Routine
Things 3
| Feature | Routine | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $10/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | busy-professionals, executives, solopreneurs, productivity-enthusiasts | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2020 | 2009 |
| Smart Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Unified Inbox | ✓ | ✗ |
| Natural Language | ✓ | ✗ |
| Calendar Sync | ✓ | ✗ |
| Focus Mode | ✓ | ✗ |
| Recurring Routines | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Routine Pros
- Unifies calendar + tasks + notes
- AI auto-schedules tasks into free time
- Beautiful minimal design
- Natural language task creation
✗ Routine Cons
- Newer product with fewer integrations
- Limited team features
- AI scheduling needs training period
✓ 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
Routine is built for busy professionals and executives, with a focus on smart-scheduling and unified-inbox. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
Both tools come in at similar price points ($10/mo for Routine, $9.99/mo for Things 3), so pricing won't make the decision for you.
Routine 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 4.2). 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 unifies calendar + tasks + notes matters most to you, Routine may still be the right call.