Cinch vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Cinch 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 Cinch if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cinch
A cleaner interface for Apple Reminders across all Apple devices.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want zero setup required; works with existing Apple Reminders and iCloud data
- • You want strong privacy with no third-party servers or data harvesting
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Cinch | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Task Management | Productivity |
Rating | - | 4.4/5G2 4.4 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Each platform is sold separately. There is no bundle discount. |
Choose Cinch or Things 3?
Choose Cinch if
A cleaner interface for Apple Reminders across all Apple devices.
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want zero setup required; works with existing Apple Reminders and iCloud data
- You want strong privacy with no third-party servers or data harvesting
- 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 | Cinch | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementCalendar | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Cinch
A cleaner interface for Apple Reminders across all Apple devices.
Strengths
- +Zero setup required; works with existing Apple Reminders and iCloud data.
- +Strong privacy with no third-party servers or data harvesting.
- +Deep integration across all Apple devices including Vision Pro and Apple Watch.
Weaknesses
- -Limited to the Apple ecosystem; no support for Android, Windows, or web.
- -Free tier restricts to one custom reminder list; advanced features require a Pro subscription.
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: Cinch vs Things 3
| Plan | Cinch | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $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 Cinch pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Cinch has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Cinch
Want the highest-rated option?
Things 3 is rated 4.4/5. Cinch has no ratings yet.
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Cinch: no ratings yet. Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Things 3
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cinch is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Cinch lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Cinch is a task management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Things 3 is rated 4.4/5; Cinch has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Cinch
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for task 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. Cinch has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cinch or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Cinch is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Cinch and Things 3 used for?
Cinch: A cleaner interface for Apple Reminders across all Apple devices.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Cinch cost vs Things 3?
Cinch is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.