Focus Matrix vs Taska

Focus Matrix

• People who prioritize with the Eisenhower matrix
• iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want one priority board
• Be Focused users who want tasks tied to their timer

Taska

• People who sort tasks by urgency and importance
• Keeping a record of the day without writing a journal
• Seeing the task matrix on the Lock Screen without opening an app

Focus Matrix

• Apple platforms only: it is offered on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on the Mac App Store, with no Android, Windows or web version listed.
• Cross-device sync, Calendar sync and the Be Focused integration all need the Pro upgrade.
• The Be Focused integration also needs the Pro version of Be Focused, which is sold separately.
• Editing several tasks at once and sharing task lists by email or messages are listed for the Mac version only.

Taska

• Apple devices only: the App Store lists iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision, while the vendor's site describes it as an app for iPhone and iPad.
• The App Store listing does not say which features need a membership, and the vendor's site has no pricing page.
• By design there are no folders, tags or projects.
• It requires iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4 or macOS 15.0 or later, and the wallpaper feature depends on a multi-step Shortcuts setup.

Focus Matrix

Matrix and list views

Tasks sit in sections by urgency and importance, shown as a matrix or as a list of sections, with an Unsorted section for incoming tasks. Drag and drop moves a task between sections.

Due dates, reminders and repeats

A task can have a due date, an all-day setting, a reminder and a repeat with customizable options. Creation and completion dates are tracked.

Automatic move to Urgent

A task moves to the Urgent side on its own as its deadline approaches, with a notification, or when a task it is linked to is completed.

Tags, sorting and filter presets

Tasks are sorted by title, by due date or manually, organized with tags, and filtered by tag and completion status. Filter presets can be saved and reapplied.

Reports and export

Configurable statistics and reports cover completed tasks, and task lists can be exported to PDF or printed.

Sync and integrations in Pro

Pro syncs data across iPhone, iPad and Mac, syncs tasks with Calendar, and connects to the Be Focused app so a timer can be started from a task.

Taska

Eisenhower Matrix

Tasks go into one of four boxes by urgency and importance and are dragged between boxes as priorities change. Release notes describe keeping several matrices and swiping between them.

Focus timer

Tapping a task starts a timer with 15, 25 and 45-minute presets or a custom length, and the running session shows on the Lock Screen.

Calendar auto-log and Schedule tab

A finished focus session is saved to the iOS Calendar as an event. The Schedule tab shows the day on a timeline next to a monthly calendar.

Lock Screen wallpaper

A Shortcuts automation redraws the matrix as the Lock Screen or Home Screen wallpaper when the app opens or closes, or at a set time each day.

Widgets

Home Screen widgets show tasks without opening the app. A vendor notice says the March 2026 update rebuilt the set as 32 widgets.

iCloud and Reminders sync

Data syncs through iCloud with no sign-up, and release notes describe syncing tasks with Apple Reminders.

Focus Matrix

• Free$0

  Matrix and list views, due dates, reminders, recurring tasks, tags, filters, reports, PDF export and password protection, without sync between devices.

• Monthly Pro$2.99

  per month

  Adds cross-device sync, task sync with Calendar and the Be Focused integration on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

• Yearly Pro$17.99

  per year

  The same Pro features billed once a year, with a 7-day trial.

• Lifetime Pro$34.99

  one-time payment

  The same Pro features unlocked with a single in-app purchase and no renewal.

Taska

• Free$0

  Free download from the App Store. The listing does not spell out where the free version stops.

• Monthly Membership$2.99

  per month (in-app purchase named Monthly Membership)

  In-app purchase shown on the App Store listing, which does not say what a membership unlocks.

• Yearly Membership$9.99

  per year (in-app purchase named Yearly Membership)

  The same membership billed once a year, as shown on the App Store listing.

• Lifetime Access$19.99

  one-time purchase

  The App Store lists two Lifetime Access purchases, at $19.99 and $22.99, and does not explain the difference between them.

Focus Matrix

• Annual discount

  Yearly Pro costs about half of monthly

  The US App Store lists Monthly Pro at $2.99 and Yearly Pro at $17.99, so a year on the yearly plan costs about 50% less than twelve monthly payments.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Pro for a one-time $34.99

  A Lifetime Pro in-app purchase unlocks the Pro features with a single payment in place of the monthly or yearly subscription.

Taska

• Annual discount

  Yearly Membership at $9.99 against $35.88 monthly

  The App Store lists Monthly Membership at $2.99 and Yearly Membership at $9.99, so a year on the yearly purchase costs about 72% less than twelve monthly payments.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Access from $19.99

  The App Store listing shows Lifetime Access as a one-time in-app purchase, listed twice at $19.99 and $22.99.