Things 3 wants a subscription.
These cost $0.
4 free alternatives to Things 3, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
Things 3 vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs paid
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Productivity | open source | MIT | Local | ★ 21k | Things 3 vs Super Productivity → |
| Vikunja | open source | AGPL-3.0+ | Local or hosted | ★ 5.0k | Things 3 vs Vikunja → |
| Apple Reminders | free | proprietary, free | Local | ★ $0 forever | Things 3 vs Apple Reminders → |
| Microsoft To Do | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | Things 3 vs Microsoft To Do → |
The picks
2 open source · 2 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Super Productivity
open sourceMITLocal21kaug 2026A local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be created
The catch vs Things 3Super Productivity is busier and more time-tracking-oriented than Things and lacks its exceptionally polished native Apple quick-capture and planning flow.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobilewebone-click install
- install
- Use the browser/PWA or install a packaged desktop or mobile build
- your data
- Tasks, projects, time records, and settings are local-first in browser or app storage; optional synchronization and backups use the user's chosen WebDAV or Dropbox account
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 02
Vikunja
open sourceAGPL-3.0+Local or hosted5.0kaug 2026A capable Todoist replacement once you accept becoming its hosting department
The catch vs Things 3Vikunja feels like a hosted web task system and cannot match Things’ native offline polish, frictionless capture, or elegant Today and Upcoming experience.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopwebself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Use the paid hosted service or deploy the free server with Docker Compose, a package, or the standalone binary
- setup
- The free path requires a server or Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and normally a reverse proxy with TLS
- your data
- Tasks, projects, users, and settings live in SQLite, MySQL/MariaDB, or PostgreSQL, with attachments in a persistent files directory, on the selected host
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 03
Apple Reminders
freeproprietary, freeLocalThings minus the polish tax, provided every device in sight has an Apple logo
The catch vs Things 3Apple Reminders is less coherent and polished than Things for organizing Areas, multi-step projects, headings, start dates, deadlines, and the Today-to-Upcoming flow.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobileone-click install
- install
- Preinstalled on iPhone, iPad, and Mac; enable iCloud or another supported reminders account for synchronization
- engines
- Optional Apple Intelligence can suggest or auto-categorize reminders on supported devices; ordinary task management does not require AI
- your data
- Structured reminder records live in iCloud or another configured reminders account and are cached on Apple devices; iCloud provides account-level restore rather than user-visible task files
- checked
- 2026-08-10
- 04
Microsoft To Do
freeproprietary, freeHostedA polished free task manager, paid for with a Microsoft account rather than money
The catch vs Things 3Microsoft To Do lacks Things’ refined Areas-and-project hierarchy, headings, start-versus-deadline distinction, and Apple-native interaction polish.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- desktopmobilewebthey host it
- install
- Install the Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android app, or use the web app, and sign in with a Microsoft account
- setup
- Requires a Microsoft account
- your data
- Tasks are stored as structured records on Microsoft's Exchange Online servers and surface in Outlook Tasks across synchronized clients
- checked
- 2026-08-10
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · Things 3 open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to Things 3?+
The top free alternative to Things 3 is Super Productivity (open source, MIT). A local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be created Other popular Things 3 replacements include Vikunja, Apple Reminders, Microsoft To Do.
Can I self-host a free replacement for Things 3?+
Yes. Of the 4 free alternatives to Things 3, 1 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Vikunja (AGPL-3.0+).
Should I vibe-code or build my own Things 3 clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for Things 3 is YES (the core loop fits in a weekend). The core loop is small enough for a capable coding agent to produce a useful local version in one sitting. For Things 3, build a polished personal task manager with areas, projects, tags, deadlines, and a today view. The hard boundary is exceptional native design, apple-device sync, shortcuts, and long-term maintenance, plus cross-device reliability and workflow polish.
What is the catch when switching from Things 3 to Super Productivity?+
Super Productivity is busier and more time-tracking-oriented than Things and lacks its exceptionally polished native Apple quick-capture and planning flow.
