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Things 3: presentation, uses and limits in 2026
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Things 3 is a task management and to-do list app developed by Cultured Code, available exclusively on the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch). Launched in 2017, it has established itself as one of the benchmarks in the personal task manager category for Apple users, with a streamlined interface and a philosophy centered on the GTD (Getting Things Done) method.
The app lets you organize tasks into projects, areas of responsibility and lists, with a precise time planning system incorporating deadlines, reminders and a dedicated "Today" view. Things 3 stands out for the quality of its design, which has won several Apple Design Awards.
This page presents Things 3's current uses, the user profiles involved, the pricing model, key features, as well as the tool's structural limitations compared with other project management solutions available on the market.
Things 3 feedback
Things 3 is mainly used for managing personal and professional tasks in solo contexts. Its Today view, which automatically centralizes the day's planned tasks, is one of the strengths most cited by regular users. The organization into projects and zones enables responsibilities to be effectively segmented, whether for customer projects, administrative tasks or personal follow-up.
The tool is particularly effective for independent professionals, freelancers and creatives who work predominantly in the Apple ecosystem. Smooth synchronization between iPhone, iPad and Mac via iCloud, coupled with an interface free of visual overload, promotes rapid adoption and sustained daily use. Support for keyboard shortcuts on the Mac and Siri integration enhances operational efficiency.
The limitations observed mainly concern the absence of real-time collaboration, the lack of a web or Android version, and the lack of native integrations with third-party tools such as Slack, Notion or Google Calendar in depth. These constraints make the tool less suitable for teams or multi-platform environments.
When should Things 3 be used?
Things 3 meets the needs of structured personal planning, individual project tracking and day-to-day priority management. The application is suitable for users wishing to organize their workload according to a clear logic, with precise deadlines, contextual reminders and prioritization into areas of responsibility. It is particularly suited to people applying the GTD method or looking for a simple alternative to collaborative project management tools.
Many user profiles find Things 3 of direct interest: the freelancer or independent consultant managing several customer projects simultaneously; the content creator organizing his ideas, editorial deadlines and publication processes; the independent developer tracking his sprints and technical tasks outside a team tool; the marketing professional managing his campaigns and daily to-do lists; or the student or academic structuring his revisions, research projects and administrative deadlines.
A specific strength of Things 3 lies in the consistency of its time planning model: each task can be given a deferred start date, a deadline and a time reminder, enabling fine-grained time management without overloading the interface. This planning granularity is rarely so well executed in comparable to-do list applications.
Getting to grips with Things 3
Things 3 is considered one of the most accessible task management applications for beginners on the Apple ecosystem. No technical prerequisites are required to start using it. The interface is designed to be intuitive from the first opening, with a clear visual structure and a short learning curve. Handling difficulty is rated at an easy level, even for users with no prior experience of digital task management.
A number of features make it easy to get to grips with the application quickly:
- Uncluttered interface: straightforward navigation without complex menus or option overload
- Integrated tutorial: start-up guide offered on installation to discover the essential functions
- Automatic iCloud synchronization: no external account setup required for Apple users
- Mac keyboard shortcuts: faster typing for intermediate users
- Siri and Apple Shortcuts support: voice or automated task creation without advanced configuration
- Official documentation available at culturedcode.com/things/guide
Things 3 prices and pricing models
Things 3 is based on a single purchase model, with no monthly or annual subscriptions. Each version of the app (iPhone, iPad, Mac) is purchased separately, which can represent a significant cumulative initial investment for users wishing to access all platforms. No free trial period is offered directly, but the App Store does offer a limited-time refund policy.
The iPhone version is available for €9.99. It includes all task, project and zone management features, as well as iCloud synchronization, Siri integration and Apple Watch compatibility. It is suitable for users who mainly manage their tasks on the move.
The iPad version is priced at €19.99. It benefits from an interface optimized for large screens with Apple Pencil support and enriched drag-and-drop navigation. It is suitable for profiles working in a hybrid mode between tablet and desktop.
The Mac version is available at €49.99. This is the most comprehensive version, with full access to keyboard shortcuts, task import via e-mail, advanced integrations via Apple Shortcuts and rapid task creation from any macOS application. This unique subscription-free pricing offers a long-term cost advantage over SaaS-based tools. Minor updates are included; major updates can be paid for.
Key Things 3 features
The organization into projects and areas of responsibility forms the functional core of Things 3. Tasks can be grouped into projects (with a defined objective and possible end date) or zones (permanent thematic groupings such as "Work", "Personnel", "Finance"). Within each project, section headings, tasks and sub-tasks can be created, enabling a precise breakdown of deliverables. Projects can also be transformed into recurring lists for repetitive processes.
Things 3's time planning system is particularly advanced for a to-do list application. Each task supports three distinct levels of temporality: a start date (to defer the task's appearance in active views), a due date with alert, and an independent time reminder. The "Today" view automatically aggregates tasks scheduled for the current day, while the "To Come" view offers weekly and monthly workload projections. The "Pending" view keeps track of deliberately postponed tasks without cluttering up active lists.
