OmniFocus vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between OmniFocus 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 OmniFocus if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
OmniFocus
Master your tasks with powerful Apple-based GTD organization
Best for you if:
- • You want powerful GTD support
- • You want apple integration
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | OmniFocus | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $9.99/monthPro | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Task Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose OmniFocus or Things 3?
Choose OmniFocus if
Master your tasks with powerful Apple-based GTD organization
- You want powerful GTD support
- You want apple integration
- 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 | OmniFocus | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 141 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementProductivity | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
OmniFocus
Master your tasks with powerful Apple-based GTD organization
OmniFocus's pricing is somewhat complex and can be expensive, especially for users needing full functionality across multiple Apple devices.
Watch out
Standard tier requires separate purchase per platform (iOS/macOS).
Strengths
- +Powerful GTD support
- +Apple integration
- +Professional features
Weaknesses
- -Apple only
- -Expensive
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: OmniFocus vs Things 3
| Plan | OmniFocus | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $9.99 month Pro | $9.99 once iPhone |
| Tier 3 | $49.99 once Standard | $19.99 once iPad |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on OmniFocus pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Things 3
Want the highest-rated option?
OmniFocus: 4.6/5 (141 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: OmniFocus
Value user reviews?
OmniFocus: 141 reviews (4.6/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: OmniFocus
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
OmniFocus is a task management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
OmniFocus is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
OmniFocus
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (141 reviews)
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OmniFocus or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are OmniFocus and Things 3 used for?
OmniFocus: Master your tasks with powerful Apple-based GTD organization. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does OmniFocus cost vs Things 3?
OmniFocus is a paid tool. Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.