Compare Apple Reminders vs Things 3
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Your comparison:
Apple Reminders
Things 3
Apple RemindersThings 3| Apple Reminders | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Links | ||
| Website | Visit | Visit |
| App Store | Install | Install |
| Main | ||
| Task management | + | + |
| Task lists | + | + |
| Quick add | + | + |
| Recurring tasks | + | + |
| Subtasks | + | + |
| Due dates | + | + |
| Subtasks recurring | ± | + |
| Priorities | + | + |
| Tags / labels | + | + |
| Projects / lists | + | + |
| Today view | + | + |
| Habit tracking | − | − |
| Goals progress tracking | − | ± |
| Analytics / reporting | − | — |
| Notes templates | ± | + |
| Integrated templates | − | — |
| Community template gallery | − | — |
| Template / add-on marketplace | − | — |
| Calendar view | ± | ± |
| Weekly view | ± | + |
| Daily planning | + | + |
| Monthly planning | ± | ± |
| Time blocking | − | ± |
| Planner & calendar segregation | ± | ± |
| Offline mode | + | + |
| Reminders | + | + |
| AI scheduling | − | − |
| Notes | ± | + |
| Templates | − | − |
| Custom sections | ± | ± |
| Better for personal use | + | — |
| Better for team use | ± | — |
| Platforms | ||
| Windows | − | − |
| Android | − | − |
| Web | ± | − |
| MacOS | + | + |
| iOS | + | + |
| Desktop | + | + |
| Free version | + | − |
| Sync across devices | + | + |
| Calendar sync | ||
| Calendar sync | ± | ± |
| Integrated calendar | + | ± |
| Synchronize with Apple Calendar | + | + |
| Synchronize with Google Calendar | ± | ± |
| Synchronize with Microsoft Calendar | ± | ± |
| Outlook sync | ± | ± |
| Interface | ||
| Themes / appearance presets | ± | + |
| Dark mode | + | — |
| Notification support | + | — |
| On-screen reminders | + | — |
| Repeated reminders | + | — |
| System / OS integration | + | — |
| Board tasks format | − | — |
| Drag & drop | ± | — |
| Customizable toolbar | − | — |
| Visual planning | ± | ± |
| Infinite canvas / freeform | − | — |
| Special features | ||
| AI assistance / AI features | ± | − |
| Attachments & embedded media | ± | − |
| Add images / stickers | ± | — |
| Stickers | − | − |
| Interactive checklists / checklist support | + | — |
| Highlighter / colored highlighting | − | — |
| Handwriting & stylus | ||
| Apple Pencil support | − | − |
| Handwriting / stylus support | − | − |
| Palm rejection | − | − |
| PDF annotation / markup | − | − |
| Handwriting to text conversion | − | − |
| Search in handwriting | − | − |
| Special features | ||
| Meeting notes workflow | ± | — |
| Time tracking | − | — |
| Pomodoro / focus | − | — |
| Binding task to geo | + | — |
| Add web links | + | — |
| Projects / folders | + | — |
| Nested folders / depth | ± | — |
| Document tabs | − | — |
| Tags & filters | + | — |
| Search | + | — |
| Import documents & media | ± | — |
| Flashcards / study sets | − | — |
| Synchronize & backup | ||
| Cloud sync | + | ± |
| Password-protected notes | − | — |
| @mentions / people tags | ± | — |
| Auto backup | + | + |
| Notes / tasks sharing | + | ± |
| Collaboration / sharing (incl. team) | ± | − |
| Shared lists | + | − |
| Export to PDF / other | ± | — |
| Export via link | ± | — |
| Slack / Zapier integrations | − | — |
| Google Workspace support | ± | — |
| Profile | ||
| Calendars | ± | + |
Apple Reminders
Pros
- Zero install friction on Apple hardware and instant OS-level entry points (Siri, Control Center, Action button)
- Location-based alerts and CarPlay-style contexts remain hard to match on cross-platform clones
- Shared lists with assignments cover light household or small-team coordination without another workspace
- iCloud sync and on-device behavior keep everyday capture feeling lightweight versus heavy databases
- Smart Lists, tags, and Calendar integration give stock Reminders surprising depth for a free default
Cons
- No first-party Reminders clients on Windows or Android — those users need iCloud web or another app
- Automation and reporting depth trails dedicated productivity suites and enterprise task stacks
- Major UX upgrades ship on Apple’s OS release cadence, not your team’s procurement cycle
- Export, backup, and third-party integration expectations need a reality check versus open APIs elsewhere
- Apple Intelligence–powered conveniences vary by device, language, and region availability
Things 3
Pros
- Today / Upcoming / Someday language stays Apple-native
- One-time purchase on each platform avoids subscription fatigue
- Tagging and headings stay tight without turning into a database
- Handoff between iPhone and Mac feels instant
- Quick entry shortcuts land tasks from anywhere
Cons
- Apple-only lock keeps Windows and Android teammates out
- Power roadmap moves slowly by design
- Repeating tasks and deadlines still draw nitpicks versus OmniFocus
- Buying every platform copy adds up on three devices