Todoist vs TaskForge
A detailed comparison of Todoist and TaskForge for 2026. Compare calendar integration, Obsidian vault sync, time blocking, data privacy, and more to find the right task manager for your workflow.
Looking for the best Obsidian-powered task manager ? Learn why TaskForge is the top choice for privacy-first, markdown-based task management.
Quick Comparison Summary
Todoist is a popular cloud task manager. TaskForge is a privacy-first app that syncs with your Obsidian vault.
Todoist
A well-known cloud-based task manager with project sharing, team collaboration, and a large ecosystem of integrations.
TaskForge
A privacy-first, native task manager that stores tasks as markdown in your Obsidian vault. Full calendar event integration, time blocking, and kanban boards on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android, and Windows, plus widgets on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See exactly how Todoist and TaskForge compare across all major features
Platform Support
| Feature | Todoist | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop App | ||
| Native iPhone App | ||
| Native iPad App | ||
| Native Mac App | ||
| Native Android App | ||
| Web App |
Mobile Experience
| Feature | Todoist | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Home Screen Widgets | ||
| Calendar Widgets (5 layouts) | ||
| Smart Notifications | ||
| Custom Notification Times | ||
| App Badge Count |
Task Management
| Feature | Todoist | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown-Based Task Storage | ||
| Due Dates and Times | ||
| Priority Levels | ||
| Recurring Tasks | ||
| Natural Language Input | ||
| Natural Language Time Ranges (e.g. 2-4pm) | ||
| Task Duration and End Times | ||
| Subtasks with Visual Indentation |
Visualization
| Feature | Todoist | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| List View with Grouping | ||
| Kanban Board View | ||
| Drag and Drop Column Reordering | ||
| Calendar View | ||
| Calendar Day View (24-hour grid) | ||
| Native Calendar Event Integration | ||
| Task Peek (Quick Edit Overlay) | ||
| Time Blocking with Durations |
Data and Privacy
| Feature | Todoist | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Local-First Data Storage | ||
| Tasks Stored as Markdown Files | ||
| No Account Required | ||
| Full Data Portability (plain text) | ||
| Obsidian Vault Integration |
Automation and Integration
| Feature | Todoist | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Linking (URL Schemes) | ||
| Shortcuts/Automation Support | ||
| Siri / Google Assistant Support |
What Sets TaskForge Apart from Todoist
Todoist is a solid cloud task manager, but TaskForge takes a different approach: your data, your device, your vault.
Your Tasks Live in Your Obsidian Vault
Todoist stores everything in its proprietary cloud. TaskForge saves tasks as plain markdown files inside your Obsidian vault. You own your data, you can read it with any text editor, and it never leaves your device unless you choose to sync it yourself.
Calendar Events Right Inside Your Task Views
Todoist has no way to display your device calendar events alongside tasks. TaskForge integrates with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, and more so you see events and tasks in one unified Day, Week, or Month view.
Time Blocking with Visual Calendar Blocks
Todoist recently added basic duration support, but it lacks a visual time blocking interface. TaskForge displays task durations as blocks on a 24-hour calendar grid so you can plan your day at a glance and avoid scheduling conflicts.
Task Peek for Instant Edits
Todoist requires you to open a full task detail screen to make changes. TaskForge's Task Peek overlay lets you view and edit any task without leaving the calendar or list view. Tap a task, make your change, and continue right where you were.
No Account, No Cloud, No Tracking
Todoist requires an account and stores all your data on its servers. TaskForge needs no account, collects zero personal data, and keeps everything on your device. Your tasks are private by default.
5 Calendar Widget Layouts
Todoist offers basic list widgets. TaskForge provides five different calendar widget layouts for your home screen, including month view, week strip, and agenda styles. Each widget is interactive, so you can check off tasks without opening the app.
Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Both tools have clear strengths. Here is how to decide.
Choose Todoist If:
- You need team collaboration and shared projects
- You want a web app you can use from any browser
- You rely on a large library of third-party integrations (Slack, Gmail, Zapier)
- You prefer cloud-based sync across all devices without managing files
- You already have a Todoist workflow and don't use Obsidian
Choose TaskForge If:
- You use Obsidian and want tasks stored in your vault as markdown
- You want native calendar event integration in your task views
- You prefer local-first storage with no account and zero data collection
- You want time blocking with visual calendar blocks
- You need 5 interactive calendar widget layouts on your home screen
- You want kanban boards with drag-and-drop column reordering
- You want to try it free for 1 week before committing
Can You Use Both?
Yes! You can keep Todoist for team projects and use TaskForge for personal task management in your Obsidian vault. Since TaskForge stores tasks as plain markdown, there is no conflict between the two apps.
- • Use Todoist for team projects and shared task lists
- • Use TaskForge for personal Obsidian-based task management
- • Keep your private tasks in your vault, separate from cloud services
- • No migration needed for your existing Obsidian notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TaskForge better than Todoist?
It depends on your needs. TaskForge is better if you want Obsidian vault integration, local-first storage, native calendar event display, time blocking, and privacy with no account required. Todoist is better if you need team collaboration, a web app, or a large library of third-party integrations.
Can TaskForge replace Todoist?
Yes, for personal task management TaskForge can fully replace Todoist. It offers due dates, priorities, recurring tasks, natural language input, kanban boards, calendar views, and widgets. The main feature Todoist has that TaskForge does not is team project sharing and a web app.
Is there a Todoist alternative for Obsidian users?
TaskForge is built specifically for Obsidian users. It stores tasks as plain markdown files inside your Obsidian vault, so your tasks live alongside your notes. Unlike Todoist, which uses proprietary cloud storage, TaskForge keeps your data local and fully portable.
Which task manager shows calendar events alongside tasks?
TaskForge integrates natively with your device calendars, including Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, and Outlook. Events appear directly in Day, Week, and Month views alongside your tasks. Todoist does not display calendar events inside the app.
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Try TaskForge Free for 1 Week After trial: Premium is a $49.99 lifetime purchase or $1.99/month subscription
Download the free app and try Premium features for 1 week. Experience calendar integration, time blocking, widgets, and Obsidian vault sync with zero data collection.