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.
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 need something completely free
- • Breaks down large goals into actionable, step-by-step plans.
- • Tracks daily progress, task completion, and builds achievement streaks.
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 |  Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Productivity | Productivity |
Rating | - | 5.0/5 |
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.
- Simplifies complex goals into manageable steps
- Encourages consistent progress through streaks
- Facilitates accountability with collaborative features
- You want a fully free tool (Things 3 requires payment)
Choose Things 3 if
Award-winning task manager for Apple
- Beautiful design (Apple)
- Powerful organization
- One-time purchase
| Feature | Goals | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★5.0/5 342 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
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 5.0/5. Goals has no ratings yet.
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Goals: no ratings yet. Things 3: 342 reviews (5.0/5).
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 5.0/5; Goals has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Goals
- Completely free
The Bottom Line
Things 3 is our pick. 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.