Freelancers managing client projects, invoices, and planningneed tools that keep up with their workflow. Here's how Melo and Todoist compare for this specific use case.
What freelancers need from a productivity tool
Freelancers deal with client projects, invoices, and planning daily. The ideal tool for this workflow needs to be fast (no waiting for pages to load), flexible (different projects require different layouts), and smart (AI that understands your specific context). Privacy matters too — freelancers often handle sensitive information.
Each client is a different mental context with its own docs, tasks, and comms
No single view across all active projects and deadlines
Paying for project management tools designed for teams of 50 when you're a team of one
Client-sensitive information scattered across cloud services
Todoist for freelancers
Cross-platform task management with natural language input. While Todoist is a capable tool, freelancers often find it limiting when they need to work with multiple content types simultaneously. Todoist's approach works for generic use cases, but the specific demands of client projects, invoices, and planning require more flexibility.
Melo
Todoist
Scope
Spatial workspace — tasks in context with notes, AI, and web
Task management with basic project organization
AI
Full AI assistant with workspace context
AI-assisted task suggestions (limited)
Workspace
Spatial canvas — arrange everything visually
List-based task views with boards option
Platform
Mac-native with deep macOS integration
Cross-platform web app
Pricing
$29.99 one-time lifetime license
Free tier + subscription for Pro features
Why freelancers pick Melo
Create a board per client in Melo. Tile the brief, task list, reference materials, and AI chat for each project. Switch between client contexts by switching boards. Affordable one-time lifetime license that pays for itself fast.
For freelancersspecifically, Melo's spatial canvas means you can design a workspace that mirrors how you think about client projects, invoices, and planning. Tile your key documents, tasks, web references, and AI chat on one board. Switch between project contexts by switching boards. Everything stays local, fast, and private.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Melo do that Todoist doesn't?
Melo's key differentiators are the spatial canvas (tile any content type side by side), workspace-aware AI (sees your entire board, not just one document), and local-first architecture (instant performance, true privacy). Most traditional tools focus on one paradigm — Melo combines notes, tasks, AI, web, and calendar in one spatial environment.
Can I import my data from Todoist?
Melo supports common import formats. While there's no one-click migration from Todoist, you can export your data and bring it into Melo's workspace. The spatial canvas also makes it easy to start fresh — many users prefer building a new spatial workflow from scratch.
What makes Melo better than other tools for freelancers?
Most tools force you into their structure — linear documents, rigid databases, or text-only editors. Freelancers need flexibility to arrange client projects, invoices, and planning in a way that makes sense. Melo's spatial canvas adapts to you, and the AI understands your full context.
Is Melo free?
Melo is a one-time lifetime license ($29.99). There's no free tier and no subscription — you pay once and get full access to everything from day one, no feature gating, all future updates included.
What platforms does Melo support?
Melo is built exclusively for macOS. It's a native Electron app optimized for the Mac experience — trackpad gestures, keyboard shortcuts, and performance tuned for Apple hardware.