Any.do alternatives: 4 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
A serious Android task list with recurrence and reminders; desktop and CalDAV sync are paid
licenseGPL-3.0
runson your machine
installInstall the Android app from Google Play or F-Droid; an early desktop app is optional
dataTasks are local and offline-first on Android; optional synchronization targets Google Tasks, Microsoft To Do, Tasks.org Cloud, CalDAV/DAVx5, EteSync, or DecSync
the catch vs Any.doTasks.org is Android-first, with no mature iOS or web client and a much less polished calendar and daily-planning experience than Any.do.
setupLocal Android use is straightforward, but most non-Google/Microsoft synchronization options require an in-app subscription or separately configured sync service, and desktop support is still early
facts verified 2026-08-10
A capable Todoist replacement once you accept becoming its hosting department
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse the paid hosted service or deploy the free server with Docker Compose, a package, or the standalone binary
dataTasks, projects, users, and settings live in SQLite, MySQL/MariaDB, or PostgreSQL, with attachments in a persistent files directory, on the selected host
the catch vs Any.doVikunja lacks Any.do’s polished guided daily planner, consumer-grade reminders, calendar experience, and low-friction mobile setup.
setupThe free path requires a server or Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and normally a reverse proxy with TLS
facts verified 2026-08-10
A polished free task manager, paid for with a Microsoft account rather than money
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installInstall the Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android app, or use the web app, and sign in with a Microsoft account
dataTasks are stored as structured records on Microsoft's Exchange Online servers and surface in Outlook Tasks across synchronized clients
the catch vs Any.doMicrosoft To Do does not combine tasks and calendar in Any.do’s broad cross-platform daily-planning flow or reproduce its family and smart-grocery features.
setupRequires a Microsoft account
facts verified 2026-08-10
Things minus the polish tax, provided every device in sight has an Apple logo
licenseproprietary, free
runson your machine
installPreinstalled on iPhone, iPad, and Mac; enable iCloud or another supported reminders account for synchronization
enginesOptional Apple Intelligence can suggest or auto-categorize reminders on supported devices; ordinary task management does not require AI
dataStructured reminder records live in iCloud or another configured reminders account and are cached on Apple devices; iCloud provides account-level restore rather than user-visible task files
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs Any.doApple Reminders lacks Any.do’s guided My Day flow and broad Windows, Android, and web support.
facts verified 2026-08-10
latest recorded source check 2026-08-10 · check current terms at the source
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tasks.org | GPL-3.0 | one-click install | android | 5,500 | 2026-07 |
| Vikunja | AGPL-3.0+ | docker to self-host | web, macos, windows, linux, self-hosted | 5,000 | 2026-08 |
| Microsoft To Do | proprietary, free | they host it | web, macos, windows, ios, android | — | — |
| Apple Reminders | proprietary, free | one-click install | macos, ios | — | — |
People still pay for Any.do because task software is sticky because trust, speed, and ubiquitous capture matter more than the database schema. The recurring cost buys recurrence edge cases, notifications, sync conflicts, calendar APIs, mobile capture, and backups, not just the visible interface. The recorded subscription totals $95.88 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Any.do?
Yes: Tasks.org, Vikunja, Microsoft To Do and 1 more. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Any.do?
Our verdict is YES. The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Any.do, manage personal tasks, lists, reminders, recurring items, and a daily planning flow. The hard boundary is mobile capture, widgets, family features, calendar integration, and sync, plus cross-device reliability and workflow polish. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Any.do build guide.
