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2Do vs OmniFocus

OmniFocus is deep GTD machinery: defer dates, review cycles, sequential projects, and custom perspectives. 2Do is a flexible task manager that offers serious depth without requiring a methodology. If you practice strict GTD and want tooling built around it, OmniFocus may be the better fit. If you want power that stays approachable — plus more choice in how you sync — 2Do is usually stronger.

Last reviewed: July 16, 2026.

At a Glance

Criteria2DoOmniFocus
Primary modelFlexible lists, projects, and checklists that adapt to your methodA structured GTD system with review and perspectives
Best fitPower users who want depth without ceremonyCommitted GTD practitioners
StrengthApproachable depth, search, and sync choiceMethodical project rigor
Trade-offNo built-in review methodologySteeper learning curve
Switching is easy

2Do imports your OmniFocus data directly on the Mac — choose File > Import > From OmniFocus… and your folders, projects, actions, tags, defer/due dates, durations, and repeats come across. See Import from OmniFocus.

Task Management & Sync Comparison

Capability2DoOmniFocus
Projects with fully dated, taggable sub-tasks
Checklists
Sequential (do-in-order) projects
Custom perspectives / saved workspace views
Built-in review mode
Tags
Tag groups and pausable tags
Saved Smart Lists with a full search syntax
Typo-tolerant Soundex search, plus exact wildcard matchingbasic
Sort any list your way — a dozen sort options, remembered per listvia perspectives
Expressive tag filtering — combine tags with AND / OR / NOTvia perspectives
One-click Focus Filter per list
Filter by List Group on demand, combinable with search
Exclude any list from All, Today, or Donevia perspectives
Hide any list from the sidebar, even built-in ones
Jump Bars — find-as-you-type task, list, and tag jumping
Quick Look any task with the Spacebar, and run its action right from the preview
One key to act: P performs a task's action, U opens every link in its notes
Quick Open — jump to any task or list from anywhere
Section heat bars — see dense sections and jump to them
Stars in addition to prioritiesflags only
Hover any task to set priority or star without editingflags only
Numbered picker presets, set dates, alarms, or recurrence with Option and a digitbasic
Single-key commands: defer, schedule, star, tag, move, and prioritise without modifiersbasic
Jump to any editor field from the keyboard (dates, alerts, tags, action, recurrence, list)basic
Start dates and times in addition to due dates
Task durations (estimated time, with a lead-up window)
Repeat from due date or from completion
Custom repeat rules — every N days/weeks/months/years, chosen weekdays, the 15th, the last day, the second Tuesday
Recurrence end conditions — stop after N occurrences or on a date
Repeats keep start and due as a pair — same gap, same times, every cycle
Repeating projects and checklists start fresh — sub-tasks reset each cycle
Edit one occurrence or all future onesbasic
Smart Scheduling — future-start tasks stay hidden until they begin, revealable any time
Multiple alarms per task
Repeating (nagging) alarm sounds until dismissed
2Do's own alarm window — snooze menu and the task's action right on the card
Silence alarms one list at a time
Silence 2Do alarms automatically with macOS Focus
Assign locations to tasks (Nearby view)
Location-based alerts (iPhone / iPad)
Task actions — call, message, email, visit, or open a link right from the task
Picture and audio attachments
Markdown notes
Type-to-link related tasks in notes
Batch editing — tag, defer, schedule, or re-prioritise many tasks at once
System-wide Quick Entry on Mac
Calendar events shown alongside tasks
Interactive Mini Calendar — filter by day or range, ribbons for busy days and future repeats, drag to deferbasic
Email tasks to the app
Bring your own sync service — Dropbox, iCloud CalDAV, CalDAV, Reminders, Todoist, or Toodledo
Keep chosen lists off sync entirely
Capture defaults you control (default list, GTD Inbox, default due date and time, clipboard prefill)basic
Automatic reminders for dated tasks, at the deadline or a chosen offsetbasic
Completed tasks age out on your schedule (visibility window, auto-delete)basic
Sidebar counts and Dock badge tuned to what matters (a dozen badge scopes)basic
Separate themes for Light and Dark modebasic
Self-hosted sync server (WebDAV)coming soon
Two-way Apple Reminders sync
Share a list with others over the local network
Claude / AI integration (MCP)
AppleScript automation
JavaScript (Omni Automation) scripting
Shortcuts app support
Web browser access
Password protection with Touch ID (lists or whole app)
Print neatly formatted lists, choosing the fields and level of detailbasic
Export lists as .ics calendar or .csv spreadsheet files, or just the selected tasksCSV and others, no .ics
Import to-dos from any .ics calendar file, hierarchy and alarms included
Automatic local backups, on a schedule you choose
Restore individual lists from automatic backups
Truly native Mac app, built for the Mac
Android app
One-time purchase available

Where OmniFocus May Be Better

  • You practice strict GTD and want defer dates, review cycles, and sequential projects as first-class tools.
  • Custom perspectives are how you slice your work.
  • You script across platforms with Omni Automation (JavaScript), or need access from a web browser. (2Do is no less scriptable — AppleScript, Shortcuts, and a built-in Claude / MCP server that lets AI manage your tasks — just not from a browser.)
  • You want to sync through your own WebDAV server today, and your data stays exportable there too (CSV and other structured formats).

Where 2Do May Be Better

Moving over? See Import from OmniFocus for the full mapping, or the quick FAQ.

Want to compare a few more options before deciding? Browse all 2Do comparison guides.