7 Best Things 3 Alternatives in 2026
(Cross-Platform + AI Options)
Things 3 is the most beautifully designed task manager on Apple devices. But it's Mac and iOS only, has no email integration, and every task still requires manual entry. If you need Windows or Android support, want tasks to appear automatically from your inbox, or just want more than a list, here are 7 solid alternatives.
What is the best Things 3 alternative in 2026?
- alfred_ ($24.99/month): if you want tasks extracted automatically from emails and meetings, no manual entry required.
- Todoist (free-$8/month): best cross-platform alternative that works on Windows, Android, and web.
- OmniFocus ($9.99/month): best if you need Things 3-level depth on Apple with more advanced GTD features.
- TickTick (free-$2.79/month): best budget-friendly option with cross-platform support and habit tracking.
Why People Look for Things 3 Alternatives
Things 3 has one of the most devoted followings in productivity software. Its design is genuinely exceptional, and Cultured Code has refined it over more than a decade. But there are real limitations that push people toward alternatives:
- •Mac and iOS only, no exceptions: Things 3 has no web version, no Windows app, and no Android app. If you ever switch platforms or need to access tasks from a work Windows machine, you're locked out entirely
- •No email integration: virtually every professional's real task list lives in their inbox. Things 3 doesn't connect to email, which means you manually copy action items from email threads into the app — a tedious workflow that breaks down under volume
- •Expensive upfront cost for all devices: $49.99 for Mac, $9.99 for iPhone, and $19.99 for iPad adds up to $79.97 to cover a basic Apple setup. There's no subscription-with-all-platforms bundling
- •No collaboration features: Things 3 is a solo tool. There's no sharing, no assignment of tasks to others, and no team workspace. If you need to hand off work or share a project, you're on your own
- •No AI features: Things 3 predates the AI era and hasn't added AI capabilities. It doesn't suggest priorities, extract tasks from other sources, or automate any part of your workflow. Everything is still entirely manual
The alternatives below range from free cross-platform apps to AI-powered task automation. Here are the 7 best options in 2026.
alfred_
The task list that builds itself from your emails and meetings.
alfred_ approaches task management from a completely different angle than Things 3. Instead of you manually entering every action item, alfred_ reads your emails, monitors your calendar, and extracts tasks automatically. A client says 'can you send that proposal by Friday' — alfred_ catches it. Your boss assigns action items in a meeting recap — they appear in your task list. Follow-ups you promised but haven't sent — flagged automatically. alfred_ also triages your inbox, drafts email replies, and delivers a daily briefing each morning so you start the day knowing exactly what needs attention. It's not a prettier Things 3. It's a fundamentally different approach to work management.
Pros
- Automatic task extraction from emails and meetings: no manual entry required
- AI email triage: reads, prioritizes, and drafts responses to your inbox
- Follow-up tracking: flags emails that need a reply so nothing slips
- Daily briefings: morning summary of your schedule, pending tasks, and priorities
- Cross-platform: web-based, works on any OS
Cons
- Focused on individual professionals, not team project management
- More expensive than Things 3 on a monthly basis
Todoist
Reliable task management that works on every platform, everywhere you work.
Todoist is the most popular Things 3 alternative for one simple reason: it works everywhere. Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web, Slack, email integrations. It uses natural language date parsing ('tomorrow at 3pm'), supports nested projects, labels, filters, priority levels, and offers a clean interface that doesn't require a GTD degree to understand. The free plan is genuinely useful, and Pro at $4/month adds reminders and filters.
Pros
- Full cross-platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web, and browser extension
- Natural language date parsing for fast task entry
- Projects, sub-tasks, labels, filters, and priority flags
- Integrations with Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, and 80+ apps
- Free plan with real functionality (5 projects, 5 collaborators)
Cons
- Still fully manual: every task must be typed in by you
- No email triage or AI task discovery
- Less polished on macOS than Things 3
OmniFocus
The deepest GTD task manager on Apple platforms — for those who want more than Things 3 offers.
OmniFocus is the other premium Apple task manager. Where Things 3 prioritizes simplicity and design elegance, OmniFocus prioritizes depth and power. It has a full custom perspectives system, defer dates alongside due dates, sequential vs parallel projects, review mode, and AppleScript/Shortcuts automation. If Things 3 feels too simple for your workflow and you don't want to leave Apple, OmniFocus is the natural step up.
Pros
- Custom Perspectives: build filtered views exactly matching your workflow
- Sequential and parallel project types for complex dependency management
- Defer dates to hide tasks until they become relevant
- Review mode for structured weekly GTD reviews
- Apple Shortcuts and AppleScript automation support
Cons
- Apple-only: no Windows, Android, or web (same platform lock as Things 3)
- Steep learning curve: takes weeks to configure meaningfully
- Subscription at $9.99/month is more expensive than Things 3's one-time purchase over time
TickTick
Cross-platform task management with habits, Pomodoro, and calendar in one app.
