Todoist vs Totem: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Todoist and Totem comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Todoist wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Trello. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Pick Totem if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Todoist
Organize work and life with natural language task capture
Best for you if:
- • Fast, cross-platform task manager with natural language input and clean design used by 50M+ people
- • Free tier covers 5 projects with smart scheduling; Pro adds calendar view, reminders, and 300 projects; paid plans offer advanced features
Totem
Effortless task management for Apple users
Best for you if:
- • Minimalist to-do app with a clean, distraction-free interface.
- • Seamless sync across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.
| At a Glance |  Totem | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Task Management | Task Management |
Rating | 4.6/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Todoist or Totem?
Choose Todoist if
Organize work and life with natural language task capture
- Exceptionally clean and fast interface with near-zero learning curve
- Generous free tier with 5 projects and core features included
- Natural language input makes adding tasks faster than any competitor
Choose Totem if
Effortless task management for Apple users
- Extremely simple and intuitive interface
- Fast performance with minimal lag
- Great for users who want a no-frills task manager
| Feature | Todoist | Totem |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 3,486 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Task ManagementProductivity | Task ManagementProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Todoist
Organize work and life with natural language task capture
Todoist's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free tier offering significant functionality.
Watch out
Pro tier requires annual commitment for $5/mo price.
Strengths
- +Exceptionally clean and fast interface with near-zero learning curve
- +Generous free tier with 5 projects and core features included
- +Natural language input makes adding tasks faster than any competitor
- +Available on every major platform with reliable real-time sync
- +Karma system and streak tracking provide built-in motivation
Weaknesses
- -No built-in time tracking or Gantt chart views
- -Limited project hierarchy depth compared to tools like Asana or ClickUp
- -Calendar view and task durations locked behind paid plans
- -No native document or wiki features for project context
- -Reporting and analytics are minimal even on paid plans
Key features
Totem
Effortless task management for Apple users
Strengths
- +Extremely simple and intuitive interface
- +Fast performance with minimal lag
- +Great for users who want a no-frills task manager
Weaknesses
- -Limited advanced features like subtasks or tags
- -Only available on Apple devices
Key features
Pricing: Todoist vs Totem
| Plan | Todoist | Totem |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Beginner | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $5/mo (billed yearly) Pro | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $8/user/mo (billed yearly) Business | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Todoist pricing and Totem pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Todoist
Want the highest-rated option?
Todoist is rated 4.6/5. Totem has no ratings yet.
Go with: Todoist
Value user reviews?
Todoist: 3,486 reviews (4.6/5). Totem: no ratings yet.
Go with: Todoist
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are task management tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Todoist is rated 4.6/5; Totem has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Todoist
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Totem
- Choose if you want effortless task management for Apple users
The Bottom Line
Todoist wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Trello. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Todoist or Totem better?
Todoist is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Todoist and Totem used for?
Todoist: Organize work and life with natural language task capture. Totem: Effortless task management for Apple users.
What does Todoist cost vs Totem?
Todoist is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Totem is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.