If you're searching for the perfect task manager, you've probably come across Things 3—the beautifully designed, premium todo app beloved by Apple users. But is it worth the price tag? And how does it compare to Todone, a free alternative built on an entirely different philosophy? Let's find out.
Two very different approaches to productivity
Things 3 is a polished, feature-rich task manager designed for power users who want granular control over their projects and tasks. It's known for its beautiful design and tight Apple ecosystem integration.
Todone takes a radically different approach. Instead of competing on features, it focuses on how you feel when using it. Todone celebrates your completed tasks, uses gentle streaks that pause rather than reset, and is designed specifically for people who find traditional todo apps overwhelming or anxiety-inducing.
Head-to-head comparison
Platform availability
Things 3: Apple-only. Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. No Android, no Windows, no web app.
Todone: Works in any web browser. Cross-platform by design, with a Progressive Web App (PWA) that can be installed on any device.
Winner: If you live entirely in the Apple ecosystem, Things 3 offers a seamless native experience. But if you use multiple platforms or want flexibility, Todone wins here.
Pricing
Things 3: One-time purchase—but you pay separately for each device. Mac: £49.99. iPhone: £9.99. iPad: £19.99. That's nearly £80 for the full experience across all devices.
Todone: Free to start with generous limits. Pro upgrade available at £2/month or £19.99/year for unlimited tasks and sync.
Winner: Todone. You can use it indefinitely for free, and even the Pro plan costs less than Things 3's iPhone app alone.
Task organisation
Things 3: Projects, areas, tags, checklists, headings, "When" dates, deadlines, and repeating tasks. The structure is powerful but requires setup and maintenance.
Todone: A simple flat list with optional tags and priority levels. Daily focus mode to select 3-5 priorities. Recurring tasks for habits. That's it—by design.
Winner: Depends on your needs. Things 3 for complex project management. Todone for anyone who's abandoned elaborate systems because they became a chore.
The "wins first" philosophy
This is where Todone differs most dramatically from every other todo app, including Things 3.
Things 3: Completed tasks disappear into the Logbook. Your daily view shows what's undone. The focus is always on what you haven't finished yet.
Todone: Completed tasks stay front and centre. When you open the app, you see what you've accomplished—not what's weighing you down. This isn't just a design choice; it's a psychological one.
For people with ADHD or todo list anxiety, constantly staring at incomplete tasks creates stress. Todone flips that script.
Streaks and motivation
Things 3: No streak system. No gamification. Just a clean, neutral experience—which some users prefer.
Todone: Gentle streaks with a built-in grace day. Miss one day? Your streak pauses rather than resets. It's designed for sustainable habits, not guilt-driven motivation.
Design and aesthetics
Things 3: Stunning. There's no denying it—Things 3 is one of the most beautifully designed apps ever made. It won an Apple Design Award for good reason.
Todone: Clean, minimal, and modern with dark/light mode support. Less polished than Things 3, but intentionally uncluttered to reduce cognitive load.
Winner: Things 3 for pure aesthetics. But Todone's simplicity is a feature, not a limitation.
Who should choose Things 3?
- You're deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem
- You want a premium, native macOS/iOS experience
- You prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions
- You enjoy building sophisticated project structures
- Design quality is a top priority
- You thrive with traditional task management approaches
Who should choose Todone?
- You've tried "powerful" todo apps and felt overwhelmed
- You experience todo list anxiety
- You have ADHD and need positive reinforcement, not guilt
- You want something free or very affordable
- You use multiple platforms (Windows, Android, Linux, etc.)
- You prefer minimalist simplicity over feature depth
- You want to feel good about your productivity, not stressed
The verdict
Things 3 is an exceptional piece of software. If you're an Apple-only user who loves beautiful design and structured project management, it's worth the investment.
But Things 3 isn't for everyone. If you've tried sophisticated todo apps and found yourself abandoning them after a few weeks, that's not a personal failure—those tools require significant cognitive overhead to maintain.
Todone exists for a different reason: to make productivity feel sustainable and guilt-free. It's not about managing complex projects—it's about celebrating what you accomplish each day and building momentum without the anxiety.
Try Todone free
The best way to know which app works for you is to try it. Todone is free to start—no credit card required. Add a task, complete it, and see how it feels to have your wins celebrated instead of hidden.