Todoist vs Things 3 (2026): Which Task Manager Should You Use?
Quick Answer
Things 3 is the most beautifully designed task manager for Apple users — it's the gold standard of iOS/macOS productivity apps with a one-time purchase model. Todoist is the better choice for cross-platform users (Windows, Android, web), teams with collaboration needs, and people who want advanced recurring tasks, filters, and productivity tracking. Things 3 is for individuals who live in Apple's ecosystem; Todoist is for everyone.
Todoist
9.0/10
Best for cross-platform & power users
Things 3
9.4/10
Best for Apple users who value design
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Todoist | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / $4/mo Pro / $6/mo Business | One-time: $9.99 iOS / $19.99 iPad / $49.99 Mac |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Web, Linux | iOS, iPadOS, macOS only |
| Free Plan | Yes — 5 projects, 300 tasks | No — paid purchase required |
| Collaboration | Yes — shared projects, task assignment | No — personal use only |
| Design Quality | Clean and functional | Outstanding — Apple Design Award winner |
| GTD Support | Good — filters, labels, priorities | Excellent — Areas, Projects, Someday |
| Natural Language | Yes — "buy milk tomorrow 3pm" | Yes — excellent date parsing |
| Best For | Teams, cross-platform power users | Apple-only individuals, design lovers |
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Todoist if:
You use Windows or Android (or any combination of platforms), need to share projects with teammates or family, want productivity analytics and streaks, or prefer a subscription that includes regular feature updates. Todoist's natural language input, filters, and labels give power users extreme flexibility.
Choose Things 3 if:
You live in Apple's ecosystem exclusively and care deeply about app design and experience. Things 3 has won multiple Apple Design Awards for a reason — the interaction design, typography, and animations are exceptional. The one-time purchase also means no subscription anxiety. It's the favourite task app of designers, writers, and creative professionals on Mac.
FAQ
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