Things 3: The Best Task Manager for Mac Users?

In the bustling world of productivity tools and apps, finding the perfect task manager for Mac users can be a daunting quest. Among a sea of options, Things 3 emerges as a beacon of simplicity and elegance, intriguing those who seek both efficiency and aesthetic pleasure in their digital toolset. Despite its apparent simplicity, Things 3 has carved out a top spot for itself, standing tall next to rivals like OmniFocus, Todoist, and TickTick. This is particularly notable, considering it might offer fewer features on paper. Yet, it begs the question: What makes Things 3 the best task manager for Mac users in a landscape dotted with heavyweights?

As we delve into the intricacies of Things 3, we will explore its ease of use, robust task management capabilities, versatile input methods, and seamless calendar integration. We'll also touch on how its reminder and notification system stands out, offering users just the right nudge at the right time. While collaboration features might not be its forte, we'll discuss how this focus on personal productivity shapes the core experience of the Things app. Moreover, understanding the value proposition of Things 3 becomes crucial when we examine its pricing structure compared to other task management solutions. Join us as we unpack whether Things 3 truly holds the crown as the premier task manager for Mac users, providing a comprehensive to-do list and project management ecosystem that adeptly balances functionality with form.

Overview of Things 3

Things 3 has established itself as a leading task manager for Mac users, offering a unique blend of simplicity, elegance, and powerful features. Despite having fewer features than some of its competitors, Things 3 stands out for its design, usability, and the thoughtful way it integrates into the daily lives of its users. Let's delve into what makes Things 3 the preferred choice for many.

Introduction to Things 3

Things 3 is not just another task management app; it's a tool designed to help you plan your day, manage your projects, and achieve your goals with ease. Honored twice with the prestigious Apple Design Award, Things 3 has been praised for its blend of powerful functionality and ease of use. Its simple yet beautiful design ensures that it never feels messy or overbearing, no matter how long your task list is. The app encourages you to focus on what matters today, making everything from routine tasks to your biggest life goals neatly organized and off your mind within an hour of use.

Key Features of Things 3

Things 3 offers a range of features that cater to both power users and those who appreciate simplicity. One of its standout features is the way it handles to-dos. Opening a to-do in Things 3 transforms it into a clear white piece of paper, ready for your thoughts, with additional details like tags, a checklist, a start date, and a deadline neatly tucked away until you need them. This approach ensures there are no distractions, just you and your thoughts.

The app also boasts a powerful Quick Find feature, making search and navigation remarkably fast. Just start typing the name of a project, to-do, or tag, and you're instantly taken there. The results show up instantly and update blazingly fast as you type, narrowing your search on the fly. Additionally, the Magic Plus button adds a touch of magic to every interaction, allowing you to insert a new to-do exactly where you want it with a simple drag and drop.

Things 3's support for Markdown notes in projects and tasks, its collection of keyboard shortcuts, fast sync, and native support for Shortcuts further enhance its functionality, making it a powerful tool that's still simple and delightful to use.

Platforms Supported

One of the critical aspects of Things 3 is its availability across all Apple platforms, making it an ideal choice for Mac users. You can use Things 3 on Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch, ensuring that your tasks are always synced and accessible, regardless of which device you're using. The app is a one-time purchase for each platform, with no subscriptions required, and syncing between devices is offered at no extra charge through the Things Cloud service. However, it's important to note that Things 3 is not available on non-Apple devices such as Windows, Android, Linux, or through a web browser.

Despite its limitations in terms of cross-platform availability, Things 3's focus on Apple devices allows it to leverage the ecosystem's strengths, providing a seamless and integrated experience for users. Its design and functionality are optimized for each device, from the comprehensive interface on Mac to the simplified, distraction-free versions on iPhone and iPad, and the quick glance capabilities on Apple Watch. This attention to detail and the app's ability to adapt to different devices while maintaining a consistent user experience makes Things 3 stand out as the best task manager for Mac users.

Ease of Use

User Interface

We often find ourselves in awe of Things 3's user interface, which is a masterpiece of design and functionality. The app never feels messy or overbearing, no matter the length of your task list. Its lovely, unfolding animations keep your place, and a super-fast search tool is there if you ever get lost. This is the rare to-do list app that doesn't try to force you into a particular way of thinking; it's more like a clean, crisp piece of paper, ready whenever you need it. The interactions are delightful, with smooth animations and more structured content, making the concepts clearer. However, it's worth noting that some users might find Things 3 uses too much white space, which can lead to a bloated, stretched-out scrolling experience in particular views.

