RescueTime
Things 3
| Feature | RescueTime | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $6.5/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | knowledge-workers, remote-workers, freelancers, productivity-enthusiasts | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2008 | 2009 |
| Automatic Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Focus Sessions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Distraction Blocking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Daily Highlights | ✓ | ✗ |
| Goals | ✓ | ✗ |
| Detailed Reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ RescueTime Pros
- Fully automatic - no manual input needed
- Detailed productivity scoring
- Focus session mode blocks distractions
- Long-term trend analysis
✗ RescueTime Cons
- No free tier anymore
- Cannot track offline/meeting time well
- Limited team features
✓ 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
RescueTime is built for knowledge workers and remote workers, with a focus on automatic-tracking and focus-sessions. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
Pricing is close: RescueTime starts at $6.5/mo versus $9.99/mo for Things 3 — not a deciding factor on its own.
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 fully automatic - no manual input needed matters most to you, RescueTime may still be the right call.