Comparison

Focus Matrix vs Tasks

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

Head to head
About

Focus Matrix

Organize your tasks efficiently using a priority matrix based on urgency and importance. This app helps you focus on what truly matters by categorizing tasks and providing tools for scheduling, reminders, and detailed tracking. Sync across devices and export your lists for seamless productivity.

Highlights
  • Eisenhower Box priority matrix
  • Task categorization and sorting
  • Drag-and-drop task management
  • Due dates and reminders
  • Recurring tasks
  • Cross-device synchronization
  • Task export to PDF
Features
Read full description

Focus Matrix is a smart personal organizer based on the so-called Eisenhower box, a personal productivity strategy created by Dwight Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. The principle uses a special priority matrix that helps break your tasks into several groups depending on their urgency and importance, and work your way through your daily agenda in the most efficient way possible. This app will help you focus on what really matters, and get rid of the things that can be painlessly delegated to others or postponed indefinitely until you have time for them. Task Organization • Two views: Matrix and List of Sections • “Unsorted” section to hold incoming tasks until you categorize them • Move tasks between sections using drag-and-drop • Maximize sections to focus on specific content Task Scheduling and Reminders • Assign due dates to tasks • Set “All day task” for whole-day planning • Create recurring tasks with customizable repeat options • Set reminders to never miss an important deadline Advanced Task Features • Automatically move a task to 'Urgent' as its deadline approaches, with timely notifications • Automatically move a task to 'Urgent' when a linked task is completed • Track task creation and completion dates for detailed management • Paste multiline text as individual tasks to speed up input Sorting, Filtering, and Tags • Sort tasks by title, due date, or manually • Use tags to organize tasks effectively • Filter tasks by tags and statuses (completed/uncompleted) • Save and quickly apply custom filter presets for easy navigation Synchronization and Integration • Sync data across all your devices • Sync tasks with Calendar • Integrate with Be Focused*: Sync tasks between apps and start timer in Be Focused directly from Focus Matrix Exporting and Reporting • Export task lists to PDF or print them for offline use • Configurable statistics and reports for completed tasks Security and Privacy • Password and Face ID protection for secure task management Platform Compatibility • Fully available for Mac and iOS Pro Version Features • Cross-device synchronization • Synchronization of tasks with Calendar • Integration with Be Focused*: Sync tasks between apps and start timer in Be Focused directly from Focus Matrix Focus Matrix is free to download and use forever. However, if you want to access the Pro features on all your iPhones, iPads, and Macs, you can upgrade to the Pro version. The Pro subscription comes in three different options: Monthly, Yearly with a 7-day trial, and Lifetime (one-time payment). Payment will be charged to your App Store account and will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://xwavesoft.com/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use: https://xwavesoft.com/terms-of-use.html * Be Focused helps you get things done by breaking up individual tasks among discrete intervals. It’s available for Mac and iOS devices in App Store. Integration with Be Focused requires the Pro version of Be Focused, sold separately.

About

Tasks

Organize your to-dos, reminders, and projects in one place. Capture ideas instantly, visualize progress with Kanban boards, and attach all necessary details to tasks. Collaborate with others and track your time effectively.

Highlights
  • Capture tasks with natural language
  • Switch between lists and Kanban boards
  • Break down tasks into subtasks
  • Attach notes, links, and files
  • Set location-based reminders
  • Collaborate on shared projects
  • Track time spent on tasks
Features
Read full description

