Any.do vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Any.do 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 Any.do if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Any.do
Simple to-do list and daily planner app
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want simple task manager
- • You want good mobile 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 | Any.do | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Task Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Any.do or Things 3?
Choose Any.do if
Simple to-do list and daily planner app
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want simple task manager
- You want good mobile apps
- Budget matters (Free vs $9.99/once)
- Your work is task management-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 task management-shaped
| Feature | Any.do | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 1,317 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementCalendar | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Any.do
Simple to-do list and daily planner app
Any.do's pricing is fair, offering a robust free tier for basic needs and a Premium tier at $2.99/month (billed annually) for advanced features.
Watch out
Advanced integrations might require other app subscriptions.
Strengths
- +Simple task manager
- +Good mobile apps
- +Calendar view
- +Cross-platform
- +Clean design
Weaknesses
- -Premium tier is expensive
- -Limited free tier
- -Basic collaboration
- -Fewer features than some alternatives
- -Sync issues reported
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: Any.do vs Things 3
| Plan | Any.do | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $2.99 month 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 Any.do pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Any.do has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Any.do
Want the highest-rated option?
Any.do: 4.5/5 (1,317 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: Any.do
Value user reviews?
Any.do: 1,317 reviews (4.5/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Any.do
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Any.do is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Any.do lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Any.do is a task management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Any.do is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Any.do
- Has a free tier
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (1,317 reviews)
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Any.do has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Any.do or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Any.do is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Any.do and Things 3 used for?
Any.do: Simple to-do list and daily planner app. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Any.do cost vs Things 3?
Any.do is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.