Todoist vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Todoist 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 Todoist if you need task management.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Todoist
Organize work and life with natural language task capture
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
Things 3
Award-winning task manager for Apple
Best for you if:
- • You want beautiful design (Apple)
| At a Glance | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | $9.99/once iPhone |
Category | Task Management Productivity | Productivity Project Management |
Rating | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.6 · G2 4.5 3,494 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 29 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | Pro tier requires annual commitment for $5/mo price. | Each platform is sold separately. There is no bundle discount. |
Choose Todoist or Things 3?
Choose Todoist if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want exceptionally clean and fast interface with near-zero learning curve
- You want generous free tier with 5 projects and core features included
- You work in task management, not productivity
Choose Things 3 if
- You want beautiful design (Apple)
- You want powerful organization
- You work in productivity, not task management
In-Depth Analysis
Todoist
Organize work and life with natural language task capture
Todoist's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free tier offering significant functionality.
Watch out
Pro tier requires annual commitment for $5/mo price.
Strengths
- Pro: Exceptionally clean and fast interface with near-zero learning curve
- Pro: Generous free tier with 5 projects and core features included
- Pro: Natural language input makes adding tasks faster than any competitor
- Pro: Available on every major platform with reliable real-time sync
- Pro: Karma system and streak tracking provide built-in motivation
Weaknesses
- Con: No built-in time tracking or Gantt chart views
- Con: Limited project hierarchy depth compared to tools like Asana or ClickUp
- Con: Calendar view and task durations locked behind paid plans
- Con: No native document or wiki features for project context
- Con: Reporting and analytics are minimal even on paid plans
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
- Pro: Beautiful design (Apple)
- Pro: Powerful organization
- Pro: One-time purchase
- Pro: Good keyboard shortcuts
- Pro: Fast and reliable
Weaknesses
- Con: Apple only (no Windows/Android)
- Con: Significant upfront cost
- Con: No collaboration
- Con: No web version
- Con: Limited integrations
Key features
Pricing: Todoist vs Things 3
| Plan | Todoist | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Beginner | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | $5/mo (billed yearly) Pro | $9.99 once iPhone |
| Tier 3 | $8/user/mo (billed yearly) Business | $19.99 once iPad |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Todoist pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Todoist
- Has a free tier
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
- Larger review base (3,494 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. Todoist has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Todoist or Things 3 better in 2026?
Things 3 wins this matchup. Google Calendar is our overall Task Management pick. Google Calendar is our free Task Management pick. Pick Todoist for task management workflows (main strength: exceptionally clean and fast interface with near-zero learning curve). Pick Things 3 for productivity workflows (main strength: beautiful design (Apple)).
What are Todoist and Things 3 used for?
Todoist: Organize work and life with natural language task capture. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Todoist cost vs Things 3?
Todoist's paid plans start at Free (Pro). Things 3's paid plans start at $9.99/once (iPhone).
What's the main difference between Todoist and Things 3?
Todoist's main strength: exceptionally clean and fast interface with near-zero learning curve. Things 3's main strength: beautiful design (Apple).