Comparison

TaskOut vs PaperTrail

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

Head to head
About

TaskOut

Read full description

[ Taskout Features ] - Group and Today list - Filter tasks on groups

About

PaperTrail

This app provides a full TaskPaper editing experience on iOS and iPadOS, allowing you to manage projects, tasks, and notes using simple, flexible plain text files. Sync your work with iCloud and edit across devices, with powerful search and filtering capabilities.

Highlights
  • Full TaskPaper format support
  • OPML import
  • Distraction-free editing
  • Full query language search
  • Tag system with progress tracking
  • iOS Reminders integration
  • Shortcuts and Siri integration
Read full description

PaperTrail brings full TaskPaper editing to iOS and iPadOS. TaskPaper is plain text productivity—simple, fast, flexible. Projects, tasks, notes, and tags. Filter, search, and archive. All in plain text files you can sync via iCloud and edit in TaskPaper on your Mac. FEATURES • Full TaskPaper format support (.taskpaper, .todo, .txt, .md) • Open Bike (.bike) and OPML (.opml) outlines, with clear warnings when an import can't carry everything across • OPML and Bike-style export, so tags and done state round-trip back into Bike • Fold and focus into any subtree for distraction-free editing • Full query language with text, tag, boolean, and semantic search • Tag system with dates, progress tracking, and cost aggregation • Tag autocomplete ranked by how often you use each tag • Smart filters with edge-swipe gestures and an iPad side-by-side sidebar • Colour lines by priority, depth, or due date proximity • Natural date parsing and two-way iOS Reminders integration—import a Reminders list as a project • Quick capture: append tasks, notes, clipboard text, or web links to your most recent document • Planning shortcuts: Open in Today, Random Next Task, and Morning Brief • Shortcuts, Siri, Action Button, and Spotlight integration via App Intents • Find & update documents from Shortcuts: run queries, mark done, set tags, append tasks • Command palette for projects, searches, tags, and every editor command • iPadOS menu bar with Item, Tag, Outline, View, and Palette menus • Export documents as interactive HTML slide presentations or as OPML outlines • Built-in and custom document templates • 50+ keyboard shortcuts for power workflow • Native Swift app—tiny install size, built for speed • Dynamic Type, VoiceOver, and dark mode support

Screenshots

TaskOut4 screens
PaperTrail4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TaskOut at Free against PaperTrail's $19.99. PaperTrail's advantage is chart position (#115 vs unranked) and device support. On in-app purchases 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

TaskOut is free to download; PaperTrail costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
TaskOut versus PaperTrail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTaskOutPaperTrail
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating—4.2 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—15 — better
Update frequency—Every 10 days
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Paid
Best chart rank—#115 — better
Devices—iPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.417.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWill Moodygingerbeardman

In-app purchases

None

TaskOut

No in-app purchases

None

PaperTrail

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TaskOut free?
TaskOut is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PaperTrail free?
PaperTrail costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

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