Best Task Management Apps: Todoist vs Things vs TickTick

Table of Contents

• Introduction: My Journey with Task Management Apps
• Todoist: The Collaboration Champion
• Things: Apple’s Perfect Companion
• TickTick: The Feature-Rich Underdog
• Head-to-Head Comparison
• Which App for Which User
• Migration and Setup Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts

Introduction: My Journey with Task Management Apps

I’ll be honest with you – I’ve been somewhat obsessed with task management apps for the better part of a decade. As someone who’s been working remotely since 2015, bouncing between different time zones and managing multiple projects simultaneously, finding the right task management system has been crucial to my productivity and sanity.

Over the years, I’ve tested everything from simple note-taking apps to complex project management platforms. But three apps have consistently risen to the top of my recommendations: Todoist, Things, and TickTick. Each has carved out its own niche, and after using all three extensively across different phases of my remote work journey, I’ve developed strong opinions about when each shines brightest.

In my experience, the “best” task management app isn’t universal – it depends heavily on your workflow, the devices you use, whether you work solo or with teams, and frankly, what kind of interface makes you want to actually use the app daily. Let me walk you through what I’ve learned about each of these powerhouses.

Todoist: The Collaboration Champion

Why Todoist Became My Go-To for Team Projects

Todoist has been my primary task manager for the past three years, and there’s a good reason for that. When I started taking on more collaborative projects with clients across different continents, I needed something that could handle shared projects without making my collaborators jump through hoops.

What works for me with Todoist is its natural language processing. I can type “Call Sarah about the project proposal tomorrow at 2pm” and it automatically creates a task scheduled for 2pm the next day. After years of testing different input methods, this feels the most intuitive – it’s like having a conversation with your task manager.

Todoist’s Standout Features

The project templates feature has been a game-changer for my recurring workflows. I’ve created templates for client onboarding, content creation pipelines, and even travel planning. When I start a new project, instead of recreating the same 20 tasks from scratch, I just apply a template and adjust the dates.

The karma system might seem gimmicky, but I’ve found it surprisingly motivating. Seeing my productivity trends and earning points for completing tasks adds a subtle gamification element that keeps me engaged, especially during slower periods.

Cross-platform consistency is where Todoist really shines. Whether I’m on my MacBook in a café in Lisbon or using the Android app on my phone while traveling through Southeast Asia, the experience remains virtually identical. The sync is nearly instantaneous – I’ve never lost a task due to sync issues.

Pricing and Value Proposition

Todoist offers a generous free tier that includes up to 80 projects and basic collaboration features. The Pro plan at $4/month unlocks unlimited projects, labels, filters, and advanced features like comments and file uploads. For teams, the Business plan at $6 per user per month adds admin features and team insights.

In my experience, the Pro plan hits the sweet spot for most solo users and small teams. The free version is genuinely useful, but once you start managing complex projects, those 80 projects fill up quickly.

Things: Apple’s Perfect Companion

The Design That Makes You Want to Use It

If you’ve ever used Things, you know what I mean when I say it’s simply beautiful. This isn’t just about aesthetics – though the app is gorgeous – it’s about how the design actually makes task management feel less like work and more like a natural part of your day.

I spent about eight months using Things exclusively when I was working primarily from my MacBook and iPhone. The attention to detail is remarkable: the subtle animations, the way lists organize themselves, the intuitive drag-and-drop functionality. It’s the kind of app that makes you want to add tasks just to experience organizing them.

The Getting Things Done Implementation

Things is built around David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology, and it shows. The Areas and Projects structure naturally guides you toward thinking about your tasks in a hierarchical way. I’ve found this particularly helpful for managing long-term goals alongside daily tasks.

The “Someday” list is brilliant for capturing ideas without cluttering your active workspace. Over the years, I’ve developed a weekly review habit where I go through my Someday items and either promote them to active projects or delete them entirely. This keeps my system clean and purposeful.

Apple Ecosystem Integration

Where Things absolutely excels is Apple ecosystem integration. The Shortcuts app integration lets me create complex automations – I have one that automatically adds a task to review meeting notes whenever I create a new note in Apple Notes with “meeting” in the title.

