Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Microsoft To Do vs Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft To Do 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner Tie
Microsoft OneNote 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65

Microsoft To Do is generally preferred for simple task management and daily organization, while Microsoft OneNote is better suited for comprehensive note-taking and detailed information storage, despite both facing significant syncing and stability issues.

Full reviews: Microsoft To Do · Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft To Do excels at straightforward task management and daily organization, with many users finding it easy to use and helpful for productivity. Microsoft OneNote offers greater flexibility for detailed note-taking, supporting various content types and cross-device access. However, both apps are plagued by persistent syncing problems, frequent crashes, and functionality bugs, especially on iOS devices.

Head to head

Features edge: Microsoft OneNoteR9R12R13R18
Microsoft To Do Microsoft To Do is praised for its ability to create multiple lists, the 'My Day' feature, and integration with Outlook for managing tasks and meetings R29R55. Users appreciate its simplicity for daily task tracking, grocery lists, and home projects . However, users desire more advanced features like lists within lists, better categorization, search functionality across all levels, and printing options R9R12R13. Some users also note a loss of features compared to previous versions or acquired apps like Wunderlist R18.
Microsoft OneNote Microsoft OneNote is highly valued for its flexibility in note-taking, allowing users to create multiple pages and notebooks, and its powerful search capabilities R74. It supports various content types and is used extensively for school and university notes . However, users report missing features like fountain pen options on iOS, inability to create tables on mobile, and issues with text selection and reordering pages R67R69.
Ease of Use edge: Microsoft To DoR2R3R5R8
Microsoft To Do Many users find Microsoft To Do easy to use and intuitive for managing tasks R2R5R8R20. It's praised for its straightforward interface and daily utility . However, some users experience frustration with accidental taps, difficulty rearranging categories, and a cumbersome process for adding photos R3. The search function is also criticized for not being easily accessible .
Microsoft OneNote Microsoft OneNote is generally considered easy to use for note-taking and organization . Its free-form canvas allows users to write anywhere . However, recent updates have introduced significant usability issues, such as difficulty selecting multiple words or paragraphs, inability to move pages or sections, and problems with image manipulation . Some users also find the text editor intrusive when using an Apple Pencil R67.
Reliability tieR1R4R7R15
Microsoft To Do Microsoft To Do faces significant reliability issues, with frequent reports of crashing on iOS devices R1R7R15. Syncing problems are a major concern, with users needing to constantly reinstall or finding that lists don't update across devices R4R16R21R22. Some users also report lost tasks and widgets not working correctly R15.
Microsoft OneNote Microsoft OneNote also suffers from severe reliability problems, particularly with syncing and stability. Users frequently report 'page conflicts,' notes not syncing, and the app crashing . Recent updates have introduced bugs that make the app unusable for some, affecting text selection, page reordering, and formatting . Battery drain and overheating on iPads are also noted issues R69.
Price/Value tieR5R17R20R29
Microsoft To Do Microsoft To Do is a free app that many users find valuable for daily organization and productivity R5R17R20. Its integration with Outlook and other Microsoft services is a key benefit for users already in that ecosystem R29R35.
Microsoft OneNote Microsoft OneNote is free to download with in-app purchases, and many users appreciate its value as part of their M365 subscription R74. It's seen as a powerful tool for school and work, helping users save their notes for years to come R74.
Support tieR7R9R67R69
Microsoft To Do Users of Microsoft To Do report difficulty getting responses from Microsoft support regarding app issues like crashing R7. There's also a lack of an easy way to make suggestions within the app R9.
Microsoft OneNote Microsoft OneNote users have also reported being 'fobbed off' by Microsoft support when raising feedback about bugs . The persistence of long-standing issues suggests a lack of effective support or timely fixes R67R69.
Pick Microsoft To Do if

you need a simple, free task manager for daily to-dos, grocery lists, and basic personal organization, especially if you use Outlook and other Microsoft services for work R2R29.

Pick Microsoft OneNote if

you require a flexible, feature-rich note-taking application for detailed notes, academic work, or long-term information storage, and you are willing to contend with significant stability issues R74.

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for both are heavily skewed negative, particularly concerning stability and syncing. The free nature of both apps means users might be less tolerant of issues, but the core complaints about functionality and reliability are consistent across many reviews.

