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Calendar & Time Management · head to head

Google Tasks vs OmniFocus

Google Tasks logo

Google Tasks

Calendar & Time Management

Simple task management from Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OmniFocus logo

OmniFocus

Calendar & Time Management

Professional-grade task management for power users

From
$99.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Google Tasks has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Tasks no team collaboration or task assignment features; cannot share task lists; OmniFocus exclusive to Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android support
  • They diverge on capability: Google Tasks covers Task creation, OmniFocus covers Custom perspectives.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Tasks and OmniFocus actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Tasks and OmniFocus differ
AttributeGoogle TasksOmniFocus
Starting priceFree$99.99/year
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, GmailmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web
Founded19981989

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Calendar & Time Management).

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 OmniFocus

  • Custom perspectives
  • Review mode
  • Forecast view
  • Tags
  • Automation
  • Apple Calendar
  • Siri
  • Shortcuts

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Google Tasks

  • Scheduling
  • Appointment booking
  • Time tracking
  • Resource management
  • Team coordination

OmniFocus

  • Scheduling
  • Appointment booking
  • Time tracking
  • Resource management
  • Team coordination

Both are used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management, team coordination, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

OmniFocus

  • Exclusive to Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android support
  • No collaboration features make it unsuitable for team task management or delegation
  • Setting up repeating tasks is cumbersome with multiple configuration options
  • Lacks AI-powered features for advanced project management, load balancing, or contextual awareness

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Tasks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Tasks review.

OmniFocus

$99.99/year
  • Subscription$99.99/year
    • All Pro features
    • Web access
    • Cloud sync
  • Standard (Perpetual)$74.99/one-time
    • Basic task management
    • Projects and contexts
    • Perspectives
  • Pro (Perpetual)$149.99/one-time
    • Custom perspectives
    • Advanced automation
    • Plugins support

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 OmniFocus if

  • You need custom perspectives.
  • You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web.
  • You also want review mode.
OmniFocus review

Questions people ask

Is Google Tasks or OmniFocus better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Tasks starts at Free and OmniFocus at $99.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Tasks or OmniFocus?
Google Tasks has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Tasks and $99.99/year for OmniFocus.
Does Google Tasks or OmniFocus run on more platforms?
Google Tasks runs on Web, iOS, Android, Gmail. OmniFocus runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web.
Can I use Google Tasks for free?
Yes. Google Tasks has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OmniFocus starts at $99.99/year.
What is Google Tasks best used for?
Google Tasks is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management.
What can Google Tasks do that OmniFocus cannot?
Google Tasks covers Task creation, Subtasks, Due dates, Multiple lists. OmniFocus covers Custom perspectives, Review mode, Forecast view, Tags. Both handle Web support, Ios 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
OmniFocus: Does OmniFocus offer a free tier?

No, OmniFocus does not offer a free tier. It requires purchase or subscription: $99.99/year subscription or one-time perpetual licenses at $74.99 (Standard) or $149.99 (Pro).

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
OmniFocus: What is the free trial period for OmniFocus?

OmniFocus offers a 14-day free trial allowing full access to all features before requiring payment.

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
OmniFocus: What platforms does OmniFocus support?

OmniFocus is exclusive to Apple ecosystem: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, and web access. Not available on Windows or Android.

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
OmniFocus: Can teams collaborate in OmniFocus?

No, OmniFocus lacks collaboration features and is designed as a solo task management tool. Users cannot delegate tasks, share projects, or assign work to team members.

Source
OmniFocus: Does OmniFocus support Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology?

Yes, OmniFocus is built specifically to support GTD with projects, contexts (tags), folders, perspectives, and a focus view for prioritization. It includes weekly review support and automation features.

Source
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