Ora vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Ora 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 Project Management pick is Jira. Our free Project Management pick is MantisBT. Pick Ora if you need project management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Ora
Boost team productivity with flexible task management, time tracking, and collaboration tools.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want highly customizable to suit various team workflows
- • You want robust time tracking features provide transparency and insights
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Ora | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Project Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Ora or Things 3?
Choose Ora if
Boost team productivity with flexible task management, time tracking, and collaboration tools.
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want highly customizable to suit various team workflows
- You want robust time tracking features provide transparency and insights
- Your work is project 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 project management-shaped
| Feature | Ora | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 14 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Project ManagementTime Tracking | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Ora
Boost team productivity with flexible task management, time tracking, and collaboration tools.
Ora's pricing is quite generous, especially with its feature-rich Free Basic tier, which offers extensive project management capabilities.
Strengths
- +Highly customizable to suit various team workflows.
- +Robust time tracking features provide transparency and insights.
- +Integrates development workflows by linking commits to tasks.
- +Offers multiple project views for different management styles.
- +Free tier available for teams up to 10 members.
Weaknesses
- -Some advanced features like task relationships and recurring tasks are PRO only.
- -The product is no longer actively developed as it has joined ClickUp, which may impact future updates or support.
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: Ora vs Things 3
| Plan | Ora | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | FREE Basic | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $5.99 per user/month billed annually Professional | $9.99 once iPhone |
| Tier 3 | $27.99 per user/month billed annually Enterprise | $19.99 once iPad |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Ora pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Ora has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Ora
Want the highest-rated option?
Ora: 4.7/5 (14 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: Ora
Value user reviews?
Ora: 14 reviews (4.7/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Things 3
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Ora is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Ora lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Ora is a project management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Ora is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Larger review base (29 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Ora
- Has a free tier
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Better fit for project management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Project Management pick is Jira. Our free Project Management pick is MantisBT. Ora has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ora or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Ora is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Ora and Things 3 used for?
Ora: Boost team productivity with flexible task management, time tracking, and collaboration tools.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Ora cost vs Things 3?
Ora is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.