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Productivity

Things 3

The most beautiful task manager exclusive to the Apple ecosystem with impeccable design. Well-implemented GTD philosophy and one-time purchase without subscription. A functional work of art for those who value aesthetics.

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Who's it for?OpsFounder

Review by a Growth Engineer

My verdict: the art of task management, but a closed ecosystem.

Things 3 isn't just a todo app, it's a functional work of art. The design encourages daily use. But Apple lock-in is real: no Web version, no Windows, no collaboration. The one-time purchase (80 euros for everything) is economical in the long term, but the lack of product evolution worries some users.

What I like less: Apple-only with no escape, no team collaboration, almost no integration with other tools, no web version, high entry price with no way to test.

My advice: if you're 100% Apple and work solo, Things 3 is a one-time investment that will serve you for years. For collaboration or multi-platform, take Todoist.

Why add it to your stack?

When the tool is beautiful, you use it. Things 3 makes task management pleasant.

What you can do with it

  • 1Organize your personal and professional life with GTD methodology
  • 2Plan your day with Today, Upcoming and Anytime for natural organization
  • 3Structure your complex projects with clear headings and sections
  • 4Quickly capture your ideas with Quick Entry and keyboard shortcuts

What it does

  • Premium design
  • GTD philosophy
  • One-time purchase (no subscription)
  • iCloud sync
  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Headings and sections

How much?

Starting at 10

50 euros Mac, 10 euros iPhone, 20 euros iPad. One-time purchase.

The detailed verdict

Do I really need this?

Replaceable by Todoist or Apple Reminders for most people. Apple lock-in is a real problem if you change ecosystems one day. Hard to recommend for those who aren't 100% Apple.

Does it play nice with my stack?

Very few integrations, just Apple Shortcuts. No Zapier, no public API, no sync with other tools. It's a closed ecosystem that can be limiting for complex workflows.

Is it easy to pick up?

Simplified GTD with Inbox, projects and areas, everything is natural. Getting started is immediate for Apple users. Keyboard shortcuts are excellent once mastered.

Is the UX any good?

Probably the most beautiful productivity app, every animation is perfect. The design really encourages daily use. Only downside: the app hasn't evolved much in recent years, some find it stagnant.

Is it worth it?

One-time purchase vs subscription, it's economical in the long term if you stay on Apple. But 80 euros for Mac + iPhone + iPad, that's a painful entry price. Impossible to test before buying, it's frustrating.

What I like

  • Apple users who value design and aesthetics in their tools
  • Well-implemented GTD philosophy with Today, Upcoming and Anytime
  • Economical one-time purchase in the long term without recurring subscription

What I like less

  • Windows or Linux users as it's exclusively Apple with no web version
  • Team collaboration impossible as there's no task sharing
  • High entry price of 80 euros for Mac plus iPhone plus iPad

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