Things 3 is gorgeous but Apple-only and productivity-focused. Reddit finds alternatives with similar aesthetics, cross-platform access, and life balance features.
Last updated: January 2025. Based on discussions from r/thingsapp, r/productivity, r/apple, r/getdisciplined.
"Things 3 is the most beautiful app I've ever used. But I just got an Android phone for work, and now I need to find something that works everywhere. Also, I realized I've been crushing tasks for years and still feel unfulfilled. Maybe I need something that tracks more than productivity."
Things 3 is beloved for good reason. But it has real limitations. Here's what Reddit recommends depending on what you're looking for.
| App | Design | Cross-Platform | Life Balance | One-Time Price | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funtasking | Clean, visual | iOS (Android soon) | 8 life areas | Yes ($2.99) | Free / $2.99 |
| TickTick | Good | All platforms | Habits only | Subscription | Free / $36/yr |
| Todoist | Clean, minimal | All platforms | Work-focused | Subscription | Free / $48/yr |
| Structured | Beautiful | Apple only | Time-based | Yes ($29.99) | Free / $29.99 |
| OmniFocus | Functional | Apple only | GTD-focused | Yes ($149.99) | $149.99 |
| Things 3 | Best-in-class | Apple only | None | Yes | $49.99 Mac + $9.99 iOS |
Works on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Web. Good design (not Things-level but close). Includes Pomodoro timer and habit tracking. Most complete feature set.
iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Web
8 life areas (Work, Body, Mind, Connection, etc.) show what you're neglecting. Gamification with coins. Visual timeline. Things 3 tracks tasks; Funtasking tracks life.
iOS (Android coming soon)
Closest to Things 3 aesthetically. Visual day planning with time blocks. Syncs with iCloud Calendar. One-time purchase like Things.
iOS, Mac (Apple only)
More powerful than Things 3 for complex project management. Perspectives, reviews, defer dates. Steeper learning curve but more capable.
iOS, Mac (Apple only)
Things 3 is excellent at what it does: organizing and completing tasks. But it doesn't ask: "Are you completing the right tasks?" You can crush your work projects while ignoring health, relationships, and fun. There's no warning when your Areas are all work and no life. You realize too late that productivity without balance leads to burnout.
Funtasking's Purpose Wheel shows your time distribution across 8 life areas. At a glance: "80% Work, 5% Body, 0% Play" makes the imbalance obvious. You can't accidentally neglect areas when they're always visible. Plus, gamification (coins for any task) rewards balance, not just productivity.
Honestly? No. Things 3 set the bar for task manager design. Structured comes closest in the visual category. TickTick and Todoist are clean but not "beautiful." If design is your #1 priority and you're on Apple, Things 3 remains king. If you need other features, you'll trade some aesthetics.
If it's working, don't fix it. Consider switching if: you need cross-platform, you feel productive but burned out (need life balance), you want gamification, or you need collaboration. Otherwise, Things 3 is a great app - keep using it.
Valid approach. Some users use Things 3 for work tasks and Funtasking for life balance tracking. Or Things 3 + a habit tracker like Streaks. Multiple apps is more friction but lets you keep what you love about Things 3.
Things 3: ~$60 total, yours forever. Todoist: $48/year = Things 3 cost in 15 months. TickTick: $36/year = Things 3 cost in 20 months. If you'll use it for 2+ years, one-time purchase wins financially. Funtasking is free with $2.99 optional Pro.
8 life areas, visual Purpose Wheel, gamification with real rewards. What Things 3 doesn't track: whether you're actually living.
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