Things 3 vs OmniFocus
Things 3
Premium Apple-exclusive task manager with award-winning design and local data control.
Individual Apple users seeking a beautiful, straightforward task manager without complexity
OmniFocus
Powerful task management software with advanced customization and complex project handling for Apple users.
Power users and professionals managing complex projects with sophisticated organizational needs
Short Answer
Things 3 is a beautifully designed, minimalist task manager prioritizing simplicity and intentionality, while OmniFocus is a powerful, feature-rich alternative with advanced customization through custom Perspectives and complex project handling. Things 3 excels in ease of use for personal productivity, whereas OmniFocus suits power users managing intricate workflows.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Things 3 if you value beautiful design, simplicity, and a one-time purchase model for personal task management on Apple devices. Choose OmniFocus if you need advanced customization, complex project hierarchies, and sophisticated workflow management, despite its steeper learning curve and subscription cost.
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Choose Things 3 if
Individual Apple users seeking a beautiful, straightforward task manager without complexity
Choose OmniFocus if
Power users and professionals managing complex projects with sophisticated organizational needs
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
| Metric | Things 3 | OmniFocus | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost(USD) | $49.99 (one-time) | $99.99/year (subscription) | -50% |
| Ease of Use(scale 1-10) | Very easy | Moderate | +50% |
| Project Management Complexity(scale 1-10) | Basic hierarchy | Advanced with dependencies | -44% |
| Learning Time Investment(hours) | 2-4 hours | 10-20 hours | -80% |
| Apple Ecosystem Integration(scale 1-10) | Excellent | Excellent | — |
| Annual Cost (Year 2)(USD) | $0 (one-time purchase) | $99.99 (annual subscription) | -100% |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Pro Tier)(USD) | $0 (one-time $49.99) | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Pro Tier)(USD) | $0 (one-time $49.99) | — | — |
| Team Members Supported(users) | Single user only | — | — |
| Design Awards(count) | 5+ major design awards | — | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Key Differences
Things 3
Minimalist & intentional simplicity
OmniFocus
Depth & advanced power features
Things 3
Apple devices only (Mac, iPhone, iPad)
OmniFocus
Apple devices + web access🏆
Things 3
Limited, focused preset options
OmniFocus
Extensive custom Perspectives & workflows🏆
Things 3
Very easy, beginner-friendly🏆
OmniFocus
Moderate to steep, requires time investment
Things 3
Basic hierarchical structure
OmniFocus
Advanced with dependencies & custom views🏆
Things 3
No native collaboration tools
OmniFocus
Limited native collaboration features
Things 3
$49.99 one-time purchase🏆
OmniFocus
$99.99/year or $9.99/month subscription
Things 3
Individual users valuing aesthetics
OmniFocus
Power users managing complex workflows
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Things 3 |  OmniFocus |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost(USD) | $49.99 (one-time) | $99.99/year (subscription) |
| Annual Cost (Year 2)(USD) | $0 (one-time purchase) | $99.99 (annual subscription) |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (Pro Tier)(USD) | $0 (one-time $49.99) | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Pro Tier)(USD) | $0 (one-time $49.99) | — |
| Customization Level | Low (preset options) | High (custom Perspectives) |
| Ease of Use(scale 1-10) | Very easy | Moderate |
| Learning Time Investment(hours) | 2-4 hours | 10-20 hours |
| Platform Support | 3 (Mac, iPhone, iPad) | 5 (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Web, Vision Pro) |
| Supported Platforms | 3 platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macOS) | — |
| Project Management Complexity(scale 1-10) | Basic hierarchy | Advanced with dependencies |
| Recurrence Rule Complexity(pattern types) | Basic (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly only) | — |
| Apple Ecosystem Integration(scale 1-10) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Team Members Supported(users) | Single user only | — |
| AI Features Included | None | — |
| Design Awards(count) | 5+ major design awards | — |
| Data Storage Location | Local device + iCloud (user-controlled) | — |
OmniFocusVisual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
Things 3
Pros
- Beautiful, award-winning interface design
- One-time purchase ($49.99) with no ongoing fees
- Simple and intuitive for quick adoption
- Excellent for personal productivity and daily task management
- Seamless integration across Apple ecosystem
Cons
- Limited customization options compared to competitors
- Apple-only availability (no Android, Windows, or web version)
- Lacks advanced project management features
- No native team collaboration capabilities
- Limited reporting and analytics features
OmniFocus
Pros
- Custom Perspectives for personalized workflow views
- Advanced task dependencies and hierarchy management
- Sophisticated filtering and organization options
- SwiftUI integration enabling cross-platform consistency (Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro)
- Web access for remote task management
- Powerful automation and scripting capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Subscription-based pricing ($99.99/year or $9.99/month)
- More complex than necessary for simple task lists
- Limited native team collaboration tools
- Apple ecosystem focus limits cross-platform availability
Frequently Asked Questions
Things 3 is exclusive to Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad). OmniFocus also prioritizes Apple platforms but offers web access, though full Android/Windows support is not available for either application.
Resources & Learn More
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