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Task management apps are valuable tools that boost productivity. They help individuals and teams organize and prioritize tasks. They offer a centralized hub to monitor and get reminded about crucial daily duties.
I’ve tested numerous task management apps to help readers make informed decisions. Today’s candidate is Things 3, which I rigorously tested to evaluate its pros and cons. This to-do list app offers a practical platform for organizing and prioritizing your tasks. Read on to learn about its features, customer support, user-friendliness, and how it compares to competitors.
Things 3: Plans and pricing
Things 3 has a unique pricing system. While most competitors charge annual or monthly subscriptions, Things 3 charges a one-time fee. But, you’ll have to pay separate fees to download the app on macOS, an iPhone, an iPad, and an Apple Watch.
It’s worth noting that Things 3 is only compatible with Apple’s software ecosystem. It doesn’t have a Windows desktop app or an Android mobile app, which I consider a disadvantage.
The iPhone and Apple Watch app costs $9.99. The iPad app costs $19.99, and the macOS app costs $49.99.
A roughly $10 payment for the iPhone app is fair by my standards. A $20 payment for the iPad app or $50 for the macOS app can feel expensive, but consider that it’s a one-time payment rather than a subscription.
If you use Things 3 for an extended period, the one-time fee will save you a considerable amount of money compared to paying subscription fees for a competitor. Understandably, you’ll want to test the app before paying the one-time fee; you can sign up for the 15-day free trial with all premium features unlocked.
Things 3: Features
Things 3 is a straightforward app with a wide range of features, including to-do lists, calendars, reminders, and more. However, it doesn’t offer many collaborative features, unlike some of its rivals. Let’s dive deeper into its functionalities below.
You can easily create and manage to-do lists. First, you’ll hit the “+ New List” button to name your new list. Then, clicking the “+” button in your list allows you to add a new task.
Your to-do lists on Things 3 feel like using a piece of paper with checklists. You can add details to every item, including a start date, tags, and a deadline. Of course, the app allows you to set a reminder for the task; you’ll receive a push notification on the due date. You can drag and drop tasks across your dashboard, making them easy to organize and manage.
Your reminders sync automatically on all your devices. For instance, if you have Things 3 installed on your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook, a reminder set on your iPhone will be pushed to all devices.
I also liked Things 3’s integration with Siri, which enabled me to set reminders via voice command. This feature makes the app seamless to use, as I didn’t need to type each time I wanted to add a new task. It’s one of the main highlights of using Things 3.
This app stands out by providing functionalities to sort your to-do lists. You can create headings to break up large tasks into smaller ones. You can use checklists to achieve a similar purpose. There’s a search bar that allows you to navigate to any task you’ve previously created, a valuable feature for users managing extensive lists.
Another standout feature is Things 3’s integration with the Touch Bar on macOS. It enabled me to create new tasks by clicking a button on the Touch Bar, rather than manually opening the app and taking additional steps.
Overall, Things 3 is a feature-rich app that I enjoyed using. My main complaint, feature-wise, is its exclusivity to the Apple ecosystem. I’d appreciate it if it became compatible with Windows and Android, but I doubt that’ll happen.
Things 3: Interface and use
Things 3 offers a smooth, stellar user interface. It felt noticeably easy to navigate, thanks to a minimalist interface with features neatly arranged. The white background and a few contrasting colors make finding and navigating features a breeze.
I’ve mentioned that Things 3 is only compatible with the Apple ecosystem. Another related complaint is its lack of a web interface, unlike most competitors I’ve tested. You can only use it as a native app, not in a web browser.
Things 3: Customer Support
Things 3 offers decent customer support. If you encounter any problems, you can visit the official support center and refer to the user guides for assistance. Things 3’s team created detailed manuals regarding all features; these manuals provide valuable help when troubleshooting problems.
If the support center isn’t satisfactory, you can contact Things 3’s support team via a contact form. There’s no live chat or telephone support, which I didn’t appreciate.
Things 3: The Competition
The task management app niche is an intensely competitive one. Things 3 has no shortage of competitors offering similar functions and additional features, all packaged into a single platform.
Superlist is the primary competitor I would like to highlight. It has one of the most intuitive interfaces, giving Things 3 a run for its money. Although they offer similar task management features, Superlist differentiates itself with collaborative and project management features that you won’t find in Things 3.
The drawback is that Superlist is subscription-based, costing $10 per month for premium features, whereas Things 3’s one-time fee is more cost-effective.
Any.do is another competitor I’d like to highlight. It offers broad task management features and is compatible with Windows and Android devices, unlike Things 3 that is locked into the Apple ecosystem. Yet, at $8 per month, Any.do is more expensive in the long term than Things 3.
Things 3: Final Verdict
Things 3 is an excellent task management app, but with a catch: it’s only compatible with Apple devices. It’s a cost-effective tool for organizing and prioritizing your personal tasks, but it’s not designed for collaborative use. I’ll recommend it to Apple device owners seeking a reliable task management solution.
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