MeisterTask vs Things 3 — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of MeisterTask 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.. MeisterTask (4.1) is the better pick if you need visual teams who prefer kanban and want beautiful design.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | MeisterTask | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.1(51) | ★★★★★ 4.7(287) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | paid |
| Starter Price | $13.50/user/mo | $9.99 (iPhone), $19.99 (iPad) |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | web, ios, android | ios, mac |
| Learning Curve | easy | easy |
| API Available | Yes | No |
| Best For | Visual teams who prefer Kanban and want beautiful design | Apple users who value beautiful design and want GTD-inspired personal task management. |
| Verdict | situational | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | MeisterTask | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Kanban boards | — | |
| Task automations | — | |
| Time tracking | — | |
| MindMeister integration | — | |
| Custom fields | — | |
| GTD-inspired workflow | — | |
| Today, Upcoming, Anytime, Someday views | — | |
| Quick Entry from any app | — | |
| Areas and projects organization | — | |
| Headings within projects | — | |
| Beautiful animations and design | — |
MeisterTask
Pros
- ✓Beautiful design
- ✓Great automations
- ✓Unique mind-mapping integration
Cons
- ✕Expensive for Kanban-only tool
- ✕No Gantt or list views
- ✕Free tier is restrictive
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 MeisterTask and Things 3 are solid tools in the Project Management space. Things 3 edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and is the better choice for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. However, if you prioritize visual teams who prefer kanban and want beautiful design, MeisterTask is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.