Things 3 is it the best todo app?

[hank moody]

Slightly confused by this as I use Siri integration for Things 3 and add timed reminders daily... Am I missing something? Things 3 is by far my most used app and nothing else compares for me. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. I use it for personal reminders, errands, subscription renewals, right through to complicated projects at work.

OmniFocus is just too cluttered, the UI looks rather ugly and the whole thing just clunky in comparison. It is also REALLY over priced for what it is. Just my personal opinion though lol

why don't you use calendar app for that?
i find myself using the calendar app more and more. it is amazing and native.

i only use a 2do app for things i don't have a date to do it and want to remember it.
otherwise i put everything in calendar app. it is amazing.

this is why i am curious with the new Clear app. it is simple and beautiful.

 

[hank moody]

Clear was updated to iPhone X

 

[btaeuber]

I use Asana to organize all of my projects and to-do lists. It is simple and easily customizable, and you can use it on your phone or computer.

It also helps if you are working with a group of people, as you can keep track of what everyone needs to do and what they have already done.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Clear was updated to iPhone X

The development of Clear 2 is taking aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages!

 

[philbo7]

I have tried most of the common ones suggested but find I like to schedule everything. I'm currently using Sorted. They just came out with version 3. It lets you see your calendar items right alongside your scheduled to-do's. I can add events to my calendar (for me iOS) from the app and my to-do's are not clogging up that iOS calendar. You can maintain lists and folders with either scheduled or non-scheduled items. It currently is only iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch but they are working on a Mac version. After that they say they will work on a web client, then Android and then a Windows version.

Check it out: https://staysorted.com/

 

[urbancity]

I tried Sorted 3 and it was great. However, Things 3 has spoiled me with the keyboard shortcuts and I couldn’t get over having to manipulate entries by touch in Sorted 3. Also, I am used to having both start and end dates, which Sorted 3 doesn’t. I would switch in a heart beat if Sorted 3 would implement keyboard shortcuts and start & end dates.

I have tried most of the common ones suggested but find I like to schedule everything. I'm currently using Sorted. They just came out with version 3. It lets you see your calendar items right alongside your scheduled to-do's. I can add events to my calendar (for me iOS) from the app and my to-do's are not clogging up that iOS calendar. You can maintain lists and folders with either scheduled or non-scheduled items. It currently is only iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch but they are working on a Mac version. After that they say they will work on a web client, then Android and then a Windows version.

Check it out: https://staysorted.com/

 

[KarimLeVallois]

I have tried most of the common ones suggested but find I like to schedule everything. I'm currently using Sorted. They just came out with version 3. It lets you see your calendar items right alongside your scheduled to-do's. I can add events to my calendar (for me iOS) from the app and my to-do's are not clogging up that iOS calendar. You can maintain lists and folders with either scheduled or non-scheduled items. It currently is only iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch but they are working on a Mac version. After that they say they will work on a web client, then Android and then a Windows version.

Check it out: https://staysorted.com/

That app is such a Things 3 rip off lol

 

[Fireproof!]

My opinion is that to-do lists are kind of like diets. They can ALL work - but the “best one” is the one you can stick with!!

I’ve tried many - Omnifocus, Firetask, 2Do, Appigo’s To Do, Things, and Nirvana, etc. (Plus some Kanban style apps like Trello, etc.)

Picking the best app for YOU depends on what you are looking for, how you like to work, and what you deem important.

If you want ultimately flexibility and “deep task planning” - something like OmniFocus would be a good fit. Etc.

For me - I like to follow GTD principles, though I’m not a purist. I like some flexibility. I only use Apple products so while I do want something that works (and syncs) across all my devices, I do not care if it’s web-based or cross-platform. And I highly prioritize elegance and style.

So for me - Things 3 is the best. I’ve been a user since the original Things, and occasionally try a new app/system for a while, but keep coming back to me. It just works how I need it to. And the few features people complain it’s lacking - isn’t really a need for me. I will say that in the Things 2 era, development was SLOW. But lately they’ve picked up the pace, and I like what they are doing with regards to integration with the Apple Watch and Siri. Good stuff.