Keyboard Shortcuts

The ease of use extends to the comprehensive collection of keyboard shortcuts that Things 3 offers, making it incredibly efficient for those of us who prefer not to take our hands off the keyboard. You can control Things on your Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro with these shortcuts, which cover a wide range of actions from creating new to-dos, opening selected items, moving items between lists, and even styling text with Markdown. For example, to quickly view the most common shortcuts in Things, you simply press and hold ⌘ Cmd. This feature showcases how Things 3 integrates deeply with macOS to enhance user productivity.

Scribble Support

For iPad users, Things 3's support for Scribble is a game-changer, bringing the Apple Pencil new powers for those who love handwriting. With Scribble, you can start writing anywhere in the app to create a new task, adding to the day's view, projects, or even your inbox with ease. This feature is excellent for quickly jotting down tasks without needing to type them out. While Scribble dramatically enhances the ease of use for Apple Pencil users, it's noted that the biggest drawback is its inability to add tasks directly into the tag view, which is a limitation worth considering.

In summary, Things 3's user interface, keyboard shortcuts, and Scribble support collectively contribute to its reputation as the best task management app for Mac users. Despite having fewer features than some competitors, these elements of ease of use ensure that Things 3 remains a top choice for productivity seekers who value efficiency and a seamless user experience.

Task Management Capabilities

Project Documentation

In Things 3, the organization of tasks and projects is highly intuitive. Projects can be created from tasks that require multiple steps, ensuring a clear pathway from inception to completion. For those tasks that aren't immediately actionable or are of lower priority, the 'Someday' and 'Upcoming' lists provide a space to park ideas until they're ready to be revisited. This flexibility allows users to maintain a clean and relevant list of projects they are actively committed to without losing sight of future ambitions. Additionally, the ability to group projects and tasks under specific areas such as Family, Career, or Health helps users maintain focus on various life aspects, nurturing and growing them over time.

Due Dates vs. Deadlines

Things 3 offers a sophisticated approach to managing time-sensitive tasks. Users can assign both a start date and a deadline to tasks, which helps in planning and executing tasks within a set timeframe. The 'Today' list shows tasks that need immediate attention, while the 'Upcoming' list prepares users for what lies ahead, and tasks with a future start date remain in hibernation until their time comes. This system ensures that deadlines are met without overwhelming the user, as tasks transition smoothly from 'Upcoming' to 'Today' as their start dates arrive. The distinction between due dates and deadlines is crucial; while due dates indicate when a task should ideally be completed, deadlines carry more weight and potential consequences if missed.

Task Organization and Structure

Things 3 excels in its task organization capabilities, allowing for detailed structuring within projects. Users can use headings to divide complex projects into manageable sections, making it easier to focus on specific aspects without getting overwhelmed. The support for Markdown in notes adds another layer of organization, enabling users to format text, create bullet lists, and highlight important information seamlessly. This structured approach is extended to the 'Areas' feature, where tasks are categorized under different life segments, ensuring that each area receives appropriate attention and care. The ability to view tasks by area or project, coupled with the option to use smart views like 'Today,' 'Upcoming,' and 'Anytime,' provides a comprehensive overview that aids in efficient task management.

In summary, despite having fewer features than some of its competitors, Things 3's task management capabilities are designed to offer a seamless and highly organized user experience. The thoughtful integration of features like project documentation, due dates versus deadlines, and task organization and structure not only simplifies task management but also enhances productivity, making Things 3 an outstanding choice for Mac users seeking a practical and elegant task management solution.

Input Methods

Quick Entry and Email Integration

Things 3 simplifies task creation with its Quick Entry feature, allowing users to create to-dos while working in other apps on Mac. By enabling Quick Entry's Autofill option, users can effortlessly grab links to websites, emails, or files for later reference, making it a versatile tool for capturing tasks on the fly. Additionally, Things 3 integrates email into task management seamlessly. Users can convert emails into to-dos by forwarding them to Things Cloud, where they appear in the Things Inbox with a link back to the original email, ensuring that no task is ever lost in the shuffle.

Natural Language Processing

Things 3 harnesses the power of natural language processing to significantly enhance user experience. Users can input dates and reminders in their own words, like "17 days from July 9" or "tues 8am," and the app intuitively understands and schedules it accordingly. 

