Task Flow vs Things 3

Task Flow

• People whose tasks belong to more than one project at once
• Apple users who want both list and board views of a project
• Buyers who prefer a lifetime purchase to a subscription

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

Task Flow

• Apple platforms only: the App Store lists iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Vision, with no Android, Windows or web version.
• The free version stops at five projects and one attachment upload per day, according to the terms of use.
• Multiple reminders per task, task priorities and premium themes are listed as Task Flow Plus features in the vendor's press kit.
• Data syncs only through the user's own iCloud account; there is no separate Task Flow account or sign-in.

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.

Task Flow

My Task Flow view

A view that collects the tasks to do next from any project into sections such as Recent, Today and Upcoming, plus custom sections the user adds.

Tasks in several projects

One task can be added to more than one project and ordered separately in each. Completing it in one project marks it done in all of them.

List and board layouts

Each project is shown as a sectioned list or as a kanban board, and can be given its own icon and color.

Subtasks, notes and attachments

Subtasks are full tasks with their own due date, priority, notes and further subtasks. Notes accept Markdown checklists, and files can be attached to a task.

Reminders and recurring tasks

A task can carry several reminders, and repeats use presets or custom rules such as every Tuesday and Thursday or the last Friday of a month, with an optional end date.

Task Flow AI

On-device features built on Apple Intelligence summarize the Today view, suggest subtasks and reword tasks. Version 5.0 creates tasks from text, dictation or photos; some of it needs iOS 27.

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.

Task Flow

• Free$0

  Up to five projects and one attachment upload per day, with My Task Flow, list and board layouts, subtasks, notes, widgets and the focus timer.

• Task Flow+ Monthly$2.99

  per month

  Removes the project and attachment limits; the press kit also lists multiple reminders, task priorities and premium themes.

• Task Flow+ Annual$19.99

  per year

  The same Task Flow+ features billed once a year, after a 2-week free trial.

• Task Flow+ Lifetime$49.99

  one-time purchase

  Task Flow+ unlocked with a single in-app purchase in place of a subscription.

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.

Task Flow

• Annual discount

  Annual plan costs about 44% less than monthly

  The US App Store lists Task Flow+ at $2.99 monthly or $19.99 annually, so a year on the annual plan costs about 44% less than twelve monthly payments.

• Lifetime license

  Task Flow+ Lifetime for a one-time $49.99

  A Lifetime in-app purchase unlocks Task Flow+ with a single payment in place of the monthly or annual subscription.

• Other savings

  One subscription covers a Family Sharing group

  The vendor's FAQ says a Task Flow subscription can be shared through Apple's Family Sharing, so family members use the paid features without buying their own.

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.