todoist vs things 3 for solopreneurs: which task manager wins in 2026?
if you are a solopreneur trying to pick between Todoist and Things 3, you are not alone. these two apps keep showing up in every “best task manager” list, and for good reason. both are beautifully designed, fast, and built for people who want to get things done without fighting their software.
but they take very different approaches. Todoist is a cross-platform powerhouse with deep integrations and a freemium model. Things 3 is an Apple-exclusive app with a one-time purchase price and a design philosophy that prioritizes simplicity over everything else.
I have used both extensively over the past few years to manage client projects, content calendars, and daily operations. in this comparison I will break down exactly where each one shines and where it falls short so you can make the right call for your workflow.
you might also find our guide on 5 workflows every solo founder should automate in 2026 useful here.
quick comparison table
| feature | Todoist | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| pricing | free plan / $5 per month (Pro, billed yearly) | one-time: $49.99 Mac, $9.99 iPhone, $19.99 iPad |
| platforms | Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web, browser extensions | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro |
| natural language input | yes, industry-leading | yes, solid but more limited |
| integrations | 80+ (Zapier, IFTTT, Google Calendar, Slack, Notion) | Siri Shortcuts, Apple Calendar, limited third-party |
| collaboration | yes (comments, shared projects, team features) | no |
| offline access | yes | yes |
| recurring tasks | advanced (natural language) | yes |
| project organization | projects, sections, labels, filters | areas, projects, headings, tags |
| design | clean, functional | premium, award-winning |
| AI features | Task Assist, Ramble (voice to task) | none |
todoist overview
Todoist has been around since 2007 and has grown into one of the most popular task managers on the planet with over 40 million users. it runs on practically everything. Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, web browsers, email clients, and even wearables.
the free tier gives you 5 personal projects, smart quick add, task reminders, and both list and board layouts. that is genuinely useful for a solopreneur just getting started. upgrading to Pro at $5 per month (billed yearly) or $6 monthly unlocks 300 projects, calendar layout, task duration tracking, custom reminders, 150 filter views, unlimited activity history, and AI-powered features like Task Assist and Ramble.
Ramble is Todoist’s newest addition. it lets you speak your thoughts naturally and the AI converts them into structured tasks. for solopreneurs who are always on the move, this is a game changer.
what really sets Todoist apart is its natural language input. type “submit proposal to client every Friday at 3pm #work p1” and it parses the due date, recurrence, project, and priority instantly. no clicking through dropdown menus.
the 80+ integrations also make Todoist a strong hub for your workflow. connect it to Google Calendar, Slack, Zapier, IFTTT, Notion, and dozens more. if you are already using tools like Zapier or Make for automation, Todoist slots right in.
things 3 overview
Things 3 is made by Cultured Code, a small German studio that has won the Apple Design Award twice. the app was completely rebuilt from the ground up in its latest version and it shows. every animation, every interaction, every pixel feels intentional.
Things 3 uses a one-time purchase model. you pay $49.99 for the Mac app, $9.99 for iPhone (includes Apple Watch), and $19.99 for iPad. there is also a Vision Pro version. no subscriptions, no recurring charges. for a solopreneur watching every dollar, this is extremely attractive.
the organizational structure in Things 3 revolves around Areas (broad categories like “business” or “personal”), Projects (specific goals with deadlines), and Headings (sub-sections within projects). you also get tags for cross-cutting labels and a Today view that blends your calendar events with your task list.
the “This Evening” feature is something I genuinely love. it lets you separate tasks you will handle later in the day from your morning priorities. it is a small touch but it makes daily planning feel more human.
Things 3 also has natural language input. type “Wed 8pm” and it understands. it is not quite as powerful as Todoist’s parser but it covers most common scenarios well.
syncing happens through Cultured Code’s own Things Cloud service, which is fast and reliable across all your Apple devices.
head-to-head comparison
design and user experience
Things 3 wins here, and it is not even close. the app feels like it was designed by people who genuinely care about craft. animations are buttery smooth. the layout is spacious without wasting space. opening a to-do transforms it into a clean white card ready for your thoughts.
Todoist is well-designed too. it is clean, functional, and consistent across platforms. but it feels more utilitarian compared to the almost meditative experience of using Things 3. if design matters to you and it affects how often you actually open your task manager, Things 3 is the better pick.
features and flexibility
Todoist takes this round. the feature set is significantly broader. you get labels, filters (up to 150 on Pro), four priority levels, task comments, file attachments, activity history, and now AI features like Ramble. the calendar layout and task duration tracking are also valuable for time-blocking your day.
