Asana vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Asana 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. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. Pick Asana if you need project management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Asana
Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want multiple project views
- • You want good workflow automation
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Asana | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Project Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Asana or Things 3?
Choose Asana if
Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want multiple project views
- You want good workflow automation
- Your work is project 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 project management-shaped
| Feature | Asana | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 27,636 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Project ManagementTask Management | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Asana
Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation
Asana is the structured project management tool for teams that need goals, portfolios, and workflow automation, not just task boards.
Watch out
Starter caps automation at 250 runs/month across the entire workspace, a single daily rule on 10 boards burns through this in 25 days, forcing an upgrade to Advanced at 2.3x the price
Strengths
- +Multiple project views
- +Good workflow automation
- +Strong integrations
- +Goals and portfolio tracking
Weaknesses
- -Can be complex for simple needs
- -Some features require higher tiers
- -Mobile app less powerful
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. 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: Asana vs Things 3
| Plan | Asana | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Personal | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $10.99 Starter | $9.99 once iPhone |
| Tier 3 | $24.99 Advanced | $19.99 once iPad |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
| Tier 5 | Custom Enterprise+ | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Asana pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Asana has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Asana
Want the highest-rated option?
Asana: 4.4/5 (27,636 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: Asana
Value user reviews?
Asana: 27,636 reviews (4.4/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Asana
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Asana is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Asana lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Asana is a project management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Asana
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (27,636 reviews)
- Better fit for project management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. Asana has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asana or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Asana is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Asana and Things 3 used for?
Asana: Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Asana cost vs Things 3?
Asana is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.