Softwr

Productivity · head to head

OmniFocus 3 vs Paychex Flex

OmniFocus 3 logo

OmniFocus 3

Productivity

Professional task management for complex workflows

From
$39.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Paychex Flex logo

Paychex Flex

Payroll & Benefits

Payroll and HR solutions that grow with you

From
$39/month
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; Paychex Flex paychex publishes no rate card for Paychex Flex: the payroll page names the Select, Pro and Enterprise packages but gives no per employee fee, no base monthly fee and no setup fee
  • They diverge on capability: OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Paychex Flex covers Payroll Processing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OmniFocus 3 and Paychex Flex actually diverge.

Attributes where OmniFocus 3 and Paychex Flex differ
AttributeOmniFocus 3Paychex Flex
Starting price$39.99/year$39/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
PlatformsMacOS, IOS, IPadOS, WebWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryProductivityPayroll & Benefits
Founded19931971

Identical on both: 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 Paychex Flex

  • Payroll Processing
  • Tax Administration
  • HR Services
  • Benefits Administration
  • Time and Attendance
  • Retirement Services
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero

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

Paychex Flex

  • Running payroll and filing payroll taxes for small and mid sized US businessesnot OmniFocus 3
  • Combining payroll with benefits administration and HR services from one vendornot OmniFocus 3
  • Handling multi state payroll compliance and year end tax formsnot 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

Paychex Flex

  • Paychex publishes no rate card for Paychex Flex: the payroll page names the Select, Pro and Enterprise packages but gives no per employee fee, no base monthly fee and no setup fee
  • Pricing is obtained only by requesting a quote or calling sales
  • Product capability is split across three packages, so features are tied to a tier whose price is not disclosed

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

Paychex Flex

$39/month
  • Essentials$39/month
    • Payroll Processing
    • Tax Services
    • Direct Deposit
  • Select$undefined/month
    • All Essentials features
    • HR Administration
    • Onboarding

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 Paychex Flex if

  • You need payroll processing.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want tax administration.
Paychex Flex review

Questions people ask

Is OmniFocus 3 or Paychex Flex better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Paychex Flex at $39/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus 3 or Paychex Flex?
OmniFocus 3 starts at $39.99/year and Paychex Flex at $39/month.
Does OmniFocus 3 or Paychex Flex run on more platforms?
OmniFocus 3 runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Web. Paychex Flex runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Paychex Flex is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus 3 do that Paychex Flex cannot?
OmniFocus 3 covers GTD-based task organization, Projects and subprojects, Contexts and tags, Custom perspectives. Paychex Flex covers Payroll Processing, Tax Administration, HR Services, Benefits Administration.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on OmniFocus 3

More on Paychex Flex

Keep looking

Other head to heads