Comparison

Task Writer vs Backtrack

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Task Writer

Handwrite tasks, to-do lists, or even draw them as pictures without needing a keyboard. Get precise minute-by-minute notifications for due dates. Works with a stylus or your finger.

Highlights
  • Handwritten input
  • Draw tasks as pictures
  • Minute-level notifications
  • Stylus or finger input
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Write, type, draw, and organize your tasks locally and privately with our powerful new On-Device AI Assistant! Task Writer gives you the freedom to build to-do lists your way. Write with your stylus, draw task ideas with your finger, or type them directly using the keyboard. Choose whichever input fits your flow. *** WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 3.0 *** ON-DEVICE AI ASSISTANT - NATURAL LANGUAGE SCHEDULING: Type or dictate requests (e.g., "remind me to jog tomorrow at 8 AM") to write and schedule tasks completely offline. - SEMANTIC SEARCH: Easily search and filter your tasks using plain English queries. LOCAL HANDWRITING OCR - TEXT SUGGESTIONS: Instantly convert your handwritten strokes on the canvas into digital text. Tap any of the three suggested OCR candidates to auto-fill your tasks without typing. TASK RECURRENCE - RECURRING SCHEDULES: Schedule tasks daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly to stay on top of recurring routines and habits. 100% OFFLINE PRIVACY All AI reasoning, task scheduling, semantic search, and handwriting OCR processing run completely on-device. Your tasks, inputs, and drawings are never uploaded to any servers. *** CORE FEATURES *** - Handwrite, Draw, or Type: Write your tasks naturally in any language, draw sketches to represent goals, or type them directly using your keyboard. - Precise Alerts: Get to-the-minute notifications when a task is due. - Touch Support: Works best with a stylus or just use your finger. Task Writer is a freemium app that is free to use. You can upgrade to Task Writer Premium through an auto-renewable subscription to unlock the following custom styling and ad-free features: - Change Stroke Color - Change Stroke Width - Enable or Disable Advertisements Install Task Writer now and experience private, AI-powered task management. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Backtrack

Features
Read full description

Build your checklist, trust the process, and never miss a step again. [ Why Backtrack? ] Traditional to-do apps are designed for one-off tasks—"finish and forget." But your work demands consistency. Inspired by aviation checklists, Backtrack helps you build standardized workflows to ensure precision every time you execute a complex task. Backtrack goes beyond simple lists. It utilizes a robust hierarchy to break down complex projects into actionable steps. Best of all, it's built for repetition: reset your entire workflow with a single tap. Set priorities, add detailed notes, and never miss a deadline. [ Features ] - Built for iOS: Developed entirely with SwiftUI for a fluid, responsive, and native experience. - Two Type of Visuals: Iconic "Chronoshift" Design from developer, turns your "native-styled" Backtrack into a floating chromatic glass. - Zero Learning Curve: Intuitive gestures allow you to navigate naturally. You'll know how to use it the moment you open it. - Pure Focus: No distractions, no ads. Backtrack is designed to help you filter out the noise and enter a state of flow. - Open the app, follow the flow, and stay in your zone starting today! // Developed by Zixiang Zhang with Love User Manual:.https://www.zixiangzhang.com/apps/Backtrack/user-manual.html Privacy Policy: https://www.zixiangzhang.com/apps/Backtrack/privacypolicy.html

Screenshots

Task Writer4 screens
Backtrack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Backtrack at none against Task Writer's 2. Backtrack also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Task Writer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $25.99 per year. Backtrack asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Task Writer ships an update every 3 months, Backtrack every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Task Writer versus Backtrack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTask WriterBacktrack
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua LubinsZixiang Zhang

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Task Writer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$25.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Advertisements$59.99
None

Backtrack

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Task Writer free?
Task Writer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Backtrack free?
Backtrack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Task Writer or Backtrack have ads?
Neither Task Writer nor Backtrack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Task Writer or Backtrack?
Task Writer ships an update every 3 months, and Backtrack every 5 weeks. Most recently, Task Writer was updated on October 9, 2026 and Backtrack on September 23, 2026.

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