Things 3 covers the essentials well. Areas, Projects, Headings, tags, checklists, deadlines, and repeating tasks are all there. but there are no built-in filters, no priority levels (you use tags as a workaround), and no collaboration features at all. for a solo workflow this might be fine, but you have less room to grow.
pricing
Things 3 wins on long-term value. pay roughly $80 once for all three apps (Mac, iPhone, iPad) and you own them forever. no monthly drain on your budget. Todoist Pro costs $60 per year, which means Things 3 pays for itself in under 18 months.
the catch is that Things 3 charges separately for major version upgrades. when Things 4 eventually launches you will likely need to buy it again. still, Cultured Code has historically spaced these out by many years so the total cost of ownership remains low.
Todoist does offer a legitimately useful free plan though. if you are bootstrapping and every dollar matters, starting free on Todoist and upgrading later is a smart path. Things 3 has no free tier, only a 15-day trial on Mac.
platforms and accessibility
this is where the decision gets made for many people. Things 3 is Apple-only. Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro. there is no web app, no Windows version, no Android version, and no browser extension.
Todoist runs everywhere. Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, web, Wear OS, Apple Watch, browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and email plugins for Gmail and Outlook. if you use even one non-Apple device or want to access tasks from a shared computer, Todoist is the only option.
for solopreneurs who are fully embedded in the Apple ecosystem, Things 3 works beautifully. but the moment you need to check tasks on a Windows machine or hand an Android phone to a VA, you are stuck.
integrations
Todoist offers 80+ native integrations plus connectivity through Zapier, IFTTT, and Make. connect it to Google Calendar for two-way sync, pipe tasks from Slack, create to-dos from emails, or build custom automations that streamline your entire workflow.
Things 3 is more limited here. it supports Siri Shortcuts, which lets you create tasks via voice commands or iOS automations. it integrates with Apple Calendar to show events in your Today view. and it has a URL scheme that power users can leverage for custom workflows. but there is no native Zapier integration, no Slack connection, and no API in the traditional sense.
if your business runs on multiple SaaS tools and you need your task manager to talk to everything else, Todoist is the clear winner.
natural language input
both apps support natural language input but Todoist is meaningfully ahead. you can type full sentences like “call accountant next Tuesday at 10am every month #finances p2” and Todoist will parse the date, recurrence, project, and priority in one shot.
Things 3 handles dates well. “tomorrow”, “next Saturday”, “in 4 days”, and specific dates like “Aug 1” all work. but it does not parse projects, tags, or priority from the same input field. you need to set those separately.
for solopreneurs who add dozens of tasks per day, Todoist’s quick add is noticeably faster.
and the winner is…
for most solopreneurs, Todoist wins. here is why.
as a solopreneur, you need a task manager that connects to your other tools, works on any device you might use, and scales with your business. Todoist checks all three boxes. the free plan lets you start without risk, the Pro plan is affordable, and the integrations mean you can build real automation around your task management.
Things 3 is the better app if you value design above all else, you are 100% committed to the Apple ecosystem, and you prefer a calm, focused task management experience without the noise of integrations and collaboration features. it is also cheaper in the long run if you do not mind the Apple lock-in.
my recommendation: if you are an Apple-only solopreneur who values simplicity, go with Things 3. you will love every second of using it. if you need flexibility, cross-platform access, and the ability to automate your workflow with tools like Zapier or Make, Todoist is the smarter choice.
alternatives worth considering
if neither Todoist nor Things 3 feels right, here are a few other options:
- TickTick offers a middle ground with cross-platform support, a built-in pomodoro timer, and a calendar view on the free plan.
- Notion is better if you want task management combined with notes, databases, and wikis in one tool. check out our Notion vs ClickUp comparison for more details.
- Apple Reminders has gotten surprisingly capable and it is completely free if you are in the Apple ecosystem.
frequently asked questions
is Things 3 worth it over Todoist?
Things 3 is worth it if you are fully in the Apple ecosystem and want a beautifully designed, distraction-free task manager with no recurring costs. if you need cross-platform support or deep integrations, Todoist is the better value.
can I use Things 3 on Windows or Android?
no. Things 3 is exclusively available on Apple platforms: Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. there is no Windows, Android, or web version. if you use any non-Apple devices, Todoist or TickTick are better alternatives.
does Todoist have a free plan?
yes. Todoist’s free Beginner plan includes 5 personal projects, smart quick add, task reminders, list and board layouts, 3 filter views, and integrations. it is one of the most generous free plans among task managers.
which is better for GTD (Getting Things Done)?
Things 3 is more naturally aligned with GTD methodology. its Areas, Projects, and Today/Upcoming/Anytime/Someday structure maps closely to GTD concepts. Todoist can be configured for GTD using labels and filters but requires more setup.
will Things 3 get a major update soon?
Cultured Code has not announced Things 4. the current version has been continuously updated with significant improvements including a complete redesign, Vision Pro support, and new features like natural language input. historically, major version releases have been spaced years apart.
looking for more tools to run your solo business? check out our guide to the best free project management tools and best AI tools for solopreneurs.
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