Vikunja vs Todoist
Is switching from Todoist to Vikunjaworth it? Here's a detailed comparison of pricing, features, and ownership.
Vikunja and Todoist both serve task management and to-do lists, but they differ fundamentally in pricing and ownership. Todoist costs $5/month ($60/year), while Vikunja is completely free. As an open-source tool, Vikunja's code is publicly auditable and community-driven. This comparison breaks down exactly what you gain, what you lose, and whether switching makes sense for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Switching to Vikunja saves you $60/year — $180 over 3 years
Todoist costs
$60/yr
3-year cost
$180
Vikunja costs
Free
Best for
- +Privacy-conscious users
- +Self-hosters
- +Task management enthusiasts
Not ideal for
- −Users needing natural language input
- −Users needing many integrations
Feature Comparison
| Feature | TodoistSubscription | VikunjaAlternative |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $5/mo $60/year | Open Source |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop (typical) | WindowsLinuxWebSelf-hosted |
| Offline Support | Limited (typical) | ✓Full offline |
| Open Source | No | ✓Open source |
| Ownership | Renting | Full ownership |
| Cloud Dependency | High (typical) | Mostly offline |
| Migration | — | Medium |
Pricing
Todoist
$5/mo
$60/year
Vikunja
Open SourcePlatforms
Todoist
Web, Desktop (typical)Vikunja
Offline Support
Todoist
Limited (typical)Vikunja
✓Full offlineOpen Source
Todoist
NoVikunja
✓Open sourceOwnership
Todoist
RentingVikunja
Full ownershipCloud Dependency
Todoist
High (typical)Vikunja
Mostly offlineMigration
Todoist
—Vikunja
MediumSwitching Analysis
+What you gain with Vikunja
- +Free and open source
- +Self-hostable
- +Multiple views
- +API-first
−What you lose
- −Natural language processing
- −Mobile app polish
- −Integrations
Who Should Switch?
✓Good candidates for Vikunja
- +Privacy-conscious users
- +Self-hosters
- +Task management enthusiasts
✗Should keep using Todoist
- −Users needing natural language input
- −Users needing many integrations
Migration Guide
Switching from Todoist to Vikunja is rated as medium. Here's how to make the move:
Export your data
Go to Todoist's settings and export your data in CSV, PDF, or native format. Most tools support bulk export.
Install Vikunja
Download Vikunja from the official website. It's completely free to use.
Import and configure
Import your exported data into Vikunja. Set up your preferences, shortcuts, and workflows to match your existing setup.
Run in parallel
Use both tools side-by-side for a week or two. This lets you verify everything works before fully switching.
Cancel subscription
Once you're confident Vikunja meets your needs, cancel your Todoist subscription. You've escaped the subscription!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vikunja a good alternative to Todoist?
Yes, Vikunja is a solid alternative to Todoist. It offers free access with open source code, making it a great choice for users looking to escape subscriptions. Vikunja handles the core functionality that most Todoist users rely on daily.
How much can I save by switching from Todoist to Vikunja?
Switching from Todoist ($60/year) to Vikunja (Free) can save you approximately $60 per year, or $180 over three years. The savings start immediately with zero upfront cost.
What do I lose by switching from Todoist to Vikunja?
The main trade-offs include: Natural language processing, Mobile app polish, Integrations. However, Vikunja still covers the core functionality most users need. The gaps are typically in advanced features and ecosystem integrations, not daily-use capabilities.
Can I migrate my data from Todoist to Vikunja?
Yes. Most Todoist data can be exported in standard formats (CSV, PDF, or native format) and imported into Vikunja. The migration difficulty is rated as medium, so it may take some effort.
Is Vikunja really free?
Yes, Vikunja is completely free to use and open-source. There are no hidden costs, no premium tiers, and no feature restrictions for core functionality.
Does Vikunja work on the same platforms as Todoist?
Vikunja is available on windows, linux, web, self hosted. This covers all major platforms, so you can use it on all your devices.
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