to tasks in Microsoft To Do. Tasks can also be assigned to team members.
Winner: Tie
My Day
My Day is a nice feature in Microsoft To Do that lets you add daily tasks. As you move to a new day, the section becomes empty for new tasks.
As both apps support lists, we can somehow achieve the same in Google Tasks by creating a “My Day” list.
Winner: To Do
Themes
With Microsoft To Do, you can change the app’s user interface by choosing from various themes that suit your preferences.
Winner: To Do
Create tasks from email
One of the best features of Google Tasks is the ability to create tasks directly from an email. Drag the email to the tasks area, where it will be converted into a task, and you may make changes as required.
Winner: Google Tasks
Default lists
Microsoft To Do comes with the default lists. Those include:
- My Day: As discussed, you see daily tasks here.
- Important: Important tasks are the starred tasks.
- Planned: Planned shows the scheduled tasks. It has a few data ranges (overdue, today, tomorrow, this week, later, and all planned).
- Assigned to me: You can see the tasks assigned to you.
- Flagged email: Tasks that you flag are displayed in this area.
- Tasks: You can see all your tasks in this location.
Other than the above, you see the custom-created lists.
Winner: To Do
Interface
Both include an easy-to-use interface where you complete tasks as you go. The completed tasks have a checkmark with a strikethrough task title.
The left menu in To Do shows your account and all the default lists.
Widgets
Both support widgets on Android. Google Tasks has two widgets:
- List: The List widget shows a list of your tasks in a specific list. You can complete and create new tasks
- New task: The New task widget creates a new task without opening the app.
Microsoft To Do has one widget that can display one of the default lists or a custom list.
Although both apps work fine, on some devices, I found that Microsoft To Do does not update the widget when completing a task.
Google Tasks is pretty good at handling the widget, as when you tap on a task, it quickly vanishes from the widget.
Related: TickTick vs. Google Tasks
Integrations
Both apps are connected with their parent company apps. Both also support Zapier integration to connect with many other apps.
Collaboration
Google Tasks does not have its own sharing options, but in Google Workspace, you can use Google Chat to share tasks with your team.
Some other ways are also available to share Google Tasks with friends.
In comparison, you can share your lists with members in Microsoft To Do by copying the invitation links and sharing them in an email or messaging app.
Which one is for you?
The significant difference comes down to the features and ecosystem. If you want a simple tasks app or use Google products like Gmail, Sheets, and Calendar, you should go with Google Tasks.
If you want to have most tasks features, such as collaboration, planned, my day, etc., you should go with To Do.
Also, apps like Outlook and Office are integrated with To Do, so it’s a plus if you are in Microsoft’s ecosystem.
Google Tasks vs. Microsoft To Do: Links
Conclusion
Google Tasks and To Do are two popular task management apps. Google Tasks is more straightforward and lightweight, whereas Microsoft To Do is more feature rich.
Either way, you won’t be disappointed. Anyway, this is the end of Google Tasks vs. Microsoft To Do. Please share your thoughts in the comments so others can benefit.