BetterKeeper vs Todoist: native Apple focus vs. cross-platform task list
BetterKeeper
A native Apple task manager with projects, rich-text notes, and built-in time tracking — all synced through your personal iCloud. No account, no servers, no compromises.
Todoist
One of the most popular task apps on every platform. Great for pure task management with powerful filters and natural language input, but built as a web service — not a native Apple app.
Feature comparison
| BetterKeeper | Todoist | |
|---|---|---|
| Task management | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Built-in notes | ✓ Rich text notes on tasks & projects | ✗ Task descriptions only |
| Project management | ✓ Yes, with progress tracking | ✓ Yes (sections & sub-tasks) |
| Time tracking | ✓ Built-in timers per task | ✗ Not available |
| Native Apple app | ✓ SwiftUI + AppKit | ✗ React Native / web wrapper |
| Data storage | Your iCloud only | Doist servers (EU/US) |
| No account needed | ✓ Apple ID only | ✗ Doist account required |
| Offline access | ✓ Full offline | Limited on free plan |
| Home screen widgets | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (Pro only) |
| Pricing | $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr | Free tier / $5/mo (Pro) / $8/user/mo (Business) |
Where they really differ
Built in SwiftUI and AppKit — the same frameworks Apple uses for its own apps. Launches instantly, supports Siri shortcuts, deep widgets, swipe gestures, and Focus filters. It behaves exactly like you'd expect an Apple app to behave.
Todoist's iOS app is built in React Native — a cross-platform framework that lets one codebase run on Android, iOS, and the web. It works, but it doesn't feel native: animations are slightly off, system integrations are shallow, and the Mac app is essentially a web wrapper.
Every task and project can have a full rich-text note attached — formatted text, lists, headings. Notes are part of the app, synced through iCloud alongside your tasks. No separate app, no copy-paste workflow.
Todoist tasks have a description field — plain text, no formatting. For anything beyond a single line of context, Todoist users typically reach for Notion, Apple Notes, or another separate app. That context switching adds up.
Everything lives in your personal iCloud account. BetterKeeper has no backend server — there is no BetterKeeper database, no company that could be breached, and no one who can read your tasks. Your data is yours, end of story.
Todoist stores all your tasks on Doist's servers. They comply with GDPR, but your data lives in a third-party cloud you don't control. If Doist has a data breach, or changes its terms of service, your task history goes with it.
Every task has a built-in timer. Start working, tap start. Stop working, tap stop. Time rolls up to the project automatically — no manual entry, no separate Toggl account, no app switching. Freelancers can bill by the hour without a second tool.
Todoist has no time tracking whatsoever. The official integration with Toggl Track costs extra and lives in a separate app. Most Todoist users who need time tracking end up managing two separate tools and manually matching tasks across them.
Which one is right for you?
You live on Apple devices and want one app that handles tasks, project notes, and time tracking without switching. Especially the right call for freelancers, consultants, and anyone who cares that their data stays in their own iCloud — not a third-party server.
You work across multiple platforms — iPhone, Android, Windows — and need one task list that follows you everywhere. Todoist's natural language input and powerful filters are hard to beat for pure task capture across any device.