Things 3 vs Time Doctor
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading productivity solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Things 3 if you need Today view and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Time Doctor if you prioritize Time tracking with timer and want plans starting at $4/month. Things 3 has a higher user rating (4.8 vs 4.5).
Things 3 vs Time Doctor: At a Glance
| Criteria | Things 3 | Time Doctor |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Pricing | $9.99/one-time | $4/month |
| Pricing Model | one-time | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Macos, Ios, Ipados, Watchos | Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
Feature Comparison: Things 3 vs Time Doctor
| Feature | Things 3 | Time Doctor |
|---|---|---|
| Today view | ||
| Projects and areas | ||
| Quick entry | ||
| Tags | ||
| Calendar integration | ||
| Apple Calendar | ||
| Siri | ||
| Shortcuts | ||
| Macos support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Ipados support | ||
| Watchos support | ||
| Time tracking with timer | ||
| Activity monitoring | ||
| Screenshots | ||
| GPS tracking | ||
| Webcam monitoring | ||
| Reports and invoicing | ||
| Mobile apps | ||
| Team management |
Things 3 vs Time Doctor: Pricing Breakdown
Things 3 Pricing
Model: one-time
- Full iOS app
- Today widget
- Siri integration
- Full iPad app
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Split view
- Full Mac app
- Menu bar quick entry
- Mail to Things
Time Doctor Pricing
Model: subscription
- Time tracking
- Reports
- Mobile apps
- Basic integrations
- Everything in Basic
- Activity monitoring
- Screenshots
- Advanced reports
- Everything in Standard
- GPS tracking
- Webcam snapshots
- Advanced integrations
Pros and Cons
Things 3
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.8/5)
- Available on 4 platforms (Macos, Ios, Ipados, Watchos)
- Rich feature set with 13+ capabilities
- Strong Today view functionality
- Strong Projects and areas functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Time Doctor
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.5/5)
- Available on 5 platforms (Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows)
- Rich feature set with 8+ capabilities
- Strong Time tracking with timer functionality
- Strong Activity monitoring functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Things 3 vs Time Doctor?
Choose Things 3 if you:
- Need Today view
- Have a budget of $9.99/one-time+
- Work primarily on Macos and Ios
- Value Projects and areas
Choose Time Doctor if you:
- Need Time tracking with timer
- Have a budget of $4/month+
- Work primarily on Web and IOS
- Value Activity monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions: Things 3 vs Time Doctor
Is Things 3 better than Time Doctor?
It depends on your needs. Things 3 has a 4.8/5 user rating while Time Doctor has 4.5/5. Things 3 excels in Today view and Projects and areas, while Time Doctor stands out with Time tracking with timer and Activity monitoring. Consider your budget ($9.99/one-time vs $4/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Things 3 or Time Doctor?
Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time. Time Doctor starts at $4/month. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Things 3 and Time Doctor together?
While both are productivity tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core productivity needs.
What are the main differences between Things 3 and Time Doctor?
The key differences include: pricing model (one-time vs subscription), platform support (Macos, Ios, Ipados, Watchos vs Web, IOS, Android, MacOS, Windows), and feature focus. Things 3 emphasizes Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry while Time Doctor focuses on Time tracking with timer, Activity monitoring, Screenshots. User ratings differ slightly: 4.8 vs 4.5 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Things 3 and Time Doctor.