Third-Party App Integrations

The versatility of Things 3 is further augmented by its integration with third-party apps. Users can import items directly into their Things Inbox from supported apps, streamlining the task management process. This integration is facilitated through various platforms such as Zapier, which expand the functionality of Things 3 by automating task creation from a wide range of sources. Additionally, the app's support for Apple's Shortcuts app allows users to quickly save content from other sources into Things, enhancing productivity and ensuring a centralized system for managing tasks.

These input methods not only demonstrate Things 3's commitment to simplicity and efficiency but also highlight why it stands out as a superior task management tool despite having fewer features than some competitors. The seamless integration of these features into the user's workflow exemplifies Things 3's ability to provide a powerful yet user-friendly experience, catering perfectly to the needs of Mac users.

Reminders and Notifications

Setting Up Reminders

In Things 3, setting up reminders is a straightforward process designed to enhance productivity without disrupting workflow. On Mac, initiating a reminder is as simple as opening Things, clicking the "+" to add a new to-do, and then clicking "+ Add Reminder," where you can type a time and click "Done." For those who prefer keyboard shortcuts, pressing ⌘ Cmd S allows the use of natural language to set a reminder time, streamlining the process even further.

For iPad or iPhone users, the steps are equally user-friendly. After opening Things, you tap "+" to add a new to-do, tap "+ Add Reminder," use the time picker to set a reminder time, and then tap "Done." This ease of use extends to adjusting reminders, where you can snooze reminders for 10, 30, or 60 minutes, providing flexibility based on your needs.

Handling Overdue Tasks

Things 3 offers a unique approach to managing overdue tasks that sets it apart from other task management apps. Instead of labeling tasks as 'overdue,' which can discourage users, Things 3 opts to shift these tasks to the current day. This method aligns with the philosophy that task management should adapt to human psychology, not vice versa, making the app feel like a personal assistant who understands your workflow.

This approach reduces the anxiety associated with a growing list of overdue tasks and encourages regular interaction with the app. Users have noted that this method makes them more inclined to open the app each morning with a positive mindset, ready to tackle the day's tasks. This psychological consideration in design underscores why Things 3, despite having fewer features than some competitors, excels in user satisfaction and effectiveness in task management.

Calendar Integration

Syncing with Apple Calendar

To effectively manage both events and tasks, Things 3 offers a seamless integration with Apple Calendar. Users can easily enable this feature on Mac by navigating to the menu bar, selecting Things → Settings → Calendar Events, and checking the box for Show Calendar Events in Today and Upcoming lists. This integration lets you view your calendar events alongside your to-dos, providing a comprehensive overview of your day and upcoming week. The same functionality is available on iPad and iPhone, where users can open Things, tap Calendar Events, and switch on Show Calendar Events to view the calendars of their choice.

This integration is particularly beneficial as it supports our focus on productivity by displaying all pertinent information in one unified view. Despite having fewer features than some competitors, this streamlined integration highlights why Things 3 is highly effective for task management on Mac devices. It simplifies the process of managing daily tasks and appointments without the need for multiple apps, which can often be a source of distraction.

Limitations in Cross-Platform Integration

While Things 3 excels in its integration with Apple Calendar, it's important to note that it only supports calendar data from Apple's ecosystem. Third-party calendars, such as Google Calendar or Outlook, must first be synced with Apple Calendar to appear in Things. Additionally, Things 3 does not sync calendar data across devices; it only mirrors the calendar events from Apple Calendar on the device itself. This means that users must enable calendar integration separately on each device they use.

Moreover, there are some restrictions when it comes to managing calendar data within corporate or managed IT environments. If your device is under a corporate mobile device management (MDM) profile, certain calendar data might not be accessible unless Things is added as a managed app within that profile. Depending on their IT department's settings, this could prevent some users from fully utilizing the calendar integration feature.

Despite these limitations, the integration of Apple Calendar within Things 3 is designed to enhance productivity by reducing the complexity of managing separate apps for tasks and events. It underscores Things 3's commitment to providing a streamlined and focused user experience, even if it means embracing a more straightforward feature set compared to other task managers. This approach aligns with our philosophy that, often, simplicity leads to enhanced focus and productivity, making Things 3 an exceptional choice for Mac users.

Collaboration Features

Comparison with Other Task Management Apps

When we examine Things 3 in the context of collaboration, it clearly operates primarily as a solo task management system. Unlike Todoist, which allows users to share tasks, projects, and boards with others, Things 3 does not support real-time sharing of to-dos or lists. This is a significant distinction, as collaborative tools like Asana and Todoist enable users to invite others to join lists and assign tasks, enhancing teamwork and productivity within a shared project space.

