Todoist vs Things 3: Which Productivity App Wins in 2026?
Choosing between Todoist and Things 3? This comprehensive comparison covers pricing, features, pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Quick Summary
Choose Todoist if you want:
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Excellent natural language input
- Great cross-platform apps
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Todoist | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9/10 | 9.1/10 |
| Free Tier | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Starting Price | $4/mo | $50/mo |
| Category | Task Management | Task Management |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS |
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
Key Features
Todoist Features
- Natural language input
- Projects & labels
- Recurring tasks
- Priority levels
- Filters & views
- Collaboration
- Integrations
- Karma system
Things 3 Features
- Areas & projects
- Today view
- Quick entry
- Natural language
- Headings
- Calendar integration
- Widgets
- Apple Watch app
Pros & Cons
Todoist
Pros
- + Clean, intuitive interface
- + Excellent natural language input
- + Great cross-platform apps
- + Affordable Pro plan
- + Reliable sync
Cons
- - Limited free tier features
- - No time blocking
- - Basic calendar view
- - No built-in notes
Things 3
Pros
- + Stunning design
- + One-time purchase
- + Native Apple experience
- + Fast and reliable
- + Excellent keyboard shortcuts
Cons
- - Apple-only
- - No team features
- - Limited integrations
- - Expensive upfront
Pricing Comparison
The Verdict
Both Todoist and Things 3 are excellent task management tools, but they serve different needs.
Choose Todoist if: You value clean, intuitive interface and excellent natural language input.
It's best for individuals and freelancers.
Choose Things 3 if: You prioritize stunning design and one-time purchase.
It's ideal for apple-users and gtd-practitioners.
Todoist vs Things 3 FAQ
It depends on your needs. Todoist (9/10) excels at clean, intuitive interface, while Things 3 (9.1/10) is known for stunning design. Things 3 has the higher overall rating.
Todoist is more budget-friendly. Todoist has a free tier, while Things 3 starts at $50/mo.
Yes, many users combine Todoist and Things 3 in their productivity stack. You can connect them using automation tools like Zapier or Make. This works well if Todoist handles your natural language input while Things 3 manages areas & projects.
Todoist offers: Natural language input, Projects & labels, Recurring tasks. Things 3 provides: Areas & projects, Today view, Quick entry. The "better" features depend on what you need most.
Todoist is generally user-friendly. Things 3 is generally user-friendly. Both offer tutorials and onboarding to help you get started.
Todoist is available on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. Things 3 supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS. Both offer cross-platform sync.
For teams, consider: Todoist is designed with teams in mind. Things 3 is better for personal use.
Consider switching if Things 3's strengths (Stunning design, One-time purchase) address pain points you have with Todoist. Both tools typically offer data export, making migration possible. Test Things 3 with a free trial first.
Key differences: Pricing (free tier vs $50/mo), Focus (Task Management vs Task Management), Platforms (6 vs 4 platforms).
Todoist users love: Clean, intuitive interface, Excellent natural language input. Common complaints: Limited free tier features. Things 3 users appreciate: Stunning design, One-time purchase. Common issues: Apple-only.