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Productivity · head to head

OmniFocus 3 vs Paperpile

OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Productivity

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paperpile logo

Paperpile

Research

Reference management essentials

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Paperpile sign-up is Chrome-only: the pricing page states you can only sign up for Paperpile on Chrome

Where they differ

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

Attributes where OmniFocus 3 and Paperpile differ
AttributeOmniFocus 3Paperpile
Starting price$39.99/yearOn request
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, WebWeb
CategoryProductivityResearch
Founded1993Unknown

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 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 Paperpile

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

Paperpile

No use cases recorded yet. See the Paperpile review.

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

Paperpile

  • Sign-up is Chrome-only: the pricing page states you can only sign up for Paperpile on Chrome
  • All plans are billed annually with no monthly option, and multi-user licenses cannot mix Regular and Expert tiers

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

Paperpile

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Paperpile review.

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 Paperpile if

Nothing in the data separates Paperpile from OmniFocus 3 on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Paperpile review

Questions people ask

Is OmniFocus 3 or Paperpile better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Paperpile at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus 3 or Paperpile?
OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Paperpile at On request.
Does OmniFocus 3 or Paperpile run on more platforms?
OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web. Paperpile runs on Web.
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 Paperpile is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus 3 do that Paperpile cannot?
OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives.
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