Mailbird
Things 3
| Feature | Mailbird | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $49.5/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | windows-users, professionals, multi-account-users, freelancers | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2012 | 2009 |
| Unified Inbox | ✓ | ✗ |
| App Integrations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Speed Reader | ✓ | ✗ |
| Snooze | ✓ | ✗ |
| Attachment Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Layouts | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Mailbird Pros
- Clean interface
- Unified inbox
- App integrations
- Speed reader
✗ Mailbird Cons
- Windows only
- No free tier
- Limited features vs competitors
✓ 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
Mailbird is built for windows users and professionals, with a focus on unified-inbox and app-integrations. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
On pricing, Things 3 is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $9.99/mo compared to $49.5/mo for Mailbird. That $39.51/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Neither tool offers a free plan, so factor the subscription cost into your decision from the start.
Things 3 edges out on user ratings (4.8 vs 4.1). 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 clean interface matters most to you, Mailbird may still be the right call.