TickTick is a strong Things 3 alternative for anyone who needs cross-platform support without paying premium prices. It works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web. Beyond basic tasks, it adds built-in habit tracking with streaks, a Pomodoro timer, an Eisenhower matrix view for priority sorting, and a calendar view that shows tasks and events together. The free plan covers most use cases, and Premium at $2.79/month is substantially cheaper than Things 3 across multiple devices.
Pros
- True cross-platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web
- Built-in habit tracker alongside task management
- Pomodoro timer integrated directly into the task view
- Eisenhower matrix view for urgency/importance prioritization
- Premium at $2.79/month: lower ongoing cost than Things 3 multi-device
Cons
- Still fully manual: every task must be entered by you
- Interface is more cluttered than Things 3's clean design
- China-based company raises data privacy concerns for some users
Apple Reminders
Free, built-in, and surprisingly capable since Apple's 2019 and 2022 updates.
Apple Reminders shipped as a simple list app for years, but major updates in 2019 and 2022 transformed it into a capable task manager. It now supports subtasks, sections within lists, smart lists (Today, Scheduled, Flagged, All), tags, rich text notes, Siri integration, and collaboration via iCloud. It syncs across Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch natively. For casual users who don't need GTD depth or project management, it covers the essentials at no cost.
Pros
- Completely free, included with every Apple device
- Subtasks, sections, tags, and smart list views added in recent updates
- Deep Siri integration for hands-free task capture
- Collaboration: share lists with family or colleagues via iCloud
- No setup required, works out of the box on all Apple devices
Cons
- Apple-only: no Windows, Android, or meaningful web access
- No time-blocking, Kanban view, or project management features
- No email integration or AI features
Notion
Tasks, notes, wikis, and databases in one flexible workspace.
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that lets you build a custom task management system using databases with views (board, list, calendar, gallery, timeline). Unlike Things 3, which focuses purely on tasks, Notion combines tasks with documents, meeting notes, project wikis, and team knowledge bases. You can build a GTD system in Notion, a project tracker, or a simple daily task list — depending on how much you want to set up.
Pros
- Cross-platform: web, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android
- Custom task databases with board, list, calendar, and timeline views
- Documents, wikis, and tasks all in one workspace
- Notion AI for summarizing, generating content, and answering questions about your pages
- Free plan for individual use with generous limits
Cons
- Requires significant setup to build a reliable task system
- Less opinionated than Things 3: consistency depends entirely on self-discipline
- Can feel overwhelming compared to Things 3's intentional simplicity
Linear
Issue tracking and project management built for engineering speed.
Linear is a task and issue tracker purpose-built for software teams. It's not trying to be Things 3 — it's designed for developers who need to track bugs, features, and sprints at high velocity. Linear offers keyboard-first navigation, automated workflows, Git integrations (GitHub, GitLab), roadmaps, and sub-issues. If you're a developer or technical PM using Things 3 to manage code-related work, Linear is the specialized alternative worth considering.
Pros
- Built for engineering workflows: issues, cycles (sprints), roadmaps, and milestones
- Keyboard-first navigation for fast task management without mouse
- Native GitHub, GitLab, and Sentry integrations
- Automated workflows: auto-close issues on PR merge, status updates from CI
- Free tier for up to 250 issues and 3 members
Cons
- Overkill for personal task management outside software development
- Not suitable for non-technical workflows
- No email integration or AI task discovery
| Feature | alfred_Best Overall | Todoist | OmniFocus | TickTick | Reminders | Notion | Linear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Task Discovery | Full (emails + meetings) | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Email Integration | Yes (triage + drafts) | Email-to-task | Email capture | No | No | No | No |
| Cross-Platform | Web (any OS) | All platforms | Apple only | All platforms | Apple only | All platforms | Web + Mac + Windows |
| Collaboration | Individual | Shared projects | None | Shared lists | iCloud sharing | Full workspace | Team platform |
| Price | $24.99/mo | Free-$8/mo | $9.99/mo | Free-$2.79/mo | Free | Free-$18/user | Free-$16/user |
How to Choose the Right Things 3 Alternative
The right alternative depends on what's actually frustrating you about Things 3:
- •Tired of manual task entry? alfred_ ($24.99/month) extracts tasks automatically from your emails and meetings. The list builds itself instead of waiting for you to type things in
- •Need Windows or Android support? Todoist (free-$8/month) is the most direct Things 3 equivalent with full cross-platform coverage and a nearly identical feature set
- •Apple user who wants more depth? OmniFocus ($9.99/month) offers custom perspectives, defer dates, and review mode for serious GTD practitioners who've outgrown Things 3
- •Want cross-platform without high cost? TickTick (free-$2.79/month) gives you Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android with habit tracking and Pomodoro for less than Things 3 costs per device
- •Just want something free on Apple? Apple Reminders is now a capable task manager at no cost, covering subtasks, tags, smart lists, and Siri integration
- •Want tasks and docs combined? Notion (free-$18/user) lets you build a flexible task system alongside your notes, wikis, and project documentation
- •Developer or technical PM? Linear (free-$16/user) is purpose-built for engineering workflows with Git integrations, sprints, and automated status updates
The Bottom Line
Things 3 is a genuinely excellent product — arguably the best-designed task manager ever built for Apple. But its refusal to expand beyond the Apple ecosystem, its lack of any email integration, and its complete absence of AI features mean it was built for a different era of work than the one most professionals operate in today.
