Softwr

Software · head to head

Roam Research vs TickTick

Roam Research logo

Roam Research

Software

A note-taking tool for networked thought

From
$15/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TickTick logo

TickTick

Software

Stay organized, stay creative

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only TickTick has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Roam Research cloud-dependent: no local-first option, all data stored on Roam servers; TickTick recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • They diverge on capability: Roam Research covers Bi-directional linking, TickTick covers Task management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Roam Research and TickTick actually diverge.

Attributes where Roam Research and TickTick differ
AttributeRoam ResearchTickTick
Starting price$15/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, macOS, WindowsWeb, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows
Founded20172013

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Roam Research

  • Bi-directional linking
  • Block references
  • Daily notes
  • Graph visualization
  • Sidebar navigation
  • Version history
  • Markdown support
  • TODO management

Only in TickTick

  • Task management
  • Calendar integration
  • Pomodoro timer
  • Habit tracking
  • Natural language input
  • Collaboration
  • Voice input
  • Location reminders

Both cover

  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Roam Research

  • Research notesnot TickTick
  • Writing projectsnot TickTick
  • Personal knowledge managementnot TickTick
  • Academic worknot TickTick
  • Creative thinkingnot TickTick

TickTick

  • Personal task managementnot Roam Research
  • Team collaborationnot Roam Research
  • Project planningnot Roam Research
  • Habit trackingnot Roam Research
  • Time managementnot Roam Research

Where each one falls short

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

Roam Research

  • Cloud-dependent: no local-first option, all data stored on Roam servers
  • Offline sync issues: offline databases experience slow startup and synchronization problems
  • No native Android app
  • Requires internet connection for most functionality

TickTick

  • Recurring task options are limited compared to dedicated project management tools
  • Reporting and analytics are minimal, providing little productivity trend visibility
  • Calendar sync can be slow and unreliable, sometimes causing sync issues across devices
  • API capabilities are basic, limiting direct integrations beyond Zapier and IFTTT
  • Habit tracking becomes less useful once routines are well-established

Pricing, plan by plan

Roam Research

$15/month
  • Pro$15/month
    • Unlimited graphs
    • Unlimited blocks
    • Daily notes
  • Believer$500/5 years
    • All Pro features
    • Cost effective long-term subscription

TickTick

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 9 lists
    • Up to 99 tasks per list
    • Basic reminders
  • Premium$35.99/year
    • Up to 299 lists
    • Up to 999 tasks per list
    • Advanced collaboration for up to 30 members

Which should you pick?

Choose Roam Research if

  • You need bi-directional linking.
  • You work on Web, iOS, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want block references.
Roam Research review

Choose TickTick if

  • You need task management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
  • You also want calendar integration.
TickTick review

Questions people ask

Is Roam Research or TickTick better?
Neither clearly leads. Roam Research starts at $15/month and TickTick at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Roam Research or TickTick?
TickTick has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $15/month for Roam Research and Free for TickTick.
Does Roam Research or TickTick run on more platforms?
Roam Research runs on Web, iOS, macOS, Windows. TickTick runs on Web, Mac, iOS, iPad, Android, Apple Watch, Windows.
Can I use TickTick for free?
Yes. TickTick has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Roam Research starts at $15/month.
What is Roam Research best used for?
Roam Research is most often used for research notes, writing projects, personal knowledge management, academic work. Of those, research notes and writing projects are not what TickTick is typically brought in for.
What can Roam Research do that TickTick cannot?
Roam Research covers Bi-directional linking, Block references, Daily notes, Graph visualization. TickTick covers Task management, Calendar integration, Pomodoro timer, Habit tracking. Both handle Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Roam Research: Does Roam Research have a free plan?

No, Roam Research does not offer a free plan. However, it includes a 31-day free trial before requiring a subscription to either the Pro plan ($15/month) or Believer plan ($500 for five years).

Source
TickTick: What is TickTick?

TickTick is a cross-platform task management and productivity app that combines to-do lists, calendar views, habit tracking, reminders, and a Pomodoro timer. It helps users organize personal and work tasks across 10+ platforms including Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, and web.

Source
Roam Research: Can I use Roam Research offline?

Roam Research has limited offline support. Offline databases have significant performance issues, including slow startup times and sync problems. The platform is cloud-dependent and requires internet connectivity for most functionality.

Source
TickTick: What are TickTick's pricing options?

TickTick offers a permanent free plan and a premium plan at $35.99/year (listed price $49.99, currently discounted). The free plan includes up to 9 lists and basic features, while premium unlocks up to 299 lists, advanced collaboration for up to 30 members, and calendar subscriptions.

Source
Roam Research: What platforms does Roam Research support?

Roam Research is available as a web app and native mobile apps for iOS and macOS. Windows users access it through the web app or Electron desktop wrapper. Android support is limited.

Source
TickTick: Does TickTick have team features?

TickTick does not offer a dedicated team or family plan. Each user needs their own premium subscription. Premium users can share lists with up to 30 members for collaboration.

Source
Roam Research: Can I export my data from Roam Research?

Yes, you can export your entire database or individual pages as JSON or Markdown format by clicking the three-dot menu. However, block references do not translate perfectly, and migration to other tools may require manual cleanup.

Source
TickTick: What integrations does TickTick support?

TickTick supports integrations with 2,000+ apps through third-party platforms like Zapier, Make, n8n, and Integrately. It also supports calendar subscriptions with Google Calendar and Outlook, and has a basic OAuth API for developers.

Source
Roam Research: Does Roam Research integrate with Slack?

Roam Research integrates with Slack through Zapier, allowing you to send Slack messages to Roam or add Slack messages to your Roam daily notes. No native Slack integration is available.

Source
TickTick: Is TickTick available offline?

TickTick requires an internet connection for syncing across devices. Offline functionality depends on the platform, with some mobile apps offering limited offline access but requiring connectivity for full features.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Roam Research

More on TickTick

Keep looking

Other head to heads