Microsoft To Do vs Ellie Planner - Detailed Comparison

Quick Summary

Microsoft To Do Strengths

Task Addition: Easily add tasks and organize them in custom lists.
Task Details: Add due dates, reminders, and files to tasks.
Task Prioritization: Mark tasks as important for better focus.
List Sharing and Collaboration: Share lists with others and assign tasks.

Ellie Planner Strengths

Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.
Customizable Views: Ellie Planner offers customizable views, enabling users to tailor the interface according to their personal productivity styles. This can include adjusting the layout of tasks, events, and notes to best suit one's workflow.

Microsoft To Do Screenshot

Ellie Planner Screenshot

Feature Comparison

Feature	Microsoft To Do	Ellie Planner
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and as a web and desktop app.	macOS, iOS, Android, Web, Windows
Integrations	Microsoft Products such as Outlook, allows external apps to connect with their API	Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Zapier, Slack, Todoist, Microsoft Outlook
Calendar	Not Inbuilt	Yes
Task Management	To-do lists, Task priorities, Subtasks, and color-coding items for organization.	Offers labels, tags, and recurring tasks
Natural Language Processing	Yes	No
Analytics	No	No
Time Blocking	No	Yes
Time Zones	Yes	No
Scheduler	No	No
Notifications	Yes	Yes
Pricing	Free	Ellie offers a Free Plan and a Pro Plan for $9.99/month or $299.99 one-time. Pro features include timeboxing, calendar integration, and more.
Customer Support	Average	Good

Video Overview

Microsoft To Do Video

Ellie Planner Video

Microsoft To Do Overview

Microsoft To-Do is a streamlined and user-friendly task management application that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem. Designed to enhance productivity for both individual and professional use, MS To-Do stands out with its simple yet effective interface. It allows users to create lists, set reminders, and track tasks across various devices, ensuring accessibility and convenience. The app's integration with Microsoft services like Outlook makes it a natural choice for users already embedded in the Microsoft environment. MS To-Do’s focus on simplicity and integration caters to those who need a straightforward, no-frills approach to task management while benefiting from the robustness of Microsoft’s technology.

Pricing Details

MS To do is absolutely free.

Ellie Planner Overview

Ellie Planner is a daily planning application designed to help users organize their week through features like calendar integration, task management, and time-blocking techniques. It includes a brain dump area for capturing thoughts and tasks, and it supports integrations with major calendars and productivity apps such as Google Calendar, Outlook, and Todoist. Aimed at simplifying planning processes, Ellie Planner offers both a free plan and a premium subscription.

Pricing Details

Ellie Planner offers two main pricing options: (i) Free Plan: Includes unlimited task creation, accessible via iOS and Web apps, and a feature called "Braindump". (ii) Ellie Pro Plan: Available for $9.99 per month or a one-time purchase of $299.99. It includes all the features of the free plan plus timeboxing, integration with Google and Apple Calendars, unlimited labels & subtasks, recurring tasks, due dates, and more.

Microsoft To Do Key Features

Task Addition: Easily add tasks and organize them in custom lists.
Task Details: Add due dates, reminders, and files to tasks.
Task Prioritization: Mark tasks as important for better focus.
List Sharing and Collaboration: Share lists with others and assign tasks.
Integration with Microsoft Tools: Seamlessly works with Outlook, Cortana, and other Microsoft applications.
Customizable Themes and Backgrounds: Personalize the app with various themes and backgrounds for a unique user experience.

Ellie Planner Key Features

Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.
Customizable Views: Ellie Planner offers customizable views, enabling users to tailor the interface according to their personal productivity styles. This can include adjusting the layout of tasks, events, and notes to best suit one's workflow.
Brain Dump Feature: A dedicated space for "brain dumping" allows users to jot down ideas and tasks as they come, which can later be organized into actionable items. This feature helps in capturing all thoughts without disrupting workflow.
Mobile Accessibility: The planner is accessible via a mobile app, providing the flexibility to manage schedules and tasks on the go. This ensures that users can stay updated with their plans irrespective of their location.

Conclusion: Which Tool Should You Choose?

Both Microsoft To Do and Ellie Planner offer unique features and benefits for productivity and workflow management. The best choice depends on your specific needs, team size, and workflow preferences.

Choose Microsoft To Do if:

Task Addition: Easily add tasks and organize them in custom lists.
Task Details: Add due dates, reminders, and files to tasks.
Task Prioritization: Mark tasks as important for better focus.

Try Microsoft To Do

Choose Ellie Planner if:

Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.

Try Ellie Planner