Toodledo vs Things 3 (2026): Complete Feature Comparison

Toodledo and Things 3 are both popular task management applications, but they serve different audiences. Toodledo is a database-like productivity platform with deep customization, advanced filtering, and cross-platform sync. Things 3 is a premium Apple-exclusive app known for its polished design and intuitive project management. This comparison examines every major feature category to help you decide which tool fits your workflow in 2026.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Toodledo	Things 3
Pricing	Free / $3.99/mo / $5.99/mo	~$80 one-time (all platforms)
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	macOS, iOS, iPadOS only
Unlimited Tasks	Yes (all plans)	Yes
Custom Fields	12+ types	No
Subtask Hierarchy	Yes (Standard+)	Headings & checklists only
GTD Contexts	Native support	No dedicated feature
Habit Tracking	Built-in	No
Notes & Outlines	Yes	Markdown notes only
Collaboration	1-Unlimited users	No
Saved Searches	Yes	No
API Access	Yes	No
Calendar Sync	Google Calendar	Apple Calendar only
Web App	Yes	No

Task Management

Toodledo provides unlimited tasks on all plans, including its free tier. Tasks support due dates, start dates, priority levels, star ratings, status tracking, length estimates, timers, and location-based contexts. The interface uses a database-like spreadsheet view with inline editing and resizable columns, giving power users fine-grained control over how they organize and view their tasks.

Things 3 organizes tasks through a clean, visually appealing interface built around Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday views. Tasks can have due dates, deadlines, tags, and Markdown-formatted notes. The Quick Entry feature allows capturing tasks from anywhere on macOS with a keyboard shortcut. Things 3 prioritizes simplicity and speed of entry over deep metadata.

Subtasks and Hierarchy

Toodledo supports true subtask hierarchies starting on the Standard plan. Users can nest tasks within tasks to create multi-level project structures. This allows complex project breakdowns where each subtask retains its own due date, priority, and custom fields.

Things 3 supports headings within projects and checklists within tasks, but does not offer true nested subtask hierarchies. Checklists are simple items without independent due dates or metadata. Headings help visually divide a project into sections but lack the structural depth of nested subtasks.

Custom Fields

Toodledo supports 12+ custom field types. Users can add custom columns to their task views, including text fields, numbers, dropdowns, and dates. This database-like approach allows users to track any metadata relevant to their workflow, such as project codes, client names, effort scores, or review status. Custom fields are visible in list views and can be used for sorting and filtering.

Things 3 does not support custom fields. Task metadata is limited to the built-in properties: title, notes, tags, due date, deadline, and checklist items. Users who need additional metadata must work around this limitation using tags or notes.

Recurring Tasks

Toodledo provides advanced recurring task options. Users can set tasks to repeat on flexible schedules including daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, yearly, and custom intervals. Recurring tasks can be configured to regenerate based on completion date or on a fixed schedule, which is essential for workflows where the next occurrence depends on when the previous one was finished.

Things 3 also supports recurring tasks with options for after-completion and fixed-schedule repetition. The interface for setting up recurrences is clean and intuitive, covering common scheduling patterns effectively.

GTD Support

Toodledo is one of the best task managers for implementing Getting Things Done (GTD). It includes native Contexts as a first-class organizational feature, allowing users to assign location or tool-based contexts like @office, @phone, or @computer to every task. Folder hierarchies function as GTD projects. The customizable Hotlist surfaces next actions, and advanced saved searches create the equivalent of GTD perspectives. This makes Toodledo a natural fit for the GTD methodology without any workarounds.

Things 3 supports Areas (for areas of responsibility) and Projects, which align with some GTD concepts. However, Things 3 lacks dedicated Contexts and relies on tags as a partial substitute. There are no saved searches or custom perspectives, making it harder to build a complete GTD workflow. The Today and Someday views partially map to GTD lists but lack the precision that dedicated GTD practitioners require.

Habit Tracking

Toodledo includes built-in habit tracking as part of its productivity suite. Users can define habits, track daily completions, and monitor streaks without needing a separate application. This integration means habits and tasks live in the same system, reducing context switching and keeping all productivity data centralized.

Things 3 does not include any habit tracking features. Users who want to track habits alongside their tasks must use a separate application, which fragments their productivity workflow.