The Apple Watch app is surprisingly functional. During my morning walks, I often capture task ideas using Siri, and they seamlessly appear in my inbox when I sit down to work.

Limitations to Consider

The biggest limitation is obvious: Things is Apple-only. When I was collaborating with team members on Windows or Android, sharing tasks meant taking screenshots or copying text. There’s no web app, no collaboration features, and no way to share projects with non-Apple users.

Pricing is also on the higher side – $49.99 for Mac, $19.99 for iPhone, and $19.99 for iPad. These are one-time purchases, which I appreciate, but the total investment can be substantial if you want the full ecosystem.

TickTick: The Feature-Rich Underdog

Why TickTick Surprised Me

I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical about TickTick. It seemed like another task app trying to compete with the big names. But after using it for six months during a particularly complex project phase, I came to appreciate its comprehensive feature set and competitive pricing.

What immediately impressed me was the built-in calendar view. Instead of switching between my task app and calendar constantly, TickTick lets me see my scheduled tasks alongside my meetings and appointments. This unified view has been incredibly helpful for time blocking and understanding my actual availability.

Unique Features That Stand Out

The Pomodoro timer integration is seamless – I can start a focus session directly from a task without switching apps. As someone who relies heavily on time blocking, this feature alone made TickTick worth considering.

Habit tracking is another standout feature. While it’s not as robust as dedicated habit apps, having it integrated with my task management means I can track both my daily habits and project tasks in one place. I use it for tracking things like daily writing goals and exercise routines.

The collaboration features are surprisingly robust for the price point. I can share projects with clients, assign tasks, and add comments – functionality that would cost significantly more in other apps.

Performance Across Platforms

TickTick works well across all platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web. While the design isn’t as polished as Things or as intuitive as Todoist, it’s consistent and functional everywhere. The sync is reliable, and I’ve never experienced data loss.

The mobile apps are particularly well-designed. The quick-add functionality is excellent, and the widget options on both iOS and Android provide useful at-a-glance information.

Pricing That’s Hard to Beat

TickTick’s pricing is its secret weapon. The free version includes 99% of what most users need – multiple projects, collaboration, calendar view, and basic automation. The premium version at $2.40/month (billed annually) adds features like calendar integration, habit tracking, and advanced filters.

For the feature set you get, this is exceptional value. I often recommend TickTick to people who want premium functionality without the premium price tag.

Head-to-Head Comparison

User Interface and Experience

In terms of pure design elegance, Things wins hands down. Every interaction feels polished and intentional. Todoist comes in second with a clean, functional interface that stays out of your way. TickTick, while not ugly, feels more utilitarian – function over form.

However, I’ve learned that the “best” interface is the one you actually want to use daily. Some of my colleagues prefer TickTick’s information density, while others find Things’ minimalism more appealing.

Cross-Platform Availability

This is where the differences become stark:

• Todoist: Available everywhere – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web, browser extensions, smart watches, and more
• Things: Apple ecosystem only – Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
• TickTick: Available on all major platforms with consistent functionality

If you use multiple platforms or collaborate with others who do, Things is immediately out of contention.

Collaboration Features

For team work, Todoist is the clear winner. Project sharing, task assignment, comments, and file attachments create a complete collaborative experience. TickTick offers solid collaboration features for the price. Things has no collaboration features at all – it’s strictly a personal productivity tool.

Advanced Features

TickTick packs the most features: calendar integration, habit tracking, Pomodoro timer, multiple reminder options, and location-based tasks. Todoist focuses on core task management with excellent filters, labels, and automation. Things keeps it simple with beautiful project organization and Apple ecosystem integration.

Which App for Which User

Choose Todoist If…

After years of recommending task apps to fellow remote workers, I suggest Todoist if you:

• Work with teams or clients who need access to shared projects
• Use multiple platforms (switching between Mac and PC, or iOS and Android)
• Want robust filtering and search capabilities
• Prefer natural language input for quick task creation
• Need reliable email integration and forwarding

I particularly recommend Todoist for freelancers and consultants who manage multiple clients. The project organization and collaboration features make client communication much smoother.

