Tasks.org — A cross-platform task manager reviving a popular discontinued service.

Analyzed by · Productivity · Mobile App · View on GitHub

What It Is

Tasks.org is an open-source, cross-platform task manager, much like a digital to-do list. It's a community-driven revival of the popular Astrid Tasks service, which was acquired and discontinued in 2013. The project uses Astrid's original open-source Android app code as its foundation, expanding it to multiple platforms.

This project matters because it brings back a beloved productivity tool, offering a robust, transparent, and community-maintained alternative to commercial task management apps. Its open-source nature allows for deep customization and integration, solving the problem of vendor lock-in and limited features often found in proprietary solutions.

Tasks.org GitHub repository card

License Verdict

GPL-3.0 License — Use with Caution for Commercial Products — Commercial Use Requires Source Code Disclosure • Strong Copyleft

The GPL-3.0 license means that if you distribute a modified version of this software, you must also make your full source code available under the same GPL-3.0 license. This makes it challenging to build and sell proprietary software or SaaS products that directly incorporate or modify the core application without also opening up your own code.

How to Use It

To set up Tasks.org for development, you'll need a standard Android development environment. The project is built with Kotlin and Compose Multiplatform, so Android Studio with Gradle is the primary toolchain.

Prerequisites:

Estimated setup time: 30 minutes.

git clone https://github.com/tasks/tasks.git
cd tasks
# Open the project in Android Studio and let Gradle sync.
# To build from the command line (after setup):
# ./gradlew build

What I'd Build With This

Tasks.org Integration & Sync Service (micro-saas)

Build a subscription service that provides seamless, automated synchronization between Tasks.org and other popular personal productivity tools like Notion, Obsidian, or specific calendar platforms. You monetize the integration layer, which can be proprietary, without modifying or distributing the GPL-3.0 licensed Tasks.org app itself.

Effort: 3 Weeks Build Time · Target: Productivity Enthusiasts, Power Users · Pricing: $15/mo

Managed Tasks.org for Small Teams (saas)

Offer a hosted, managed version of Tasks.org tailored for small teams or non-profits. Your service provides reliable hosting, automated backups, basic technical support, and potentially a proprietary admin dashboard for user management. The core Tasks.org app remains GPL-3.0, but your value-add services are monetized.

Effort: 2 Months Build Time · Target: Small Teams, Non-Profits · Pricing: $49/mo per team

Custom Task Management Deployments & Support (enterprise)

Provide bespoke, on-premise deployments of Tasks.org for enterprises. Charge for extensive customization, integration with their existing internal systems (e.g., SSO, HR platforms), and ongoing support and maintenance contracts. The client receives the GPL-3.0 licensed source code for their customized version, allowing you to monetize services rather than the software itself.

Effort: 4 Months Build Time · Target: Mid-sized to Large Enterprises · Pricing: $5,000/project + $500/mo support

Sai Pavan Gopularam's Take

This project is a solid example of community-driven open source, reviving a beloved app. The GPL-3.0 license means you can't easily build a proprietary SaaS on top of the app itself, but offering custom integrations or enterprise support for on-premise deployments could easily pull in $7,500/month.

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