Clockwise
Things 3
| Feature | Clockwise | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $6.75/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | engineering-teams, remote-teams, managers, knowledge-workers | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2016 | 2009 |
| Focus Time | ✓ | ✗ |
| Smart Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Meeting Optimization | ✓ | ✗ |
| Analytics | ✓ | ✗ |
| Slack Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Calendar Sync | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Clockwise Pros
- Creates Focus Time automatically
- AI resolves scheduling conflicts
- Team-wide schedule optimization
- Integrates with Google/Outlook calendars
✗ Clockwise Cons
- Requires team adoption for best results
- Can over-optimize meeting moves
- Limited value for individuals alone
✓ Things 3 Pros
- One-time purchase (no subscription)
- Stunning Apple-native design
- GTD workflow built in
- Keyboard shortcuts and natural language
✗ Things 3 Cons
- Apple ecosystem only
- No collaboration features
- No web version
The Verdict
Clockwise is built for engineering teams and remote teams, with a focus on focus-time and smart-scheduling. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
Pricing is close: Clockwise starts at $6.75/mo versus $9.99/mo for Things 3 — not a deciding factor on its own.
Clockwise has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. Things 3 requires a paid subscription from day one.
Things 3 edges out on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.3). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Bottom line: Things 3 has a slight overall edge — but if creates focus time automatically matters most to you, Clockwise may still be the right call.