Spark
Things 3
| Feature | Spark | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $7.99/mo | From $9.99/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Best For | professionals, small-teams, freelancers, mac-users | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers |
| Founded | 2015 | 2009 |
| Smart Inbox | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Writing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Team Email | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scheduling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Templates | ✓ | ✗ |
| Priority Sorting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Inbox | ✗ | ✓ |
| Today View | ✗ | ✓ |
| Areas And Projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Headings | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Quick Entry | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Spark Pros
- Beautiful design
- AI writing assistant
- Smart inbox
- Team features
✗ Spark Cons
- Limited platform support
- Privacy concerns
- Some features behind paywall
✓ 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
Spark is built for professionals and small teams, with a focus on smart-inbox and ai-writing. Things 3 targets apple users and gtd practitioners and leads with inbox and today-view.
Pricing is close: Spark starts at $7.99/mo versus $9.99/mo for Things 3 — not a deciding factor on its own.
Spark 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 4.4). 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 beautiful design matters most to you, Spark may still be the right call.