Notes and Documentation

Toodledo includes dedicated Notes, Lists, and Outlines alongside its task manager. Notes support long-form writing, Lists offer simple checklist functionality, and Outlines provide hierarchical document structuring. All of these sync across devices via the cloud. This makes Toodledo a comprehensive productivity platform rather than just a task manager.

Things 3 supports Markdown-formatted notes within tasks but does not include standalone note-taking, list, or outline features. Task notes are useful for adding context to individual tasks but cannot replace a dedicated notes system.

Collaboration

Toodledo supports collaboration across its paid plans. The Standard plan allows sharing with 1 collaborator, the Plus plan supports up to 5 collaborators, and the Business plan offers unlimited collaborators. Shared tasks allow team members to view, edit, and track progress on joint work.

Things 3 is a purely personal task manager with no collaboration features. There is no way to share tasks, projects, or lists with other users. Teams or couples who want to coordinate tasks must use a different tool.

Integrations

Toodledo provides a public API that allows developers and power users to connect it with other tools and services. Google Calendar sync is available on Standard and higher plans. The API enables integration with automation platforms like Zapier and IFTTT, extending Toodledo's reach into broader workflows.

Things 3 does not offer a public API. It integrates with Apple Calendar and supports Shortcuts on iOS and AppleScript on macOS, but third-party integrations are limited compared to tools with open APIs. The lack of an API means Things 3 cannot easily connect to automation platforms or custom workflows.

Platforms and Accessibility

Toodledo is available on the web, iOS, and Android. The web app works in any modern browser on any operating system, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. Cloud sync keeps data consistent across all devices. This cross-platform availability means users can access their tasks from any device they own.

Things 3 is exclusively available on Apple platforms: macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. There is no Windows app, no Android app, and no web app. Users who switch from iPhone to Android, or who use Windows at work and Mac at home, will lose access to their tasks on non-Apple devices. This is the most significant limitation of Things 3.

Pricing

Toodledo offers a free tier with unlimited tasks. The Standard plan costs $3.99 per month when billed annually ($4.99 monthly), and the Plus plan costs $5.99 per month when billed annually ($7.99 monthly). The Business plan is available by contacting sales. The free tier is fully functional for basic task management.

Things 3 uses a one-time purchase model: $49.99 for the Mac app, $19.99 for the iPad app, and $9.99 for the iPhone app, totaling approximately $80 for all three platforms. There is no subscription and no recurring cost. However, major version upgrades (such as a hypothetical Things 4) would require a new purchase at full price.

Who Should Choose Toodledo?

Toodledo is the right choice for users who need a highly customizable task manager with cross-platform access. Specifically, Toodledo is ideal for:

• GTD practitioners who need native Contexts, folder-based projects, and saved search perspectives.
• Power users who want 12+ custom fields, advanced filters, and a database-like interface with inline editing.
• Cross-platform users who work across Windows, Android, and iOS or need browser-based access.
• Users who want an all-in-one productivity tool combining tasks, habits, notes, lists, and outlines.
• Collaborators who need to share tasks with a partner, small team, or larger organization.
• Budget-conscious users who want a capable free tier with unlimited tasks.

Who Should Choose Things 3?

Things 3 is the right choice for users who value design elegance and live entirely within the Apple ecosystem. Specifically, Things 3 is ideal for:

• Apple-only users who use Mac, iPhone, and iPad and do not need Windows or Android access.
• Minimalists who prefer a clean, opinionated design over deep customization.
• Users who dislike subscriptions and prefer a one-time purchase with no recurring cost.
• Personal task managers who do not need collaboration, custom fields, or habit tracking.
• Quick-capture enthusiasts who value Things 3's system-wide Quick Entry on macOS.

Final Verdict

Toodledo wins this comparison for most users. It offers dramatically more features, including 12+ custom fields, native GTD Contexts, built-in habit tracking, standalone Notes and Outlines, collaboration, a public API, and cross-platform access on web, iOS, and Android. Toodledo's free tier provides unlimited tasks, making it accessible to everyone.

Things 3 is a better fit only for users who are fully committed to Apple devices, prefer minimal design over power features, and want to avoid subscriptions. Its one-time pricing model is attractive, but the lack of cross-platform support, collaboration, custom fields, and habit tracking limits its versatility.

For the majority of task management needs in 2026, Toodledo delivers more functionality, more flexibility, and better value.

Frequently Asked Questions