Todoist vs Things: Structured Method or Flexible System?

Todoist and Things are both serious task managers. They’re not simple checklists, and they’re not trying to be enterprise tools.

They solve the same problem in different ways.

Things is an Apple-only task manager built around a clear, opinionated structure for personal planning.

Todoist is a cross-platform task and project management system designed to handle both individual work and small team coordination across different tools and devices.

The difference comes down to how you work.

If you want a guided personal system inside the Apple ecosystem, Things works.

If you need something that can stretch across work and life, and hold up once other people or projects are involved, Todoist is the better fit.

At a glance: Todoist vs Things

Things: Opinionated and refined

Things is built around a clear, structured way of planning.

It follows a defined flow:

• Capture in the Inbox

• Organize into Areas and Projects

• Plan with Today and Upcoming

• Move things into Anytime or Someday

That structure encourages regular review. You’re guided to decide what matters now and what can wait, rather than letting tasks pile up.

It’s also highly polished. The interface is clean, the interactions are smooth, and everything feels at home on Apple devices.

If you’re fully in the Apple ecosystem, it fits naturally into that environment.

For solo users who value simplicity, aesthetics, and a consistent planning rhythm, Things is a good choice.

Where Things draws the line

Things is designed for personal use.

There’s no built-in collaboration. No task assignment or shared projects. If your work involves other people, you’ll need a separate tool.

It’s also Apple-only. There’s no Windows app, no Android app, and no web version.

That focus keeps the experience tight, but it also means your task system is tied to one ecosystem.

If your setup is mixed, or you work across devices and teams, that limitation becomes harder to ignore.

Todoist: Flexible by design

Todoist doesn’t push you into a single way of planning. You can keep things simple, or build more structure as your workload grows.

Tasks live in one place, but you can organise them in different ways depending on what you need. You might group work into projects, filter down to just what matters today, or create views that show exactly what needs your attention.

The system adapts to how you work, rather than asking you to adapt to it.

That makes it easier to keep everything together. Personal tasks, work projects, side ideas, and shared responsibilities can all live in the same system without competing for space.

Collaboration changes the equation

This is the clearest dividing line.

Things is built for individuals. Todoist holds up once other people are involved.

You can share projects, assign tasks, and keep conversations tied to the work itself. Things don’t get lost in messages or duplicated across tools.

If your work involves coordination, Todoist can act as a single source of truth rather than something you layer on top of other systems.

For freelancers, founders, and small teams, there is only one viable option.

Cross-platform continuity

Things is exceptional on Apple devices. That’s its strength.

Todoist works across macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, the web, and browser extensions.

More importantly, your system isn’t tied to one setup. You can use Outlook at work and an iPhone at home, switch devices over time, or collaborate with people on different platforms without friction.

Your setup can change, and your tasks and projects seamlessly move with you. 

Structure vs flexibility

Things offers more built-in guardrails. Its Areas and Someday views encourage thoughtful planning. It feels cohesive and contained.

Todoist offers more customization. Labels and filters allow you to build focused views like “High priority this week” or “Client work due soon.”

If you enjoy working inside a defined method, Things feels reassuring.

If you prefer shaping your own system, Todoist gives you more control.

When Things is the better fit

Choose Things if:

• You use only Apple devices and plan to stay there

• You want a polished, native experience that feels consistent everywhere

• You prefer a very structured way of planning your tasks

• You’re managing your own work, not coordinating with others

It’s at its best as a personal task manager inside the Apple ecosystem.

When Todoist is the better fit

Choose Todoist if:

• Your setup spans different platforms or devices

• Your tasks cover both work and personal

• You’re managing multiple projects or areas of responsibility

• You collaborate with others or expect to in the future

• You want a system that can grow with you instead of being replaced later

Todoist is built for when your workload is more varied, more connected, and less predictable.

So which should you choose?

Things is a beautifully crafted personal task manager with an opinionated structure.

Todoist is a task and project management system that can handle both individual work and shared projects across different platforms.

If your world is Apple and your tasks are personal, Things is a great option.

If your work spans different tools, devices, or people, Todoist is the more practical choice.

It’s less about features, and more about whether your system needs to stay contained or keep up as you grow.