When comparing Todo.txt vs Microsoft To-Do, the Slant community recommends Todo.txt for most people. In the question“What is the best cross-platform to-do list app?” Todo.txt is ranked 8th while Microsoft To-Do is ranked 35th. The most important reason people chose Todo.txt is:
Todo.txt can be edited in plain text and then displayed with neat styles.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Easily editable format
Todo.txt can be edited in plain text and then displayed with neat styles.
Pro Works with lots of apps for every platform
Todo.txt lists can be edited in virtually every text editor ever made and accessed on devices that support Dropbox. The user community has also created a number of apps for dozens of platforms.
Pro Editable from any text editor without needing any proprietary software
Because todo.txt is just a todo standard with various compatible apps to edit it, you can update it from any device as long as it can edit text and you can access your todo.txt file
It's convenient to be able to access your todo list quickly via your programming environment so you don't have to switch contexts, and to have a separate todo.txt file per project.
Pro Command line support
You can edit your lists using the command line (e.g., Terminal) via a supplied bash script.
Pro Full control over your to-dos
You have full access to the underlying programming rules, and therefore total control over your task lists.
Pro Easy syncing
Todo.txt automatically and seamlessly syncs through Dropbox.
Pro Easy to sync up between lots of devices and interfaces
At a bare minimum you just need to be able to edit text, but there are many apps and advanced interfaces you can install on many devices to supplement your to-do list editing.
Pro Multidevice sync
To-Do syncs between your phone and computer, so you can access your to-dos from school, the office, or the grocery store or even while you're traveling around the world.
Pro Cross-platform
Available on Android, iOS, Windows and web.
Pro Smart Suggestions
Pro Reminders and Due Dates
With important to-dos that you really shouldn't forget you can add reminders and due dates—we'll remember them for you. And if you have to-dos that you need to tick off on a daily, weekly or yearly basis you can set up recurring due dates to remind you each and every time.
Pro Very basic and straightforward
Simple interface and streamlined.
Pro Infinite color-coded lists
What areas of your life do you want to be more productive in? You can have a color-coded list for each. Now you can quickly add your homework to one list, your groceries to another, your packing list, your work projects and your home DIY projects to yet more lists. You can create as many lists as fits your lifestyle.
Pro Can also be used as a note-taking app
You can also use To-Do as a note-taking app, adding detailed notes to every to-do—from addresses, to details about that book you want to read, to the website for your favorite café. You can collect all your tasks and notes in one place to help you achieve more.
Cons
Con No support for reoccurring tasks
Tasks have dates corresponding to creation and completion, but there is no explicit support for due dates or for tasks that reoccur.
Con Nested tasks not supported
Many todo tasks for developers end up having sub tasks that need to be performed for a parent task to be completed, but the todo.txt format does not have any nesting.
Con Android app not updated since 2013
The app only seems to support Dropbox. It would be nice to see support for different and newer file storage services.
Con A Microsoft Product
Some people have a distaste for Microsoft, and may avoid it for this reason. This includes people who are angry that Wunderlist has been discontinued in favor of this app.
Con Few features
It doesn't have a lot of features that Wunderlist had, which was discontinued for this app.