Things 3 vs Sandbar: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Things 3 and Sandbar 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.
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 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.
Sandbar
Capture and organize thoughts with your voice
Best for you if:
- • You need note-taking features specifically
- • Captures thoughts and ideas quickly and privately using voice.
- • Organizes conversational notes and allows web searches via 'Inner Voice'.
| At a Glance |  Things 3 |  Sandbar |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $9.99/onceiPhone | Custom |
Best For | Productivity | Note-Taking |
Rating | 5.0/5 | - |
Choose Things 3 or Sandbar?
Choose Things 3 if
Award-winning task manager for Apple
- Beautiful design (Apple)
- Powerful organization
- One-time purchase
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not note-taking-shaped
Choose Sandbar if
Capture and organize thoughts with your voice
- Enables rapid and discreet capture of thoughts without needing to pull out a phone.
- Integrates note-taking, idea building, and web search into a seamless voice interface.
- Designed for portability and all-day use with a focus on silent, haptic feedback.
- Your work is note-taking-shaped, not productivity-shaped
| Feature | Things 3 | Sandbar |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★5.0/5 342 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | ProductivityProject Management | Note-TakingProductivity |
In-Depth Analysis
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
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
Sandbar
Capture and organize thoughts with your voice
Strengths
- +Enables rapid and discreet capture of thoughts without needing to pull out a phone.
- +Integrates note-taking, idea building, and web search into a seamless voice interface.
- +Designed for portability and all-day use with a focus on silent, haptic feedback.
Weaknesses
- -Requires a dedicated hardware device, which may be an additional cost.
- -Relies heavily on voice input, which might not be suitable for all environments or preferences.
- -Limited information available on specific integrations with other apps.
Key features
Pricing: Things 3 vs Sandbar
| Plan | Things 3 | Sandbar |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $49.99 once Mac | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $9.99 once iPhone | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $19.99 once iPad | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Things 3 pricing and Sandbar 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?
Things 3 is rated 5.0/5. Sandbar has no ratings yet.
Go with: Things 3
Value user reviews?
Things 3: 342 reviews (5.0/5). Sandbar: no ratings yet.
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?
Things 3 is a productivity tool. Sandbar is in note-taking. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Things 3 is rated 5.0/5; Sandbar has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Sandbar
- Better fit for note-taking
The Bottom Line
Things 3 is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Things 3 or Sandbar better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Things 3 and Sandbar used for?
Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple. Sandbar: Capture and organize thoughts with your voice.
What does Things 3 cost vs Sandbar?
Things 3 is a paid tool. Sandbar is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.