Focus Matrix vs Things 3

Focus Matrix

• People who prioritize with the Eisenhower matrix
• iPhone, iPad and Mac users who want one priority board
• Be Focused users who want tasks tied to their timer

Things 3

• People who work only on Apple devices
• Buyers who prefer a one-time purchase to a subscription
• One person planning their own tasks and projects

Focus Matrix

• Apple platforms only: it is offered on the App Store for iPhone and iPad and on the Mac App Store, with no Android, Windows or web version listed.
• Cross-device sync, Calendar sync and the Be Focused integration all need the Pro upgrade.
• The Be Focused integration also needs the Pro version of Be Focused, which is sold separately.
• Editing several tasks at once and sharing task lists by email or messages are listed for the Mac version only.

Things 3

• Apple devices only: the vendor states it will not work on Windows, Android, Linux or in a web browser.
• Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision apps are separate purchases with no bundle; all four come to $109.96.
• Real-time sharing of to-dos or lists with other people is not supported.
• Only the Mac app has a free trial.

Focus Matrix

Matrix and list views

Tasks sit in sections by urgency and importance, shown as a matrix or as a list of sections, with an Unsorted section for incoming tasks. Drag and drop moves a task between sections.

Due dates, reminders and repeats

A task can have a due date, an all-day setting, a reminder and a repeat with customizable options. Creation and completion dates are tracked.

Automatic move to Urgent

A task moves to the Urgent side on its own as its deadline approaches, with a notification, or when a task it is linked to is completed.

Tags, sorting and filter presets

Tasks are sorted by title, by due date or manually, organized with tags, and filtered by tag and completion status. Filter presets can be saved and reapplied.

Reports and export

Configurable statistics and reports cover completed tasks, and task lists can be exported to PDF or printed.

Sync and integrations in Pro

Pro syncs data across iPhone, iPad and Mac, syncs tasks with Calendar, and connects to the Be Focused app so a timer can be started from a task.

Things 3

Today and This Evening

The Today list puts the day's calendar events at the top and to-dos underneath, with a separate This Evening section for tasks meant for later in the day.

Upcoming

A view of the days ahead with scheduled to-dos, repeating items, deadlines and calendar events. A to-do can be dragged to another day to reschedule it.

Projects, headings and checklists

Headings split a project into categories or milestones, and a single to-do can carry a checklist of smaller steps along with notes written in Markdown.

Dates in plain words

The Jump Start popover accepts dates typed as "Tomorrow", "Saturday" or "in four days", and a time-based reminder can be added to any to-do.

Quick Entry and Quick Find

Quick Entry on Mac creates a to-do while you are working in another app. Quick Find searches projects, to-dos and tags as you type.

Things Cloud sync

To-dos sync between your devices through the vendor's own Things Cloud service at no extra charge.

Focus Matrix

• Free$0

  Matrix and list views, due dates, reminders, recurring tasks, tags, filters, reports, PDF export and password protection, without sync between devices.

• Monthly Pro$2.99

  per month

  Adds cross-device sync, task sync with Calendar and the Be Focused integration on iPhone, iPad and Mac.

• Yearly Pro$17.99

  per year

  The same Pro features billed once a year, with a 7-day trial.

• Lifetime Pro$34.99

  one-time payment

  The same Pro features unlocked with a single in-app purchase and no renewal.

Things 3

• Things for iPhone & Watch$9.99

  one-time purchase

  The iPhone app, with the Apple Watch app included. Sold on the App Store.

• Things for iPad$19.99

  one-time purchase

  The iPad app, bought separately from the iPhone and Mac apps.

• Things for Vision$29.99

  one-time purchase

  The Apple Vision Pro app, bought separately from the other apps.

• Things for Mac$49.99

  one-time purchase

  The Mac app, sold on the Mac App Store. A 15-day trial can be downloaded from the vendor's site.

Focus Matrix

• Annual discount

  Yearly Pro costs about half of monthly

  The US App Store lists Monthly Pro at $2.99 and Yearly Pro at $17.99, so a year on the yearly plan costs about 50% less than twelve monthly payments.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime Pro for a one-time $34.99

  A Lifetime Pro in-app purchase unlocks the Pro features with a single payment in place of the monthly or yearly subscription.

Things 3

• Other savings

  Shareable through Apple Family Sharing

  Cultured Code supports Apple's Family Sharing, so one purchase of an app can be shared with family members at no extra cost.