BusyCal vs Todoist
Todoist focuses on tasks and project lists, with apps across many platforms. BusyCal focuses on calendar planning, with built-in tasks and iCloud, Google, Microsoft 365 and Exchange, and CalDAV calendars in one window. You can add a Todoist account to BusyCal to manage those tasks alongside your calendar.
Last reviewed: October 16, 2026.
At a Glance
| Criteria | BusyCal | Todoist |
|---|---|---|
| Primary model | Calendar scheduling with tasks | Task and project list management |
| Best fit | Time-blocking and schedule-driven planning | Personal and shared project lists |
| Strength | Calendar context and visibility | Lightweight task capture and organization |
| Trade-off | Calendar-oriented setup | Less calendar planning depth |
Calendar & Sync Comparison
| Capability | BusyCal | Todoist |
|---|---|---|
| Native CalDAV account sync | ✓ | |
| Microsoft 365 / Exchange calendar sync | ✓ | |
| Calendar subscriptions (.ics / holiday feeds) | ✓ | |
| Multiple provider calendars in one app (iCloud + Google + Exchange + CalDAV) | ✓ | |
| Calendar views | Day, Week, Month, Year Planner | Calendar layouts on Pro and Business; views vary by platform |
| Calendar Groups | ✓ | |
| Smart Date Picker with real-time suggestions | ✓ | ✓ (in task title and date field) |
| Favorite Time Zones | ✓ | |
| Show event locations on a map | ✓ | |
| Apple Watch app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Widgets (multiple sizes) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shortcuts / Siri integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google and Outlook calendar integrations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Task management focused on lists | ✓ |
Where Todoist May Be Better
- You want to organize tasks in lists.
- You plan work around project lists.
- You want a task manager that connects to Google or Outlook calendars.
Where BusyCal May Be Better
- You plan primarily by time and calendar availability.
- You want to see events and tasks in the same calendar.
- You want more ways to filter and view several calendars together.
- You want Calendar Groups to organize many calendars into folders.
- You want to see iCloud, Google, Microsoft 365, Exchange, and CalDAV calendars in one app.
- You want to view event locations on a map and include travel time in your schedule.
Booking Meetings with BusyCal
Use BusyCal Bookings to let clients or colleagues choose an available meeting time through a link. For example, offer a 30-minute project call with a break afterward. Bookings checks busy times from your chosen calendars, lets you approve requests if needed, and adds confirmed meetings to your calendar. Learn More.
Bookings is currently available only in BusyCal for Mac. Once you activate it on your Mac, the iPhone app automatically syncs free/busy times if both devices use the same iCloud account. Access depends on your Mac license’s update coverage, an active Mac App Store subscription or Setapp membership, or the free trial. See the access requirements.
BusyCal Account Sync Docs
- Office 365 via Microsoft Graph
- CalDAV account sync
- Public WebDAV calendar subscriptions
- Google Calendar sync
- iCloud calendar sync
- View event locations and plan travel time
Common Questions
- Does BusyCal work with Todoist?
- Yes. You can add a Todoist account to BusyCal and manage those task lists beside your calendar. Changes made in BusyCal sync back to Todoist and to every other device running it, and BusyCal supports one Todoist account at a time.
- Does Todoist have calendar views like BusyCal?
- Todoist offers calendar layouts on its Pro and Business plans, with views that vary by platform. It also connects to Google and Outlook calendars. BusyCal provides Day, Week, Month, and Year Planner views, calendar subscriptions, and direct sync with iCloud, Google, Microsoft 365, Exchange, and CalDAV accounts.
- Is BusyCal a subscription like Todoist?
- No. BusyCal for Mac is a one-time purchase of $49.99 from our store, with a perpetual license and a free 14-day trial. BusyCal for iPhone and iPad is $9.99 on the App Store.
Official Links
Want to compare a few more options before deciding? Browse all BusyCal comparison guides.