· Johannes Millan · 4 min read
Microsoft To Do vs Super Productivity: Full Comparison
Microsoft To Do is a free, cloud-based task manager tightly integrated with Microsoft 365. Super Productivity is a free, open-source, local-first task manager built for developers and deep work. Both are free, but they serve different needs.
This comparison covers features, privacy, integrations, and workflow fit to help you decide which one matches how you actually work. For a broader comparison, see our Best To-Do Apps for Developers or the Developer Productivity Guide for workflow context.
Privacy & open-source verdict
Who owns your data?
| Criterion | Super Productivity | Microsoft To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes – MIT license | No – proprietary |
| Local-first storage | Yes – data on your device | No – Microsoft cloud |
| Telemetry | None | Microsoft telemetry (diagnostic data) |
| User-managed E2EE | BYO encryption via sync provider | No – server-side encryption, Microsoft holds keys |
| Self-hosted / BYO sync | Yes – WebDAV, Dropbox, or local file | No – Microsoft account required |
Verify yourself: source code · privacy policy · code signing
TL;DR: Which one fits your workflow?
Microsoft To Do: Best if you live in the Microsoft ecosystem (Outlook, Teams, Planner) and need simple lists with cloud sync.
Super Productivity: Best if you need time tracking, Jira/GitHub integration, API/plugin extension points, offline privacy, and deep work features.
The Core Difference
Microsoft To Do is designed as a simple personal task list inside the Microsoft cloud. It replaces Wunderlist (which Microsoft acquired and shut down) and integrates tightly with Outlook tasks, Microsoft Planner, and Teams.
Super Productivity is designed as a developer-focused productivity workstation. It combines task management with time tracking, Pomodoro timers, issue tracker integration, REST API and plugin extension points, and focus features — all running locally on your device.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Microsoft To Do | Super Productivity |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free (open source, MIT) |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Web |
| Data storage | Microsoft cloud | Local device (offline-first) |
| Time tracking | No | Yes (built-in) |
| Pomodoro timer | No | Yes |
| Focus mode | No | Yes |
| Eisenhower Matrix | No | Yes |
| Jira integration | No | Yes |
| GitHub/GitLab integration | No | Yes |
| Outlook/Teams integration | Yes (native) | No |
| CalDAV support | No | Yes |
| Shared lists | Yes (personal and work accounts) | No (personal only) |
| Recurring tasks | Yes | Yes |
| Linux support | No (web/PWA only) | Yes (native) |
| Offline support | Limited | Full |
| Open source | No | Yes |
| Self-hosted sync | No | Yes (WebDAV/local file sync, or Super Sync if you choose the hosted service) |
Task Management
Microsoft To Do offers clean, simple lists with My Day planning, smart lists (Planned, Important, Assigned to Me), and Outlook task sync. It’s intuitive and lightweight — but intentionally minimal. There are no projects, no boards, no workspaces.
Super Productivity organizes tasks into projects with tags, a backlog/sprint view, Kanban boards, and an Eisenhower Matrix. Tasks can be linked to Jira tickets or GitHub issues. It’s more complex but designed for engineering workflows where a simple list isn’t enough.
Time Tracking
Microsoft To Do has no time tracking. If you need to know how long tasks take, you need a separate app.
Super Productivity has built-in time tracking with per-task timers, daily/weekly summaries, idle detection, and CSV export. For developers who bill hours or want to improve their estimates, this eliminates an entire category of tool.
Privacy and Data
Microsoft To Do stores all data in Microsoft’s cloud. Your tasks sync across devices via your Microsoft account. This means Microsoft has access to your task data, and the service requires an internet connection to function fully.
Super Productivity stores everything on your device by default. No account required, no cloud dependency. If you want sync, you choose the method (WebDAV, Dropbox, Super Sync, or local file sync). Your data never touches a server you don’t control unless you opt in.
Developer Integrations
This is where the tools diverge most sharply. Microsoft To Do integrates with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Planner) but has no integrations with developer tools — no Jira, no GitHub, no GitLab.
Super Productivity integrates natively with Jira, GitHub, GitLab, and Gitea. Synced issues appear in your task list, and time tracked against them is attributed automatically. The REST API, plugin system, automations plugin, and MCP plugins cover custom workflows that do not fit a built-in connector. For developers, this eliminates the gap between “where your tickets live” and “where you plan your day.”
When to Choose Microsoft To Do
- You’re deeply embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (Outlook, Teams)
- You want a simple, clean task list without complexity
- Shared lists with family or colleagues matter to you
- You don’t need time tracking or developer integrations
When to Choose Super Productivity
- You need time tracking built into your task manager
- You use Jira, GitHub, or GitLab and want issues in your task list
- You want REST API, plugin, automation, or MCP support for custom developer workflows
- Privacy matters — you want local-first data with no cloud requirement
- You run Linux (Microsoft To Do has no native Linux app)
- You want deep work features: Pomodoro, focus mode, timeboxing, Eisenhower Matrix
Ready to try the developer-focused alternative?
Super Productivity adds what Microsoft To Do leaves out: time tracking, developer integrations, API/plugin extension points, Linux support, and full offline use.
- Download Super Productivity for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS.
- Explore the Developer Productivity Guide to set up your first project.
- Compare more tools in our Comparison Hub.
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About the Author
Johannes is the creator of Super Productivity. As a developer himself, he built the tool he needed to manage complex projects and maintain flow state. He writes about productivity, open source, and developer wellbeing.