Tasks vs Things 3

Tasks

• One task app across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch
• Projects whose stages go beyond to do and done
• People who prefer a lifetime purchase to a subscription
• Small shared projects where only the owner pays

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

Tasks

• Apple devices only: the vendor says Tasks is not available on Windows or Android, and its web app is still in beta testing.
• Custom workflows, advanced fields, Smart Lists, automation and project sharing all need Tasks Plus.
• Connecting an AI assistant is free, but adding it to a project counts as sharing and so needs Tasks Plus.
• The listed prices are for the US storefront; the vendor notes that local App Store prices and tax can differ.

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.

Tasks

Natural-language capture

Typing a sentence such as "Team meeting every Monday at 4pm" sets the date and the repeat. Tasks can also be added with Siri, from the Share Extension or by pasting a whole list.

Custom statuses and kanban boards

A project can have its own statuses, fields and task types, and can be laid out as a board whose columns are created, renamed and rearranged to fit the work.

Focus timer and time tracking

A timer starts from any task and records time task by task. It can block distracting apps while it runs and stays visible on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island.

Repeats and location reminders

Recurring reminders follow a fixed schedule or restart after completion, and a location reminder brings a task back on arriving at or leaving a place.

Shared projects and AI assistants

People invited to a project can be assigned tasks and comment on them. ChatGPT, Claude or another MCP assistant can join as a collaborator labelled Agent, with access that can be revoked.

Apple system integration

More than 50 App Intents work with Siri, Shortcuts and Spotlight, alongside widgets, an Apple Watch app, Focus Filters and two-way sync with Apple Reminders.

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.

Tasks

• Free$0

  Capture tasks, organize projects and use Tasks across supported Apple devices.

• Tasks Plus$3.99

  per month, or $24.99 per year

  Custom workflows, fields and Smart Lists, automation, project sharing where only the owner needs Plus, and AI assistants as project collaborators.

• Family Plus$7.99

  per month, or $49.99 per year

  Tasks Plus as a Family Sharing purchase through the App Store, managed with an Apple ID.

• Individual lifetime$69.99

  one-time purchase

  The complete individual Tasks Plus feature set bought once, with no recurring renewal.

• Family lifetime$99.99

  one-time purchase

  The lifetime purchase as a Family Sharing option, with 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.

Tasks

• Annual discount

  Yearly Tasks Plus costs about 48% less

  Tasks Plus is $3.99 per month or $24.99 per year, so paying yearly costs about 48% less than twelve monthly payments.

• Lifetime license

  Lifetime purchase from $69.99

  A single App Store purchase unlocks the individual Tasks Plus feature set for $69.99 with no renewal; the Family Sharing lifetime option is $99.99.

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.