Choose Things If…

Things is perfect if you:

• Live entirely within the Apple ecosystem
• Prioritize design and user experience over feature quantity
• Follow or want to implement Getting Things Done methodology
• Prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions
• Work primarily solo without needing collaboration features

I often recommend Things to creative professionals who work independently and value a beautiful, distraction-free environment.

Choose TickTick If…

TickTick works best if you:

• Want maximum features for minimal cost
• Need calendar integration and time blocking
• Want to combine task management with habit tracking
• Use the Pomodoro Technique regularly
• Work across multiple platforms but don’t need premium collaboration features

I recommend TickTick for students, solopreneurs, and anyone who wants to try premium task management features without a significant financial commitment.

Migration and Setup Tips

Starting Fresh vs. Migrating

In my experience, switching task management apps is an opportunity to audit your system. I’ve found that starting fresh often works better than trying to migrate everything. Most of us have accumulated digital clutter in our task lists – old projects, outdated goals, and tasks that no longer matter.

When I switched from Wunderlist to Todoist a few years ago, I only migrated active projects and used it as a chance to eliminate tasks that I’d been carrying around for months without action.

Setting Up Your New System

Regardless of which app you choose, start with these fundamental practices that I’ve refined over years of remote work:

1. Create a consistent project structure – I use categories like “Work,” “Personal,” “Learning,” and “Waiting For” across all apps
2. Establish a daily review routine – Spend 10 minutes each morning reviewing and organizing your tasks
3. Use a trusted capture method – Whether it’s voice notes, quick add shortcuts, or email forwarding, have a reliable way to capture ideas quickly
4. Keep your system simple initially – Add complexity gradually as you develop consistent habits

Integration with Other Tools

Task management apps work best when integrated with your broader workflow. I connect mine with calendar apps, note-taking systems, and project management tools. Zapier and IFTTT can bridge gaps between apps if direct integrations aren’t available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which task management app has the best free version?

TickTick offers the most comprehensive free version, including unlimited projects, collaboration features, and basic calendar integration. Todoist’s free tier is also generous with 80 projects and basic features. Things doesn’t have a free version but offers a 15-day trial.

Can I use these apps offline?

Yes, all three apps work offline, though with varying capabilities. Things has the most robust offline functionality since it’s designed for Apple devices. Todoist and TickTick both cache recent data for offline viewing and task creation, syncing when you’re back online.

Which app is best for team collaboration?

Todoist is the clear winner for team collaboration, offering project sharing, task assignment, comments, and file attachments. TickTick provides basic collaboration features that work well for small teams. Things has no collaboration features as it’s designed for individual use.

Are these apps secure for sensitive work information?

All three apps use industry-standard encryption for data transmission and storage. Todoist and TickTick are cloud-based services with robust security measures. Things stores data locally on Apple devices with iCloud sync, which some users prefer for sensitive information.

Which app integrates best with other productivity tools?

Todoist has the most third-party integrations, connecting with tools like Gmail, Slack, Zapier, and hundreds of other apps. TickTick offers good integration options, especially with calendar apps. Things excels at Apple ecosystem integration but has fewer third-party connections.

Final Thoughts

After years of testing and using these three apps in various work situations, I’ve come to realize that the “best” task management app is deeply personal. What matters most is finding the one that fits your workflow so naturally that you forget you’re using a tool at all.

If I had to make the choice today, knowing what I know about my work patterns and collaboration needs, I’d probably stick with Todoist for its versatility and team features. But I completely understand why someone might choose Things for its beautiful simplicity or TickTick for its comprehensive feature set at an unbeatable price.

My advice? Try the free versions or trials of each app for at least a week. Set up a few real projects, not just test data. See which one you naturally reach for when you need to capture a quick thought or plan your day. The app that feels most natural in those moments is probably your winner.

Remember, the best productivity system is the one you actually use consistently. These are all excellent tools – your job is simply to find the one that disappears into your workflow and helps you get things done without getting in your way.