Compare To-do List and StayFocusd: Which Extension is the Best?

	To-do List	StayFocusd
	To-do List is lightweight, fast, and focused on the basics like quick add, due dates, and reminders. Great for simple workflows, but power users may miss some features. Todo & Task Management New Tab	StayFocusd helps you block distracting websites with customizable time limits, nuclear mode, and smart scheduling. We tested this 600K+ user extension to see if it really boosts productivity. Todo & Task Management Time Management
Key Features	Quick Add: Add tasks from the toolbar popup or context menu. Due Dates & Reminders: Set deadlines and get simple browser notifications. Lists or Tags: Keep tasks organized with a basic structure. Keyboard Shortcuts: Add and complete tasks faster. Minimal UI: Clean, focused layout. Offline Support: Works offline and syncs later. Task Notes: Add small clarifying details.	• Website Time Limits: Set daily time limits for specific websites to control your usage • Nuclear Option: Block all websites except those on your allowed list for a set period • Customizable Blocking: Block entire sites, specific pages, or even in-page content like videos and images • Active Days/Hours: Define specific days and times when restrictions apply • Require Challenge: Enable a typing challenge to prevent easy changes to settings • YouTube Shorts Blocker: Block distracting components on YouTube, including shorts, comments, and recommendations • Usage Analytics: Get detailed statistics about your daily website usage • Cross-Device Sync: Connect Android devices and other browsers to sync usage limits
Our Rating	8.7	8.5
Total users	20,000	618,057
Total ratings	124	8,486
Average rating	4.8 ⭐	4.7 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	4.8 124 ratings 20.0K+Users	4.5 8.5K+ ratings 600.0K+Users
Edge	-	5.0 24 ratings 18.1K+Users
Firefox	-	-
Safari	-	-
Features	8.0 We like that it nails the essentials without pretending to do everything. You can capture tasks quickly, organize with simple lists or tags, add due dates and reminders, and attach short notes to keep context. It also syncs and works offline when needed. The flipside is clear: there are no advanced filters, templates, or automations, and integrations are minimal. If “fast basics” is your goal, it succeeds.	8.2 StayFocusd packs a solid set of productivity features. You can flexibly set website time limits, block domains, pages, or just distracting content (like videos or images). The “nuclear option” blocks everything except your allowed sites, which is a great focus booster. YouTube blocking targets shorts and recommendations, and usage analytics help you spot your browsing patterns. Cross-device sync is handy, though some advanced controls could be improved.
Performance	8.8 It feels instant, which matters more than people admit. The pop-up opens quickly, typing and checking off tasks are immediate, and sync behaves reliably across sessions without hogging memory or slowing other tabs. Staying fast keeps you in flow—and that’s the real performance test for a to‑do tool. We never felt it getting in our way.	8.4 The extension is lightweight and responsive, without slowing your browser. Features work reliably, and time limits activate quickly. Minor lags occur in the analytics dashboard and cross-device sync, but overall, performance is smooth and stable for day-to-day use.
Design	8.2 The interface is clean, calm, and focused on the list. We noticed readable typography, sensible spacing, and a clear hierarchy that keeps controls out of the way. Keyboard navigation works well, and the UI feels snappy in both pop-up and full view. The minimalist approach avoids visual clutter without feeling bare. It looks and feels like a tool designed for momentum.	8.3 The interface is simple and minimalist, sticking to productivity basics. Settings are well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear controls and indicators. While functional and easy to use, the look is a little dated and the analytics dashboard could be more engaging. It’s practical but not stylish.
Value for Money	9.0 As a free, lightweight checklist, it delivers real everyday value. There is a ceiling for power users, who may still want a pro task manager as needs grow. But as a companion list that stays out of your way, it punches above its (free) weight	9.5 All features are free—no ads, paywalls, or premium tiers. The feature set rivals paid competitors and includes regular updates. There’s great value for anyone seeking basic to moderate website blocking, though free tools like this sometimes lack advanced paid support.
Ease of Use	9.2 This is a tool you understand in a minute. We didn’t need a tour—adding, editing, reordering, and completing tasks are all immediately discoverable, and the few shortcuts are easy to remember. The daily flow of capture → prioritize → complete is frictionless, and it’s forgiving when you make quick edits or misclicks. If you value speed over setup, it shines.	8.5 Set up is fast and all main functions are accessible with just a few clicks. Adding sites or setting limits is straightforward, and tooltips help if you need them. The nuclear option and challenge features are easy to use but offer enough resistance to accidental changes. Mobile integration is available, though setup there could be smoother. It’s user-friendly with almost no learning curve.
Security & Privacy	9.0 It keeps things modest, which often helps privacy by default. From our use, it appears to rely on browser sync with local storage offline and keeps permissions lean, avoiding unnecessary prompts. We’d still like clearer public documentation about data handling and retention. In practice, it benefits from the security of the browser’s sync, but more transparency would inspire extra confidence.	7.9 StayFocusd runs mostly on your device and collects very little personal data. The privacy policy is transparent, and data for analytics is anonymized. The extension only requests required permissions, though some users may still worry about the broad “read and change all your data” permission. No tracking cookies or web beacons are used.
Conclusion	If you want a simple, reliable checklist in your browser, To‑do List nails the basics. It’s fast, easy, and stays focused. The trade‑off is fewer power features. If you need advanced filters, templates, automation, or deep integrations, you may outgrow it. We’ll keep it for small personal lists and quick captures. For complex projects, we’d still choose a fuller task manager. As a focused browser to‑do, it’s a solid pick.	StayFocusd delivers on its promise to help you stay focused, but it's not a magic solution. We found it most effective when combined with genuine motivation to be more productive. The extension works best for people who want to reduce mindless browsing but still need occasional access to social media or entertainment sites. The free price tag makes StayFocusd an easy recommendation for anyone struggling with online distractions. While it won't solve deep productivity issues, it creates enough friction to make you more conscious of your browsing habits. The nuclear option is particularly useful for intense work sessions, and the customizable blocking options give you fine-grained control over your digital environment. If you're serious about improving your focus and don't mind the occasional frustration when you hit a time limit, StayFocusd is worth trying. Just remember that the most important part of any productivity tool is actually wanting to be more productive.
	Install To-do List	Install StayFocusd
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between To-do List and StayFocusd, To-do List came out on top, scoring 8.7. StayFocusd is the most widely used, with over 618k users and 8k+ reviews, but To-do List outperformed it in our review. User reviews reflect our findings. Notably, To-do List has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.82, which supports its strong performance in our review. In the end, the differences between these extensions are minimal, so your choice may come down to personal preference or specific features. Looking for the richest feature set? StayFocusd stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, To-do List lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. Need top performance? To-do List stands out with a rating of 8.8. On the other hand, StayFocusd lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.4. Design lovers, take note: StayFocusd stands out with a rating of 8.3. On the other hand, To-do List lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2. Want to get the most for your money? StayFocusd stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, To-do List lags behind in this area with a rating of 9. If you hate complicated tools, To-do List stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, StayFocusd lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5. With privacy and security becoming ever more important, To-do List stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, StayFocusd lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.9. If you want a quick recommendation, To-do List is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.