Keep your day clear and your projects moving. Tasks brings your to-dos, reminders, and shared projects together in one place. Plan a busy week, organize a trip, or take a project from first idea to finished. Start with a simple list and add the structure you need as you go. CAPTURE IT WHILE IT'S ON YOUR MIND Type “Send the report tomorrow at 3pm” and accept the suggested date and time. Tasks recognizes dates, repeats, priorities, and locations as you type. Add tasks with Siri, save something from another app, or turn an email into a task with the original message attached. SEE WHAT'S NEXT, AND WHAT'S MOVING Switch between lists and Kanban boards. Give each project its own stages, such as Planned, In Progress, and Waiting, so you can see where things stand. Break bigger tasks into subtasks, add tags and priorities, and use Smart Lists to bring the right work together across projects. KEEP THE DETAILS WITH THE TASK Add notes, links, images, PDFs, and emails so you have what you need when it's time to act. Customize each project's fields and keep conversations in comments. A task can hold the whole story, from the first brief to the final decision. MAKE TIME FOR FOCUSED WORK Start a timer on a task and see where your time goes. On iPhone and iPad, block distracting apps while you work. Follow your session from a Live Activity on the Lock Screen and, on supported iPhones, the Dynamic Island. REMINDERS THAT FIT REAL LIFE Set reminders for a date, a time, or when you arrive at or leave a place. Repeat tasks on a schedule or a set time after you finish them, ideal for routines that don't always happen on the same day. Connect Apple Reminders to keep your existing lists in sync. SHARE THE WORK, KEEP EVERYONE IN THE LOOP Plan with your partner, family, or team. Share a project, assign tasks, and use comments and @mentions to keep every decision right where the work happens. The people you invite collaborate for free. Bring your AI assistant into the project too. Connect it through MCP to create and update tasks, leave comments, and track time. You choose which projects your assistant can access and what it can change. FEEL AT HOME ON YOUR APPLE DEVICES Use Tasks on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Keep tasks close with widgets, capture ideas from your wrist, and build everyday automations with Siri and Shortcuts. Sync lets you pick up where you left off on another device. Make Tasks feel like yours with Classic, Mono, and Paper themes, your choice of heading and body fonts, and light or dark mode. Dynamic Type and VoiceOver support help you work comfortably. START WITH YOUR NEXT TASK Download Tasks for free. Tasks Plus adds unlimited projects, custom workflows and fields, sharing, attachments, Smart Lists, sync, and more. Choose a subscription or a lifetime purchase in the app. Made by an independent developer who cares about the details. Questions or ideas? Write to tasks@msquarelabs.com. Privacy Policy: https://thetasks.app/legal/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://thetasks.app/legal/terms/

Screenshots

Focus Matrix4 screens
Tasks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Tasks at none against Focus Matrix's shown. Tasks also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 7 months) and device support (5 vs 2). Focus Matrix's advantage is review sentiment (82% vs 64%). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. Focus Matrix sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Tasks sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Focus Matrix against 4.6 for Tasks. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 1.9K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Focus Matrix's written reviews are positive against 64% of Tasks's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, Tasks every 9 days. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Focus Matrix versus Tasks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFocus MatrixTasks
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings)4.6 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews — better63.6% of reviews
Number of ratings1.6K1.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB147 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenys IevenkoMsquare Labs Technologies Private Limited

Customer experience

Focus Matrix

All ratings1,586 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews782 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.6%

Tasks

All ratings1,914 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral3.7%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews313 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral13.7%
Negative22.7%

User reviews

Focus Matrix

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Keeps me on track
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Helps prioritize tasks
  • 👍 Integrates well with calendar
  • 👍 Simple and effective

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Sync issues across devices
  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Security concerns with sync
  • 💡 Need for more customization options
  • 💡 Lacking recurring tasks

Tasks

From 1.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Intuitive interface
  • 💡 Customizable task statuses
  • 🚀 Seamless cross-device sync
  • 👍 Clean and visually appealing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and bugs
  • 🐛 Sync issues between devices
  • 🐛 Inconsistent behavior
  • 🔒 Limited free trial
  • 🐛 Slow performance on some devices

Bugs and requests

Focus Matrix

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sync issues causing data loss
  • Frequent crashes
  • Inability to log in across devices
  • Calendar integration not working as expected

Requested features

7 requests
  • Ability to have multiple matrices (e.g. work, personal)
  • Recurring tasks
  • More export options (e.g. CSV)
  • Dark mode
  • Better sync reliability across devices
Show 2 more
  • Subtasks or nested tasks
  • Ability to archive completed tasks

Tasks

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Tasks not syncing correctly
  • Inability to delete tasks
  • Crashes when adding comments
  • Unreliable date and time handling
  • Inconsistent behavior when rearranging tasks

Requested features

7 requests
  • Recurring tasks
  • Calendar integration
  • Ability to move tasks between projects
  • Global tag management
  • Expanded note-taking capabilities
Show 2 more
  • Shortcuts and automation support
  • Batch task editing and management

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus Matrix

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$34.99
10 purchases

Tasks

Subscriptions8
  • Tasks Plus (Monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Tasks Plus Family (Monthly)$7.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Annual (Offer)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Tasks Plus$24.991 Year
  • Tasks Plus (Yearly)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
  • Annual (Offer)14 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Tasks Family Plus$49.991 Year
One-time2
  • Tasks Plus Lifetime - Individual$59.99
  • Tasks Plus Lifetime - Family$99.99

Questions

Is Focus Matrix free?
Focus Matrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tasks free?
Tasks is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Focus Matrix or Tasks?
Tasks is rated higher. Focus Matrix averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Tasks averages 4.6 from 1.9K ratings.
Do Focus Matrix or Tasks have ads?
Focus Matrix shows ads; Tasks does not.
Which is updated more often, Focus Matrix or Tasks?
Focus Matrix ships an update every 7 months, and Tasks every 9 days. Most recently, Focus Matrix was updated on November 11, 2026 and Tasks on November 11, 2026.

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