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Calendars · head to head

Google Tasks vs Microsoft Start

Google Tasks logo

Google Tasks

Calendars

Simple task management from Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Start logo

Microsoft Start

News

Your personalized news feed powered by Microsoft

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Tasks no team collaboration or task assignment features; cannot share task lists; Microsoft Start no pricing information available
  • They diverge on capability: Google Tasks covers Task creation, Microsoft Start covers Personalized news.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Tasks and Microsoft Start actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Tasks and Microsoft Start differ
AttributeGoogle TasksMicrosoft Start
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, GmailWeb, Ios, Android, Windows
CategoryCalendarsNews
Founded19981975

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

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 Google Tasks

  • Task creation
  • Subtasks
  • Due dates
  • Multiple lists
  • Gmail integration
  • Gmail
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Workspace

Only in Microsoft Start

  • Personalized news
  • Topic following
  • Weather updates
  • Sports scores
  • Finance news
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Windows 11
  • Microsoft Account

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Google Tasks

  • Schedulingnot Microsoft Start
  • Appointment bookingnot Microsoft Start
  • Time trackingnot Microsoft Start
  • Resource managementnot Microsoft Start
  • Team coordinationnot Microsoft Start

Microsoft Start

  • Daily newsnot Google Tasks
  • Topic trackingnot Google Tasks
  • Weather updatesnot Google Tasks
  • Quick informationnot Google Tasks

Where each one falls short

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

Google Tasks

  • No team collaboration or task assignment features; cannot share task lists
  • No priority levels beyond a binary star; cannot rank tasks by priority (P1, P2, P3)
  • No subtasks, task dependencies, or complex hierarchies
  • No file attachments; cannot attach documents, images, or links directly to tasks
  • Lacks work visualization tools like Gantt charts, Kanban boards, or project timelines
  • Limited reminder functionality for task deadlines
  • No third-party service integrations; requires full Google ecosystem dependency

Microsoft Start

  • No pricing information available
  • Service appears to be consumer-facing rather than commercial product
  • No pricing model published

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Tasks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Tasks review.

Microsoft Start

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Personalized news feed
    • Topic following
    • Cross-device sync

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Tasks if

  • You need task creation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Gmail.
  • You also want subtasks.
Google Tasks review

Choose Microsoft Start if

  • You need personalized news.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
  • You also want topic following.
Microsoft Start review

Questions people ask

Is Google Tasks or Microsoft Start better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Tasks starts at Free and Microsoft Start at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Tasks or Microsoft Start?
Google Tasks starts at Free and Microsoft Start at Free.
Does Google Tasks or Microsoft Start run on more platforms?
Google Tasks runs on Web, iOS, Android, Gmail. Microsoft Start runs on Web, Ios, Android, Windows.
Can I use Google Tasks for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Tasks best used for?
Google Tasks is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what Microsoft Start is typically brought in for.
What can Google Tasks do that Microsoft Start cannot?
Google Tasks covers Task creation, Subtasks, Due dates, Multiple lists. Microsoft Start covers Personalized news, Topic following, Weather updates, Sports scores. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Google Tasks: Is Google Tasks truly free?

Yes, Google Tasks is completely free with no hidden costs or premium version. You get full access to all features with any free Google account, on both web and mobile.

Source
Microsoft Start: How much does Microsoft Start (MSN) cost?

Microsoft Start (formerly MSN.com) is a free service with no subscription required. The platform provides news, weather, and personalized content at no cost to users.

Source
Google Tasks: Does Google Tasks work offline?

Google Tasks on Android and iOS apps support offline reading and editing with automatic sync when back online. However, the desktop web version at tasks.google.com requires an active internet connection.

Source
Microsoft Start: Does Microsoft Start offer any paid services or premium features?

Microsoft Start does not publish any paid tiers or premium features. The service is entirely free to access and use without any payment or subscription.

Source
Google Tasks: How does Google Tasks integrate with Gmail and Google Calendar?

Google Tasks has native integration with Gmail, allowing you to convert emails into tasks with one click. Tasks with due dates automatically appear in Google Calendar as all-day items, and you can manage tasks from within Calendar without opening a separate tab.

Source
Microsoft Start: Are there ads on Microsoft Start?

Microsoft Start provides personalized news and content free of charge. Any advertising present on the service helps support the free platform offering.

Source
Google Tasks: Can I assign tasks to other people in Google Tasks?

No, Google Tasks has no team collaboration features. You cannot assign tasks to others, share task lists, or add comments within Google Tasks itself, making it unsuitable for team-based work.

Source
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