Comparison
JotSpan vs Todoist
Todoist is a task manager for planning what’s next. JotSpan is a to-do list that also remembers what you did, in order, with your reflections in between.
At a glance
| JotSpan | Todoist | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A to-do list and work journal | A task manager |
| Organizing | Open, Later and Completed; no projects or labels | Projects, sections, labels, priorities and filters |
| Dates and reminders | Plan a task for a day; no reminders or notifications | Due dates, recurring tasks and reminders |
| Task switching | One active task; starting another pauses it automatically | No started or paused state |
| Reflections | Short reflections on the same timeline as your work | Comments on individual tasks |
| History | A Journal of every day: starts, pauses, completions and reflections | A record of completed tasks |
Based on Todoist’s publicly described features as of ; check Todoist’s own site for the latest. Todoist is a trademark of its owner, and JotSpan isn’t affiliated with it.
When Todoist is the better choice
If you manage many projects, rely on due dates and recurring tasks, or want reminders on your phone, Todoist is designed for that. It also connects to calendars and other apps, which JotSpan deliberately doesn’t.
When JotSpan is the better choice
If your trouble isn’t planning but switching, JotSpan fits better. It has one active task, pauses it when you start another, and keeps a reflection on where you stopped on the same timeline. At the end of the day, your Journal shows what actually happened, not only what got checked off.
There are no projects, labels or priorities to maintain. Open it, write a line, get back to work.
Using both
Some people plan the week in Todoist and use JotSpan for the day: start the task you’re on, write reflections as you go, and look back at the Journal when you review.
Questions.
Can I import my Todoist tasks?
Not directly. Tasks are quick to add: type each one into Later and press Enter.
Does JotSpan have reminders?
No. JotSpan sends no notifications. It’s there when you open it.
Can I get my JotSpan data out?
Yes. Export everything as JSON from Settings.
Start with the task on your mind.
Type it, press Enter, and you’re working. Write a reflection before you switch.