Things 3 vs Todoist — One-Time Purchase or Subscription?

Things 3 and Todoist attract different people for different reasons. One is a beautifully made Apple-only app you buy once per device. The other runs everywhere and bills you every year.

In one sentence: Things 3 is the better-designed app if you live entirely in Apple's ecosystem and don't mind paying per device, Todoist wins on cross-platform and collaboration — and TODO is the free option that runs anywhere with a browser.

The Trade-Off in One Table

Feature	Things 3	Todoist	TODO
Platforms	Apple only	✅ All platforms	✅ Any browser + PWA
Pricing model	One-off, per device	Subscription	Free forever
Design quality	✅ Exceptional	Good	Minimal, calm
Collaboration / shared lists	❌ None	✅	✅ Free
Reminders	✅ Included	Pro only	✅ Free
Repeating tasks	✅	✅	✅
Web access	❌ Limited	✅	✅
Weekly planning view	Upcoming list	❌	✅
Automatic rollover	Today list	❌	✅ Automatic
Offline use	✅ Native	✅ Apps	✅ Offline-first PWA

Why People Love Things 3

Things 3 is one of the best-crafted pieces of consumer software on the Mac. The typography, the animations, the keyboard shortcuts, the way the Today list feels finished rather than endless — it's a genuine pleasure to use, and buying it once feels honest compared with a recurring charge.

The costs are real though: you buy it separately for Mac, iPad and iPhone, there's no Android or Windows, and there is no collaboration at all. If your partner or team needs to see the list, Things can't help.

Why People Choose Todoist Instead

Cross-platform coverage and shared projects. If you switch between a work Windows laptop and a personal Android phone, Things is simply not an option, and Todoist's ubiquity plus integrations become the deciding factor — subscription included.

If You Want Neither Bill

The two apps split the market between "pay once, Apple only" and "pay forever, works everywhere". TODO is the third corner: free, runs in any browser, installs as an app on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, and includes shared lists and reminders without a tier above it.

Where TODO Fits

TODO is a free task app built around one idea: the planning should take less effort than the work. There is no paid tier, so nothing is held back. You get unlimited lists, repeating tasks, shared lists, a weekly view that feeds your daily list, automatic rollover of anything you didn't finish, offline support as an installable app, and a productivity dashboard.

It won't replace a database or a project management suite. It replaces the notebook and the half-abandoned app you keep paying for.

Try TODO free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Things 3 better than Todoist?

Things 3 has better design and a one-off price, but it's Apple-only and has no collaboration. Todoist runs on every platform and supports shared projects, at the cost of a subscription for its key features.

Does Things 3 have a subscription?

No. Things 3 is a one-time purchase, but you buy it separately for Mac, iPad and iPhone.

Can you share lists in Things 3?

No. Things 3 has no collaboration or shared list features; it is designed for personal use only.

Is there a free app that works on both Apple and Android?

TODO runs in any browser and installs as an app on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, with shared lists, reminders and offline support included free.