The Things 3 Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Things 3 in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Things 3
The Insider’s Guide
Personal task manager for Apple devices, sold as a one-time purchase
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among to-do list apps, read from Things 3’s own pages.
Made by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05After you payGetting your money back, getting out, and getting help
- 06The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 07Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 08About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Things 3’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Things 3’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 48 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade
Things is a personal task manager for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. To-dos are grouped into projects with headings and checklists, and planned through Today, This Evening and Upcoming lists that also show calendar events. Each app is bought once with no subscription, and syncing between devices through the vendor's Things Cloud service costs nothing extra.
To get you started, here are 10 things to know about Things 3, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Dates go in as plain words like "Tomorrow" or "Saturday", and on a Mac Quick Entry adds a to-do while you're in another app.
- 1
Best for one person's tasks on Apple devices, paid for once
Teams and families should look elsewhere.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $9.99 one-time for iPhone; iPad $19.99 and Mac $49.99 are sold separately.
- 3
You can try it first
15-day free trial of the Mac app with every feature. There is no trial on iPhone, iPad or Vision.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and iOS.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
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.
- 8
Refunds: no set window
Things is a one-time purchase from Apple's App Store, so there's no plan to cancel and nothing that renews. That's the nice part.
- 9
A 2.6 GPA, above 48 of 123
That is against the other to-do list apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 10
Keep it
The plain part of Things 3 you could make: tasks, natural-language input, calendar and Markdown. What surrounds it you could not. The 2 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
Things 3 at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $9.99 one-time for iPhone; iPad $19.99 and Mac $49.99 are sold separately
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- 15-day free trial of the Mac app with every feature. There is no trial on iPhone, iPad or Vision.
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS
- Made by
- Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG
- Category
- To-Do List Apps
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.8 on the App Store, 27,988 ratings
The report card
Best for one person's tasks on Apple devices, paid for once
Things is a personal task manager for Apple devices that you buy once per app, with free sync and Today and Upcoming lists that show your calendar beside your to-dos. But it's Apple only, every device is a separate purchase, $109.96 for all four, only the Mac app has a trial, and you can't share a list with anyone. Teams and families should look elsewhere.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | No subscription, and sync through Things Cloud costs nothing extra. The iPhone app is $9.99 once. But iPad is $19.99 and Mac $49.99 with no bundle, so a phone and laptop pairing is about $60, which still beats two years of this category's $3.99 middle plan. All four come to $109.96. |
| Free plan and trial | C | No free version. The Mac app has a 15-day trial with every feature, downloaded from Cultured Code's site and asking for no card. There's no trial on iPhone, iPad or Vision, so there you pay first and find out after. |
| Features | C | Projects split by headings, checklists inside a to-do, notes in Markdown, repeating items, deadlines and reminders, with Today and Upcoming showing calendar events beside your tasks. For one person that covers it. The gap its own pages name: real-time sharing of a to-do or list isn't supported. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.8 from 27,988 App Store ratings, which is a lot of people agreeing. Dates go in as plain words like "Tomorrow" or "Saturday", and on a Mac Quick Entry adds a to-do while you're in another app. |
| Platforms and integrations | C | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro, with Apple Calendar, Reminders, Shortcuts and Siri. One family of devices. Cultured Code states it will not work on Windows, Android, Linux or in a web browser. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Things 3 is for
- Fits if you work only on Apple devices and plan your own tasks and projects
- Works for people who'd rather pay once per device than subscribe
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you use Windows, Android or Linux, as it won't run there or in a browser
- Not for you if you share lists with a partner or a team, because real-time sharing isn't supported
- Pricey if you want it on every device, as the Mac, iPhone, iPad and Vision apps come to $109.96 with no bundle
- Watch out: only the Mac app has a trial, so on iPhone, iPad or Vision you pay before you see it
- Pricey if you start on a Mac, since the Mac app alone is $49.99
Good to know
Good for
- 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
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$9.99 one-time
To start
Things 3 is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $9.99 one-time for iPhone; iPad $19.99 and Mac $49.99 are sold separately.
No subscription, and sync through Things Cloud costs nothing extra.
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.
Trying it first
15-day free trial of the Mac app with every feature. There is no trial on iPhone, iPad or Vision.
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Ways to pay less
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.
Stated on culturedcode.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for the app, against $9.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $12.99 | $9.13 | 9% less |
| Philippines | ₱ 599.00 | $9.54 | about the same |
| Turkey | ₺499,99 | $10.17 | about the same |
| India | ₹ 999 | $10.33 | about the same |
| Germany | 9,99 € | $11.19 | 12% more |
| Brazil | R$ 59,90 | $11.97 | 20% more |
| South Africa | R199.99 | $12.10 | 21% more |
| United Kingdom | £9.99 | $13.21 | 32% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and iOS
Personal task manager for Apple devices, sold as a one-time purchase. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, Markdown, tasks, natural-language input, calendar.
