Goals vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Goals 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 Goals if you need a fully free option.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Goals
Tell us your goal, and we'll tell you what to do next to achieve it.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Things 3 requires payment)
- • You want simplifies complex goals into manageable steps
- • You want encourages consistent progress through streaks
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Productivity | Productivity |
Rating | - | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Goals or Things 3?
Choose Goals if
Tell us your goal, and we'll tell you what to do next to achieve it.
- You want a fully free tool (Things 3 requires payment)
- You want simplifies complex goals into manageable steps
- You want encourages consistent progress through streaks
Choose Things 3 if
Award-winning task manager for Apple
- You want beautiful design (Apple)
- You want powerful organization
| Feature | Goals | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityTask Management | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Goals
Tell us your goal, and we'll tell you what to do next to achieve it.
Strengths
- +Simplifies complex goals into manageable steps
- +Encourages consistent progress through streaks
- +Facilitates accountability with collaborative features
- +Provides a clear roadmap for achieving objectives
Weaknesses
- -No explicit cons mentioned on the page
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: Goals vs Things 3
| Plan | Goals | 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 Goals pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Goals is free. Things 3 is paid.
Go with: Goals
Want the highest-rated option?
Things 3 is rated 4.4/5. Goals has no ratings yet.
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Goals: no ratings yet. Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Things 3
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Goals is free. Things 3 is paid. Go with Goals if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are productivity tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Things 3 is rated 4.4/5; Goals has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Goals
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. That said, Goals is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goals or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Goals is free and Things 3 is paid.
What are Goals and Things 3 used for?
Goals: Tell us your goal, and we'll tell you what to do next to achieve it.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Goals cost vs Things 3?
Goals is completely free. Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.