Things 3 vs TickTick: Choosing the Right Productivity Tool for You

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 TickTick

TickTick emerges as a versatile and comprehensive productivity tool in the crowded task management space. Known for its multifaceted features, TickTick caters to a wide range of users, from busy professionals to students seeking a structured approach to their tasks. The app offers a robust set of functionalities including task management, reminders, habit tracking, and even a built-in Pomodoro timer, making it a multifunctional tool for personal and professional use.

Key Features of TickTick

• Voice-Enabled Task Entry: Use voice commands for adding tasks quickly.
• Direct Task Creation from Emails: Easily transform emails into actionable tasks.
• Automated Reminder Setup: Set reminders intelligently based on dates mentioned in tasks.
• Customizable Task Duration: Allocate specific lengths of time to each task.
• Diverse Reminder Options: Set up different types of reminders, including those based on your location.
• Repeating Task Functionality: Simplify the management of tasks that occur on a regular basis.

Things 3 vs TickTick: Features

Features	Things 3	TickTick
Integrations	Zapier, including Slack, Gmail, Trello, Notion, Google Calendar, and Google Tasks	Slack, Zapier, Outlook, Alexa, IFTTT, Google Voice
Calendar	No built-in calendar	Only in Premium Version
Platforms	Available only on iOS platforms (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac).	Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Web
Task Management	Offers labels, tags, and recurring tasks	Task lists, filtering, sorting, and time tracking
Natural Language Processing	No	No
Time Blocking	Not Available	Available
Analytics	No	Limited
Meeting Scheduler	Yes	Yes
Time Zones	No	Yes
Reminders	Yes	Yes
Customer Support	Good	Average
1:1 User Onboarding	No	No
Pricing	One Time Payment at $50	$3 per month, paid annually

Things 3 vs TickTick: 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.

TickTick Pricing

TickTick offers a tiered pricing structure to cater to different user needs, including a free version with basic functionalities.

(i) Free Version: TickTick’s free version provides a few task management features suitable for individual users

(ii) Premium Plan: For features like detailed calendar views, smart reminders, and enhanced collaboration tools, TickTick offers a Premium plan. The cost of this plan is typically around $35.99 per user per annum.

Things 3 vs TickTick: 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.

TickTick Review

TickTick excels as a user-friendly task management app, offering comprehensive task organization and features like a Pomodoro timer. It’s praised for its ease of use and affordability, fitting various productivity needs. However, its interface may appear basic compared to others, and some users have expressed concerns about customer service. These factors might make TickTick less appealing for users seeking advanced features or prioritizing strong support, despite its general effectiveness in task management.

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 TickTick if

1. You Need a Simple Task Management Tool: TickTick is good for straightforward task management, but may lack the depth required for more complex project management needs.
2. You Want Habit Tracking Features: While it offers habit tracking, some users may find this feature too basic compared to dedicated habit-tracking apps.
3. You’re Looking for a Budget-Friendly Option: TickTick is reasonably priced, but some users might find the interface and customer support less polished than more expensive alternatives.

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