Jotter vs Microsoft To Do
Which is better in 2026? Five scores, side by side.
Jotter is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.4. Jotter wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Microsoft To Do on 0, with 1 tied.
iPhone and iPad users who want a quick, private notepad with handwriting
Windows and Outlook users who want a free, no-fuss to-do list
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Jotter | Microsoft To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Productivity & Notes | Productivity & Notes |
| Category rank | #3 of 17 | #11 of 17 |
| Developer | The Big Head | Microsoft |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Mac | — | ✓ |
| Windows | — | ✓ |
| Web | — | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Jotter better than Microsoft To Do?
Jotter is the better app overall, scoring 9.1 to 8.4. Jotter wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Microsoft To Do on 0, with 1 tied.
Which is cheaper, Jotter or Microsoft To Do?
Jotter: Free, no subscription or ads; an optional tip unlocks nothing. Microsoft To Do: Free with a Microsoft account; no paid tier. On value for money, Jotter scores higher.
Do Jotter and Microsoft To Do work on the same devices?
Only Microsoft To Do runs on Android, Windows, Mac, Web.
Which is more private, Jotter or Microsoft To Do?
Jotter scores higher on privacy (9.5/10). No account and no Jotter server: notes sync only through your own iCloud. Handwriting, photo text and voice notes are read on the device. No ads, analytics or tracking; App Store label: Data Not Collected.
Strengths and weaknesses
Jotter
- No titles, folders or save buttons to slow you down
- Handwriting and photo text are searchable, read on the device
- Free, no account, synced through your own iCloud
- iPhone and iPad only, with no Mac, Android or web app
- No backlinks, plugins or collaboration
Jotter is built around one idea: open it and start typing. The first line names the note and it saves as you go. Checklists, Apple Pencil handwriting, scans and voice notes live in the same note, and search reads the text inside pictures and handwriting on the device. Notes sync through your own iCloud with no account, and every note exports as Markdown. It lacks the backlinks and plugins of Obsidian, but as a free, private everyday notepad it is quick and pleasant.
Full Jotter review
Microsoft To Do
- Completely free, with no ads
- Apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and the web
- Works hand in hand with Outlook and Microsoft 365
- Recent updates are mostly bug fixes
- No calendar or board view for planning your week
- Needs a Microsoft account to sync
Microsoft To Do is a clean, free to-do list from the team behind Wunderlist. Each morning, My Day helps you pick what to tackle, with suggestions from your other lists. Break tasks into steps, set repeating reminders, share lists with family, and see emails you flagged in Outlook. It runs on almost everything. Recent updates have mostly been bug fixes, so don't expect big new features.
Full Microsoft To Do review