The gap its own pages name: real-time sharing of a to-do or list isn't supported.
- 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.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
What it works with
- Apple Calendar
- Apple Reminders
- Apple Shortcuts
- Siri
Things 3 is made by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
48/123
Other to-do list apps it is graded above
Things 3's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 48 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade, and level with 43.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 105 of 123) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 6).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 124 to-do list apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Things 3’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 50 of 123
- CFree plan and trialAbove 6 of 123
- CFeaturesAbove 8 of 123
- AEase of useAbove 105 of 123
- CPlatforms and integrationsAbove 19 of 123
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of Things 3 you could make: tasks, natural-language input, calendar and Markdown. What surrounds it you could not. The 2 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
It costs $9.99, paid once.
What you could make
- Tasks, natural-language input, calendar and Markdown: an app builder makes these well.
What you could not
- Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- Hooks into the device itself: an Apple Watch app.
What this rests on. Things 3’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Refunds
After you pay
Getting your money back, getting out, and getting help
What happens once you have paid: whether you can get your money back, how to leave, and how to reach a person when something goes wrong. Each is graded from Things 3’s own terms and help pages.
Refunds and cancelling
Ordinary · checked Oct 12, 2026
Things is a one-time purchase from Apple's App Store, so there's no plan to cancel and nothing that renews. That's the nice part. The catch is refunds: Cultured Code says plainly that it can't give one, you ask Apple, and the answer is entirely Apple's. That's how every app sold this way works, and it's a C on our scale.
- Refund window
- No set window
- How you cancel
- See below
- Getting your money back
Cultured Code says it cannot give refunds itself. Things is bought through Apple's App Store, only Apple has the purchase information, and you have to ask Apple for the refund. The page says whether one is given is entirely Apple's decision, and that if Apple refuses there is nothing Cultured Code can do.
Stated on culturedcode.com- How to cancel Things 3
There is no plan to cancel. The Getting Things page says Things 3 is a one-time purchase for each platform, with no subscriptions, sold only through Apple's App Store. Syncing through Things Cloud comes at no extra charge.
Stated on culturedcode.com- What you keep afterwards
Deleting the free Things Cloud account, done in the app's settings, removes your data from the sync servers and cannot be undone, but the to-dos stay in the app on each device until you delete the app. A separate support page explains how to export everything as a database file or, on a Mac, by printing lists to PDF.
Stated on culturedcode.com- Renewals
Nothing renews. The trial page says each app is a one-time, up-front purchase, and that the 15-day Mac trial ends with no auto-renewals or hidden fees: if you do not buy, you delete the app. It also says there is no trial on iPhone, iPad or Vision.
Stated on culturedcode.com
In your favour
- It's a one-time purchase. No subscription, so nothing renews behind your back.
- The Mac app has a 15-day free trial with no auto-renewal. Don't buy and it just stops.
- Your to-dos stay on your own devices, and there's a documented way to export them.
- Cultured Code tells you straight where to ask for a refund: Apple.
Watch out for
- Refunds are Apple's call, not Cultured Code's. If Apple says no, that's the end of it.
- There's no trial on iPhone, iPad or Vision, so there you pay first and find out after.
- Each platform is a separate purchase, so you may be asking Apple about more than one.
- Deleting your Things Cloud account can't be undone.
Customer support
Ordinary · checked Oct 12, 2026
There's a contact form, a direct email option and a tidy set of help articles, and that's all Cultured Code promises. No hours, no reply time, no chat and no phone. For a one-time purchase that's what we'd expect, and it's where most tools sit: a C.
Ways to get help
Email
The form page says you can also email the team directly if the form's robot check gives you trouble.
Stated on culturedcode.comContact form or ticket
The Write Email button on the contact page opens a form, open to anyone, that asks for your message and which Things app and version you use.
Stated on culturedcode.comHelp centre
The Things Support site has searchable articles on getting the apps, Things Cloud, features, exporting data and troubleshooting, open to everyone.
Stated on culturedcode.com
Not listed on Things 3’s pages: live chat, phone.
- When people answer
Its pages do not say.
- How fast it says it replies
Its pages do not say.
- What depends on your plan
Its pages do not say.
In your favour
- Anyone can write in, through a form or by email.
- The help articles are clear and cover refunds, exporting and deleting your account.
Watch out for
- No hours and no reply time are stated anywhere.
- No live chat and no phone number, just the form and email.
- Anything to do with the App Store itself, Cultured Code says, only Apple can fix.
