Todoist vs Microsoft Planner

Todoist is a veteran task manager launched in 2007 that has built its reputation on clean design and cross-platform reliability. It suits individuals and small teams who need a fast, flexible system for capturing and organizing tasks without overhead. Microsoft Planner, introduced in 2016, is the visual task-management layer inside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It targets teams already working in Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint who want a board-based workflow without adopting yet another vendor. Both tools offer Kanban boards, calendar views, file sharing, mobile apps, automation, and AI assistance—but they serve different buyers. Todoist appeals to productivity-focused individuals and lean teams that value simplicity, while Planner appeals to organizations that have standardized on Microsoft 365 and want native integration across their existing stack.

Starting with pricing, Todoist has a clear edge for budget-conscious users: it offers a free tier and paid plans starting at $4 per user per month. Microsoft Planner has no standalone free plan; access starts at $6 per user per month as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription. If your organization already pays for M365, Planner is effectively included—making it the cheaper option in that scenario. For teams without an existing Microsoft commitment, Todoist's free tier lets you get started at zero cost.

Both tools share a core feature set: Kanban boards, calendar views, file sharing, mobile apps, automation capabilities, and AI-powered assistance. Neither offers built-in Gantt charts or native time tracking, so teams needing those will rely on integrations either way.

The integration story is where the two diverge sharply. Todoist connects to Google Calendar, Slack, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Spark—a mix that favors individuals and teams using a variety of best-of-breed tools. Microsoft Planner plugs directly into Microsoft Teams, Outlook, SharePoint, OneNote, and Power Automate, creating a seamless experience for organizations living inside the Microsoft ecosystem. If your team already communicates in Teams and stores files in SharePoint, Planner slots in without friction. If you prefer a vendor-neutral stack, Todoist's broader third-party reach is more useful.

Todoist's longer track record (founded 2007 vs. 2016) shows in its mature, polished personal productivity features. Planner leans more toward team-oriented visual planning and benefits from Microsoft's continued investment in unifying its task experiences across M365.