Most action items don't originate in a task app. They arrive in your inbox, get mentioned in meetings, or come up in Slack threads. Things 3 doesn't touch any of that. alfred_ does. If your real problem is that you're missing commitments because they came through email and you never wrote them down, alfred_ addresses the root cause in a way that none of the other alternatives on this list can.
Our Verdict
alfred_ is the best Things 3 alternative for professionals whose tasks come from email and meetings, not a task app.
Things 3 is a beautiful product with a deserved following. But it's Apple-only, manual, and disconnected from the email and meeting workflows where most professional work actually happens. The alternatives on this list cover different gaps: Todoist for cross-platform reach, OmniFocus for GTD depth on Apple, TickTick for budget cross-platform coverage. But if the core issue is that tasks keep slipping because you never got around to typing them into your app, alfred_ is the only tool here that solves that problem directly. It reads your email, finds the action items, and builds your task list — no manual entry required.
Best for
- Professionals who miss commitments made via email because they never got added to a task app
- Anyone who needs cross-platform access beyond macOS and iOS
- People tired of manually copying action items from email threads into Things 3
- Outlook and Gmail users who want deep inbox integration beyond what Things 3 offers
- Individual contributors who want a single AI assistant for email, tasks, and calendar
Not for
- Apple-only users who want maximum design quality and are happy with manual entry (Things 3 remains the best there)
- Teams needing full project management with assignments (use Asana or Linear)
- GTD power users on Apple who want deep custom perspectives (use OmniFocus)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Things 3 alternative for Windows?
Todoist is the best Things 3 alternative for Windows users. It offers a nearly identical feature set — projects, due dates, priority flags, recurring tasks, and natural language input — across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web. The free plan covers most individual use cases, and Pro at $4/month adds reminders and filters. TickTick is also worth considering at $2.79/month with habit tracking and a Pomodoro timer included.
Is Things 3 worth the price?
Things 3 is worth it if you're an Apple-only user who values design and wants a GTD-structured task manager with no subscription. The one-time purchase ($49.99 Mac, $9.99 iPhone, $19.99 iPad) pays off over time compared to monthly subscriptions. But it's not worth it if you need Windows or Android access, want email integration, need collaboration features, or want any AI capabilities — it offers none of those.
Does alfred_ replace Things 3?
alfred_ approaches task management differently than Things 3. Instead of a structured GTD system where you manually organize projects and areas, alfred_ extracts tasks automatically from your emails and meetings. It also adds email triage, follow-up tracking, daily briefings, and calendar management — things Things 3 doesn't touch. For professionals whose tasks mostly originate in email and meetings, alfred_ eliminates the manual entry that Things 3 relies on. $24.99/month with a 30-day free trial.
Can Things 3 sync with email?
Things 3 has no native email integration. You can use the Things URL scheme to create tasks from third-party apps, and some email clients let you send emails to Things via share sheets on iOS. But Things 3 doesn't connect to Gmail or Outlook, doesn't extract tasks from email content, and doesn't track follow-ups. alfred_ is the alternative that handles email integration directly — reading your inbox, finding action items, and adding them to your workflow automatically.
What's the difference between Things 3 and OmniFocus?
Things 3 prioritizes beautiful design and intentional simplicity. OmniFocus prioritizes depth and power. OmniFocus offers custom Perspectives (saved filter views), defer dates, sequential vs parallel projects, a structured Review mode, and AppleScript/Shortcuts automation. Things 3 is faster to learn and more pleasant to use daily. OmniFocus rewards the investment in learning it with more precise workflow control. Both are Apple-only and both require manual task entry.
Is there a free Things 3 alternative?
Yes. Apple Reminders is a free, capable Things 3 alternative for Apple users — it now supports subtasks, tags, smart lists, and Siri integration after significant updates. TickTick has a generous free plan with cross-platform support including Windows and Android. Notion's free plan includes unlimited personal use with task database views. All three still require manual task entry. alfred_ offers a 30-day free trial if you want to try AI-powered task automation first.
Try alfred_
Stop Copying Tasks from Email. Let alfred_ Find Them.
Things 3 waits for you to type tasks in. alfred_ reads your emails, scans your meetings, and builds your task list automatically. Cross-platform, AI-powered, and connected to your inbox. $24.99/month with a 30-day free trial.
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