Alternatives

12 Best Things 3 Alternatives

Ruud CarisEditor-in-Chief

Updated: 22 December 2025About Things 3 →

It's frustrating when you're in love with the design of Things 3, but your employer forces you to work on a Windows laptop. Or maybe you just want to share a shopping list with your partner who has an Android phone. Things 3 is beautiful, but being limited to the Apple ecosystem and the lack of collaboration options are dealbreakers for many.

142+ toolscompared

✓No sponsored rankings

My recommendations

Best Overall

Todoist

★ 4.6/5

The standard choice: works everywhere, has natural language input and is just as fast.

View Todoist →

Best Free

Microsoft To Do

★ 4.3/5

Completely free, integrates with Outlook and great for simple lists.

View Microsoft To Do →

Best for Teams

Superlist

★ 3.9/5

Combines the sleek design sensibility of Things with modern collaboration features.

View Superlist →

Best for Power Users

Amazing Marvin

★ 4.3/5

For when the rigid structure of Things 3 is too limiting for you.

View Amazing Marvin →

At a glance

ToolScoreBest for

Todoist

★4.6/5

People who need cross-platform flexibilityView →

TickTick

★4.5/5

Productivity nerds who want everything in one appView →

Microsoft To Do

★4.3/5

People who work in a Microsoft environmentView →

Superlist

★3.9/5

Design lovers who need to collaborateView →

Amazing Marvin

★4.3/5

People who want to fully personalize their workflowView →

Akiflow

★4.3/5

Busy professionals who live by their calendarView →

Amie

★4/5

Design snobs who want to plan visuallyView →

Any.do

★4.2/5

People who primarily work on their phoneView →

Google Tasks

★4.3/5

Google Workspace usersView →

Twos

★4.2/5

Quick notes and tasks mixed togetherView →

All Things 3 alternatives at a glance

Todoist

People who need cross-platform flexibility

★ 4.6/5 · Free / from 5 dollar

Todoist is probably the most logical switch if you're leaving Things. The biggest advantage is that it really works everywhere: Windows, Android, Web, you name it. The 'Natural Language Processing' is even slightly stronger here; you type 'meeting tomorrow at 2pm' and it understands immediately. The design is clean, but feels somewhat more business-like than Things. A downside is that many features you consider standard (like reminders) are behind a subscription, while you buy Things once (per platform).

Difference: Works on all devices and supports shared projects

Choose this if: doesn't just work on Apple devices or want to share lists

✓ What we like

✓Powerful natural task input
✓Reliable synchronization
✓Intuitive interface
✓Quick task adding

✗ What we don't like

✗Reminders behind paywall
✗Calendar view not free
✗Limited project management
✗Awkward subtasks

View Todoist →More details →

TickTick

Productivity nerds who want everything in one app

★ 4.5/5 · Free / from 3 dollar

If you find Things 3 too limited in terms of features, TickTick is your answer. It's a to-do list, but it also includes a Pomodoro timer, a habit tracker and a full calendar view. Where Things strictly sticks to 'tasks only', TickTick throws everything in the blender. That does make the app a bit busier and less polished. The interface is functional, but lacks that typical Apple finesse. Still, you get an insane amount of functionality for your money here, and the free version is surprisingly generous.

Difference: Built-in Pomodoro timer, habit tracker and calendar

Choose this if: want to do more than just check off tasks

✓ What we like

✓Versatile functionality
✓Built-in focus timer
✓Handy habit tracker
✓Visual calendar view

✗ What we don't like

✗Dated interface design
✗Slow calendar sync
✗Limited collaboration tools

View TickTick →More details →

Microsoft To Do

People who work in a Microsoft environment

★ 4.3/5 · Free

This is the successor to the beloved Wunderlist. Microsoft To Do isn't as sexy as Things, but it is completely free and integrates deeply with the Office ecosystem. If you flag a task in Outlook, it appears here. The 'My Day' feature is a smart way to start each morning with a clean slate, something Things approaches differently. It is quite basic though; don't expect complex project structures or advanced filters. Fine for groceries and simple work tasks, but less suitable for complex GTD systems.

