Choosing the right task manager can transform your daily productivity, yet the market remains divided between two heavyweight contenders: Todoist and Things. As we navigate 2026, the productivity landscape has evolved with deeper artificial intelligence integrations and shifting workplace habits. However, the core philosophies of these two applications remain distinct. Todoist continues to champion cross-platform utility, seamless collaboration, and natural language processing, making it a favorite for teams and multi-platform individuals. Meanwhile, Things, developed by Cultured Code, retains its crown as the pinnacle of minimalist design and structured personal planning, exclusively tailored for the Apple ecosystem. This comparison will help you analyze their features, usability, and pricing models so you can select the platform that aligns perfectly with your workflow.
Quick Answer
- Todoist is the superior option for users who require cross-platform access across Windows, Android, and Apple devices, or those who need to collaborate on tasks with family, friends, and colleagues.
- Things is the ideal match for solo users fully invested in the Apple ecosystem who prefer a clean, distraction-free aesthetic and want to avoid ongoing subscription fees in favor of a one-time purchase.
- While Todoist excels at rapid task entry through industry-leading natural language input and smart filters, Things offers a highly organized visual layout that integrates beautifully with system calendars.
Todoist vs Things: Key Differences
The primary differences between Todoist and Things lie in their platform accessibility, collaboration capabilities, and financial structures. Todoist is a web-first tool available on virtually every operating system, charging a recurring monthly subscription while allowing team collaboration. Things is a suite of native Apple applications sold as separate, one-time purchases, focusing entirely on a visual, distraction-free solo task management experience.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Todoist | Things |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Multi-platform users and collaborative teams | Solo Apple enthusiasts seeking elegant design |
| Pricing | Free tier, Pro at 5 dollars per month, Business at 8 dollars per month | One-time fees of 10 dollars for iPhone, 20 dollars for iPad, and 50 dollars for Mac |
| Ease of Use | High, featuring quick natural language parsing and template libraries | Extremely high, with intuitive drag-and-drop and structured areas of responsibility |
| Performance | Fast cloud-based synchronization across web, mobile, and desktop apps | Silky smooth, lightning-fast native performance on Apple devices with local storage |
| Support | Priority email support, comprehensive help center, and active community forums | Direct email support and a highly detailed online knowledge base |
Pros and Cons
Todoist: Pros
- Excellent cross-platform support ensures your tasks are accessible on Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, web browsers, and smartwatches.
- Industry-leading natural language processing allows you to type natural sentences to instantly schedule tasks, assign priorities, and apply tags.
- Robust collaboration features make it easy to share projects, assign specific tasks to team members, and leave comments or attachments.
Todoist: Cons
- The application relies on a recurring subscription model, which can become expensive over several years of use.
- Its interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming when managing hundreds of active tasks across various shared projects.
Things: Pros
- A visually stunning, award-winning user interface that reduces cognitive load and makes task planning a peaceful, satisfying experience.
- The one-time purchase pricing model allows you to buy the software once and use it indefinitely without worrying about monthly fees.
- Outstanding integration with Apple system calendars allows you to view your daily schedule alongside your task list in a unified view.
Things: Cons
- Completely restricted to the Apple ecosystem, meaning you cannot access your tasks on Windows, Android, or standard web browsers.
- Lack of collaboration tools prevents you from sharing projects or delegating tasks to other users.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Todoist if:
- You work across multiple operating systems, such as a Windows desktop at the office and an iPhone or Android device on the go.
- You need to manage shared household chores with a partner, coordinate group projects, or delegate operational tasks within a business team.
- You rely heavily on quick task entry, preferring to type quick phrases to automatically set dates, recurring patterns, and priority levels.
Choose Things if:
- You are fully committed to Apple devices and appreciate native software that utilizes system features, keyboard shortcuts, and widgets perfectly.
- You prefer a peaceful, visual methodology for organizing your life into distinct areas of responsibility and beautifully structured projects.
- You want to pay a one-time fee for your productivity software instead of adding another recurring monthly charge to your personal budget.
Final Verdict
The choice between Todoist and Things ultimately comes down to your operating system preference and your need for collaboration. Todoist is an agile, highly connected productivity engine that adapts to any device and links people together, making it the practical choice for modern professionals working in mixed-platform environments. Things is a masterclass in digital craftsmanship, offering an unmatched aesthetic experience and an intuitive workflow for solo users who find peace in structured planning. If you want cross-platform flexibility and shared lists, choose Todoist. If you want a beautiful, permanent home for your personal thoughts and projects on Apple hardware, choose Things.
Which one would you choose?
👉 Todoist or Things? Let us know in the comments.