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Google Tasks vs Rise Calendar

Google Tasks logo

Google Tasks

Software

Simple task management from Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rise Calendar logo

Rise Calendar

Software

The modern calendar for Mac

From
$16/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; Rise Calendar product discontinued as of March 31, 2025
  • They diverge on capability: Google Tasks covers Task creation, Rise Calendar covers Native Mac app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Tasks and Rise Calendar actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Tasks and Rise Calendar differ
AttributeGoogle TasksRise Calendar
Starting priceFree$16/year
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, GmailiOS, Android, macOS, Windows
Founded19982021

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Workspace
  • Web support

Only in Rise Calendar

  • Native Mac app
  • Natural language
  • Menu bar widget
  • Quick event creation
  • Minimal design
  • iCloud
  • Outlook
  • Exchange

Both cover

  • Google Calendar

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

Rise Calendar

  • 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

Rise Calendar

  • Product discontinued as of March 31, 2025
  • Failed to achieve sufficient commercial traction despite 900 teams and 30% month-over-month growth

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Tasks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Tasks review.

Rise Calendar

$16/year
  • Annual$16/year
    • Full calendar
    • Menu bar access
    • Natural language

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 Rise Calendar if

  • You need native mac app.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want natural language.
Rise Calendar review

Questions people ask

Is Google Tasks or Rise Calendar better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Tasks starts at Free and Rise Calendar at $16/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Tasks or Rise Calendar?
Google Tasks has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Tasks and $16/year for Rise Calendar.
Does Google Tasks or Rise Calendar run on more platforms?
Google Tasks runs on Web, iOS, Android, Gmail. Rise Calendar runs on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Google Tasks for free?
Yes. Google Tasks has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Rise Calendar starts at $16/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 Rise Calendar cannot?
Google Tasks covers Task creation, Subtasks, Due dates, Multiple lists. Rise Calendar covers Native Mac app, Natural language, Menu bar widget, Quick event creation. Both handle Google Calendar.

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
Rise Calendar: Is Rise Calendar still available?

No, Rise Calendar was discontinued on March 31, 2025. The service shut down after failing to achieve commercial traction in a competitive market. All user data was permanently deleted.

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
Rise Calendar: What were Rise Calendar's main features?

Rise offered calendar management with synchronization to Google Calendar, Outlook, and iCloud; integrated task and project management; scheduling optimization with FocusGuard; and cross-platform apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.

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
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Related pages

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