Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Alfred vs Todoist

Alfred logo

Alfred

Productivity

Mac launcher and automation tool sold as a one-time Powerpack licence rather than a subscription

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Todoist logo

Todoist

Productivity

The world's #1 task manager and to-do list app

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Alfred there is no official built in AI assistant, so anything AI related depends on a community workflow calling an external API key you supply yourself.; Todoist no built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
  • They diverge on capability: Alfred covers Workflows, Todoist covers Natural language input.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Alfred and Todoist actually diverge.

Attributes where Alfred and Todoist differ
AttributeAlfredTodoist
Pricing modelOne-time purchaseUnknown
PlatformsMacWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Alfred

  • Workflows
  • Clipboard history
  • Snippets
  • File actions
  • Universal actions
  • Theming

Only in Todoist

  • Natural language input
  • Recurring tasks
  • Projects and sub-tasks
  • Labels and filters
  • Priority levels
  • Productivity tracking
  • Templates
  • Notifications

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Alfred

  • A developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscriptionnot Todoist
  • A writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in AInot Todoist
  • A long time Alfred user with a large personal library of custom workflows built up over yearsnot Todoist
  • A user who prefers paying once per major version over a recurring monthly chargenot Todoist

Todoist

  • Personal task managementnot Alfred
  • Team project coordinationnot Alfred
  • Goal trackingnot Alfred
  • Habit buildingnot Alfred
  • Daily planningnot Alfred

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Alfred

  • There is no official built in AI assistant, so anything AI related depends on a community workflow calling an external API key you supply yourself.
  • The workflow format is older XML and script filters, which is less approachable for a beginner than a modern extension store with typed APIs.
  • It is Mac only, so a user who splits time between Mac and Windows needs a second tool on the other machine.
  • The free tier is quite limited, with no workflows or clipboard history, so most serious users end up paying for the Powerpack anyway.
  • Because upgrades to a new major version are a separate purchase for Single Licence holders, users who skip the Mega Supporter tier can face a further one-time charge every few years.

Todoist

  • No built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
  • Free plan limited to 5 personal projects only
  • No Gantt charts, resource allocation, or advanced project management features for large enterprises
  • Phone support not available; email and help center only
  • Calendar view and advanced filtering only available on paid plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Alfred

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic app and file launching
    • Web searches and system commands
    • No workflows or clipboard history
  • Powerpack Single Licence$34/one-time
    • 1 user on up to 2 Macs
    • Workflows, clipboard history and snippets
    • Free updates within the same major version
  • Powerpack Mega Supporter$59/one-time
    • 1 user on up to 4 Macs
    • Free upgrades to all future major versions
    • Early access to betas

Todoist

Free
  • BeginnerFree
    • 5 personal projects
    • Smart Quick Add
    • Task reminders
  • Pro$5/month
    • 300 personal projects
    • Calendar layout
    • Custom task reminders
  • Business$8/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Shared team workspace
    • Up to 500 team projects

Which should you pick?

Choose Alfred if

  • You need workflows.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want clipboard history.
Alfred review

Choose Todoist if

  • You need natural language input.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want recurring tasks.
Todoist review

Questions people ask

Is Alfred or Todoist better?
Neither clearly leads. Alfred starts at Free and Todoist at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Alfred or Todoist?
Alfred starts at Free and Todoist at Free.
Does Alfred or Todoist run on more platforms?
Alfred runs on Mac. Todoist runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Alfred for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Alfred best used for?
Alfred is most often used for a developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscription, a writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in ai, a long time alfred user with a large personal library of custom workflows built up over years, a user who prefers paying once per major version over a recurring monthly charge. Of those, a developer who wants to trigger scripts, run shell commands and search files from one hotkey without a subscription and a writer who wants text snippets and clipboard history and does not want built in ai are not what Todoist is typically brought in for.
What can Alfred do that Todoist cannot?
Alfred covers Workflows, Clipboard history, Snippets, File actions. Todoist covers Natural language input, Recurring tasks, Projects and sub-tasks, Labels and filters.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Alfred: Is Alfred a subscription?

No. The Powerpack is a one-time purchase per major version, or a one-time Mega Supporter purchase that includes all future major version upgrades.

Todoist: Does Todoist work offline?

Basic editing and task management work offline, but advanced features like syncing reminders and shared updates require internet connectivity.

Source
Alfred: Does Alfred replace Spotlight?

It can. Alfred can take over the system-wide hotkey and generally returns results faster with more configurable behaviour than Spotlight.

Todoist: Does Todoist have a free plan and what does it include?

Yes, Todoist offers a free Beginner plan with 5 personal projects, Smart Quick Add, task reminders, flexible layouts, 3 filter views, and 1 week activity history. More advanced features require the Pro or Business plans.

Source
Alfred: Does Alfred have AI features?

Not officially built in. Some community workflows add AI chat or completion by calling an external API with a key you provide.

Todoist: Can I use Todoist on mobile devices?

Yes, Todoist offers native apps for both iOS and Android with over 30 million downloads. Mobile apps provide full task management functionality across devices.

Source
Todoist: What integrations does Todoist support?

Todoist integrates with over 100 apps including Slack, Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, and Toggl Track. Additional integrations are available through Zapier, Make, and IFTTT automation platforms.

Source
Todoist: How much does Todoist cost?

Free plan is $0. Pro plan costs $5/month (billed annually) or $7/month (monthly billing). Business plan costs $8/month per user (annual) or $10/month per user (monthly), as of December 2025.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Alfred

More on Todoist

Keep looking

Other head to heads