To-do and planner apps for Mac and iPhoneHead to head
Things 3 vs TickTick
Things 3 ranks #1 and TickTick ranks #3 in our guide to the best to-do and planner apps for Mac and iPhone. Things 3 is our pick for most people, and TickTick is the best free option.
Things 3Pick Things 3 if you live on Apple devices and want a calm to-do list you pay for once.From $9.99Best free
TickTickPick TickTick if you want tasks, habits and a focus timer for free, including on Android and the web.Free to startWhat decides it
- Things 3 costs less over 3 years: $9.99, against $149.97 for TickTick.
- Both run on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
- TickTick has the higher App Store rating: 4.9 from 47K ratings, against 4.8 for Things 3.
Side by side
Prices are checked every day.
| At a glance | Things 3 | TickTick |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 on iPhone and Watch, $19.99 on iPad, $49.99 on Mac. Sync is free | Free. Premium is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year |
| How you pay | Pay once | Free, with paid upgrades |
| 3 years of use | $9.99 Cheaper | $149.97 Yearly plan |
| Free trial | Yes | Free to start |
| Runs on | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Where to buy | App Store, Developer | App Store, Developer |
| Rating | 4.8 28K ratings | 4.9 47K ratings Higher |
| Features | Family Sharing, Widgets, Shortcuts, Free trial | Widgets |
| Made by | Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG | Appest Limited |
| Last updated | 22 Oct 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
Who should get which
Get Things 3 if
You want a calm to-do list across your Apple devices and would rather pay once than every month.
Get TickTick if
You want tasks, habits and a focus timer in 1 app that also works on Android and the web.
Skip Things 3 if
You only track errands and groceries, and Apple Reminders is free and already on every device.
Skip TickTick if
You need a shopping list and a few reminders at most, and Apple Reminders does that free.
Our verdicts
Things 3
Buying Things 3 for Mac, iPad and iPhone costs $79.97 once, and syncing between them never costs anything. In return you get a calm to-do app that puts your calendar above the Today list, sets a reminder when you type something like Wed 8pm, and splits big projects into headings. It is built for 1 person's tasks, so if you share lists with a partner or team, Superlist is the better fit.
TickTick
Free for 9 lists of 99 tasks each, TickTick puts a to-do list, a habit tracker, and a Pomodoro timer in 1 app on iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, Android and the web. Type tasks in plain English, like "call mom Friday 6pm", and it sets the date and reminder. Full calendar and timeline views need Premium at $49.99 a year, and Things fits better if you only use Apple devices and would rather pay once.
What each one helps you do
Things 3
- Plan today with your calendar above your tasks
- Break big projects into sections with headings
- Add a to-do by talking to Siri
- Sync tasks across devices without a subscription
TickTick
- Add tasks by typing a plain sentence
- See your tasks on a calendar
- Track habits next to your to-dos
- Run a Pomodoro timer on a task
Where to get them
Things 3
$9.99 on iPhone and Watch, $19.99 on iPad, $49.99 on Mac. Sync is free
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App Store, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch$9.99App Store
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Mac App Store$49.99Mac App Store
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From the developer15-day free trial for Mac; Things itself is sold only on the App Store$49.99Get it
TickTick
Free. Premium is $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year
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App Store, iPhone, iPad and Apple WatchWith in-app purchasesFree downloadApp Store
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Mac App StoreWith in-app purchasesFree downloadMac App Store
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From the developerFree downloadGet it
Neither one quite right?
The other picks in our guide to the best to-do and planner apps for Mac and iPhone.
TodoistPick this if you want to add tasks as plain sentences and have dates and repeats filled in for you.Free to start
StructuredPick this if you plan best by seeing your day as time blocks on 1 visual timeline.Free to start
NotionPick it if you want to build your own project boards and trackers instead of using a fixed to-do list.Free to start
OmniFocusPick this if you run dozens of projects and want a strict system with a weekly review.$74.99 once
SunsamaPick it if your tasks come from Asana, Jira, Slack and email and you want to fit them into real calendar time.From $17
AkiflowPick this if you want tasks from email, Slack and several calendars collected in 1 inbox before you schedule them.From $19
NotePlanPick it if you keep a bullet journal and want each day's page next to your calendar on the Mac.From $12
SuperlistPick this if you share lists with family or a small team and want notes attached to every task.Free to start
Read the full guideAll Things 3 alternativesAll TickTick alternatives
More comparisons
- Things 3 vs TodoistPick this if you want to add tasks as plain sentences and have dates and repeats filled in for you.
- Things 3 vs StructuredPick this if you plan best by seeing your day as time blocks on 1 visual timeline.
- Todoist vs TickTickPick it if you want tasks, habits and a focus timer for free, including on Android and the web.
Streaks vs TickTickPick this if you want habits tracked in the same free app as your to-do list and calendar.
TickTick vs HabitifyPick it if you track more than a handful of habits and want workouts and sleep logged for you.