Comparison

Backlog by Time Engine vs GSD Task Manager

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

Head to head
About

Backlog by Time Engine

Features
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Backlog is a time based todo list, add an backlog, add items and subitems to it, associate it with a time amount representing a how much it will take to be done with it. Backlog adds all your items time and show how much workload you have. Simply check and uncheck items, move them to prioritize them or delete them.

About

GSD Task Manager

Features
Read full description

GSD ("Get Stuff Done") helps you answer one question: what should I work on next? Every task is framed on two honest axes โ€” urgent and important โ€” and lands in one of four quadrants: Do First, Schedule, Delegate, Eliminate. The Eisenhower matrix is a decades-old decision tool, and GSD keeps it that way: one calm surface, one decision at a time. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT Your tasks live on your device. GSD works fully offline, with no account, no sign-up, and nothing sent anywhere. Optional sync is there if you want it โ€” sign in with Apple, Google, or GitHub and your tasks stay in step across iPhone, iPad, and the GSD web app. Your choice, never a requirement. CAPTURE WITHOUT BREAKING STRIDE Type one line. Shorthand does the sorting: โ€ข !! marks urgent and important โ€” straight to Do First โ€ข ! urgent, * important โ€ข #tags organize as you type Share a link or text from any app and it becomes a task. A Home Screen widget keeps today's focus in view. DEPTH UNDER A CALM SURFACE The grid stays simple; the power sits one layer down. โ€ข Subtasks, tags, notes, and due dates with reminders โ€ข Recurring tasks โ€” daily, weekly, monthly โ€ข Dependencies: see what's blocked and what's blocking โ€ข Built-in time tracking with estimates and timers โ€ข Snooze, archive, and auto-archive to keep the board honest FIND ANYTHING Smart views slice your tasks the way you think โ€” Today's Focus, This Week, Overdue Backlog, Ready to Work โ€” or build your own with filters. A command palette puts every task and screen one tap away (โŒ˜K with a keyboard). PROGRESS, MEASURED HONESTLY A dashboard shows completion trends, quadrant balance, tracked time, and upcoming deadlines. No badges, no manufactured rewards, no pressure to open the app โ€” just an accurate picture of how you're doing. DESIGNED FOR iOS, NOT PORTED Native SwiftUI throughout. Swipe actions, context menus, dark mode, and an iPad layout built for the larger canvas. VoiceOver labels, Dynamic Type, and Reduce Motion respected everywhere. No ads. No tracking. No attention engineering. Capture what matters, decide once, and get back to your day.

Screenshots

Backlog by Time Engine4 screens
GSD Task Manager4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: GSD Task Manager at every 9 days against Backlog by Time Engine's every 3 weeks. GSD Task Manager also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Backlog by Time Engine's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Backlog by Time Engine ships an update every 3 weeks, GSD Task Manager every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Backlog by Time Engine versus GSD Task Manager: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBacklog by Time EngineGSD Task Manager
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Mac โ€” better
Requires iOS16.4 โ€” better26.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size3 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer100-8 StudioVinny Carpenter

In-app purchases

None

Backlog by Time Engine

No in-app purchases

None

GSD Task Manager

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Backlog by Time Engine free?
Backlog by Time Engine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GSD Task Manager free?
GSD Task Manager is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Backlog by Time Engine or GSD Task Manager have ads?
Neither Backlog by Time Engine nor GSD Task Manager shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Backlog by Time Engine or GSD Task Manager?
Backlog by Time Engine ships an update every 3 weeks, and GSD Task Manager every 9 days. Most recently, Backlog by Time Engine was updated on September 19, 2026 and GSD Task Manager on September 13, 2026.

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