Compare Microsoft To Do vs Apple Reminders

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Microsoft To DoApple Reminders
 
Microsoft To Do logoMicrosoft To Do
Apple Reminders logoApple Reminders
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App StoreInstallInstall
Google PlayInstall—
Main
Task management++
Task lists++
Quick add++
Recurring tasks++
Subtasks++
Due dates++
Subtasks recurring+±
Priorities++
Tags / labels±+
Projects / lists++
Today view++
Habit tracking−−
Goals progress tracking±−
Analytics / reporting—−
Notes templates+±
Integrated templates—−
Community template gallery—−
Template / add-on marketplace—−
Calendar view−±
Weekly view±±
Week at a glance±—
Weekly templates−—
Daily planning++
Monthly planning±±
Time blocking−−
Goal setting±—
SMART goals−—
Long-term goals−—
Short-term goals+—
Milestones±—
Action steps+—
Planner & calendar segregation±±
Offline mode++
Reminders++
AI scheduling−−
Notes+±
Templates−−
Collaboration±—
Custom sections±±
Goal review±—
Categories / areas±—
Better for personal use—+
Better for team use—±
Platforms
Windows+−
Android+−
Web+±
MacOS++
iOS++
Desktop++
Free version++
Sync across devices++
Calendar sync
Calendar sync±±
Integrated calendar±+
Synchronize with Apple Calendar±+
Synchronize with Google Calendar±±
Synchronize with Microsoft Calendar+±
Outlook sync+±
Interface
Themes / appearance presets+±
Dark mode—+
Notification support—+
On-screen reminders—+
Repeated reminders—+
System / OS integration—+
Board tasks format—−
Drag & drop—±
Customizable toolbar—−
Visual planning±±
Infinite canvas / freeform—−
Special features
AI assistance / AI features−±
Attachments & embedded media±±
Add images / stickers—±
Stickers−−
Interactive checklists / checklist support—+
Highlighter / colored highlighting—−
Handwriting & stylus
Apple Pencil support−−
Handwriting / stylus support−−
Palm rejection−−
PDF annotation / markup−−
Handwriting to text conversion−−
Search in handwriting−−
Special features
Meeting notes workflow—±
Time tracking—−
Pomodoro / focus—−
Binding task to geo—+
Add web links—+
Projects / folders—+
Nested folders / depth—±
Document tabs—−
Tags & filters—+
Search—+
Import documents & media—±
Flashcards / study sets—−
Synchronize & backup
Cloud sync++
Password-protected notes—−
@mentions / people tags—±
Auto backup++
Notes / tasks sharing++
Collaboration / sharing (incl. team)±±
Shared lists++
Export to PDF / other—±
Export via link—±
Slack / Zapier integrations—−
Google Workspace support—±
Profile
Calendars+±

Microsoft To Do

Pros

  • Hooks straight into Outlook mail, calendars, and flagged mail
  • Interface stays sparse: list, due date, attachments
  • Free inside a Microsoft account with no upsell wall
  • Smart lists surface Today and flagged email without setup
  • My Day keeps desktop workers from drowning in backlogs

Cons

  • No built-in Pomodoro, habits, or calendar-heavy dashboards
  • Value thins out fast outside Microsoft 365
  • Power filters and natural language still trail TickTick
  • Boards never grew into a full project OS

Apple Reminders

Pros

  • Zero install friction on Apple hardware and instant OS-level entry points (Siri, Control Center, Action button)
  • Location-based alerts and CarPlay-style contexts remain hard to match on cross-platform clones
  • Shared lists with assignments cover light household or small-team coordination without another workspace
  • iCloud sync and on-device behavior keep everyday capture feeling lightweight versus heavy databases
  • Smart Lists, tags, and Calendar integration give stock Reminders surprising depth for a free default

Cons

  • No first-party Reminders clients on Windows or Android — those users need iCloud web or another app
  • Automation and reporting depth trails dedicated productivity suites and enterprise task stacks
  • Major UX upgrades ship on Apple’s OS release cadence, not your team’s procurement cycle
  • Export, backup, and third-party integration expectations need a reality check versus open APIs elsewhere
  • Apple Intelligence–powered conveniences vary by device, language, and region availability