The task manager Apple users fall in love with

Things 3 by Cultured Code is the task manager that Apple users obsess over. It's a one-time purchase (no subscription), beautifully designed to fit the Apple aesthetic, and implements the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology natively. While competitors like Todoist and TickTick have moved to subscription models, Things 3 remains a buy-once, own-forever product.

Who it's for: Apple-exclusive users who want a premium, one-time-purchase task manager with GTD workflow. Perfect for individuals who value design and don't need team collaboration.

Key features

GTD GTD workflow

Inbox, Today, Upcoming, Anytime, Someday — the five GTD buckets are baked in. Capture quickly, process later, and never lose a task.

Magic Magic Plus button

The signature interaction: drag the Plus button anywhere on screen to create a task exactly where you want it. Delightful, fast, and uniquely Things.

Today Today view

A focused view of what matters today, with a clean timeline and progress indicators. The most beautiful daily task view of any app on Apple platforms.

Logbook Logbook

Completed tasks automatically move to the Logbook, giving you a satisfying history of what you've accomplished. Great for weekly reviews.

The honest take

✓ What works

One-time purchase — no subscription, ever
Best-in-class Apple design — feels native, not bolted on
Fast and lightweight — opens instantly, never lags
Excellent keyboard shortcuts for power users
Seamless iCloud sync across all Apple devices

✗ What doesn't

Apple-only — no Android, no Windows, no web version
Separate purchases for Mac, iPhone, iPad ($100+ total)
No built-in AI features
No team collaboration — purely individual
No recurring task templates (have to use repeating tasks workaround)

Verdict

Things 3 remains the gold standard for Apple-native task management in 2026. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and want a beautiful, fast, one-time-purchase task manager, nothing else comes close. The lack of AI and Android support keeps it from being universal, but for its target audience, it's near-perfect.

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