What these two grades rest on. Read on 12 October 2026: Cultured Code's support articles on getting Things, the trial, requesting a refund, App Store issues, deleting a Things Cloud account and exporting data, its contact page and form, and the Things Cloud terms. Nobody here asked for a refund or contacted its support. They are graded apart from the five that make the GPA. How we grade refunds and support.
Part 06 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
OmniFocus, Todoist, TickTick, Superlist and Microsoft To Do
The 5 tools Things 3 is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.4GPA
OmniFocus
Free trial · from $74.99 one-time
Project-based task manager for Apple devices, with a web companion.
- Only OmniFocus lists a web app.
- OmniFocus is end-to-end encrypted, according to its own site.
- Things 3 also covers Markdown and natural-language input.
- 2.8GPA
Todoist
Free plan · from $5/mo
Cross-platform to-do list with natural-language task entry.
- Todoist has a free plan. Things 3 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Todoist lists a web app.
- Only Todoist lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- 3.4GPA
TickTick
Free plan · from $49.99/yr
To-do list with a calendar, habit tracker and Pomodoro timer built in.
- TickTick has a free plan. Things 3 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only TickTick lists a web app.
- Only TickTick lists Windows, Linux and Android apps.
- 2.6GPA
Superlist
Free plan · from $5/mo
To-do lists that hold tasks and notes together, with AI meeting notes.
- Superlist has a free plan. Things 3 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Superlist lists a web app.
- Only Superlist lists an Android app.
- 3.6GPA
Microsoft To Do
Free
Free to-do list from Microsoft that syncs with Outlook tasks.
- Microsoft To Do has a free plan. Things 3 does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only Microsoft To Do lists a web app.
- Only Microsoft To Do lists Windows and Android apps.
Part 07 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
17
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Things 3 free?
No, Things 3 is a paid product, but you can try it first. 15-day free trial of the Mac app with every feature.
How much does Things 3 cost?
Things 3 lists 4 plans. Things for iPhone & Watch: $9.99 one-time purchase.
What platforms does Things 3 work on?
Things 3 is available on macOS and iOS.
Does Things 3 offer any discounts?
Things 3 publicly lists the following: Shareable through Apple Family Sharing.
How is Things 3 rated?
Things 3's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27,988 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Does Things 3 have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Things 3 is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does Things 3 have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. Things 3 is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is Things 3 open source?
Things 3 is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
What does Things 3 integrate with?
Things 3's listing names Apple Calendar, Apple Reminders, Apple Shortcuts and Siri.
Who makes Things 3?
Things 3 is made by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG.
What are the alternatives to Things 3?
The closest alternatives to Things 3 in our directory are OmniFocus, Todoist, TickTick, Superlist and Microsoft To Do.
Does Things 3 give refunds?
Cultured Code says it cannot give refunds itself. Things is bought through Apple's App Store, only Apple has the purchase information, and you have to ask Apple for the refund.
How do I cancel Things 3?
There is no plan to cancel. The Getting Things page says Things 3 is a one-time purchase for each platform, with no subscriptions, sold only through Apple's App Store.
What happens to my data if I cancel Things 3?
Deleting the free Things Cloud account, done in the app's settings, removes your data from the sync servers and cannot be undone, but the to-dos stay in the app on each device until you delete the app.
How do I contact Things 3 support?
Things 3's pages list these ways to get help: email, contact form or ticket and help centre.
How does Things 3 compare with other to-do list apps?
Things 3's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 48 of the 123 other to-do list apps we grade, and level with 43.
Could I make my own version of Things 3?
The plain part of Things 3 you could make: tasks, natural-language input, calendar and Markdown.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Things 3’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Cultured Code's own pages on 9 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-05-30.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG. Prices change, so check culturedcode.com before you buy.
- apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904237743
- apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3-for-ipad/id904244226
- apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3-for-vision/id6475688586
- apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904280696?mt=12
- culturedcode.com/things/
- culturedcode.com/things/pricing/
- culturedcode.com/things/features/
- culturedcode.com/things/support/articles/2803551/
- culturedcode.com/things/support/articles/2803552/
- culturedcode.com/things/support/articles/2803566/
- culturedcode.com/about/
Part 08 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Things 3, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/things
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Things 3: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/things
Know someone choosing between to-do list apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/things/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded to-do list apps after Things 3, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- To-Do List Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 124 to-do list apps we grade, compared
- Apple Reminders Insider's GuideApple's free to-do app for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch3.6 GPA
- Microsoft To Do Insider's GuideFree to-do list from Microsoft that syncs with Outlook tasks3.6 GPA
- Google Tasks Insider's GuideGoogle's to-do list, built into Gmail, Calendar, Chat and Docs3.4 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Things 3’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Things 3 is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG. Prices and plans change: check culturedcode.com before you buy.