Things 3 Alternative
Looking for a Things 3 alternative?
Things 3 is the best-designed task manager ever. But if you can't start working on the tasks inside it, OneTask offers a radically simpler alternative.
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Short answer
Things 3 alternative summary: Things 3 shows your Today list. OneTask shows ONE task.
Last updated 2026-04-18
Why people look for Things 3 alternatives
Things 3 is gorgeous. Areas, Projects, Tags, Headings — all beautifully organized. But you still can't make yourself start the first task on the list.
The Today view shows 5-10 tasks. For some people, seeing everything they need to do today creates more anxiety than motivation.
Things 3 has no timer. It tells you what's on your plate but doesn't help you commit to doing one specific thing right now.
One-time purchase ($9.99-$49.99) is great for value. But the app hasn't been meaningfully updated in years. The subscription model lets OneTask ship weekly improvements.
Things 3 is Apple-only, which is great. But it doesn't use Apple-specific features like Live Activity and Dynamic Island.
Why OneTask is a better fit
One task, not a today list
Things 3 shows your Today list. OneTask shows ONE task. If seeing a list of 8 tasks triggers overwhelm, removing the list removes the block.
Always-on timer with Live Activity
Your task and timer show on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. Things 3 can't do this — OneTask makes your commitment inescapable.
Weekly updates
OneTask ships improvements every week based on user feedback. Things 3 updates are rare. You're getting an app that evolves with you.
Built for execution, not management
Things 3 helps you organize tasks. OneTask helps you do them. They're complementary — but if doing is your bottleneck, OneTask targets that directly.
Pricing: OneTask vs Things 3
OneTask
$1.99/mo
Or $19.99/year
Things 3
$9.99-$49.99
One-time purchase per platform (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
Frequently asked questions
Should I switch from Things 3 to OneTask?
Not necessarily. If Things 3 works for you, keep it. OneTask is for people who love organizing in Things 3 but struggle to actually start working. Many users pair them.
Is OneTask simpler than Things 3?
Radically simpler. Things 3 has Areas, Projects, Tags, Headings, and multiple views. OneTask has one screen: your current task and a timer.
Ready to switch?
Try OneTask free. No account needed.
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