Microsoft bought the popular task management app Wunderlist and stopped further development. Over the years, the company has been trying to port all Wunderlist functionality into the new app called Microsoft To-Do.
Their journey has been bumpy, but with the latest update I can confidently say the transition is complete. Microsoft To-Do is right in front of you with built-in apps like Todoist and Things 3.
The Things 3 app has received a design overhaul and at the same time, Culturedcode is improving the app by adding new functionality. It has been my recommendation for Apple loyalists.
We’ve already compared Microsoft To-Do with Todoist. In this article, we’re going to counter Thing 3. The comparison will be based on UI, usability, features, themes, sharing and price. Let’s jump.
availability
3. Things are exclusive to Apple. That is, it is only available on iOS and macOS. Microsoft To-Do is accessible from any platform. You can use the app on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS.
User Interface and Theme Support
Both Things 3 and Microsoft To-Do have received a design overhaul. However, their approach is different. Microsoft took inspiration from Wunderlist and implemented a card-style UI and beautiful wallpapers.
Swipe left and the hamburger menu is ready to serve you with different options (more on that later).
Speaking of customization, you can change the appearance of the background in a list. Pastel colors include default wallpapers (my preference) and solid colors. However, you cannot change the default white theme of the hamburger menu.
The 3rd Thing is all about a minimalist approach. You can access each option directly from the home screen. It’s a unique approach I’ve seen in a task management app. And I love it.
Simply tap the ‘+’ icon to create a task or new project. Swipe down from the home screen to search for the to-do list. The settings menu is just a tap away at the bottom. And the best part about the app is that every interaction happens via dropdown menus. It looks good and saves time.
Things 3 supports the native iOS 13 dark theme. You can choose between Gray color or Pure Black.
Features and Task Management
Microsoft has a capable My Day function. You can add tasks directly from the submenu. I like the quick way to add a new task. You can add other details like files, notes, time later.
The application allows you to create lists from the menu below. Microsoft also makes use of its other services. You can mark an email in Outlook; this will appear in the Flagged Email list in the To Do app.
Microsoft also offers basic project management with subtasks and list sharing functionality. I’ve seen some small teams using the to-do app to keep track of issues in the ongoing project, as the app offers file attachments.
Microsoft To-Do also offers long-press functionality to quickly add a new task and set the day in advance. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t offer iOS widgets. The app also lacks Siri shortcut support.
Thing 3 offers three options to start the day. You can add a new task, create a field (list), and start a project. When adding a task, you can integrate the relevant tag, add due date, subtasks and prioritize.
I was very impressed with the speed of adding task details. Everything happens in a small pop-up box. The ability to attach files is missing here.
Sharing and project management of Thing 3 happens on an individual level. This means that you cannot invite others to join or edit the list. You can only share a list with others using the default share menu, which sends a regular list in plain words.
You can create and track ongoing projects using subtasks and deadlines. I like how it displays the remaining days on the default page.
Things 3 dominates Microsoft To-Do with support for Siri Shortcuts and Widgets. The app offers a wide variety of Siri Shortcuts for adding tasks via the default voice assistant.
You can also add new tasks by long pressing the application icon, explore today’s agenda and browse through the remaining tasks via the widget.
Things 3 also offers tight integration with popular calendar providers like iCloud, Gmail, and Outlook.
Pricing model
One of the reasons why many prefer Microsoft To-Do over costly competitors is pricing. It is completely free on all platforms, with no conditions attached.
The Thing 3 comes with a steep price tag. For starters, it doesn’t follow the subscription route and instead asks for a one-time payment. It costs $10 on iOS and the Mac version will set you back $50. This is one of the reasons why loyalists are looking for Things 3 alternatives for iOS and macOS.
Manage Tasks Like a Pro
As you can see from the comparison above, both apps have their strengths and weaknesses. Microsoft To-Do is free, cross-platform, has tight integration with Outlook mail, and sharing is better than the competition. Meanwhile, Things 3 provides better look and feel, Siri Shortcuts support, iOS widgets, and calendar integration.
Next: Both Google and Apple also offer a capable task management app. Read the post below to see a detailed comparison between them.
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