Softwr

Calendar & Time Management · head to head

Google Tasks vs OmniFocus 3

Google Tasks logo

Google Tasks

Calendar & Time Management

Simple task management from Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Productivity

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/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 3 apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • They diverge on capability: Google Tasks covers Task creation, OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Tasks and OmniFocus 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Tasks and OmniFocus 3 differ
AttributeGoogle TasksOmniFocus 3
Starting priceFree$39.99/year
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, GmailMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web
CategoryCalendar & Time ManagementProductivity
Founded19981993

Identical on both: 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 OmniFocus 3

  • GTD-based task organization
  • Projects and subprojects
  • Contexts and tags
  • Custom perspectives
  • Automation
  • Quick entry
  • Sync across devices
  • Deferred and due dates

What people use each for

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

Google Tasks

  • Schedulingnot OmniFocus 3
  • Appointment bookingnot OmniFocus 3
  • Time trackingnot OmniFocus 3
  • Resource managementnot OmniFocus 3
  • Team coordinationnot OmniFocus 3

OmniFocus 3

  • Getting Things Done style task and project management on Apple devicesnot Google Tasks
  • Capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cyclesnot Google Tasks
  • Syncing a personal task database across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watchnot 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

OmniFocus 3

  • Apple platforms only apart from the web client: macOS 14, iOS or iPadOS 17, watchOS 10 or visionOS 2 and newer are required, with no Windows or Android app
  • Web access is not included with a perpetual licence and costs an extra $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year
  • The Pro perpetual licence costs $149.99 against $74.99 for Standard
  • Future major upgrades are a paid discount rather than free for perpetual licence holders
  • The $99.99 per year subscription is the only option that bundles Pro plus web access

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Tasks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Tasks review.

OmniFocus 3

$39.99/year
  • Standard$39.99/year
    • Mac and iOS apps
    • Cloud sync
    • Core features
  • Pro$99.99/year
    • Everything in Standard
    • Advanced automation
    • Perspective management

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 3 if

  • You need gtd-based task organization.
  • You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
  • You also want projects and subprojects.
OmniFocus 3 review

Questions people ask

Is Google Tasks or OmniFocus 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Tasks starts at Free and OmniFocus 3 at $39.99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Tasks or OmniFocus 3?
Google Tasks has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Tasks and $39.99/year for OmniFocus 3.
Does Google Tasks or OmniFocus 3 run on more platforms?
Google Tasks runs on Web, iOS, Android, Gmail. OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web.
Can I use Google Tasks for free?
Yes. Google Tasks has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year.
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 OmniFocus 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Google Tasks do that OmniFocus 3 cannot?
Google Tasks covers Task creation, Subtasks, Due dates, Multiple lists. OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives.

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
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
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
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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Google Tasks

More on OmniFocus 3

Keep looking

Other head to heads