Difference: Completely free and deep Outlook integration

Choose this if: don't want to spend money and seek simplicity

✓ What we like

✓Completely free without limitations
✓Seamless integration with Outlook and Teams
✓Great 'My Day' focus functionality
✓Simple and clear design

✗ What we don't like

✗Lacks advanced project management options
✗No natural language input (NLP)
✗Subtasks have limited functionality
✗Sync sometimes stutters between devices

View Microsoft To Do →More details →

Superlist

Design lovers who need to collaborate

★ 3.9/5 · Free / from 5 dollar

Created by the original makers of Wunderlist. Superlist tries to bridge the gap between a task app and note-taking app. The design is beautiful and feels modern, which will definitely appeal to Things users. The big difference is that Superlist is built 'collaborative-first'. You can assign tasks, add notes, and truly collaborate. It does sometimes still feel a bit like a 'work in progress' compared to Things' years of refinement, but the potential is enormous. It smartly separates work and personal with a simple switch.

Difference: Combines tasks with notes and collaboration

Choose this if: the design of Things, but for teams

✓ What we like

✓Beautiful and intuitive design
✓Mix of tasks and notes
✓Good free version
✓Handy 'Make with AI' features

✗ What we don't like

✗No native Windows app
✗Slow synchronization
✗Bugs in collaboration
✗Missing calendar view

View Superlist →More details →

Amazing Marvin

People who want to fully personalize their workflow

★ 4.3/5 · From 8 dollar

Things 3 forces you to work their way. Amazing Marvin does the opposite: it's a toolbox that lets you build your own ideal app. Want GTD? Turn it on. Want the Eisenhower Matrix? Turn it on. Gamification? That's possible too. This is great for people with ADHD or people who get bored quickly with one system. The downside is that the learning curve is steep and the interface can feel a bit overwhelming and less 'clean' than the minimalist Things.

Difference: Modular system with features you can turn on/off

Choose this if: the structure of Things is too rigid for you

✓ What we like

✓Huge customizability
✓Modular strategies
✓ADHD-friendly
✓Responsive developers

✗ What we don't like

✗Slow mobile app
✗Steep learning curve
✗High subscription price

View Amazing Marvin →More details →

Akiflow

Busy professionals who live by their calendar

★ 4.3/5 · From 19 dollar

Akiflow is actually a step 'higher' than Things. It's not just a task list, but a command center that collects all your tasks from other apps (Slack, Gmail, Asana). Then you drag those tasks directly into your calendar (time-blocking). Things does have calendar integration, but you can't schedule in it. Akiflow is perfect if you struggle daily with 'when am I going to do this?'. It is considerably more expensive though and more focused on desktop use than on mobile 'quickly jotting something down'.

Difference: Focus on time-blocking and integrations with other tools

Choose this if: tasks directly in your calendar

✓ What we like

✓Centralizes tasks from various apps
✓Visual time-blocking in calendar
✓Quick navigation via Command Bar
✓Sleek and modern interface

✗ What we don't like

✗Expensive monthly subscription ($ 34/month)
✗Mobile app still contains bugs
✗No offline mode available
✗Limited project management features

View Akiflow →More details →

Amie

Design snobs who want to plan visually

★ 4/5 · From 6 dollar

If you use Things 3 because of the design and 'joy of use', then Amie is the only one that comes close. Amie combines your calendar and to-dos in a playful, colorful way. It feels very smooth and fast. You drag to-dos right into your calendar. It's less a hardcore project manager and more a day planner. Where Things is very serious and minimalist, Amie is cheerful and social (you can see what friends are listening to on Spotify, which might be a bit gimmicky).

Difference: Focus on 'joyful productivity' and calendar combination

Choose this if: design is your most important criterion

✓ What we like

✓Beautiful, joyful, and aesthetic design
✓Combines tasks, calendar, and email
✓Fast performance and convenient shortcuts
✓AI notes without bot in the meeting

✗ What we don't like

✗No Android version available
✗Pricey Pro subscription ($ 10-15/month)
✗Sync issues with external calendars
✗Focus shifts too much toward AI notes

View Amie →More details →

Any.do

People who mainly work on their phone

★ 4.2/5 · Free / from 5 dollar

Any.do has been around forever and focuses primarily on mobile use. It has a unique 'Plan my Day' feature and a strong focus on voice input and shopping lists. The design is very white and clean, comparable to Things. Recently they added 'Workspace' for teams, making it more interesting for business use as well. A downside is that they're fairly aggressive with upselling to the premium version and that the desktop experience feels less 'native' than with Things.

