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Software · head to head

OmniFocus 3 vs Capacities

OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Software

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Capacities logo

Capacities

Software

A studio for your mind with object-based notes

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Capacities has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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; Capacities pro plan pricing not prominently displayed on website
  • They diverge on capability: OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Capacities covers Object-based notes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OmniFocus 3 and Capacities actually diverge.

Attributes where OmniFocus 3 and Capacities differ
AttributeOmniFocus 3Capacities
Starting price$39.99/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, WebWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded19932020

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 OmniFocus 3

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

Only in Capacities

  • Object-based notes
  • Daily notes
  • Properties and relations
  • Graph view
  • AI assistant
  • Readwise
  • Web clipper
  • GDPR

What people use each for

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

OmniFocus 3

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

Capacities

  • Productivitynot OmniFocus 3
  • Collaborationnot OmniFocus 3
  • Task managementnot OmniFocus 3
  • Organizationnot OmniFocus 3

Where each one falls short

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

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

Capacities

  • Pro plan pricing not prominently displayed on website
  • Smaller community and ecosystem compared to Notion or Obsidian
  • Limited third-party integration marketplace

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Capacities

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited spaces and objects
    • Device synchronization
    • Unlimited custom object types
  • Pro$10/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Unlimited notes
    • Advanced graph views
  • Believer$149.88/year
    • Everything in Pro
    • Beta access to new features

Which should you pick?

Choose OmniFocus 3 if

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

Choose Capacities if

  • You need object-based notes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want daily notes.

Questions people ask

Is OmniFocus 3 or Capacities better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Capacities at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus 3 or Capacities?
Capacities has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39.99/year for OmniFocus 3 and Free for Capacities.
Does OmniFocus 3 or Capacities run on more platforms?
OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web. Capacities runs on Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use Capacities for free?
Yes. Capacities has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year.
What is OmniFocus 3 best used for?
OmniFocus 3 is most often used for getting things done style task and project management on apple devices, capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cycles, syncing a personal task database across mac, iphone, ipad and watch. Of those, getting things done style task and project management on apple devices and capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cycles are not what Capacities is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus 3 do that Capacities cannot?
OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives. Capacities covers Object-based notes, Daily notes, Properties and relations, Graph view.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Capacities: What platforms does Capacities support?

Capacities is available on Web, Desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux), and Mobile (iOS, Android), allowing seamless work across devices.

Source
Capacities: Does Capacities have a free plan?

Yes, Capacities offers a free plan with unlimited spaces, objects, and blocks, device synchronization, unlimited custom object types, and 5GB media uploads total.

Source
Capacities: What AI features does Capacities include?

Capacities includes an AI Assistant available on Pro and higher plans for brainstorming, summarization, and contextual Q&A about your notes.

Source

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