No. Tasker costs a one-time $4.49 on Google Play in the US 1 , and all updates are free 4 . A direct-download trial runs for 7 days 18 , and Google Play Pass subscribers get Tasker at no extra cost 1 .

Ranked #5 of 7 for best phone automation

Tasker review

A paid Android automation app with 350+ actions and 130+ states and events, sold for a one-time $4.49 on Google Play in the US¹.

Updated 9 November 2026By the Best Phone Automation deskHow we score Disclosure

This guide is free and no app maker or vendor pays for a position. Links to vendors can earn the publisher a commission when you sign up. How the site makes money.

Verdict

7.5/10

Tasker fits Android power users who want to program their phone: 350+ actions, JavaScript and Java code, for one $4.49 payment on Google Play US with free updates¹²³⁴.

Best for Maximum Android control

Skip it if you use an iPhone, or you want a working automation in minutes without learning profiles, contexts, tasks and variables⁵⁶.

Visit Tasker (opens the Tasker website)

Tasker at a glance
Developer	joaomgcd; Google Play lists the developer as KITXOO, Amadora, Portugal¹
Owner	João Dias (joaomgcd) since March 2018⁷
History	Development began in June 2009; 3rd in its category at the 2nd Android Developer Challenge at the end of 2009; the history page dates Tasker 1.0+ to June 2010⁸
Building blocks	350+ actions and 130+ states and events¹
Downloads	1M+ on Google Play¹
Devices	Android 8.1 or newer since version 6.6³
Latest update	Nov 2, 2026: version 6.7.8 adds Scenes V2, custom screens that adapt to any screen size⁹
AI Generator	Since version 6.5 (May 2025): builds projects, profiles and tasks from plain language through Gemini or OpenRouter¹⁰

How Tasker scores

Score breakdown for Tasker
Power 25%	9.5	350+ actions and 130+ states and events reach settings, SMS, notifications, files, music and location¹. Tasks use variables and flow control⁶, JavaScript², a Java Code action for native Android APIs and Shizuku for root-level actions without root³, plus third-party plugins and HTTP requests to web APIs¹. The Play version toggles Wi-Fi only through a helper: Shizuku since version 6.6³ or the separate Tasker Settings app¹¹¹². Score: 350+ actions, JavaScript and Java code, plug-ins and web requests give 9.5.
Ease of use 25%	5.5	Tasker opens in Beginner Mode, which removes tabs and options a new user is unlikely to need, such as the Variables tab¹³, and shared projects import from a TaskerNet link¹⁴. The AI Generator turns a plain-language request into an importable project, profile or task and asks for an API key from Gemini or OpenRouter¹⁰. The standard editor builds every automation from profiles, contexts, tasks and variables⁵⁶; version 6.7.8 adds an early, opt-in 2026 UI whose Automations screen edits a task and its triggers together, so a new user can skip profiles⁹. The starter guides linked from the official site are written by users and third parties¹⁵. Score: profiles, contexts, tasks and variables, softened by Beginner Mode and an AI generator that needs your own key, give 5.5.
Reliability 20%	7.0	On Android 8 and newer the foreground notification turns on by itself, and the FAQ adds a Use reliable alarms option, battery optimisation exemptions and brand steps for Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and Lenovo¹⁶. The developer's power management page warns that Android can withhold signals from Tasker or kill it unless these steps are taken, and links dontkillmyapp.com¹⁷. Version 6.6 moved Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode and Mobile Data actions onto Shizuku when it is available³, and 6.7.8 shipped on Nov 2, 2026⁹. Score: a foreground service with documented battery-manager steps gives 7.0.
Price 15%	7.5	One payment of $4.49 on Google Play in the US¹, all updates free⁴, and included in Google Play Pass¹. There is no permanent free version: the direct-download trial expires after 7 days¹⁸. Score: a one-time $4.49 with no lasting free version gives 7.5.
Privacy 15%	8.0	The privacy policy says Tasker accesses, shares and transmits no user data unless the user builds a profile or task to do so, and is not part of any ad or statistics network¹⁹. Google sign-in is optional and serves TaskerNet imports and Google Drive features¹⁹. Google Play's data safety form lists crash logs, diagnostics and app interactions as shared for analytics, and an optional email address as collected for app functionality and account management²⁰; the policy attributes crash metrics and map interaction events to Google Play services¹⁹. Some features use an accessibility service and the device admin permission¹. Score: no data sent by default and no ad network, with crash and interaction data on the Play form, give 8.0.

