Plane vs Things 3 — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Plane 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.. Plane (3.9) is the better pick if you need teams that want an open-source, self-hostable alternative to jira or linear.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Plane | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 3.9(44) | ★★★★★ 4.7(287) |
| Pricing Model | open_source | paid |
| Starter Price | $7/user/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 | Teams that want an open-source, self-hostable alternative to Jira or Linear | Apple users who value beautiful design and want GTD-inspired personal task management. |
| Verdict | recommended | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Plane | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Issue tracking | — | |
| Cycles and sprints | — | |
| Modules | — | |
| Roadmaps | — | |
| Self-hosting option | — | |
| API and webhooks | — | |
| GTD-inspired workflow | — | |
| Today, Upcoming, Anytime, Someday views | — | |
| Quick Entry from any app | — | |
| Areas and projects organization | — | |
| Headings within projects | — | |
| Beautiful animations and design | — |
Plane
Pros
- ✓Open-source and self-hostable
- ✓Clean interface
- ✓Good feature set
- ✓Active development
Cons
- ✕Less polished than Linear
- ✕Smaller ecosystem
- ✕Self-hosting requires maintenance
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 Plane and Things 3 are solid tools in the Project Management space. Things 3 edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and is the better choice for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. However, if you prioritize teams that want an open-source, self-hostable alternative to jira or linear, Plane is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.