Things 3 offers several advanced features aimed at users looking to automate or extend their workflow. Integration with the Apple Shortcuts application enables the creation of complex automations: automatic creation of tasks from other applications, generation of projects from templates, or conditional synchronization with other data sources. Things 3 also exposes a publicly documented URL scheme, enabling technical users to programmatically create tasks or projects from external tools.
Among the notable advanced capabilities:
- Importing tasks by e-mail: each Things 3 account has a unique e-mail address for creating tasks directly from the mailbox
- Siri integration: creating and viewing tasks by voice command
- Apple Watch: task consultation and completion from the wrist Markdown in notes: light formatting in task description fields
- Complete Mac keyboard shortcuts: navigation and typing entirely on the keyboard for power users Drag and drop iPad: intuitive reorganization of tasks and projects on touchscreen
Ce que Things 3 ne permet pas
Things 3 has significant structural limitations for certain contexts of use. The total absence of collaborative functionality - no project sharing, no assignment of tasks to another user, no shared comments - excludes the tool from any teamwork environment. The application is also exclusively available on Apple devices: no web version, no Android version, no browser extension. This means that users working in mixed environments or in an enterprise context cannot deploy Things 3 as a common solution. Furthermore, native integrations with common business tools (Slack, Google Workspace, Notion, Jira) are absent or very limited.
For uses that Things 3 doesn't cover, several alternatives exist depending on requirements: Todoist for cross-platform task management with lightweight collaboration, Asana or ClickUp for team-based project management with Kanban boards and dependencies, Notion for organization combining databases and tasks, or OmniFocus for advanced GTD management also centered on the Apple ecosystem but with more customization.
The main compromises to be accepted when using Things 3 are the confinement to the Apple ecosystem, the absence of real-time collaboration, the non-existence of a Kanban or Gantt view, and the platform-based purchasing model which can represent a non-negligible cumulative cost. The tool remains optimal for structured individual use, but quickly reaches its limits in collaborative or multi-environment business contexts.
FAQS
Is it reliable and secure?
Things 3 is developed by Cultured Code, a German studio founded in 2007, with a solid reputation in the Apple ecosystem and recognized stability for over fifteen years. The application regularly ranks among the App Store's top-rated apps in its category.
With regard to data security and confidentiality:
- Synchronization via iCloud: data transits through Apple's infrastructure, subject to Apple's privacy policies
- No storage on Cultured Code servers: data does not pass through proprietary third-party servers
- RGPD compliance: applicable for European users via Apple terms
- Local data: tasks are stored locally on the device and synchronized via iCloud
Is it compatible with my other tools?
Things 3 is exclusively compatible with the Apple ecosystem. Supported platforms are:
- iPhone : iOS 16 minimum recommended
- iPad : iPadOS 16 minimum recommended
- Mac : macOS 13 Ventura minimum recommended
- Apple Watch : watchOS 7 or higher
No Android, Windows or web versions are available. Native integrations are limited to the Apple ecosystem: Siri, Apple Shortcuts, iCloud, and Apple Watch. Importing tasks via e-mail is the main point of entry from external tools. For integrations with third-party services (Zapier, Make), automations can be built via the documented URL scheme or Apple Shortcuts, but they require manual configuration. There is no official public API or native connector with platforms such as Slack, Notion or Google Workspace.
Is there responsive customer support?
Customer support for Things 3 is provided by Cultured Code via several channels:
- Email support: accessible from the official website and from the app, with response times generally between 24 and 72 business hours
- Official documentation: a comprehensive guide is available at culturedcode.com/things/guide, covering all features
- Community and forums: an active presence on independent forums and Reddit means you can get answers from the community
- No telephone support or live chat
Support is available mainly in English. No premium support or dedicated onboarding is offered, which is consistent with the application's positioning as an individual tool. The quality of documentation is generally praised for its clarity and comprehensiveness.
What do other users think?
User feedback on Things 3 is positive overall, with clear trends identified on review platforms and specialist forums.
Recurring positive points:
- Polished design and uncluttered interface, regularly cited as best-in-class on Apple
- Fluid iCloud synchronization between Apple devices
- One-time purchase model perceived as advantageous in the long term
- Low learning curve and quick to get to grips with
- Application stability and rarity of reported bugs
Frequently mentioned criticisms and limitations:
- Total lack of collaboration or task sharing
- Not available on Android or as a web version
- Few native integrations with professional productivity tools
- No Kanban or Gantt view
- Potentially paying major updates
Can I easily change later?
Things 3 offers limited export options. Data can be exported in JSON format from the Mac version via access to local database files, but no native CSV or PDF export is available directly from the interface. Migration from Things 3 to another tool therefore often requires manual input or the use of third-party tools.
To import data into Things 3, the main option is to create tasks via e-mail or via the URL scheme. The main alternatives to consider depending on requirements:
- Todoist: for cross-platform use (Android, web, desktop) with lightweight collaboration
- OmniFocus: for advanced GTD management remaining within the Apple ecosystem
- TickTick: for a cross-platform alternative with integrated calendar view
- Asana or ClickUp: for collaborative team needs
- Notion: for organization combining tasks, databases and documentation
Alternatives
Specializing in business creation, sales and digital marketing, he puts his expertise at the service of users to help them identify the solutions best suited to their needs. Passionate about digital innovation and optimizing online performance, Alexis is committed to providing detailed, transparent and unbiased comparisons.
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