If you’re evaluating Things 3 for task management software, the three strongest independent alternatives in our editorial ranking are Todoist, TickTick, Microsoft To Do. Each has a different best-fit buyer — the right choice depends on team size and workflow, not on which has the loudest review-site presence.
Why Things 3 sometimes isn’t the right pick: Anyone using Android or Windows, teams needing collaboration, or buyers worried about platform lock-in and limited data export. See full “worst for” verdict →
9 Things 3 alternatives
| Rank | Product | Best for | Target size | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Todoist | Individuals and 2-10 person teams needing a reliable cross-platform inbox with strong integrations and a long-term-stable vendor. | 1–50 | ● Transparent |
| #2 | TickTick | Individuals wanting calendar + tasks + habits + Pomodoro bundled in one app at a low subscription. | 1–25 | ● Transparent |
| #4 | Microsoft To Do | Anyone already paying for Microsoft 365 who needs a personal task inbox with Outlook and Planner sync at no incremental cost. | 1–10,000+ | ● Transparent |
| #5 | Google Tasks | Google Workspace and Gmail users who need a minimal task list embedded in email and calendar at no cost. | 1–10,000+ | ● Transparent |
| #6 | Sunsama | Knowledge workers and consultants who want every task time-blocked on the calendar and willing to invest a daily planning ritual. | 1 | ● Transparent |
| #7 | Akiflow | Power-user knowledge workers who want one keyboard-driven daily plan that unifies tasks from many work tools. | 1–25 | ● Transparent |
| #8 | Any.do | Mobile-first individuals and families wanting shared lists, voice input, and calendar reminders in one app. | 1–25 | ● Transparent |
| #9 | Amazing Marvin | Productivity-methodology devotees who want to customize GTD, time-blocking, or kanban workflows down to fine detail. | 1 | ● Transparent |
| #10 | TaskPaper | Developers, writers, and plain-text loyalists on macOS who value owning their data in a flat readable file. | 1 | ● Transparent |
Which alternative for which buyer
Todoist
The cross-platform default for personal task management.
Individuals and 2-10 person teams needing a reliable cross-platform inbox with strong integrations and a long-term-stable vendor.
Apple-only loyalists wanting one-time purchase (Things), calendar-first time-blockers (Sunsama), or users who want everything bundled at lower price (TickTick).
TickTick
Most features per dollar; cross-platform with calendar bundled.
Individuals wanting calendar + tasks + habits + Pomodoro bundled in one app at a low subscription.
DSGVO-strict EU buyers, defense/government adjacent users, or teams needing fast vendor support and Western-jurisdiction data residency.
Microsoft To Do
Free with Microsoft 365; the bundled-default displacement.
Anyone already paying for Microsoft 365 who needs a personal task inbox with Outlook and Planner sync at no incremental cost.
Buyers needing rich integrations, calendar-first time-blocking, or a serious power-user feature set.
Google Tasks
Free with Google Workspace; embedded in Gmail and Calendar.
Google Workspace and Gmail users who need a minimal task list embedded in email and calendar at no cost.
Anyone needing projects, labels, priorities, integrations, or a power-user feature set.
Sunsama
Calendar-first daily planner for intentional knowledge work.
Knowledge workers and consultants who want every task time-blocked on the calendar and willing to invest a daily planning ritual.
Users who want a simple list inbox, anyone on a tight budget, or teams needing collaboration features.
Akiflow
Keyboard-driven daily plan that unifies tasks across many sources.
Power-user knowledge workers who want one keyboard-driven daily plan that unifies tasks from many work tools.
Casual list users, anyone on a tight budget, or buyers who prefer touch/mobile-first UX.
Related editorial
Last updated 2026-05-23. Rankings reflect editorial judgment based on the published Top 10 Task Management Software for 2026. We accept no vendor payments. Found something inaccurate? Tell us.