Things 3 alternative
Things 3 alternative for Windows & Android
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Things 3 is the most beautiful task manager ever made. Two Apple Design Awards. A calm Today view that feels like a clean desk. “When” dates that hide tasks until they're actionable. If you're on Apple, it's hard to beat. If you're not — you're out of luck.
What you lose (honestly)
Cultured Code, the makers of Things 3, have been explicit: Things is Apple-only by design. Their support page states that Things will NOT work “on the Internet (through a web browser).” No Windows app. No Android app. No web interface. Not planned, not coming.
This is a deliberate choice, and there's a good argument for it — native apps on Apple platforms can be deeply polished in ways that cross-platform apps can't. Things 3 proves this with its animations, haptics, and platform integration.
But if any part of your life involves a non-Apple device, you have a problem:
- A Windows PC at work and a Mac at home
- An iPhone paired with a Chromebook or Android tablet
- A shared family computer that runs Windows
- A work laptop locked down by corporate IT (no App Store access)
“Leaving OmniFocus was probably the hardest technological decision I've ever made. I can't afford being in a vendor lock-in with Apple.” — OmniFocus power user, Hacker News
Things 3 users rarely say this. The app's simplicity is its accessibility.
What you gain by switching
To find a real alternative, you need to understand what Things users actually value. It's not just a feature list — it's a feeling.
Calm, clean interface
Things doesn't overwhelm. The Today view shows exactly what you need — nothing more. White space is generous. Typography is precise. Every interaction feels intentional. Most task managers look busy; Things looks peaceful.
True “When” dates (defer dates)
Tasks with a future “When” date hibernate in Upcoming and disappear from active views until the date arrives, then automatically move to Today. This is functionally equivalent to true defer dates — tasks are hidden until actionable.
Separate “When” and “Deadline” dates
Things gives you both: when to start and when it's due. Two date fields that most apps still don't offer. This is how GTD is supposed to work — plan when something becomes actionable, separately from when it's due.
Headings inside projects
Projects in Things can be divided by headings, creating logical groupings within a single project. Combined with the “View > Next Action Steps” feature that shows only one task per heading, you get a form of pseudo-sequential behavior.
“I have adult ADHD. I have owned OmniFocus 1, 2 and now 3 Pro, hoping it will help organize my life. And I have basically never used it.” — Mac Power Users Forum
Things 3 users rarely say this. The app's simplicity is its accessibility.
What Things 3 is missing
Things 3 is GTD-friendly, but it's not a full GTD implementation. If you follow the methodology strictly, you'll notice gaps:
No sequential projects. Things has headings within projects and a “Next Action Steps” view filter, but it doesn't lock subsequent tasks. All tasks in a project are visible and completable at any time. For GTD, sequential unlocking is important — you should only see the next action, not the entire plan.
No custom perspectives. Things provides fixed views: Today, Upcoming, Anytime, Someday. You can filter by tags, but you can't create saved custom views. OmniFocus-style perspectives that combine project, tag, date, and status filters don't exist.
No weekly review mode. No guided review workflow. You manually go through each project. For a methodology where David Allen calls the weekly review “the critical success factor,” this is a meaningful gap.
No API. Things has a URL scheme and Apple Shortcuts integration, but no REST API. You can't connect it to Zapier, n8n, or build custom integrations. Power users who automate their workflows are limited.
Things 3 vs SingleFocus
Here's how they compare directly — including where Things wins.
| Feature | Things 3 | SingleFocus |
|---|---|---|
| Defer/start dates | ✓ “When” dates | ✓ |
| Separate due date | ✓ “Deadline” | ✓ |
| Sequential projects | Headings only | ✓ |
| Custom perspectives | ✗ | ✓ |
| Weekly review mode | ✗ | ✓ |
| Focus mode | ✗ | ✓ |
| REST API + MCP | URL scheme | ✓ |
| Windows / Android / Linux | ✗ | ✓ |
| Native iOS/Mac experience | ✓ Exceptional | PWA |
| Apple Shortcuts / Siri | ✓ | ✗ |
| Price | ~$80 one-time | Free* |
* Free during early access. $36/year for early users when paid plans launch.
The design question: can a web app match Things?
The honest answer: no. Things 3's native Apple experience — the animations, the haptics, the Shortcuts integration — can't be fully replicated in a browser. That's the trade-off Cultured Code chose, and it's a valid one.
What SingleFocus does share with Things is a design philosophy: reduce cognitive load, show less, use gentle language, make the interface feel calm rather than busy. The warm off-white background, generous spacing, and intentional typography come from the same school of thought — your task manager should lower your stress level, not raise it.
The trade-off is clear: Things 3 gives you the most polished native experience on Apple. SingleFocus gives you a calm, structured GTD experience on any device. If you're fully Apple and don't need sequential projects, perspectives, or a review mode — Things 3 is a genuinely great choice. If you need any of those things, or need cross-platform access, SingleFocus fills the gap.
“Most people want a task management solution they can use anytime, anywhere. Unfortunately OmniFocus doesn't provide that unless you are using iOS or Mac devices.” — Mike Vardy, Productivityist
The same applies to Things 3.
Who should switch and who shouldn't
Stay with Things 3 if you…
- •Use only Apple devices
- •Value native app polish above all else
- •Don't need sequential projects or custom perspectives
- •Don't need an API or automation beyond Shortcuts
Consider SingleFocus if you…
- •Need your tasks on Windows, Android, or Linux
- •Want sequential projects that show only the next action
- •Need a built-in weekly review workflow
- •Want focus mode and ML-powered task suggestions
- •Need a REST API for automation and AI assistant integration
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Also see: OmniFocus Alternative · Todoist Alternatives · Best GTD App 2026
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