Agenda vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Agenda and Things 3 comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Pick Agenda if you need note-taking.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Agenda
Notes meets Calendar: Organize your days and drive projects forward with integrated note-taking.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want unique timeline approach for comprehensive project tracking
- • You want seamless integration with Apple's Calendar and Reminders apps
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Agenda | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Note-Taking | Productivity |
Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Agenda or Things 3?
Choose Agenda if
Notes meets Calendar: Organize your days and drive projects forward with integrated note-taking.
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want unique timeline approach for comprehensive project tracking
- You want seamless integration with Apple's Calendar and Reminders apps
- Your work is note-taking-shaped, not productivity-shaped
Choose Things 3 if
Award-winning task manager for Apple
- You want beautiful design (Apple)
- You want powerful organization
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not note-taking-shaped
| Feature | Agenda | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.0/5 70 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingCalendar | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Agenda
Notes meets Calendar: Organize your days and drive projects forward with integrated note-taking.
Agenda's pricing is difficult to assess as only a 'Free' tier is explicitly priced at $0.
Strengths
- +Unique timeline approach for comprehensive project tracking
- +Seamless integration with Apple's Calendar and Reminders apps
- +Rich text editing with a clean, minimalistic design
- +Cross-device synchronization via iCloud or Dropbox
- +Free core version available with no time limits
Weaknesses
- -Premium features require an upgrade
- -Primarily focused on Apple ecosystems (macOS, iOS, iPadOS)
- -Sharing capabilities are for content, not collaborative real-time editing
Key features
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Things 3 is a rare premium app that respects your wallet: one-time purchases of $49.99 (Mac), $19.99 (iPad), and $9.99 (iPhone) with zero subscription fees.
Watch out
Each platform is sold separately. If you want Mac + iPad + iPhone, that is $79.97 total, not a single purchase. There is no bundle discount.
Strengths
- +Beautiful design (Apple)
- +Powerful organization
- +One-time purchase
- +Good keyboard shortcuts
- +Fast and reliable
Weaknesses
- -Apple only (no Windows/Android)
- -Significant upfront cost
- -No collaboration
- -No web version
- -Limited integrations
Key features
Pricing: Agenda vs Things 3
| Plan | Agenda | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | Contact us Premium | $9.99 once iPhone |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $19.99 once iPad |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Agenda pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Agenda has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Agenda
Want the highest-rated option?
Agenda: 4.0/5 (70 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Agenda: 70 reviews (4.0/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Agenda
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Agenda is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Agenda lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Agenda is a note-taking tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Things 3 is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.0/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.0/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Agenda
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (70 reviews)
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Agenda has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Agenda or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Agenda is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Agenda and Things 3 used for?
Agenda: Notes meets Calendar: Organize your days and drive projects forward with integrated note-taking.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Agenda cost vs Things 3?
Agenda is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.