Ellie Planner vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Ellie Planner 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 is our overall pick for productivity workflows. Pick Ellie Planner if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Ellie Planner
Organize your thoughts and plan your day with a beautiful and simple daily planner app.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Organize tasks with a brain dump and daily Kanban board.
- • Timebox your day with calendar integrations and time tracking.
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • GTD-based task manager for Apple ecosystem with elegant design and keyboard shortcuts.
- • Features projects, areas, tags, and seamless iCloud sync across Mac, iPhone, and iPad.
| At a Glance |  Ellie Planner |  Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $9.99/mo/moEllie Pro | $49.99/onceMac |
Best For | Productivity | Productivity |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Ellie Planner or Things 3?
Choose Ellie Planner if
Organize your thoughts and plan your day with a beautiful and simple daily planner app.
- Specifically built for daily planning and brain dumping, offering unique UI and features not easily replicated in generic tools.
- Offers a free plan with unlimited task creation and brain dump functionality.
- Provides native iOS, Mac, and Windows apps for a seamless experience across devices.
Choose Things 3 if
Award-winning task manager for Apple
- Beautiful design (Apple)
- Powerful organization
- One-time purchase
| Feature | Ellie Planner | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★5.0/5 342 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityTask Management | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Ellie Planner
Organize your thoughts and plan your day with a beautiful and simple daily planner app.
Strengths
- +Specifically built for daily planning and brain dumping, offering unique UI and features not easily replicated in generic tools.
- +Offers a free plan with unlimited task creation and brain dump functionality.
- +Provides native iOS, Mac, and Windows apps for a seamless experience across devices.
- +Includes integrations with popular calendar services (Google, Apple, Outlook) and productivity tools (Notion, Zapier).
- +Developed by a single person with a commitment to long-term maintenance and no plans for investor-driven changes.
Weaknesses
- -No Android app is currently available.
- -Advanced features like timeboxing, unlimited labels, and recurring tasks are locked behind a paid subscription.
- -Being a one-person operation might raise concerns for some about future development pace or support, though the creator addresses this directly.
Key features
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Strengths
- +Beautiful design (Apple)
- +Powerful organization
- +One-time purchase
- +Good keyboard shortcuts
- +Fast and reliable
Weaknesses
- -Apple only (no Windows/Android)
- -Expensive upfront ($50+)
- -No collaboration
- -No web version
- -Limited integrations
Key features
Pricing: Ellie Planner vs Things 3
| Plan | Ellie Planner | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $9.99/mo Ellie Pro | $9.99 once iPhone |
| Tier 3 | $299.99 once Ellie Pro (One-time purchase) | $19.99 once iPad |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Ellie Planner pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Ellie Planner has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Ellie Planner
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Ellie Planner
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Things 3
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Ellie Planner is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Ellie Planner lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are productivity tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Ellie Planner
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Things 3 is our pick. Ellie Planner has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ellie Planner or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Ellie Planner is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Ellie Planner and Things 3 used for?
Ellie Planner: Organize your thoughts and plan your day with a beautiful and simple daily planner app.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Ellie Planner cost vs Things 3?
Ellie Planner is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.