Things 3 alternative: tasks compared – tasks
Things by Cultured Code is a carefully designed app for Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro that you buy once per device. tasks runs in the browser on any device and shares tasks with your family and team. Here they are side by side, every Things fact with its source.
tasks and Things side by side
| Feature | tasks | Things | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free (CHF 0), every feature included | Sold per device through the App Store, priced in USD, Apple converts | culturedcode.com |
| Price Mac | Free | USD 49.99 one-time (US App Store) | apps.apple.com |
| Price iPhone | Free | USD 9.99 one-time (US App Store) | apps.apple.com |
| Price iPad | Free | USD 19.99 one-time (US App Store) | apps.apple.com |
| Platforms | Web app (installable) in any current browser, tsk for Linux, macOS and Windows, iPhone shortcut | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro; the website lists no Windows, Android or web app | culturedcode.com |
| Sharing | Shared workspace, members see only that one; Up for grabs | According to support, no real-time sharing of to-dos or lists | culturedcode.com |
| Sync | One database on the server, every device sees the same state | Things Cloud, included with the purchase and the free trial | culturedcode.com |
| Email to task | Personal address per workspace, senders checked with DMARC | Mail to Things – a private address, mail lands in the Inbox (subject as title); needs Things Cloud | culturedcode.com |
| Automation | tsk on the command line, own MCP server, iPhone shortcut | URL scheme to create to-dos from other apps | culturedcode.com |
When tasks fits
You do not plan alone: your family should see what is coming up and pick up tasks that are Up for grabs. Someone at home uses Android or Windows. You want to keep work and private life apart and still see everything on one page. tasks is free and runs in any current browser, also as an installed app.
When Things is the better choice
When you live entirely on Apple devices, plan alone and want a native app you buy once per device. Things syncs through Things Cloud, takes mail into its Inbox and can be filled from other apps through a URL scheme.
Frequently asked questions
Does tasks work offline and on my phone?
tasks is a web app for computer and phone that you install like an app on your Home Screen, on the iPhone through “Add to Home Screen”. You do not need an app from the App Store.
Without a connection the installed app still opens, and views you have already loaded stay readable. Changes you make offline are kept and sent as soon as you are back online. If that causes a conflict, the app shows it to you to decide.
Who can see the tasks in my workspaces?
Only the members of that workspace. Every workspace is its own privacy boundary, enforced in the database itself. Whoever belongs to your family workspace sees nothing of your work workspaces, and the other way round. Your Inbox is yours alone and cannot be shared.
You can also restrict access tokens and calendar feeds to single workspaces.
Is tasks really free?
Yes. The account costs nothing, with no trial period and no credit card. Every feature is included: workspaces and sharing, tsk, MCP, the iPhone shortcut, calendar feeds, email to task, push and the daily digest. There are no ads, and we do not sell data.