Smokeball
Things 3
| Feature | Smokeball | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $39/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | small-law-firms, mid-size-firms, litigation-practices, billable-hour-firms | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| Automatic Time Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Document Automation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Matter Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Billing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Microsoft Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Smokeball Pros
- Automatic time recording
- Deep Microsoft Office integration
- Strong document automation
- Excellent for billing accuracy
✗ Smokeball Cons
- Windows-only desktop app
- Higher price point
- Learning curve for automation
✓ 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
Smokeball is built for small law firms and mid size firms, with a focus on automatic-time-tracking and document-automation. 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 $39/mo for Smokeball. That $29.009999999999998/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.
Bottom line: Things 3 has a slight overall edge — but if automatic time recording matters most to you, Smokeball may still be the right call.