BetterKeeper vs Things 3: the better all-in-one for Apple users
BetterKeeper
Tasks, projects, notes, and time tracking — all in one native Apple app, synced through your iCloud. No extra apps, no extra subscriptions.
Things 3
A beautifully designed task manager for Apple devices. Excellent for personal task management, but focused on tasks only — notes and time tracking live elsewhere.
Feature comparison
| BetterKeeper | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Task management | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Built-in notes | ✓ Notes per task & project | ✗ Notes field only |
| Project management | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (Areas) |
| Time tracking | ✓ Built-in timers | ✗ Not available |
| iPhone, iPad & Mac | ✓ Native apps | ✓ Native apps |
| Data storage | Your iCloud only | Things Cloud (their servers) |
| No account needed | ✓ Apple ID only | ✗ Things Cloud account |
| Offline access | ✓ Full offline | ✓ Full offline |
| Home screen widgets | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing | $4.99/mo or $29.99/yr | One-time: $9.99 (iPhone) + $19.99 (iPad) + $49.99 (Mac) |
Where they really differ
Every task and project has a dedicated notes field. Write a meeting summary, paste reference material, or add context — it all lives next to the task it belongs to. No switching to Bear or Apple Notes.
Things offers a plain-text notes field per task, not a proper notes editor. For anything structured — a project brief, a meeting summary, reference material — you still need a separate notes app.
One tap starts a timer on any task. BetterKeeper logs the session and shows total time per task and per project. No Toggl, no Harvest, no manual entry. Everything in one place.
Things has no time tracking. Freelancers and anyone who needs to log hours must use a separate tool — which means another app, another subscription, and context switching every time you start or stop work.
Your data is stored in your personal iCloud account. BetterKeeper has no backend server and never sees your tasks, notes, or time logs. Sync happens entirely through Apple's infrastructure.
Sync uses Things Cloud — Cultured Code's own servers. It works well, but your data lives on a third-party server rather than in your own Apple account. You need a Things Cloud account to sync across devices.
One subscription covers iPhone, iPad, and Mac — $4.99/month or $29.99/year. Free for 30 days with no card required. You get all features, all platforms, with one payment.
Things 3 is a one-time purchase — but separately for each platform: $9.99 (iPhone), $19.99 (iPad), $49.99 (Mac). Using all three costs ~$80 upfront. No subscription.
Which one is right for you?
You want tasks, notes, projects, and time tracking in one native Apple app — without juggling multiple subscriptions. Especially the right choice if you're a freelancer, consultant, or anyone who tracks time for clients.
Pure task and project management is all you need — and you prefer a one-time purchase over a subscription. Things 3 has exceptional UX and a well-established ecosystem of integrations.