Things 3 Review 2025
Beautifully designed GTD task management for Apple devices
Quick Facts
Key Features
What Things 3 Does
Things 3 is a task manager that emphasizes beautiful design and GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology. It's Apple-only, using native interfaces on Mac, iPhone, and iPad that feel like they belong on the platform.
The one-time purchase model means no ongoing subscription—a rarity in modern productivity software.
Key Features
GTD Structure: Built around Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday views that map to GTD concepts. Projects with headers help organize complex work.
Beautiful Design: Things 3 won an Apple Design Award. The interface is clean, thoughtful, and a pleasure to use daily.
Quick Entry: Keyboard shortcuts for rapid task capture. The Magic Plus feature lets you add tasks with scheduling in one gesture.
Headings & Checklists: Projects can have headings to organize tasks into phases, plus checklists within tasks for sub-steps.
Pricing
One-time purchase: Mac ($50), iPhone ($10), iPad ($20). No subscription, includes updates. Sync via free Things Cloud (iCloud-based).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Gorgeous, native design
- • One-time purchase (no subscription)
- • Perfect GTD implementation
- • Fast and reliable
- • Great keyboard shortcuts
Cons
- • Apple only (no Windows/Android)
- • No collaboration features
- • No web version
- • Limited integrations
- • High upfront cost ($80 total)
Who It's Best For
Things 3 is perfect for Apple-only users who appreciate great design, GTD practitioners who want a tool that matches the methodology, individuals (not teams) managing personal and work tasks, and anyone tired of subscription fatigue.
Alternatives to Consider
- Todoist - Cross-platform, subscription
- TickTick - Cross-platform, similar features
- Apple Reminders - Free, built-in, simpler