Vikunja vs Things 3: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Vikunja 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Vikunja
The open-source, self-hostable to-do app for organizing tasks and projects with privacy in mind.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need task management features specifically
- • Open-source and self-hostable to-do app with a focus on privacy.
- • Offers multiple task views including List, Gantt, Kanban, and Table.
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 |  Vikunja |  Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Contact us/moVikunja Cloud | $49.99/onceMac |
Best For | Task Management | Productivity |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Vikunja or Things 3?
Choose Vikunja if
The open-source, self-hostable to-do app for organizing tasks and projects with privacy in mind.
- Open-source and self-hostable for maximum privacy and control
- Offers diverse task visualization options to suit different workflows
- Strong collaboration features for teams
- 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
- Your work is productivity-shaped, not task management-shaped
| Feature | Vikunja | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★5.0/5 342 reviews |
| Categories | Task ManagementProject Management | ProductivityProject Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Vikunja
The open-source, self-hostable to-do app for organizing tasks and projects with privacy in mind.
Strengths
- +Open-source and self-hostable for maximum privacy and control
- +Offers diverse task visualization options to suit different workflows
- +Strong collaboration features for teams
- +Fast and responsive user interface
- +Built-in migration support from popular task management tools
Weaknesses
- -Self-hosting requires technical knowledge
- -Cloud version has attachment storage limits based on plan
Key features
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)
- -Expensive upfront ($50+)
- -No collaboration
- -No web version
- -Limited integrations
Key features
Pricing: Vikunja vs Things 3
| Plan | Vikunja | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Self-hosted | $49.99 once Mac |
| Tier 2 | Contact us Vikunja Cloud | $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 Vikunja pricing and Things 3 pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Vikunja has a free tier. Things 3 is paid only.
Go with: Vikunja
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Vikunja
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Things 3
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Vikunja is freemium. Things 3 is paid. Vikunja lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Vikunja is a task management tool. Things 3 is in productivity. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Things 3
- Our pick for this comparison
Vikunja
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for task management
The Bottom Line
Things 3 is our pick. Vikunja has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vikunja or Things 3 better?
Things 3 is rated in our evaluation. Vikunja is freemium and Things 3 is paid.
What are Vikunja and Things 3 used for?
Vikunja: The open-source, self-hostable to-do app for organizing tasks and projects with privacy in mind.. Things 3: Award-winning task manager for Apple.
What does Vikunja cost vs Things 3?
Vikunja is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Things 3 is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.