Sunsama vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Sunsama 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 Trello. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar. Pick Sunsama if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Sunsama
The only task manager, calendar, and daily planner for modern professionals to achieve work-life balance.
Best for you if:
- • You need task management features specifically
- • Unifies tasks, calendar, and daily planning for professionals.
- • Helps users plan, focus, and achieve work-life balance.
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You need productivity features specifically
- • 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 |  Sunsama |  Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $16/monthAnnual | $9.99/onceiPhone |
Best For | Task Management | Productivity |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Sunsama or Things 3?
Choose Sunsama if
The only task manager, calendar, and daily planner for modern professionals to achieve work-life balance.
- Mindful daily planner
- Calendar integration
- Task integration
- Your work is task management-shaped, not productivity-shaped
Choose Things 3 if
Award-winning task manager for Apple
- Beautiful design (Apple)
- Powerful organization
- One-time purchase
- Budget matters ($9.99/once vs $16/month)
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not task management-shaped
| Feature | Sunsama | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 27 reviews | ★4.6/5 172 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementProductivity | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Sunsama
The only task manager, calendar, and daily planner for modern professionals to achieve work-life balance.
Sunsama's pricing is on the higher side compared to many task managers, with the Annual plan at $16/month ($192/year) and the Monthly at $20/month.
Watch out
Annual discount requires upfront $192 payment
Strengths
- +Mindful daily planner
- +Calendar integration
- +Task integration
- +Focus on balance
- +Good UX
Weaknesses
- -Requires a paid plan
- -Opinionated workflow
- -Limited customization
- -Requires commitment
- -No free tier
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: Sunsama vs Things 3
| Plan | Sunsama | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $20 month Monthly | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $16 month Annual | $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 Sunsama 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?
Sunsama: 4.7/5 (27 reviews). Things 3: 4.6/5 (172 reviews).
Go with: Sunsama
Value user reviews?
Sunsama: 27 reviews (4.7/5). Things 3: 172 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Things 3
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?
Sunsama is a task management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Sunsama is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Larger review base (172 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Sunsama
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 wins this matchup. Our overall Task Management pick is Trello. Our free Task Management pick is Google Calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sunsama or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Sunsama and Things 3 used for?
Sunsama: The only task manager, calendar, and daily planner for modern professionals to achieve work-life balance.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Sunsama cost vs Things 3?
Sunsama is a paid tool. Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.