One App that I don’t hear mentioned much that was developed specifically to support GTD is Nirvana. It’s also elegant and functional and they have a web-app for your desktop and iOS and Android phone apps. Check it out at https://www.nirvanahq.com/

FireTask is one that was mentioned in a prior post and it too doesn’t get a lot of mention. I thought it was nice too.

But for me - I’m sticking with Things 3.

Good luck!

 

[dbrewood]

One App that I don’t hear mentioned much that was developed specifically to support GTD is Nirvana. It’s also elegant and functional and they have a web-app for your desktop and iOS and Android phone apps. Check it out at https://www.nirvanahq.com/!

I'm a big Toodledo fan here using 2Do but not sure where they are going with the service as it's just been bought. Nirvana looks interesting and is now on my test list!

 

[Fireproof!]

Did you mean it’s “now” on your test list? (vs. “not”?). Guessing that’s a typo.

 

[vbctv]

I'm a big Toodledo fan here using 2Do but not sure where they are going with the service as it's just been bought. Nirvana looks interesting and is not on my test list!

Who bought 2Do?, last I heard they had bought BusyCal & BusyContacts. That could be why there has been nothing form 2Do on twitter since Aug 25.

 

[dbrewood]

Did you mean it’s “now” on your test list? (vs. “not”?). Guessing that’s a typo.

Whoops, yep typo corrected

Who bought 2Do?, last I heard they had bought BusyCal & BusyContacts. That could be why there has been nothing form 2Do on twitter since Aug 25.

Ah ha it could well be, I'd not heard of those purchases.

 

[JroksterJuice]

Is Things 3 the best todo app or is there something better?

I use todoist and have tried things 3 and tick tick, etc, etc, etc, and have come back to Todoist everytime.

 

[drewla2]

Toodledo was great back in the day. I used it when I was getting my grad degree. Now I prefer the simplicity of Todoist for Omnifocus.

Toodledo
I love the idea of Toodledo and have used it on and off for several years. It’s cheap, powerful, and multi-platform. But the interface is like something from the mid 1990s. The iPad app is so ugly I can barely look at it. It astonishes me that the developers don’t see how terribly off-putting this is. I’ve asked them several times what’s going on but they just dismiss the idea that visual appeal has any importance.

Setapp
Anyone else use Setapp? It’s a Mac-specific collection of useful productivity software tools, mainly task lists, project management, timers & calendars, writing and blogging aids, Mac maintenance tools and much more. Costs about $9 a month which might seem a lot but it includes 2Do, CleanMyMacX, Gemini, Journey, Aeon Timeline, iThoughts mind-mapping and a ton of other stuff I use that would cost far more if bought individually. Well worth a trial.

That said, I think I’ll give Things 3 a go. I like 2Do but some things annoy me.
[doublepost=1537829094][/doublepost]

You're perfectly correct about personal preference.

I use OmniFocus as well. I swapped to 2DO for some time (and its really good as well). However, I went back to OmniFocus, its brilliant. I love the Projects and Contexts aspects and how the tasks are streamlined into your daily inbox. Also, for daily tasks that repeat its great, I have what I call Stack Habits. 5 minute daily tasks stacked up to a total of 30 minutes (ie clean the bedroom, take out plates and cups, sanitize keyboard and mouse, wash and dry clothes etc, and so on). And the fact it works so well with the Apple Watch makes it ideal for me.

I agree that OmniFocus is a great app but (big but) only if you’re heavily into the GTD methodology and use reviews and contexts and perspectives and dependencies etc. etc. It handles all of that stuff very well. But if you don’t use them, and prefer a more straightforward task list and reminders app, OmniFocus can be total overkill where its feature-richness actually gets in the way.

OmniOutliner is superb IMO but I find syncing rather tricky.

 

[Fireproof!]

