Things 3 vs Ellie Planner: Comprehensive 2024 Comparison

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.

What is Ellie Planner

Ellie Planner is a daily planning application designed to help users organize their week through features like calendar integration, task management, and time-blocking techniques. It includes a brain dump area for capturing thoughts and tasks, and it supports integrations with major calendars and productivity apps such as Google Calendar, Outlook, and Todoist. Aimed at simplifying planning processes, Ellie Planner offers both a free plan and a premium subscription.

Key Features of Ellie Planner

• Calendar Integration: Ellie Planner syncs with major calendar services like Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing users to see their appointments and tasks in one unified view. This feature ensures that all commitments are aligned and easily accessible.
• Task Management: Users can create, assign, and track tasks within the planner. This helps in maintaining clarity on deliverables and deadlines, enhancing productivity and accountability.
• Time Blocking: The planner supports time-blocking techniques, encouraging users to allocate specific blocks of time for tasks, which helps in managing daily workloads more efficiently and reducing the likelihood of overcommitment.
• Customizable Views: Ellie Planner offers customizable views, enabling users to tailor the interface according to their personal productivity styles. This can include adjusting the layout of tasks, events, and notes to best suit one’s workflow.
• Brain Dump Feature: A dedicated space for “brain dumping” allows users to jot down ideas and tasks as they come, which can later be organized into actionable items. This feature helps in capturing all thoughts without disrupting workflow.
• Mobile Accessibility: The planner is accessible via a mobile app, providing the flexibility to manage schedules and tasks on the go. This ensures that users can stay updated with their plans irrespective of their location.

Things 3 vs Ellie Planner: Features

Things 3 vs Ellie Planner: Pricing

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.

Ellie Planner Pricing

Ellie Planner offers two main pricing options:

(i) Free Plan: Includes unlimited task creation, accessible via iOS and Web apps, and a feature called “Braindump”.

(ii) Ellie Pro Plan: Available for $9.99 per month or a one-time purchase of $299.99. It includes all the features of the free plan plus timeboxing, integration with Google and Apple Calendars, unlimited labels & subtasks, recurring tasks, due dates, and more.

Things 3 vs Ellie Planner: Reviews

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.

Ellie Planner Review

Ellie Planner is praised for its simplicity and effectiveness in daily planning, offering features like calendar and task views, brain dump for capturing thoughts, and integration with other apps like Google Calendar and Todoist. Users appreciate its clean interface and focus on time-blocking techniques to improve productivity. However, some drawbacks include its higher price point compared to alternatives like Todoist, and a relatively lighter set of features which may not suit those seeking more robust functionality. The app is primarily developed by a solo developer, which adds a personal touch but might affect the pace of feature updates and support. Overall, Ellie Planner is a commendable tool for those seeking a straightforward daily planner with essential features.

Which One Should You Pick

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.

Consider Ellie Planner if

1. You Appreciate Simplicity in Planning: Ellie Planner could be a good match if you prefer a straightforward, no-frills daily planner with essential features like calendar views and task lists. It might lack the depth of features found in more comprehensive tools.
2. You Use Basic Integration: If you need basic integrations with tools like Google Calendar or Todoist, Ellie Planner offers this functionality, though its integration options are not as extensive as some other planners.
3. You Enjoy Personalized Support: Since Ellie Planner is developed by a solo developer, you might appreciate the personal touch in customer support, although this could also mean slower updates and enhancements compared to bigger competitors.

Best Things 3 and Ellie Planner Alternative

Akiflow: Akiflow is a time management app offering time blocking, task scheduling, and integrations with various tools. It focuses on productivity and organization through a unified task and appointment interface.

Akiflow Price: $19 per month, paid annually