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OmniFocus vs TidyCal

OmniFocus logo

OmniFocus

Software

Professional-grade task management for power users

From
$99.99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
T

TidyCal

Software

Simple calendar management and booking

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OmniFocus exclusive to Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android support; TidyCal sold as a one-time lifetime purchase from $29 up to $300 depending on tier rather than a subscription, which is unusual among scheduling tools

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OmniFocus and TidyCal actually diverge.

Attributes where OmniFocus and TidyCal differ
AttributeOmniFocusTidyCal
Starting price$99.99/yearOn request
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
PlatformsmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, WebWeb
Founded1989Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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

  • Custom perspectives
  • Review mode
  • Forecast view
  • Tags
  • Automation
  • Apple Calendar
  • Siri
  • Shortcuts

Only in TidyCal

Nothing recorded that OmniFocus does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

OmniFocus

  • Schedulingnot TidyCal
  • Appointment bookingnot TidyCal
  • Time trackingnot TidyCal
  • Resource managementnot TidyCal
  • Team coordinationnot TidyCal

TidyCal

No use cases recorded yet. See the TidyCal review.

Where each one falls short

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

OmniFocus

  • Exclusive to Apple ecosystem with no Windows or Android support
  • No collaboration features make it unsuitable for team task management or delegation
  • Setting up repeating tasks is cumbersome with multiple configuration options
  • Lacks AI-powered features for advanced project management, load balancing, or contextual awareness

TidyCal

  • Sold as a one-time lifetime purchase from $29 up to $300 depending on tier rather than a subscription, which is unusual among scheduling tools

Pricing, plan by plan

OmniFocus

$99.99/year
  • Subscription$99.99/year
    • All Pro features
    • Web access
    • Cloud sync
  • Standard (Perpetual)$74.99/one-time
    • Basic task management
    • Projects and contexts
    • Perspectives
  • Pro (Perpetual)$149.99/one-time
    • Custom perspectives
    • Advanced automation
    • Plugins support

TidyCal

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the TidyCal review.

Which should you pick?

Choose OmniFocus if

  • You need custom perspectives.
  • You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web.
  • You also want review mode.
OmniFocus review

Choose TidyCal if

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

TidyCal review

Questions people ask

Is OmniFocus or TidyCal better?
Neither clearly leads. OmniFocus starts at $99.99/year and TidyCal at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OmniFocus or TidyCal?
OmniFocus starts at $99.99/year and TidyCal at On request.
Does OmniFocus or TidyCal run on more platforms?
OmniFocus runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, Web. TidyCal runs on Web.
What is OmniFocus best used for?
OmniFocus is most often used for scheduling, appointment booking, time tracking, resource management. Of those, scheduling and appointment booking are not what TidyCal is typically brought in for.
What can OmniFocus do that TidyCal cannot?
OmniFocus covers Custom perspectives, Review mode, Forecast view, Tags.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OmniFocus: Does OmniFocus offer a free tier?

No, OmniFocus does not offer a free tier. It requires purchase or subscription: $99.99/year subscription or one-time perpetual licenses at $74.99 (Standard) or $149.99 (Pro).

Source
OmniFocus: What is the free trial period for OmniFocus?

OmniFocus offers a 14-day free trial allowing full access to all features before requiring payment.

Source
OmniFocus: What platforms does OmniFocus support?

OmniFocus is exclusive to Apple ecosystem: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, and web access. Not available on Windows or Android.

Source
OmniFocus: Can teams collaborate in OmniFocus?

No, OmniFocus lacks collaboration features and is designed as a solo task management tool. Users cannot delegate tasks, share projects, or assign work to team members.

Source
OmniFocus: Does OmniFocus support Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology?

Yes, OmniFocus is built specifically to support GTD with projects, contexts (tags), folders, perspectives, and a focus view for prioritization. It includes weekly review support and automation features.

Source
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Related pages

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