Things 3
Time Doctor
| Feature | Things 3 | Time Doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $9.99/mo | From $7/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best For | apple-users, gtd-practitioners, individuals, design-lovers | remote-teams, outsourcing-companies, managers, virtual-assistants |
| Founded | 2009 | 2012 |
| Inbox | ✓ | ✗ |
| Today View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Areas And Projects | ✓ | ✗ |
| Headings | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tags | ✓ | ✗ |
| Quick Entry | ✓ | ✗ |
| Time Tracking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Screenshots | ✗ | ✓ |
| Activity Monitoring | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payroll Integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Project Budgets | ✗ | ✓ |
| Distraction Alerts | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ 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
✓ Time Doctor Pros
- Detailed activity monitoring
- Payroll integrations
- Client login portal
- Distraction alerts
✗ Time Doctor Cons
- Invasive monitoring can hurt morale
- Complex setup for larger teams
- Occasional tracking glitches
The Verdict
Things 3 is built for apple users and gtd practitioners, with a focus on inbox and today-view. Time Doctor targets remote teams and outsourcing companies and leads with time-tracking and screenshots.
Pricing is close: Time Doctor starts at $7/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 4.2). 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 detailed activity monitoring matters most to you, Time Doctor may still be the right call.