Compare Screencastify and Todoist: Which Extension is the Best?

Screencastify is a popular Chrome extension for screen recording. It offers a range of features but has shifted many basic functionalities behind a paywall, affecting its overall value.
Todoist is a well-known to-do app with a simple, easy-to-use design. Its browser extension lets you quickly access your to-do list in a nice popup.
Key Features
  • Record Desktop, Browser Tab, and Webcam: Capture any part of your screen.
  • Edit Video: Trim, merge, and add text directly from your browser.
  • Share Easily: Export as MP4, GIF, or MP3, and share via Google Drive or Classroom.
  • Interactive Questions: Add questions to videos to engage viewers.
  • Annotations: Draw on your screen in real-time to highlight key points.
  • Captions: Add captions in multiple languages to make videos accessible.
  • Task Management: Create tasks, subtasks, and projects easily.
  • Integrations: Works with Google Drive, Slack, Zapier, and more.
  • Cross-Platform Support: Available on mobile, desktop, and browser.
  • Natural Language Input: Add tasks using natural language for quick input.
  • Reminders and Due Dates: Set recurring tasks with due dates.
  • Kanban and Calendar Views: Manage tasks in flexible visual layouts.
  • Collaboration Tools: Assign tasks to others and manage shared projects.
Our Rating
7.8
8.9
Total users
6,000,000
889,191
Total ratings
11,733
52,311
Average rating
4.0 ⭐
4.4 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.0
3.63
11.7K+ ratings
6.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.7
4.48
51.3K+ ratings
700.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.0
4.0
82 ratings
174.2K+Users
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.7
4.63
927 ratings
14.9K+Users
Safari
-
-
Features
8.8

Screencastify offers a robust set of features, including screen and webcam recording, video editing and interactive questions.

Leaving aside the fact that many features are only available for a fee, it's fair to say that it offers a lot of features.

While recording, you can easily add spotlights and draw on the screen. The drawing tools offer a nice range of options, so you should have everything you need:

Drawing Tools

The subsequent editor also offers many functions where you can cut the video to your needs.

Here is what the basic editor looks like:

Simple editor of Screencastify

It recently also added an AI feature that automatically adds captions, transcripts, titles, and descriptions.

Furthermore, Screencastify offers another video editor when clicking "Edit Video" in the top right corner.

This will open up another editor where you can do some more video editing. Here is how it looks like:

Second editor of Screencastiy

In our opinion, this editor isn’t necessary if you already have your own video editing software, but it could be useful for some people.

We’re not entirely sure if this is just an older version of the original editor. However, we did discover that you can export videos to MP4 for free, thanks to an "Export" button that lets you do so without any limitations.

We’re not certain if this is intentional, but at least it works for us.

9.3

Todoist offers comprehensive functions for task management. Tasks can be prioritized, labeled and filtered.

to dos

Another good feature is that websites can be saved directly as tasks. This can be done via the taskbar button or by right-clicking. In this way, information on a website can be added directly as a task that you want to edit or read up on later.

right click

The extension can also be used to mark tasks directly as completed.

Other features like collaborating on projects and tracking progress with personalized productivity trends add further value.

Some of these advanced features of the application, such as customized templates and advanced reports, are available in the paid plans.

Performance
7.5

The speed has deteriorated considerably with the latest updates. This is probably because more and more functions, such as the AI function, are being added.

The tool has become slower, and creating links or accessing older videos takes longer than before. Many users have also complained about the performance in the reviews.

7.3

Most of Todoist's functions worked quickly and without problems in our tests.
The function of connecting the account with the Google Calendar to display your appointments did not work in the test, an error message was displayed. Users also report occasional delays in synchronization in the extension in the reviews.

error
Design
9.0

The design is intuitive and user-friendly. We think that navigation is very intuitive despite the many functions.

9.5

The design is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate immediately. The interface can also be visually customized to suit your needs, but these are not overdone. The option of color-coded priority levels and project labels also helps with organization.

Value for Money
5.0

As already mentioned, we are somewhat shocked by the limitations of the free version.

Especially if you have used the app in the past and can export videos for free. In addition, even with the starter package for $7, you are limited to 10 exports.

We find that many other providers offer much more for the money.

9.0

The functions of the Todoist extension are free of charge. The free functions of the Todoist application should also be sufficient for most users. For users who want to use functions such as reminders or additional view options, the price should also be reasonable. With an annual payment installment, $4 per month is reasonable in our view.

Ease of Use
8.5

Screencastify is easy to use, with a minimal learning curve. Even beginners can quickly get the hang of it. However, we find that recent updates have introduced some complexities that are not absolutely necessary for a screen recorder.

9.0

In our test, we had no problems with the installation and the first steps. The creation of tasks and overall use is self-explanatory. There are also many instructions and tutorials already available for the tool.
For more experienced users, there are also additional functions in the application that can be used with simple shortcuts.

Security & Privacy
8.0

Unfortunately, an account is required, which in our opinion is not necessary for Screen recorder.

However, Screencastify's privacy policy is very comprehensive and complies with standard data protection practices, including compliance with the GDPR and PCI-DSS certification for payment data. Screencastify takes reasonable security measures but, like all online services, cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9.0

Todoist describes its data security in detail in its Privacy Policy. This states that the data is encrypted according to the state of the art and that regular security updates are carried out. The data is stored in the cloud for synchronization; it cannot be stored locally.

Conclusion

Screencastify was a fantastic tool in the past, and we used to use it daily. Unfortunately, recent updates have made it less user-friendly by hiding key features behind a paywall.

For people who need a wide range of features, the tool is still an option. For others who just want to make a recording every now and then to export a video, Screencastify is unfortunately no longer an option.

Todoist is a great option for task management. We really like its simplicity, which is likely why it has become so popular.

While some modern tools may offer more features, Todoist is one of the best choices if you’re looking for a solid, beautifully designed to-do list.

Still, we noticed some performance issues. The extension takes longer to load when working in environments with a bad internet connection. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of, especially if you often work in places with poor internet.

Overall, Todoist is a strong choice for anyone seeking an easy-to-use and powerful task manager, though its speed and offline capabilities could be improved.

If you would like to test Todoist yourself, you can use our code to get the Pro version for 2 months free of charge. https://get.todoist.io/mgs7dk

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Screencastify and Todoist, Todoist came out on top, scoring 8.9.

Screencastify is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 12k+ reviews, but Todoist outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings.

Notably, Todoist has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.44, which supports its strong performance in our review.

There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Todoist stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Need top performance? Screencastify stands out with a rating of 7.5. On the other hand, Todoist lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.3.
  • Design lovers, take note: Todoist stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Todoist stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Todoist stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Todoist stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Screencastify lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.

If you want a quick recommendation, Todoist is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.