Frequently asked

Do Microsoft To Do and OneNote integrate with other Microsoft products?
Yes, Microsoft To Do integrates well with Outlook and the Outlook calendar, simplifying workflow and allowing users to manage meetings, action items, and tasks in one place R29R35R55. Microsoft OneNote is often used in conjunction with M365 subscriptions and works smoothly across multiple devices R74.
Are there known issues with syncing or crashing for either app?
Yes, both Microsoft To Do and Microsoft OneNote have persistent and widespread issues with syncing and crashing, particularly on iOS devices. To Do users report frequent crashes, lists not syncing across devices, and widgets not working R1R4R7R16. OneNote users experience 'page conflicts,' notes not syncing, and the app becoming unusable after updates due to bugs .
Are there any specific iOS issues for these apps?
Yes, both apps have specific issues on iOS. Microsoft To Do users report the app crashing frequently on iPhone and iPad, syncing problems between iOS and desktop, and widgets not working with certain iOS themes R1R7R21R22. Microsoft OneNote on iOS has issues with the text editor popping up when using Apple Pencil, missing fountain pen features, battery drainage, and recent updates causing problems with text selection and page reordering R67R69.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 110 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R9] Microsoft To Do 3/5 · US Can’t make suggestions: It would be nice to have a way to make suggestions. I clicked on the link in the app, but it won’t sign me in with the code they emailed me. So frustrating. The app really needs a way to have a list within a list. For example, for my “tv shows to watch” list, letting me sort it into “shows to watch alone, “shows to watch with spouse,” “movies for the weekend,” etc. And for
  2. [R12] Microsoft To Do 3/5 · US Categories: Need to be able to select a category for each task on mobile version
  3. [R13] Microsoft To Do 2/5 · US No printing?: Why no printing option for individual tasks?
  4. [R18] Microsoft To Do 3/5 · US Not as good as previous outlook version: Some of the positive features from the older version have been lost which is a shame eg ease of editing and manual order of tasks by day
  5. [R2] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US To do: I love it cause it’s easy to use and very useful. Plus I love Microsoft
  6. [R3] Microsoft To Do 3/5 · US Good app except for accidental taps: The To Do app is good but an accidental tap is it’s Achilles heel. Tap something by mistake and it’s difficult to know what was tapped. I don’t see anyway to know.
  7. [R5] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US Life Changing: This is my all time favorite app. It’s changed my life
  8. [R8] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US Appreciation: Excellent app, it help me to plan and prioritize my work and tasks during the day in the efficient way.
  9. [R1] Microsoft To Do 1/5 · US Why is it crashing?: Suddenly stopped working on iphone 16 Pro…
  10. [R4] Microsoft To Do 1/5 · US Syncing: Cannot get syncing to work on this app only. All other apps my 3 devices sync with no problem. Being 70+ easier to type on iPad or Mac. But use my iPhone when using when away from house. Constantly have to delete and reinstall app on iPhone. Have started moving some of my lists to other apps.
  11. [R7] Microsoft To Do 1/5 · US Crashing: Keeps crashing on both my iPhone and iPad. Tried many time contacting Microsoft but there was no response. Too bad
  12. [R15] Microsoft To Do 3/5 · US 3 stars: It crashes on me when I try to start a new list. And I have lost tasks when moving to a new list. Poof. Just gone. So now I have to screenshot before moving just in case. Otherwise it’s great!
  13. [R17] Microsoft To Do 4/5 · US Almost great: I still haven’t found the perfect free (or reasonable ) GTD priorities to do list, but do enjoy this tool. Need to have more collaborations to make it optimally useful
  14. [R20] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US Download it!!: Use it daily to stay on track this is by far my most opened productivity app!! 10/10 n I don’t write reviews EVER
  15. [R29] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US Organizational Bliss: Love the way To Do syncs with Outlook and the Outlook calendar to simplify my workflow. I can manage my meetings, action items, and assigned tasks from MS Planner all in one place!
  16. [R67] Microsoft OneNote 1/5 · GB Let down by bugs and limited functionality on iPad: Text editor continually pops up when writing with Apple Pencil. This is a bug that has been reported for years but still plagues me. Also, the selection of pens available in other apps are not available here. Where’s the fountain pen for example? Writing directly to text is poor too.
  17. [R69] Microsoft OneNote 3/5 · GB Missing Fountain Pen Feature & Battery Drainage: Overall I am happy with the performance of the OneNote in iPad OS. I am missing the fountain pen feature which is available in windows platform. Also when ever I use OneNote in my iPad the battery drains very fast and the screen becomes hot. Microsoft needs to fix these issues ASAP as this is open for very long time.
  18. [R35] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US It works !: Used for years. Just right for outlook user. Thanks !
  19. [R55] Microsoft To Do 5/5 · US Love this app: This application has been instrumental in organizing my life, serving both personal and academic purposes effectively. I am in the process of syncing my goals with the calendar feature to enhance my productivity as a parent and student. This app helps me organize my busy life as a mom, an academic student, and a business owner. I just wish I could use the to-do list/tasks with the O
  20. [R74] Microsoft OneNote 5/5 · GB My primary note keeping app: I use OneNote quite heavily both at home and at work. Almost all my notes go in there. Powerful search helps me find things quickly. It is not the leading app in terms of features, but comes along with my M365 subscription, and is fine for me. As virtually my entire life gets saved there these days, I want to be confident that it will all still be safely there in yea
  21. [R16] Microsoft To Do 1/5 · US Sync issues never end: Unfortunately, MS apps - primarily To Do and OneNote, have had sync issues on/off for 5+ years. They fix the issues for a while and then they come back. At work, home, and on Windows and iOS/Mac. Nice idea, just okay GUI, but horrible execution. BLUF: It’s not reliable. Time to replace.
  22. [R21] Microsoft To Do 3/5 · US IOS challenges: I like To Do on my computer but I use an iPhone and the two aren’t the best of friends. It’s often slow and shuts down. So, I’m using Reminders on my phone and To Do on my computer.
  23. [R22] Microsoft To Do 1/5 · US Refuses to sync correctly: The iOS app refuses to sync correctly with the desktop app. Signing out and in does not fix the issue. Looks like it’s time to find a more reliable to do app. It’s sad to see just how badly Microsoft screwed up the Wunderlist purchase.

Synthesized from 110 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store