Toodledo
I love the idea of Toodledo and have used it on and off for several years. It’s cheap, powerful, and multi-platform. But the interface is like something from the mid 1990s. The iPad app is so ugly I can barely look at it. It astonishes me that the developers don’t see how terribly off-putting this is. I’ve asked them several times what’s going on but they just dismiss the idea that visual appeal has any importance.

I totally agree with you! I couldn’t get past it. Too many nicer looking options to consider than to have to stick with that

 

[Skeptical.me]

Toodledo
I love the idea of Toodledo and have used it on and off for several years. It’s cheap, powerful, and multi-platform. But the interface is like something from the mid 1990s. The iPad app is so ugly I can barely look at it. It astonishes me that the developers don’t see how terribly off-putting this is. I’ve asked them several times what’s going on but they just dismiss the idea that visual appeal has any importance.

Setapp
Anyone else use Setapp? It’s a Mac-specific collection of useful productivity software tools, mainly task lists, project management, timers & calendars, writing and blogging aids, Mac maintenance tools and much more. Costs about $9 a month which might seem a lot but it includes 2Do, CleanMyMacX, Gemini, Journey, Aeon Timeline, iThoughts mind-mapping and a ton of other stuff I use that would cost far more if bought individually. Well worth a trial.

That said, I think I’ll give Things 3 a go. I like 2Do but some things annoy me.
[doublepost=1537829094][/doublepost]

I agree that OmniFocus is a great app but (big but) only if you’re heavily into the GTD methodology and use reviews and contexts and perspectives and dependencies etc. etc. It handles all of that stuff very well. But if you don’t use them, and prefer a more straightforward task list and reminders app, OmniFocus can be total overkill where its feature-richness actually gets in the way.

OmniOutliner is superb IMO but I find syncing rather tricky.

Yeah, if all you want is a straight forward tasks list it's definitely overkill. I use Omnioutliner, I use it first to figure out everything that has to be done in a project, break everything down. Then I use OmniFocus to schedule it all. I've had a few sync issues as well.

 

[Cervontez]

No love for Todoist? Tried Things 3 and TickTick but can’t back to Todoist.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Actually I quit Todoist for Remember the Milk...I do not miss karma.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I just installed my free upgrade to Omnifocus 3. Glad Omni allowed the free upgrade. Saved me $79.00 I like it thus far.

 

[hank moody]

edit: sorry, wrong topic

 

[hank moody]

Soo, any new great todo app? Clear is taking forever to release the new app.

 

[KarimLeVallois]

Soo, any new great todo app? Clear is taking forever to release the new app.

Still rocking Things in dark mode and loving it!

 

[sean000]

TickTick added dark mode as well, and you can also set an auto-dark mode and choose a display brightness level for it to kick in. This is really nice because I can use the standard white background during the day and at night it will automatically switch to dark mode.

 

[NaimNut]

Actually I quit Todoist for Remember the Milk...I do not miss karma.

i was using RTM for years but it was getting long in the tooth so I switched to todoist. Now I use Google products at work and though not perfect, its ok for my needs. Google Tasks works well in the Calender and with reminders all is good/covered. For personal, I use Things 3 in iOS and MacOS. Overkill for my needs but Dark Mode is cool on the 4k and my iPhX.

 

[sean000]

i was using RTM for years but it was getting long in the tooth so I switched to todoist. Now I use Google products at work and though not perfect, its ok for my needs. Google Tasks works well in the Calender and with reminders all is good/covered. For personal, I use Things 3 in iOS and MacOS. Overkill for my needs but Dark Mode is cool on the 4k and my iPhX.

I know what it's like to juggle more than one tool for this kind of stuff. I use Jira to track most of my stuff at work, but we also use Office 365 Teams and Planner (which has Trello style boards). Office 365 is also integrating Outlook tasks into a "To Do" interface that is probably based on Wunderlist (which they bought in 2015), but you can't share tasks (at least not yet). My wife likes the simplicity of Google Keep, so I use that as well when it comes to task lists I need to share with her. For a time I was wishing that TickTick integrated with some of these other tools, but I've developed my own rules for what I manage in TickTick vs what I managed in other tools. At least all these tools work on iOS!