Remember The Milk vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Remember The Milk 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. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. Pick Remember The Milk if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Remember The Milk
Simple task and to-do list manager
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want good task manager
- • You want smart lists
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
| At a Glance | Remember The Milk | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Task Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose Remember The Milk or Things 3?
Choose Remember The Milk if
Simple task and to-do list manager
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good task manager
- You want smart lists
- 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
- Budget matters ($9.99/once vs Free)
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not task management-shaped
| Feature | Remember The Milk | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 75 reviews | ★4.4/5 29 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementProductivity | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Remember The Milk
Simple task and to-do list manager
Remember The Milk's pricing is fair for its Pro tier at $40/year, offering a substantial upgrade from the free version.
Strengths
- +Good task manager
- +Smart lists
- +Cross-platform
- +Good for GTD
- +Fair pricing
Weaknesses
- -UI dated
- -Pro features limited
- -Better alternatives exist
- -Learning curve
- -Declining development
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. 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: Remember The Milk vs Things 3
| Plan | Remember The Milk | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $40 Pro | $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 Remember The Milk pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Remember The Milk has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Remember The Milk
Want the highest-rated option?
Remember The Milk: 4.4/5 (75 reviews). Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews).
Go with: Remember The Milk
Value user reviews?
Remember The Milk: 75 reviews (4.4/5). Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Remember The Milk
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Remember The Milk is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Remember The Milk lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Remember The Milk is a task management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Remember The Milk
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (75 reviews)
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. Remember The Milk has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Remember The Milk or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Remember The Milk is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Remember The Milk and Things 3 used for?
Remember The Milk: Simple task and to-do list manager. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Remember The Milk cost vs Things 3?
Remember The Milk is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.