Shortcut vs Things 3 — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Shortcut 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.. Shortcut (4.3) is the better pick if you need engineering teams of 10-100 who want more structure than trello but less than jira..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Shortcut | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.3(112) | ★★★★★ 4.7(287) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | paid |
| Starter Price | $8.50/user/mo (Standard) | $9.99 (iPhone), $19.99 (iPad) |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | web | ios, mac |
| Learning Curve | easy | easy |
| API Available | Yes | No |
| Best For | Engineering teams of 10-100 who want more structure than Trello but less than Jira. | Apple users who value beautiful design and want GTD-inspired personal task management. |
| Verdict | recommended | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Shortcut | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| [object Object] | ✓ | ✓ |
Shortcut
Pros
- ✓Perfect balance between simplicity and structure
- ✓Excellent API and Git integration for developer workflows
- ✓Generous free tier with full features for 10 users
Cons
- ✕Web-only — no desktop or mobile apps
- ✕Less brand recognition leads to smaller community
- ✕Docs feature is basic compared to Notion or Confluence
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 Shortcut and Things 3 are solid tools in the Project Management space. Things 3 edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and is the better choice for apple users who value beautiful design and want gtd-inspired personal task management.. However, if you prioritize engineering teams of 10-100 who want more structure than trello but less than jira., Shortcut is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.