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Productivity · head to head

Spark Mail vs Todoist

Spark Mail logo

Spark Mail

Productivity

AI-assisted email client from Readdle with a Smart Inbox and team collaboration features

From
Free
Rated
-
Todoist logo

Todoist

Productivity

The world's #1 task manager and to-do list app

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Spark Mail several sync features route mail metadata and, for some features, credentials through Readdle servers, which is a materially different trust model from a local-only IMAP client.; Todoist no built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
  • They diverge on capability: Spark Mail covers Smart Inbox, Todoist covers Natural language input.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Spark Mail and Todoist actually diverge.

Attributes where Spark Mail and Todoist differ
AttributeSpark MailTodoist
Pricing modelPer user per monthUnknown
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
FoundedUnknown2007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Spark Mail

  • Smart Inbox
  • AI Copilot
  • AI Summaries
  • Team collaboration
  • Send later and snooze
  • Multi-account unified inbox

Only in Todoist

  • Natural language input
  • Recurring tasks
  • Projects and sub-tasks
  • Labels and filters
  • Priority levels
  • Productivity tracking
  • Templates
  • Notifications

What people use each for

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

Spark Mail

  • A freelancer juggling Gmail and Outlook accounts who wants one AI-assisted inboxnot Todoist
  • A small support team sharing a single inbox with internal notes before replyingnot Todoist
  • Someone who wants drafts and summaries generated without switching to a new mail hostnot Todoist
  • A user who wants notification triage without writing their own filtersnot Todoist

Todoist

  • Personal task managementnot Spark Mail
  • Team project coordinationnot Spark Mail
  • Goal trackingnot Spark Mail
  • Habit buildingnot Spark Mail
  • Daily planningnot Spark Mail

Where each one falls short

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

Spark Mail

  • Several sync features route mail metadata and, for some features, credentials through Readdle servers, which is a materially different trust model from a local-only IMAP client.
  • It is a client over accounts you still pay for elsewhere, so the total cost is Spark plus whatever Gmail, Outlook or Fastmail plan you already hold.
  • The free tier lacks AI Copilot and summaries, so the features it is best known for sit behind the paid plan.
  • Team features are basic next to dedicated shared-inbox tools like Front or Help Scout, so a support team scaling past a few agents will likely outgrow it.
  • Windows and Android versions have historically lagged the macOS and iOS apps in feature parity.

Todoist

  • No built-in time tracking for tasks; requires third-party integration like Toggl
  • Free plan limited to 5 personal projects only
  • No Gantt charts, resource allocation, or advanced project management features for large enterprises
  • Phone support not available; email and help center only
  • Calendar view and advanced filtering only available on paid plans

Pricing, plan by plan

Spark Mail

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Unlimited accounts
    • Smart Inbox
    • Basic send later
  • Premium$7.99/month
    • AI Copilot and summaries
    • Unlimited snooze and send later
    • Priority support
  • Premium Teams$10/month
    • Shared inboxes
    • Delegation and internal comments
    • Admin controls

Todoist

Free
  • BeginnerFree
    • 5 personal projects
    • Smart Quick Add
    • Task reminders
  • Pro$5/month
    • 300 personal projects
    • Calendar layout
    • Custom task reminders
  • Business$8/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Shared team workspace
    • Up to 500 team projects

Which should you pick?

Choose Spark Mail if

  • You need smart inbox.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want ai copilot.

Choose Todoist if

  • You need natural language input.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
  • You also want recurring tasks.

Questions people ask

Is Spark Mail or Todoist better?
Neither clearly leads. Spark Mail starts at Free and Todoist at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Spark Mail or Todoist?
Spark Mail starts at Free and Todoist at Free.
Does Spark Mail or Todoist run on more platforms?
Spark Mail runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Web. Todoist runs on Web, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows.
Can I use Spark Mail for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Spark Mail best used for?
Spark Mail is most often used for a freelancer juggling gmail and outlook accounts who wants one ai-assisted inbox, a small support team sharing a single inbox with internal notes before replying, someone who wants drafts and summaries generated without switching to a new mail host, a user who wants notification triage without writing their own filters. Of those, a freelancer juggling gmail and outlook accounts who wants one ai-assisted inbox and a small support team sharing a single inbox with internal notes before replying are not what Todoist is typically brought in for.
What can Spark Mail do that Todoist cannot?
Spark Mail covers Smart Inbox, AI Copilot, AI Summaries, Team collaboration. Todoist covers Natural language input, Recurring tasks, Projects and sub-tasks, Labels and filters.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Spark Mail: Does Spark host my email?

No. It is a client that connects to Gmail, Outlook, iCloud or any IMAP account; you still need a mail host.

Todoist: Does Todoist work offline?

Basic editing and task management work offline, but advanced features like syncing reminders and shared updates require internet connectivity.

Source
Spark Mail: Does Spark store my email credentials on its servers?

For some features, including cross-device snooze and send-later sync, yes. It is part of how those features stay consistent across devices.

Todoist: Does Todoist have a free plan and what does it include?

Yes, Todoist offers a free Beginner plan with 5 personal projects, Smart Quick Add, task reminders, flexible layouts, 3 filter views, and 1 week activity history. More advanced features require the Pro or Business plans.

Source
Spark Mail: Is there a one-time purchase option?

No, Spark is subscription only for individuals and teams; the base client is free but AI and unlimited scheduling need Premium.

Todoist: Can I use Todoist on mobile devices?

Yes, Todoist offers native apps for both iOS and Android with over 30 million downloads. Mobile apps provide full task management functionality across devices.

Source
Todoist: What integrations does Todoist support?

Todoist integrates with over 100 apps including Slack, Google Calendar, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, and Toggl Track. Additional integrations are available through Zapier, Make, and IFTTT automation platforms.

Source
Todoist: How much does Todoist cost?

Free plan is $0. Pro plan costs $5/month (billed annually) or $7/month (monthly billing). Business plan costs $8/month per user (annual) or $10/month per user (monthly), as of December 2025.

Source
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