Einfall vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Einfall 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. ChatGPT is our overall Productivity pick. ChatGPT is our free Productivity pick. Pick Einfall if you need note-taking.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Einfall
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want no account or sign-up required, start capturing immediately
- • You want one-time payment with no subscription, no lapsing access to your own thoughts
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Einfall | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Note-Taking | Productivity |
Rating | 3.9/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Einfall or Things 3?
Choose Einfall if
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want no account or sign-up required, start capturing immediately
- You want one-time payment with no subscription, no lapsing access to your own thoughts
- 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 | Einfall | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★3.9/5 148 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Note-TakingProductivity | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Einfall
Capture thoughts instantly, organize later
At $29.99 one-time for Unlimited, Einfall is aggressively generous compared to subscription-based capture inboxes, and the Free tier with 15 routing actions offers real utility at $0.
Watch out
Free tier includes only 15 routing actions; using a 16th requires $29.99 for Unlimited.
Strengths
- +No account or sign-up required, start capturing immediately.
- +One-time payment with no subscription, no lapsing access to your own thoughts.
- +Complete privacy: no data collection, no server, everything processed on-device.
Weaknesses
- -Only available on Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad), no web, Windows, or Android support.
- -Free tier limits routing actions to fifteen uses; after that a purchase is required to route thoughts beyond that number.
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: Einfall vs Things 3
| Plan | Einfall | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $29.99 one-time Unlimited | $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 Einfall pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Einfall has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Einfall
Want the highest-rated option?
Einfall: 3.9/5 (148 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Einfall: 148 reviews (3.9/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Einfall
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Einfall is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Einfall lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Einfall 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 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 3.9/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Einfall
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (148 reviews)
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. ChatGPT is our overall Productivity pick. ChatGPT is our free Productivity pick. Einfall has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Einfall or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Einfall is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Einfall and Things 3 used for?
Einfall: Capture thoughts instantly, organize later. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Einfall cost vs Things 3?
Einfall is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.