Things 3 Competitors & Top Alternatives 2026
Things 3 is a premium task manager for Apple devices, designed by Cultured Code with a focus on elegant design and GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology. Known for its beautiful interface, natural language input, and thoughtful workflows, Things 3 appeals to Apple users who value simplicity and craftsmanship in their productivity tools.
Things 3 at a Glance
Market Position
Things 3 occupies the premium end of the personal task management market on Apple platforms. It competes with Todoist (cross-platform), TickTick (feature-rich), OmniFocus (power-user GTD), and Apple Reminders (free and improving). Its one-time purchase model differentiates it from subscription-based competitors.
Key Competitors
Cross-platform availability (Windows, Android, web) with natural language input and project templates. Freemium model with strong free tier. Better for users who need tasks accessible across all device ecosystems.
Combines tasks, habits, Pomodoro timer, and calendar in one app. More features than Things 3 at a lower price. Cross-platform with built-in time management tools.
The most powerful GTD implementation with custom perspectives, complex project hierarchies, and automation support. Steeper learning curve but more capable for users managing complex personal and professional workflows.
Free, deeply integrated with iOS, Siri, and Apple ecosystem. Improving with each iOS release (smart lists, tags, Kanban boards). Good enough for many users without third-party app cost.
Strategic Analysis
Design Premium
Things 3's most loyal users cite its beautiful, distraction-free design as the reason they stay. In a category where all apps handle basic tasks, the emotional experience of using the app becomes the differentiator. This design premium justifies higher pricing for design-conscious users.
Apple-Only Limitation
Things 3 only works on Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch). This limits its addressable market and makes it unsuitable for users who switch between Apple and other platforms. Todoist and TickTick benefit from cross-platform availability.
Apple Reminders Improvement
Apple continues adding features to Reminders with each iOS release. Smart lists, tags, Kanban views, and collaborative features narrow the gap with paid apps. Things 3 must continuously innovate to justify its premium over the free, built-in alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Todoist is the main cross-platform competitor. TickTick offers more features at lower cost. OmniFocus serves power users. Apple Reminders is the free built-in alternative that keeps improving with each iOS update.
Things 3 uses a one-time purchase model ($9.99 iPhone, $19.99 iPad, $49.99 Mac) with no subscription. For users who value beautiful design and a focused task management experience on Apple devices, it provides long-term value without recurring costs.
Things 3 has a more polished design and one-time pricing but is Apple-only. Todoist is cross-platform with a strong free tier and collaboration features. Choose Things 3 for personal Apple-only use; Todoist for cross-platform or team task management.
No, Things 3 is exclusively available on Apple platforms (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch). Users who need cross-platform access should consider Todoist, TickTick, or Microsoft To Do as alternatives.