Freelancers evaluating to-do list apps face a specific problem: most comparison articles are written for teams. They focus on collaboration features, admin controls, and per-seat pricing. None of that matters when you're a team of one managing six clients.
This comparison focuses on what solo freelancers actually need — and where each app delivers or falls short.
We're looking at five apps that freelancers commonly consider: Toodledo, Todoist, TickTick, Microsoft To Do, and Things 3. Each takes a different approach to task management, and each has trade-offs that matter more when you're working solo.
Best for: Freelancers who need depth and flexibility
Toodledo is the most feature-dense option for solo users. Custom fields, advanced saved searches, multi-level subtasks with individual due dates, complex recurring tasks, and full offline mobile access. You can build filtered views for each client, each priority level, or each phase of your workflow — and switch between them without rebuilding anything.
The trade-off is that Toodledo offers more settings than simpler apps. Freelancers who want a clean, opinionated interface may find it initially overwhelming. But for those who hit the ceiling of simpler tools, Toodledo is where you land.
Standout features: Saved searches with complex filter logic, subtasks with independent due dates and priorities, recurring tasks with patterns like "every second Wednesday" or "last business day of month," folder-level organization, full offline support, API access for automation.
Best for: Freelancers who want speed and simplicity
Todoist's natural language input is its strongest feature. Type "Send invoice to Client A every last Friday at 5pm" and it parses the date, recurrence, and project automatically. The interface is fast and clean across every platform.
The limitation for freelancers: advanced features like reminders, custom filters, and calendar integration require the Pro plan. Subtask support is basic — no individual due dates on subtasks in the free tier, and no custom fields at any tier. If your workflow is straightforward, Todoist is excellent. If you need to filter, sort, and slice your task list by multiple dimensions, you'll hit its boundaries.
Standout features: Natural language task input, clean design, broad integrations, Karma productivity tracking.
Best for: Freelancers who want a built-in calendar and timer
TickTick combines task management with a calendar view and Pomodoro timer in one app. For freelancers who time-block their days, this eliminates the need for a separate calendar tool. The habit tracker is a bonus for freelancers building daily routines.
The limitation: TickTick's filtering is less powerful than Toodledo's. Custom fields don't exist. Subtask support is shallow — checklist items under a task without independent due dates or priorities. For freelancers with simple, calendar-driven workflows, TickTick works well. For those managing complex multi-client project structures, it runs thin.
Standout features: Built-in calendar view, Pomodoro timer, habit tracker, Eisenhower matrix view.
Best for: Freelancers already in the Microsoft ecosystem
Microsoft To Do is free and integrates tightly with Outlook and Microsoft 365. Flagged emails become tasks automatically. Shared lists work if you collaborate with clients who use Microsoft tools.
The limitation for freelancers is depth. No subtasks with due dates, no custom fields, no advanced filters, no complex recurrence, limited offline support. Microsoft To Do is a solid capture tool, not a workflow management system.
Standout features: Free, Outlook integration, "My Day" daily planning, simple shared lists.
Best for: Apple-only freelancers who value design
Things 3 is the most beautifully designed task app on this list. The interface is a pleasure to use, and features like headings within projects, "This Evening" scheduling, and natural date input make daily planning smooth.
The limitation: Things 3 is Apple-only (Mac, iPhone, iPad — no Windows, no Android, no web). There's no collaboration, no API, and no custom fields. For freelancers who work exclusively on Apple devices and want an elegant, opinionated system, it's hard to beat. For everyone else, the platform lock is a dealbreaker.
Standout features: Best-in-class design, headings within projects, "This Evening" scheduling, one-time purchase (no subscription).
Most flexible: Toodledo — handles complex patterns (every other week, specific weekdays, after completion). Runner-up: Todoist — good natural language parsing. Basic: TickTick, Things 3, Microsoft To Do.
Deepest: Toodledo — multi-level subtasks with individual due dates, priorities, and notes. Mid-range: Todoist and Things 3. Basic: TickTick and Microsoft To Do — checklist items only.
Most powerful: Toodledo — unlimited saved searches combining any fields. Good: Todoist (Pro). Limited: TickTick. None: Microsoft To Do, Things 3.
Full offline: Toodledo, TickTick, Things 3. Partial: Todoist. Limited: Microsoft To Do.
Everywhere: Toodledo, Todoist, TickTick. Microsoft only: Microsoft To Do. Apple only: Things 3.
Start with your biggest frustration:
If you can't find the right tasks at the right time, you need better filters. Choose Toodledo.
If you waste time on task entry, you need faster input. Choose Todoist.
If you struggle with time management, you need calendar integration. Choose TickTick.
If you live in Microsoft 365, choose Microsoft To Do.
If you use only Apple devices and value design, choose Things 3.
If you keep outgrowing simpler tools, Toodledo is the app freelancers graduate to and stay with.