Difference: Strong focus on day planning and mobile use

Choose this if: looking for a simple app with good calendar sync

✓ What we like

✓Intuitive and clean interface (UI/UX)
✓Unique 'My Day' daily planner feature
✓Seamless calendar integration (Google/Ou...
✓WhatsApp integration (Premium)

✗ What we don't like

✗Recurring tasks behind paywall
✗Sync delay between devices
✗Desktop app sometimes slow/buggy
✗Support sometimes responds a bit slow

View Any.do →More details →

Google Tasks

Google Workspace users

★ 4.3/5 · Free

If you live in Gmail and Google Calendar, Google Tasks is the path of least resistance. It's not a full-fledged project manager like Things; it's a sidebar. You drag an email to the sidebar and it's a task. Simple. The mobile app is surprisingly clean and nice to use. Don't expect tags, start dates, or headers. It's pure: make a list, check it off. For many people, the complexity of Things is actually overkill, and this is a breath of fresh air.

Difference: Lives in the sidebar of your mail and calendar

Choose this if: tasks mainly come from emails

✓ What we like

✓Seamless Google integration
✓Simple interface
✓Completely free
✓Direct Gmail conversion

✗ What we don't like

✗Limited collaboration features
✗No advanced sorting
✗Unobtrusive notifications

View Google Tasks →More details →

Twos

Quick notes and tasks mixed together

★ 4.2/5 · Free / from 2 dollar

Twos is a bit of an odd duck, but a fun one. It's all about remembering 'things'. It's a mix of notes, tasks, and calendar items in one daily list. It's less structured than Things 3, but much faster for 'quick capture'. It's free and has a very quirky, community-driven vibe. If you use Things as a glorified notepad for tasks, you might like the freedom of Twos better.

Difference: Daily list where everything goes (tasks + notes)

Choose this if: looking for a low-threshold place for all your thoughts

✓ What we like

✓Intuitive interface
✓Fast mobile app
✓Unique revenue model
✓Active developers

✗ What we don't like

✗Limited text formatting
✗Slow Android performance
✗Occasional sync bugs

View Twos →More details →

For whom is Things 3 the best choice?

If you work entirely within the Apple ecosystem and want to stay there, Things 3 is still one of the best task managers out there. The app feels native on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, and the integration with Siri and Apple Watch just works great. You pay once (€ 49,99 for Mac, € 9,99 for iPhone, € 19,99 for iPad) and then you’re done. No subscription, no hassle.

Things 3 is perfect for people who work solo and don’t need collaboration. Freelancers, students, creatives managing their own projects. The design is clean, the app is fast, and you’re not distracted by dozens of features you never use anyway. If you just want to organize your tasks without your partner or colleagues needing access, there’s little reason to switch.

Why would you look for a Things 3 alternative?

The biggest problem: you’re locked into Apple. As soon as your employer gives you a Windows laptop or your partner has an Android phone, you’re in trouble. You can’t even access your tasks through a web app. And sharing? Forget it. You can’t share a grocery list with your roommate, no sharing projects with your colleague. Things 3 is built for one person on Apple devices, period.

Then there’s the price. You pay separately for each platform: almost € 80 if you want the app on all your Apple devices. That’s one-time, but if you then discover you need collaboration after all, that money is gone. Alternatives like Todoist or TickTick cost € 4-5 per month, but then you work everywhere and can share tasks. After a year and a half you’ve spent the same amount, but then you have much more flexibility.

Finally

Do you need to work cross-platform or collaborate? Choose Todoist. Want something that comes close to Things 3 in design but with team features? Try Superlist. Are you stuck with Microsoft at work? Microsoft To Do integrates perfectly with Outlook and Teams. And if you really want to customize everything down to the smallest detail, then Amazing Marvin is worth checking out.

Are you staying in the Apple ecosystem and working solo? Just keep Things 3. It’s still one of the best task managers out there.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free Things 3 alternative?

Microsoft To Do is the best free choice if you're looking for something simple. Do you have an iPhone? Then the built-in Apple Reminders app is also an excellent and free alternative these days.

Which Things 3 alternative is best for teams?

Todoist and Superlist are the winners here. Things 3 has no collaboration options, while in these apps you can effortlessly assign tasks and work together on projects.

Can I export my data from Things 3?

Yes, but it's limited. You can copy your tasks as text or use AppleScript on the Mac to move data to other apps. Many apps like Todoist have an import tool.

Is Todoist better than Things 3?

Not necessarily better, but more flexible. Todoist wins on cross-platform use and collaboration. Things 3 wins on design, native Apple feel, and the fact that you don't need a subscription.

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All alternatives →