Looking for a Things 3 Alternative?
Written By The Aftertone Team
Why people leave Things 3
Things 3 is one of the best-designed task managers ever made. The ceiling is that it's only a task manager -- no calendar integration, no time blocking, and no insight into whether your tasks are actually getting done during the time you set aside.
How to cancel Things 3
Things 3 is a one-time purchase -- there is no subscription to cancel. Your app continues to work indefinitely.
Go to Things 3 billing settings
What to look for in a Things 3 alternative
The right replacement depends on why Things 3 stopped working for you:
If you need better calendar integration. Look for a tool where tasks and calendar live in the same view — not two separate apps you have to manually sync.
If you need less manual overhead. Auto-scheduling (where the tool suggests a plan and you confirm it) cuts the time spent maintaining your system. Avoid tools that reschedule without your input.
If you need clearer output data. A weekly report that shows whether your protected time produced real work is more useful than a productivity score or a streak counter.
What Aftertone does differently
Aftertone adds the layer Things 3 doesn't have. Tasks and calendar in one view, time blocking built in, a Focus Screen for execution, and a weekly report that shows how your time was actually spent.
How to get your data out of Things 3
Step 1. In Things 3, go to File → Export (Mac) to export a project as a CSV or task list.
Step 2. Alternatively, select all tasks in a project (Cmd+A), copy, and paste directly into Aftertone's Smart Capture.
Step 3. Aftertone reads the plain text task list and structures it automatically.
Things 3 is a one-time purchase — your app keeps working after you switch. You don't need to delete it immediately.
How to set up Aftertone
2. Download Aftertone. Free 14-day trial at aftertone.io/get-started. No card required.
3. Connect Google Calendar. Your existing events pull in immediately. Your calendar and tasks are now in one view.
4. Plan your first week. Use Auto Plan to schedule your tasks. The weekly report will tell you at the end of the week whether it worked.
Full migration guide: aftertone.io/university/coming-from-another-tool
Frequently asked questions
How do I cancel Things 3?
Things 3 is a one-time purchase -- there is no subscription to cancel. Your app continues to work indefinitely. Direct link: https://culturedcode.com/things/
How do I export my data from Things 3?
Most Things 3 data can be exported from Settings or as a CSV. Once exported, paste your task list into Aftertone's Smart Capture and it structures everything automatically. See aftertone.io/university/coming-from-another-tool for a step-by-step guide.
Is there a free trial for Aftertone?
Yes. 14 days, no card required. Download at aftertone.io/get-started.
What does Aftertone do that Things 3 doesn't?
Aftertone adds the layer Things 3 doesn't have. Tasks and calendar in one view, time blocking built in, a Focus Screen for execution, and a weekly report that shows how your time was actually spent.
Try Aftertone free -- 14 days, no card required
See the full comparison: Aftertone vs Things 3 (2026)
