Softwr

Productivity · head to head

OmniFocus 3 vs Granola

OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Productivity

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Granola logo

Granola

Productivity

AI notepad that transcribes meetings and merges transcripts with user notes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Granola 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; Granola free plan limits note access to 30 days; older notes become inaccessible unless upgraded

Where they differ

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

Attributes where OmniFocus 3 and Granola differ
AttributeOmniFocus 3Granola
Starting price$39.99/yearFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, WebmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams
Founded1993Unknown

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

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 Granola

Nothing recorded that OmniFocus 3 does not also cover.

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 Granola
  • Capturing tasks with contexts, defer dates and review cyclesnot Granola
  • Syncing a personal task database across Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watchnot Granola

Granola

  • Automatic meeting documentation without dedicated note-takernot OmniFocus 3
  • Action item extraction and task assignmentnot OmniFocus 3
  • Meeting context retrieval via AI agent queriesnot OmniFocus 3
  • Multi-language meeting transcriptionnot OmniFocus 3
  • Compliance-friendly note generation for regulated industriesnot 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

Granola

  • Free plan limits note access to 30 days; older notes become inaccessible unless upgraded
  • Premium pricing not published on main website; requires account signup or sales contact
  • Requires local computer audio; not suitable for purely phone-based calls via traditional phone lines
  • Note retention limits may affect long-term project documentation

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

Granola

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited note-taking
    • 30-day note retention
    • No credit card required
  • Premium$null/month
    • Access and search notes older than 30 days
    • Specific pricing not detailed on available pages

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.
OmniFocus 3 review

Choose Granola if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.
Granola review

Questions people ask

Is OmniFocus 3 or Granola better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Granola at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus 3 or Granola?
Granola has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $39.99/year for OmniFocus 3 and Free for Granola.
Does OmniFocus 3 or Granola run on more platforms?
OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web. Granola runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams.
Can I use Granola for free?
Yes. Granola 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 Granola is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus 3 do that Granola cannot?
OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives.
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