HamsterBase Tasks vs Mindwtr

HamsterBase Tasks

• People who plan in areas and projects and want little else
• Privacy-minded users who want end-to-end encrypted sync
• Using one task list across desktop, phone and browser
• Self-hosters who want to run their own sync server

Mindwtr

• People who follow Getting Things Done and want the method built in
• Keeping tasks on your own devices with no account
• Linux users who want the same app on desktop and phone
• Syncing through Dropbox, WebDAV, iCloud or a server you run

HamsterBase Tasks

• Cloud sync is paid: Pro at $20 a year covers 3 cloud-synced databases, and the store page says no refunds are offered.
• Cloud Inbox content is stored unencrypted on the server until it is pulled into a database, unlike the rest of the data.
• Attachments need an S3-compatible bucket you supply; the files are not end-to-end encrypted and the S3 settings do not sync between devices.
• The vendor says it deliberately leaves out features such as habit tracking and Pomodoro timers.

Mindwtr

• It is built for one person: the site says it is not designed for shared workspaces, task assignments or team discussion.
• There is no hosted web app. The browser version (PWA) has to be self-hosted, stores data in localStorage and lacks some desktop features.
• The maker runs no sync service of its own, so syncing depends on iCloud, Dropbox, WebDAV, a shared folder or a server you host.
• It is maintained by one developer and funded by donations through Ko-fi and GitHub Sponsors.

HamsterBase Tasks

Areas, projects and headings

Projects are grouped into areas such as Work or Personal and broken into tasks under collapsible headings. Finished projects hide automatically to keep the list short.

Start dates and reminders

A task with a future start date stays out of sight until that date arrives. Tasks can also have due dates, and the mobile release notes list reminder support.

Local-first with encrypted sync

Data lives on the device and the app works offline. Sync between devices is end-to-end encrypted, and the vendor says it cannot read the data.

Rule-based custom views

On desktop, a view is a saved list defined by a rule over fields such as status, tags, start date and due date, so matching tasks appear in it automatically.

Recurring tasks

When a recurring task is completed, the next one is created from short rules such as 1w or 1m, with separate rules for the start date and the due date.

Cloud Inbox and attachments

Cloud Inbox, a paid feature, appends tasks to a database's Inbox through an HTTP API. File attachments are stored in an S3-compatible bucket that you provide.

Mindwtr

Guided GTD workflow

Inbox, Next, Waiting For and Someday lists with projects, areas and contexts. Inbox processing is guided and applies the two-minute rule, and wizards walk through daily and weekly reviews.

Focus, calendar and board views

Focus shows a time-based agenda next to the next actions. A calendar plans dated tasks and subscribes to external calendars and ICS feeds, and a Kanban board moves tasks between status lists.

Quick capture

Tasks are added by a global hotkey, the tray, the share sheet, a widget or voice, and the quick-add line reads contexts and due dates as you type. Spoken tasks are transcribed into the Inbox.

Local data with sync you choose

Tasks are stored as SQLite and JSON on the device. Sync is optional and runs through iCloud, Dropbox, a folder, WebDAV or a self-hosted server, and a JSON export serves as a backup.

Import from other task apps

Importers bring in tasks from Todoist, TickTick, DGT GTD and OmniFocus, and the desktop app can import an Obsidian vault with links back to the source notes.

Optional AI, local API and MCP

An AI assistant is off by default and uses your own provider key or a local model. The desktop app has a token-authenticated localhost REST API, and an MCP server lets AI tools manage tasks.

HamsterBase Tasks

• Free$0

  Unlimited tasks with web access and mobile app access, and data kept on the device. Cloud-synced databases are not included.

• Pro$20

  per year

  Everything in Free, plus 3 cloud-synced databases and Cloud Inbox. The US App Store lists the same year of Cloud Pro at $19.99.

• Lifetime$60

  one-time payment

  Everything in Pro with lifetime access for a single payment.

Mindwtr

• Free$0

  All features on every platform, including sync through a service you choose, import, backup, the local API and the MCP server.

HamsterBase Tasks

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime access for $60

  The pricing section lists a Lifetime plan at $60 as a one-time payment with everything in Pro, which equals three years of the $20-a-year Pro plan.

Mindwtr

No public discounts listed.