In practical terms, this means that while you can use Things 3 for personal productivity, you cannot, for example, create a grocery shopping list that you share with your household where everyone can check off items as they are purchased. This functionality is commonplace in other apps like Asana, where the ability to track responsibilities and updates within a team is a crucial feature.

Limitations in Collaboration

Things 3's collaboration features have limitations. The app does not include the details inside each to-do (such as notes and tags) when sharing groups of to-dos. This is not due to a technical oversight, but is a current limitation of the platform. This can be a significant drawback for users who rely on collaboration for effective task management, especially in a professional setting.

Moreover, the absence of a web app restricts access to Things 3 to only those devices where the app is installed. This can pose challenges in environments where users do not have the autonomy to install applications on their devices, such as in some corporate or educational settings. If a device is lost or a user is traveling without their usual equipment, the lack of web access means they cannot reach their tasks, which is a flexibility offered by many cloud-based task management apps.

In contrast, platforms like Asana support extensive collaboration and integrate smoothly with various other apps, enhancing workflow efficiency and allowing for a more connected project management experience. Asana's robust feature set supports file sharing within tasks, updating progress, and easy communication, all of which are essential for effective team collaboration.

In summary, while Things 3 excels in design and user experience for individual task management, its collaboration capabilities are limited compared to other popular task management apps. This makes it more suitable for personal use than for environments where team collaboration is crucial.

Things 3 Pricing

Cost for Different Devices

To fully utilize Things 3 across all your Apple devices, you must purchase separate apps tailored for each platform. The macOS version is priced at $49.99, the iPhone and Apple Watch app costs $9.99, and the iPad version is available for $19.99. If you buy the entire suite to maintain synchronization across devices, you're looking at an approximate total of $80. This pricing structure allows you to choose which devices you need the app on, potentially saving money if you do not require cross-device functionality.

One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription Model

Things 3 adopts a one-time purchase model, meaning that once you buy the app, it's yours for life without any recurring fees. This contrasts with many other task management apps that operate on a subscription basis, requiring monthly or annual payments. The one-time purchase model can be appealing because it involves a single upfront cost without worrying about future payments. However, it's essential to consider that this model relies heavily on new users for revenue, which can be less predictable and stable than the subscription model.

Subscription models, as seen with other apps like Todoist and TickTick, offer a lower entry cost and the flexibility of ceasing payments if the service is no longer required. These models provide a steady income for developers and can be more enticing for users who prefer to spread out expenses. Moreover, subscription services often include continuous updates and enhancements without additional charges, which can justify the ongoing costs.

In summary, while the one-time purchase model of Things 3 means higher initial costs, it eliminates ongoing expenses, making it a cost-effective option in the long run if the app meets all your needs. Conversely, the subscription model offers flexibility and lower initial costs but requires continuous payment, which might add up significantly over time.

Conclusion

Through this detailed exploration of Things 3, we've seen its unique stance in the crowded market of task management apps. Despite offering fewer features than its competitors, Things 3 stands out for its unparalleled simplicity, elegance, and efficient functionality, perfectly catering to the needs of Mac users. The app expertly balances form with function, offering a seamless, focused user experience that prioritizes productivity. Its attention to design, ease of use, and powerful task management capabilities illuminate why Things 3 is often considered the best choice for individuals seeking a streamlined approach to organizing their daily lives and work.

Moreover, the significance of Things 3 extends beyond its aesthetic appeal, demonstrating a profound understanding of user needs through intuitive project management, seamless calendar integration, and personalized task handling. This focus on delivering a superior user experience while simplifying the complexity of task management truly sets Things 3 apart in a domain filled with versatile options. For readers looking to dive deeper into productivity strategies and explore the full potential of apps like Things 3, subscribing to our newsletter offers the latest updates on new articles. With a paid subscription, you'll gain access to premium content and articles, enriching your journey toward optimal productivity and organization.

FAQs

Is Things 3 Compatible with Mac?

Yes, Things 3 is fully compatible with Mac and offers deep system integrations to enhance your productivity. A notable feature is the Quick Entry with Autofill, which allows you to capture content from other apps and incorporate it into Things seamlessly, such as saving links or emails for later reference.

How Does Things 3 Stand Among GTD Apps?

Through extensive testing of numerous GTD (Getting Things Done) apps, Things 3 consistently emerges as the top choice for its well-rounded features, superior design, and user-friendly interface. It remains the preferred GTD app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, standing out for its efficiency and ease of use.

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