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Google Tasks vs The Old Reader

Google Tasks logo

Google Tasks

Calendars

Simple task management from Google

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
The Old Reader logo

The Old Reader

News

A classic RSS reader for the modern web

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • They diverge on capability: Google Tasks covers Task creation, The Old Reader covers RSS reading.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Tasks and The Old Reader actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Tasks and The Old Reader differ
AttributeGoogle TasksThe Old Reader
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, GmailWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryCalendarsNews
Founded19982012

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 The Old Reader

  • RSS reading
  • Social sharing
  • Following friends
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • OPML import/export
  • Third-party apps
  • Browser bookmarklet

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 The Old Reader
  • Appointment bookingnot The Old Reader
  • Time trackingnot The Old Reader
  • Resource managementnot The Old Reader
  • Team coordinationnot The Old Reader

The Old Reader

  • RSS readingnot Google Tasks
  • News aggregationnot Google Tasks
  • Social readingnot 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

The Old Reader

Nothing recorded yet. See the The Old Reader review.

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Tasks

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Tasks review.

The Old Reader

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 100 subscriptions
    • Social features
    • Web access
  • Premium$3/month
    • 500 subscriptions
    • Search history
    • Priority refresh
  • Supporter$5/month
    • Unlimited subscriptions
    • All premium features
    • Support development

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 The Old Reader if

  • You need rss reading.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want social sharing.
The Old Reader review

Questions people ask

Is Google Tasks or The Old Reader better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Tasks starts at Free and The Old Reader at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Tasks or The Old Reader?
Google Tasks starts at Free and The Old Reader at Free.
Does Google Tasks or The Old Reader run on more platforms?
Google Tasks runs on Web, iOS, Android, Gmail. The Old Reader runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 The Old Reader is typically brought in for.
What can Google Tasks do that The Old Reader cannot?
Google Tasks covers Task creation, Subtasks, Due dates, Multiple lists. The Old Reader covers RSS reading, Social sharing, Following friends, Keyboard shortcuts. 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
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
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Related pages

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