beorg vs TaskPaper

beorg

• Emacs Org mode users who want their files on iPhone and iPad
• People who want tasks kept in plain text files they control
• Choosing where data is stored: iCloud, Dropbox or WebDAV

TaskPaper

• People who want their to-do list in a plain text file they control
• Keyboard-centered outlining of projects and tasks on a Mac
• Buyers who prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription
• Users who like to customize an app with scripts and stylesheets

beorg

• It is offered for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch only. On a computer the files are edited in another Org mode editor such as Emacs, and the vendor points Android users to Orgzly.
• Encryption, Box sync, saved searches, task timers, properties and UI themes are paid extensions, and the free version allows 2 task templates.
• Premium is a subscription, $1.49 monthly or $9.99 annually on the US App Store; single extensions are separate in-app purchases.

TaskPaper

• Mac only, requiring macOS 11 or later. There is no iOS, Windows or web version, though other developers' apps can edit TaskPaper files.
• The developer calls it finished software and does not expect to add big new features.
• The user guide describes phone capture and notifications as weak areas and suggests pairing it with Apple Reminders.
• The direct-download version allows three activations and does not support iCloud directly, unlike the Mac App Store version.

beorg

Plain-text Org mode files

Tasks, projects and notes are saved as plain text in Org mode syntax, so the files can be viewed and edited in Emacs and other editors on macOS, Windows and Linux.

Sync through storage you choose

Files sync through iCloud, Dropbox, WebDAV or a folder from another file provider app. Box sync is a paid extension.

Weekly agenda and notifications

A weekly agenda shows scheduled items and deadlines next to events from iOS calendars, and notifications warn of upcoming items. The agenda is also available on Apple Watch.

Tasks and outliner

Tasks take custom states, priorities, tags, notes, and scheduled, deadline and repeating dates. The outliner folds sections, rearranges items and supports subtasks.

Quick capture

New tasks go to an inbox or straight to a file, and the share extension adds text and links from other apps to the inbox.

Scripting, PDF export and backups

A built-in Scheme scripting language creates custom task filters and customizes the editor. Outlines export to PDF, and the app keeps up to 7 days of file backups.

TaskPaper

Plain text files

Lists are saved as plain text .taskpaper files that can be opened in any text editor or in compatible apps that other developers have written for iOS, Windows and Linux.

Auto-formatted projects, tasks and notes

Each line becomes a project, task or note as you type, and @tags add structure. Tagging a task @done crosses it out, and a command archives finished items.

Fold, focus and filter

Collapse sub-lists, zoom into a single project, or filter by tag, type or content with logical searches such as "not @done". Searches can be saved for reuse.

Dates in plain text

A date palette inserts ISO 8601 dates for tags such as @due and @start, chosen with the arrow keys or typed in TaskPaper's date and time syntax.

Import and export with Apple Reminders

Reminders captured on a phone, for example with Siri, can be imported with their due dates and priorities, and selected items can be exported to the Reminders app.

Stylesheets and scripting

Appearance is set by LESS/CSS stylesheets, and scripts written in JavaScript or AppleScript can automate the app and be run from its command palette.

beorg

• Free$0

  Unlimited files, tasks, weekly agenda, search, 2 task templates, and iCloud, Dropbox, WebDAV or folder sync.

• Individual extensions$0.99 - $2.99

  per extension, in-app purchase; period not labelled

  Extensions bought one at a time. The US App Store lists Dark Mode at $0.99, Properties at $1.99, and Saved Searches, Templates and Task Timers at $2.99 each.

• beorg Premium - Monthly$1.49

  per month

  Unlocks every extension, including encryption, Box sync, saved searches, task timers, properties, UI themes and unlimited task templates.

• beorg Premium - Annual$9.99

  per year

  The same Premium subscription with every extension unlocked, billed once a year.

TaskPaper

• Mac App Store License$24.99

  one-time purchase

  Bought through the Mac App Store and tied to an Apple account. This version is sandboxed and supports iCloud directly.

• Direct Download License$24.99

  one-time purchase

  License key bought through Paddle from taskpaper.com after a 1-week trial. One license allows three activations.

beorg

• Annual discount

  Annual Premium costs about 44% less

  The US App Store lists beorg Premium at $1.49 monthly or $9.99 annually, so a year on the annual plan costs about 44% less than twelve monthly payments.

TaskPaper

No public discounts listed.