Things 3 vs Asana: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Things 3 and Asana 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 Asana if you need project management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
- • You want powerful organization
Asana
Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want multiple project views
- • You want good workflow automation
| At a Glance | Things 3 | Asana |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $9.99/onceiPhone | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Productivity | Project Management |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Things 3 or Asana?
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
Choose Asana if
Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want multiple project views
- You want good workflow automation
- Your work is project management-shaped, not productivity-shaped
| Feature | Things 3 | Asana |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 29 reviews | ★4.4/5 27,636 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityProject Management | Project ManagementTask Management |
In-Depth Analysis
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
Asana
Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation
Asana is the structured project management tool for teams that need goals, portfolios, and workflow automation, not just task boards.
Watch out
Starter caps automation at 250 runs/month across the entire workspace, a single daily rule on 10 boards burns through this in 25 days, forcing an upgrade to Advanced at 2.3x the price
Strengths
- +Multiple project views
- +Good workflow automation
- +Strong integrations
- +Goals and portfolio tracking
Weaknesses
- -Can be complex for simple needs
- -Some features require higher tiers
- -Mobile app less powerful
Key features
Pricing: Things 3 vs Asana
| Plan | Things 3 | Asana |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $49.99 once Mac | $0 Personal |
| Tier 2 | $9.99 once iPhone | $10.99 Starter |
| Tier 3 | $19.99 once iPad | $24.99 Advanced |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Custom Enterprise+ |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Things 3 pricing and Asana pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Asana has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Asana
Want the highest-rated option?
Things 3: 4.4/5 (29 reviews). Asana: 4.4/5 (27,636 reviews).
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Things 3: 29 reviews (4.4/5). Asana: 27,636 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Asana
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Things 3 is paid. Asana is freemium. Asana lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Things 3 is a productivity tool. Asana is in project management. 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
Asana
- Has a free tier
- Larger review base (27,636 reviews)
- Better fit for project 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. Asana has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Things 3 or Asana better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Things 3 is paid and Asana is freemium.
What are Things 3 and Asana used for?
Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple. Asana: Orchestrate work from tasks to initiatives with projects and automation.
What does Things 3 cost vs Asana?
Things 3 is a paid tool. Asana is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.