Tasker pricing

Tasker pricing, checked 8 November 2026
Plan	Price	Notes
Trial	$0 for 7 days¹⁸	Direct download from the Tasker site. It expires after 7 days unless you buy the license on Google Play.
Google Play	$4.49 one-time¹	US store price, paid once¹. All updates are free⁴.
Google Play Pass	Included¹	Free with a Google Play Pass subscription.
Direct-purchase license	$4 per license¹¹	Licensing that works without Google Play. Sold only in bulk orders of 25 or more licenses, or to Patreon supporters at 1 license per $4 of lifetime support. Each code is valid for one device at a time.

Strengths and weak spots

Strengths

350+ actions and 130+ states and events cover settings, SMS, notifications, files, music and location¹.
One payment of $4.49 on Google Play in the US, and all updates are free¹⁴.
JavaScript, a Java Code action for native Android APIs and Shizuku integration for root-level actions without root²³.
The privacy policy says Tasker sends no data anywhere by default and is not part of any ad or statistics network¹⁹.
Active development: version 6.7.8 shipped on Nov 2, 2026 with Scenes V2 for custom on-screen interfaces⁹.

Weak spots

Built for Android only⁵; iPhone owners need another app.
No permanent free version: the direct-download trial expires after 7 days¹⁸.
The Play version toggles Wi-Fi only through Shizuku or the separate Tasker Settings app³¹¹, and Android 14 and newer block a normal install of Tasker Settings; it goes on through Shizuku or ADB¹².
Phone makers' battery management can stop profiles until several settings change¹⁷; the FAQ lists steps for Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and Lenovo and links dontkillmyapp.com¹⁶.
The starter guides linked from the official site come from users and third parties, and the developer takes no responsibility for them¹⁵.

Alternatives to Tasker

MacroDroid Easy Android automation, 8.0/10
Automate Budget Android power users, 7.6/10
Samsung Modes and Routines Samsung Galaxy owners, 7.6/10

Head to head

MacroDroid vs Tasker

Tasker: common questions

Is Tasker free?

No. Tasker costs a one-time $4.49 on Google Play in the US¹, and all updates are free⁴. A direct-download trial runs for 7 days¹⁸, and Google Play Pass subscribers get Tasker at no extra cost¹.

Does Tasker need root?

Not for most features. The Google Play listing says root is not required for the majority of functions, and that a few actions, such as Kill App and Mobile Data on some devices, need it¹. Since version 6.6, Shizuku integration runs root-level actions without root³.

Why does Tasker stop working in the background?

Android power saving. The developer's guide says Android can stop sending Tasker the signals it needs, or kill it, unless certain steps are taken¹⁷. The FAQ fix list: keep Tasker enabled, turn on Use reliable alarms, disable battery optimisation for Tasker and its plugins, allow background activity, and follow the phone maker's steps at dontkillmyapp.com¹⁶.

Sources

Google Play (listing by joaomgcd). Tasker - Apps on Google Play. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Tasker: JavaScript Support. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Release Notes v6.6. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Ordering / Validation FAQ. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker for Android. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Tasker: Variables. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
Tasker official support forum on Google Groups (posts by Pent and joaomgcd). Big News: Tasker Ownership Changed. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker History. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Release Notes v6.7. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Release Notes v6.5. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Direct Purchase FAQ. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaomgcd on GitHub. TaskerSettings: Helper app for Tasker. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Tasker: Beginner Mode. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). TaskerNet. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker: Guides. Checked 8 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker userguide). FAQ: Usage Problems. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker userguide). Android System Power Management. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker: Trial Download / Install. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
joaoapps (Tasker). Tasker: Privacy Policy. Checked 9 Nov 2026.
Google Play (information provided by the developer). Tasker: Data safety. Checked 9 Nov 2026.