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Things 3 is a to-do list app by Cultured Code available on iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac. You need to purchase it separately for each device, which can get expensive, but it’s still more cost-effective than paying for a subscription since the purchases are one-time. You can try the macOS version for free to see if it suits your needs. This review focuses on the iPad version of Things 3.
Creating new tasks in Things 3 is straightforward—you can’t miss the large blue plus icon. The app has a minimalist design, so you won’t get bogged down by unnecessary options when creating tasks. Right below your task list, you can add formatted notes with headings, lists, links, and code. If you prefer using Markdown, the app supports it as well.
Things 3 includes start and due dates, as well as reminders, so you’re unlikely to miss any deadlines. We appreciate how it displays the amount of time you have left to complete a task.
The app allows you to set tasks to repeat regularly, with all the options you might need, including the ability to end repeats on a specific date or after a set number of occurrences. One feature we particularly like is the option to repeat a task only after completing the previous one. You can also set tasks to repeat after a certain amount of time has passed since the last completion, which is a smart way to manage recurring tasks.
Tags in Things 3 are universal and work across all your tasks, projects, and areas. They’re easy to manage and can be nested, though nesting isn’t particularly useful given the app’s structure. If you use Things 3, let us know if you find nested tags helpful. Tags are great for filtering tasks, which is handy.
The app’s checklists are basic but effective, especially since Markdown checklists can be cumbersome. For simple tasks like shopping or packing lists, checklists work well, though you might need subtasks for more complex plans.
There are several other ways to create to-dos in Things 3. You can add tasks from other apps or send them to the app via email. If you use Apple Reminders, you can easily import your tasks into Things 3. The app also displays events from Apple Calendar, making it an excellent GTD app for anyone in the Apple ecosystem.
In Things 3, your lists are called “projects.” Whether called projects or lists, they are easy to create, can have start and due dates with repeating options, and can be tagged and completed. You can also duplicate them, which is useful since the app doesn’t save templates. Projects in Things 3 feel like tasks, which is rare and quite amazing in a to-do app. You can even add Markdown notes to a project!
You can organize tasks within your lists under different headings, which helps break down complicated tasks into smaller parts, potentially eliminating the need for subtasks. Things 3 allows you to move both headings and tasks to other lists or convert them into standalone lists. This flexibility is one of the reasons we love working with Things 3.
As you complete tasks, they’re dimmed and removed from the list, bringing you closer to finishing your project. The app highlights your progress, which can be motivating. It also tracks when each task was completed, making it easy to refer back to finished tasks.
The Logbook is a smart list for all your completed tasks, making it easy to find a task if you forget which list it was in. It also includes tag filters to help you locate specific tasks.
Areas in Things 3 are groups of lists or projects. They can contain both tasks and lists, a feature we haven’t seen in other to-do apps. You can tag areas, and we hope to see the ability to add notes to this section in the future.
The search function in Things 3 is powerful, allowing you to search for anything: dates, projects, tasks, areas, tags, and even settings. It’s one of the most comprehensive search tools we’ve seen in any app, making it easy to quickly find what you need.
Things 3 offers smart lists for tasks due today, undated tasks, and completed tasks. The app also lists your projects and areas in the sidebar, giving you up to four levels of organization, which is more than enough for a GTD app. You can select multiple items to edit them at once, adding start and due dates, tags, or even duplicating them. However, we’re still waiting for a recycle bin feature.
There was a time when Things 3 was the top to-do app on the market, but times have changed. Although the developer continues to maintain the app, we haven’t seen significant updates in years, which means the app now lacks some crucial features that are standard in 2023. The absence of collaboration features and support for attachments makes Things 3 challenging to use. Its limited integration with Apple Calendar and lack of integration with other calendars also make it suitable for only a narrow group of users. You might consider using the app if you:
