TickTick is powerful, but it's not for everyone. Here's what the Reddit productivity community suggests as alternatives.
Last updated: January 2026. Based on discussions from r/productivity, r/TickTick, r/todoist, and r/getdisciplined.
"TickTick has everything - calendar, habits, pomodoro, lists. But I realized I was spending more time in the app than actually doing tasks. Simpler was better for me."
TickTick is one of the most feature-rich productivity apps available. But more features doesn't always mean better results. Let's explore why people switch and what they switch to.
The irony isn't lost on Reddit users: productivity apps that take too much time to manage are counterproductive.
| Alternative | Price | Best For | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funtasking | Free / $2.99 Pro | Life balance + visual planning | Purpose Wheel tracks 8 life areas, not just tasks |
| Todoist | Free / $4/mo | Integrations + simplicity | Cleaner interface, works with everything |
| Microsoft To-Do | Free | Simplicity + Microsoft ecosystem | Minimal features, zero learning curve |
| Things 3 | One-time purchase | Apple users + design lovers | Beautiful design, no subscription |
| Structured | Free / Premium | Time blocking focus | Day planning with visual timeline |
Growing in TickTick alternative discussions for a fundamentally different approach:
From TickTick user: "I had 47 recurring tasks, habit streaks, a complex calendar setup. Completed tons of tasks. Still felt like I was neglecting important life areas."
After switching: "Funtasking's Purpose Wheel showed me I was 90% Work, 10% everything else. Same number of completed tasks, but now I consciously plan Health and Relationships too."
The most common TickTick alternative for a reason:
Reddit verdict: "If you're overwhelmed by TickTick's features, Todoist is the obvious choice. It does less, but what it does works perfectly."
For those who want bare minimum:
"Switched from TickTick to Microsoft To-Do. It's almost too simple. No habits, no pomodoro, no calendar view. Just lists. And honestly? That's all I needed. I was overcomplicating productivity."
"TickTick tells me I completed 50 tasks this week. Cool. But it doesn't tell me I haven't exercised in 10 days, haven't called my parents in a month, or haven't done anything fun. Productivity without balance is just optimized burnout."
This is the core limitation Reddit identifies in TickTick (and most productivity apps). They optimize for task completion, not life quality. Apps like Funtasking address this gap directly.
Common reasons include: premium features behind paywall, sync issues on some platforms, wanting simpler or more focused apps, and seeking better life balance features that TickTick lacks.
Reddit frequently recommends Funtasking (free with optional Pro at $2.99), Todoist (generous free tier), and Microsoft To-Do (completely free). Each excels in different areas.
Reddit debates this constantly. TickTick has more built-in features. Todoist has better integrations and simpler design. Neither focuses on life balance - for that, users recommend Funtasking.
No, TickTick focuses on task completion and productivity metrics. For life balance tracking across multiple areas (work, health, relationships, etc.), Reddit recommends Funtasking's Purpose Wheel.
Based on 2026 discussions about TickTick alternatives:
TickTick excels at being an all-in-one productivity suite. But if you find yourself wanting simpler, more balanced, or more focused - the alternatives deliver.
Funtasking tracks Work, Health, Play, Relationships, and more. See your life balance, not just task counts. Free to start.
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