Best Phone Automation

MacroDroid vs Tasker

Two Android automation apps with one-time prices. MacroDroid is the easier start; Tasker has more actions and runs code.

Updated By the Best Phone Automation deskHow we scoreDisclosure

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Short answer

MacroDroid wins for most Android owners: it scores 8.0 against Tasker's 7.5, scores 8.5 on ease against 5.5, and runs 5 macros free1. Tasker wins on power, 9.5 against 9.0, with 350+ actions, JavaScript and Java code for a one-time $4.493512.

Pick MacroDroid if
you want automations working today: a macro is a trigger, actions and optional constraints, and community templates install in a couple of taps113.
Pick Tasker if
you want to program the phone with variables, JavaScript and Java code, with no ads: Tasker's privacy policy says it is not part of any ad or statistics network49.
MacroDroid and Tasker compared
MacroDroidTasker
Our score8.07.5
Free versionUp to 5 macros, with ads17-day trial as a direct download2
PriceOne-time Pro; ArloSoft publishes no price, and Google Play lists in-app items at $1.49 to $10.001$4.49 one-time on Google Play US; included in Play Pass3
Building blocksOver 120 triggers, 200 actions and 80 constraints1350+ actions and 130+ states and events3
Logic and codeVariables, arrays, IF/THEN/ELSE, loops and scripting1Variables and flow control4, JavaScript and a Java Code action5
AI builderClaude and ChatGPT build macros through a connector, with no MacroDroid sign-in6AI Generator through Gemini or OpenRouter, with your own API key7
Store rating4.3 (95.8K reviews, Google Play US)14.0 (56,136 ratings, Google Play US)3
Ads and trackingAds in the free version; device IDs shared for advertising8No ads; not part of any ad or statistics network9
Battery fixesA troubleshooting screen flags battery optimization; links dontkillmyapp.com10A Use reliable alarms option and brand steps; links dontkillmyapp.com11

Scores by criterion

MacroDroid

Score breakdown for MacroDroid
Power 25%9.0
Ease of use 25%8.5
Reliability 20%7.0
Price 15%8.5
Privacy 15%6.5

Tasker

Score breakdown for Tasker
Power 25%9.5
Ease of use 25%5.5
Reliability 20%7.0
Price 15%7.5
Privacy 15%8.0

Visit MacroDroid (opens the MacroDroid website)Visit Tasker (opens the Tasker website)

Questions people ask

Is MacroDroid easier than Tasker?

Yes. A MacroDroid macro is three choices: a trigger, actions and optional constraints1. Tasker builds automations from profiles, contexts, tasks and variables144, and opens in a Beginner Mode that hides options such as the Variables tab15.

Can MacroDroid do everything Tasker can?

No. Tasker has more actions, 350+3, and runs JavaScript and Java code512. MacroDroid has over 120 triggers, 200 actions and 80 constraints and runs Tasker and Locale plug-ins1.

Does MacroDroid or Tasker drain the battery more?

The pages checked publish no battery figures for either app, and this site has not measured them. Both run a background service with a persistent notification1011.

Sources

  1. Google Play (listing by ArloSoft). MacroDroid - Device Automation - Apps on Google Play. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  2. joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker: Trial Download / Install. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  3. Google Play (listing by joaomgcd). Tasker - Apps on Google Play. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  4. joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Tasker: Variables. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  5. joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Tasker: JavaScript Support. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  6. MacroDroid Wiki (wiki.macrodroid.com, linked from macrodroid.com). Build Macros with Claude or ChatGPT. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  7. joaoapps (Tasker). Release Notes v6.5. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  8. Google Play (information provided by the developer). MacroDroid - Device Automation: Data safety. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  9. joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker: Privacy Policy. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  10. MacroDroid Wiki (wiki.macrodroid.com, linked from macrodroid.com). Troubleshooting. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  11. joaoapps (Tasker userguide). FAQ: Usage Problems. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  12. joaoapps (Tasker). Release Notes v6.6. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  13. MacroDroid Wiki (wiki.macrodroid.com, linked from macrodroid.com). Template Store. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  14. joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker for Android. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
  15. joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Tasker: Beginner Mode. Checked 9 Nov 2026.