Microsoft To Do vs Things 3: Choosing the Right Productivity Tool for You

What is Microsoft To Do

Microsoft To-Do is a streamlined and user-friendly task management application that integrates seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem. Designed to enhance productivity for both individual and professional use, MS To-Do stands out with its simple yet effective interface. It allows users to create lists, set reminders, and track tasks across various devices, ensuring accessibility and convenience. The app’s integration with Microsoft services like Outlook makes it a natural choice for users already embedded in the Microsoft environment. MS To-Do’s focus on simplicity and integration caters to those who need a straightforward, no-frills approach to task management while benefiting from the robustness of Microsoft’s technology.

Key Features of Microsoft To Do

• Task Addition: Easily add tasks and organize them in custom lists.
• Task Details: Add due dates, reminders, and files to tasks.
• Task Prioritization: Mark tasks as important for better focus.
• List Sharing and Collaboration: Share lists with others and assign tasks.
• Integration with Microsoft Tools: Seamlessly works with Outlook, Cortana, and other Microsoft applications.
• Customizable Themes and Backgrounds: Personalize the app with various themes and backgrounds for a unique user experience.

What is Things 3

Things 3, a distinguished entrant in the productivity tools arena, is acclaimed for its elegant design and powerful organizational capabilities. It’s a task management app that combines simplicity with a rich set of features, making it a favorite among users who appreciate both aesthetics and functionality. With its intuitive interface, Things 3 allows for effortless management of to-dos, reminders, and projects, all within a visually pleasing environment. The tool stands out for its unique task categorization approach and seamless synchronization across devices, ensuring users can stay organized wherever they go.

Key Features of Things 3

• Task Management: Organize your tasks easily with deadlines, priorities, and reminders.
• Project Organization: Group tasks into projects with subtasks and sections for better management.
• Calendar Integration: See your calendar events alongside your to-dos for effective planning.
• Quick Task Entry: Add tasks quickly while working in other apps, even using Siri for hands-free entry.
• Customizable Tags: Use tags for easy categorization and searching of tasks.
• Cross-Device Syncing: Keep your tasks updated across all your Apple devices with Things Cloud.

Microsoft To Do vs Things 3: Features

Features	Microsoft To Do	Things 3
Integrations	Microsoft Products such as Outlook, allows external apps to connect with their API	Zapier, including Slack, Gmail, Trello, Notion, Google Calendar, and Google Tasks
Calendar	Not Inbuilt	No built-in calendar
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and as a web and desktop app.	Available only on iOS platforms (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac).
Task Management	To-do lists, Task priorities, Subtasks, and color-coding items for organization.	Offers labels, tags, and recurring tasks
Natural Language Processing	Yes	No
Time Blocking	No	Not Available
Analytics	No	No
Meeting Scheduler	No	Yes
Time Zones	Yes	No
Reminders	Yes	Yes
Customer Support	Average	Good
1:1 User Onboarding	No	No
Pricing	Free	One Time Payment at $50

Microsoft To Do vs Things 3: Pricing

Microsoft To Do Pricing

MS To do is absolutely free.

Things 3 Pricing

Things 3 requires purchasing separate applications for different Apple devices: $49.99 for macOS, $9.99 for iPhone and Apple Watch, and $19.99 for iPad, totaling around $80 for the full suite.

Microsoft To Do vs Things 3: Reviews

Microsoft To Do Review

Microsoft To Do, with its cloud-based task management, offers a range of benefits. The app allows for effective organization and prioritization of tasks and integrates well with other Microsoft services. Users appreciate the ability to customize lists and set recurring tasks. However, some limitations include the lack of rich text formatting for hyperlinks, inability to import task lists directly into Excel, and restrictions in copying tasks between lists. Despite these cons, the biggest advantage of Microsoft To Do is that it’s completely free to use.

Things 3 Review

Things 3 is acclaimed for its visually appealing design and efficient personal project management tools, appealing to GTD enthusiasts with features like task filtering via tags. However, its high upfront cost for Apple devices and uncertainty about shifting to a subscription model are downsides. Despite its excellent design and one-time purchase model, the lack of collaboration tools, absence of location-based reminders, and incompatibility with non-Apple products are notable limitations. These factors could be crucial in determining whether Things 3 is the right task management tool for individual needs.

Which One Should You Pick

Consider Microsoft To Do if

1. You’re in the Microsoft Ecosystem: It integrates well with Office 365 services, but might not be the best standalone option for those not using other Microsoft products.
2. You Value Simplicity in Task Management: While it’s easy to use for basic task lists and reminders, it may lack advanced features found in more comphensive task managers.
3. You Prefer Free Tools: Microsoft To Do is free, making it accessible, but it might not offer the depth of paid apps in terms of features and customization.

Consider Things 3 if

1. You Appreciate Minimalism in Design: Things 3 might be suitable if you prefer a simple interface, though some users might find it too basic for complex task management.
2. You Need Basic Task Organization: It’s good for straightforward task organization but lacks advanced features like detailed time tracking or extensive integrations.
3. You Prefer a Non-Overwhelming Approach: Things 3 is a fit if you need a task manager that’s not too complex, though it may not satisfy those needing extensive productivity tools.

For an alternative daily planning app, consider Akiflow. It provides various features that Microsoft To Do or Things 3 might not have, while maintaining an interface for efficient task management. See if Akiflow meets your planning needs and explore its unique features today.