Compare Todoist and Focus To-Do: Which Extension is the Best?

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.
Focus To-Do combines a Pomodoro timer with to-do lists, reminders, tags, and detailed stats. It syncs across devices and offers reports, recurring tasks, and a clean interface.
Key Features
  • 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.
  • Pomodoro Timer: Custom work/break lengths, pause/resume, short/long breaks.
  • Task Management: Projects, priorities, due dates, tags, and subtasks.
  • Reminders & Recurring: One-off and repeat schedules (e.g., every Monday).
  • Cross-Device Sync: Access tasks and timers across phone and desktop.
  • Productivity Stats: Historical records, reports, and time tracking.
  • White Noise: Optional ambient sounds during sessions.
  • Offline/Local Mode: Use without an account (no sync).
Our Rating
8.9
8.4
Total users
878,052
500,000
Total ratings
52,249
12,374
Average rating
4.4 ⭐
4.8 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.7
4.43
51.2K+ ratings
700.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
4.80
12.4K+ ratings
500.0K+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.0
4.06
84 ratings
164.7K+Users
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Firefox
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.7
4.63
927 ratings
13.3K+Users
-
Safari
-
-
Features
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.

8.8

We found a deep Pomodoro implementation with custom work/break lengths, pause/resume, and short/long breaks that fit most workflows. Task management covers projects, priorities, tags, subtasks, and reminders without feeling bloated. Recurring tasks are flexible enough for habits and weekly routines. Historical statistics and time tracking make it easy to review where time actually went. Cross‑device sync, plus optional white noise, round out a feature set that is stronger than basic timers yet lighter than full project tools.

Performance
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
7.8

In our use, timers and task actions were smooth and reliable. We did see user feedback about occasional sync delays or duplicates across devices. Some mobile users report higher battery usage during long sessions with sounds enabled. Large histories and detailed stats can load slowly on older hardware. Routine updates seem to address issues over time, but there’s still room to tighten efficiency further.

Design
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.

7.4

The interface is clear and predictable: timer and task views are easy to grasp at a glance. Navigation is straightforward, and core controls are where you expect them. That said, visuals feel a bit dated, and theming options are limited, which reduces personalization. Information density on small screens can feel cramped during busy lists. The extension/widget UIs are functional, but they could benefit from a more modern polish.

Value for 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.

9.2

The free tier covers the essentials well for many users. Premium adds meaningful upgrades—full sync, deeper stats, cloud backup, and manual record edits—that we actually used. Lifetime pricing is compelling and compares favorably with subscription‑based competitors. Students and professionals alike can get strong mileage without overspending. Given its balance of timer, tasks, and reports, the price feels fair for the utility delivered.

Ease of Use
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.

8.4

Getting started is simple: make a task, hit start, and focus. The basics are almost frictionless, and reminders/recurring tasks make sense after a quick try. Reports, tags, and some advanced settings require a brief learning curve, but nothing overwhelming. Local mode helps you try the app without creating an account, while sync setup adds one extra step. Overall, we felt productive within minutes and refined our setup over a couple of sessions.

Security & Privacy
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.

8.6

We appreciate the local (no‑account) mode for those who want to avoid cloud storage entirely. With an account, basic personal and authentication data are collected, and synced data is stored server‑side. The privacy policy is available and reasonably transparent about categories of data. We didn’t find evidence of two‑factor authentication or fine‑grained export controls, which would inspire more confidence. For typical productivity needs, it’s acceptable, but privacy‑sensitive users will want to review settings and possibly stick to local mode.

Conclusion

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

We appreciate how Focus To-Do blends focus sessions with practical task features. It’s stronger than simple timers and lighter than heavyweight task apps, which makes it easy to stick with.

If you value recurring tasks, reminders, and session history, the premium unlocks are compelling—especially given the typical lifetime pricing seen on mobile app stores.

That said, user feedback points to occasional sync hiccups and design limitations. If you need flawless sync or deep project management, consider alternatives; otherwise, Focus To-Do is a reliable focus companion.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Todoist and Focus To-Do, Todoist came out on top, scoring 8.9.

Todoist is the most widely used, with over 878k users and 52k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Todoist reflect our findings, while we rate Focus To-Do lower than users do.

Notably, Focus To-Do has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.82, which is even higher than our rating of 8.4.

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? Todoist stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Focus To-Do lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Need top performance? Focus To-Do stands out with a rating of 7.8. 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, Focus To-Do lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.4.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Focus To-Do stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, Todoist lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Todoist stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Focus To-Do lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.4.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Todoist stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Focus To-Do lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.6.

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