Cal AI vs Things 3 — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Cal AI and Things 3 to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Things 3 takes the lead with a 4.7 rating and is best for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. Cal AI (4.2) is the better pick if you need professionals who want an ai assistant to handle scheduling conversations naturally.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Cal AI | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.2(46) | ★★★★★ 4.7(287) |
| Pricing Model | paid | paid |
| Starter Price | $8/mo | $9.99 (iPhone), $19.99 (iPad) |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Platforms | Web | ios, mac |
| Learning Curve | easy | easy |
| API Available | Yes | No |
| Best For | Professionals who want an AI assistant to handle scheduling conversations naturally | Apple users who value beautiful design and want GTD-inspired personal task management. |
| Verdict | situational | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Cal AI | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Natural language booking | — | |
| AI availability management | — | |
| Text and email scheduling | — | |
| Calendar integration | — | |
| Smart rescheduling | — | |
| Multi-calendar support | — | |
| GTD-inspired workflow | — | |
| Today, Upcoming, Anytime, Someday views | — | |
| Quick Entry from any app | — | |
| Areas and projects organization | — | |
| Headings within projects | — | |
| Beautiful animations and design | — |
Cal AI
Pros
- ✓Natural language scheduling
- ✓Eliminates back-and-forth
- ✓Easy to set up
- ✓Good AI understanding
Cons
- ✕Additional cost on top of Cal.com
- ✕AI can misunderstand complex requests
- ✕Limited to scheduling
Things 3
Pros
- ✓Most beautifully designed task manager available
- ✓One-time purchase — no subscription fees
- ✓GTD-inspired workflow is intuitive and effective
Cons
- ✕Apple-only — no Windows, Android, or web version
- ✕No collaboration features whatsoever
- ✕No API or third-party integrations beyond Apple ecosystem
The Bottom Line
Both Cal AI and Things 3 are solid tools in the Project Management space. Things 3 edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and is the better choice for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. However, if you prioritize professionals who want an ai assistant to handle scheduling conversations naturally, Cal AI is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.