HamsterBase Tasks vs Things 3

HamsterBase Tasks

• People who plan in areas and projects and want little else
• Privacy-minded users who want end-to-end encrypted sync
• Using one task list across desktop, phone and browser
• Self-hosters who want to run their own sync server

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

HamsterBase Tasks

• Cloud sync is paid: Pro at $20 a year covers 3 cloud-synced databases, and the store page says no refunds are offered.
• Cloud Inbox content is stored unencrypted on the server until it is pulled into a database, unlike the rest of the data.
• Attachments need an S3-compatible bucket you supply; the files are not end-to-end encrypted and the S3 settings do not sync between devices.
• The vendor says it deliberately leaves out features such as habit tracking and Pomodoro timers.

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.

HamsterBase Tasks

Areas, projects and headings

Projects are grouped into areas such as Work or Personal and broken into tasks under collapsible headings. Finished projects hide automatically to keep the list short.

Start dates and reminders

A task with a future start date stays out of sight until that date arrives. Tasks can also have due dates, and the mobile release notes list reminder support.

Local-first with encrypted sync

Data lives on the device and the app works offline. Sync between devices is end-to-end encrypted, and the vendor says it cannot read the data.

Rule-based custom views

On desktop, a view is a saved list defined by a rule over fields such as status, tags, start date and due date, so matching tasks appear in it automatically.

Recurring tasks

When a recurring task is completed, the next one is created from short rules such as 1w or 1m, with separate rules for the start date and the due date.

Cloud Inbox and attachments

Cloud Inbox, a paid feature, appends tasks to a database's Inbox through an HTTP API. File attachments are stored in an S3-compatible bucket that you provide.

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.

HamsterBase Tasks

• Free$0

  Unlimited tasks with web access and mobile app access, and data kept on the device. Cloud-synced databases are not included.

• Pro$20

  per year

  Everything in Free, plus 3 cloud-synced databases and Cloud Inbox. The US App Store lists the same year of Cloud Pro at $19.99.

• Lifetime$60

  one-time payment

  Everything in Pro with lifetime access for a single payment.

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.

HamsterBase Tasks

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime access for $60

  The pricing section lists a Lifetime plan at $60 as a one-time payment with everything in Pro, which equals three years of the $20-a-year Pro plan.

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.