# TickTick vs Things

Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026

TickTick is the top pick for most Mac users looking at Task managers. It is free and installs in one Homebrew command. Things is the stronger choice if you want tasks. As of October 2026, both install with brew install --cask ticktick and brew install --cask things.

In August 2026 Things remains the recommendation for Apple-only users who want the most refined daily task experience and refuse a productivity subscription. TickTick is the right default if you live cross-platform, want an all-in-one hub, or need shared lists and time-blocking without extra apps. The tie-break is platform mix and module appetite, not which app is "better" in the abstract.

## Head to head

| Factor | TickTick | Things |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Paid |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Replaces | Things 3 ($50) | — |
| Best for | tasks, to-do, reminders | tasks, to-do, gtd |
| Install | brew install --cask ticktick | brew install --cask things |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |

## TickTick

To-do & task list manager

Install: `brew install --cask ticktick`

[TickTick on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/ticktick)

## Things

Award-winning personal task manager for Mac with a clean design and powerful organization features.

Install: `brew install --cask things`

[Things on Bundl](https://bundl.run/apps/things)

## Features

- **Platform coverage.** TickTick wins cross-platform; Things wins depth inside Apple.
- **Task capture and parsing.** Things feels faster for Apple-centric capture.
- **Calendar and time-blocking.** TickTick's integrated time-blocking is a clear edge.
- **Habits and Pomodoro.** TickTick replaces two extra apps.
- **Design and focus.** Things wins beauty and cognitive ease.
- **Pricing model.** Things is cheaper over 3 years for Apple users; TickTick is cheaper if you need Windows/Android.
- **Collaboration.** TickTick wins if you share work.
- **Tahoe 26.x / Apple Silicon.** Things feels more at home on Tahoe.

## FAQ

### Is TickTick or Things cheaper long-term?

On Apple only, Things is usually cheaper after year two: about $80 once versus $36/year for TickTick Premium. If you need Windows/Android/web, TickTick is the cheaper way to stay cross-platform. Three years of TickTick Premium is roughly $108 before tax; the Things Apple set is still the one-time ~$80 planning figure used above.

### Does Things have a subscription?

No. Things 3 is a one-time purchase per platform on the App Store. Things Cloud sync is free. You pay again only if Cultured Code ships a new major version, which has not happened as a forced upgrade since 2017.

### Can Things do time-blocking like TickTick?

Not natively. Things can show calendar events inside Today/Upcoming, but you time-block in Apple Calendar, Fantastical, or a calendar app. TickTick lets you drag tasks onto a built-in calendar.

### Which is better for team collaboration?

TickTick. Shared lists, assignees, and comments cover families and small teams. Things is personal productivity first; sharing is light.

### Which feels better on macOS Tahoe?

Things feels more native - Liquid Glass styling, system Shortcuts, and Handoff. TickTick is well-optimized on M-series but carries a denser interface.

### Can I use Things on Windows?

No. Things is Apple-only. If you need Windows or Android, choose TickTick, Todoist, or another cross-platform app.

### Do I lose habits/Pomodoro if I choose Things?

Yes inside the app. Pair Things with a habit app (Streaks) and a timer (Flow, Be Focused) if you choose it. TickTick keeps those modules built in.

## Sources

- [TickTick - homepage](https://www.ticktick.com/home)
- [TickTick - pricing](https://ticktick.com/about/pricing)
- [Things - homepage and features](https://culturedcode.com/things/)
- [Things - App Store pricing](https://apps.apple.com/app/things-3/id904280696)
- [Things 3 review - pricing and platforms](https://www.techrepublic.com/article/things-3-review/)
- [TickTick review 2026](https://www.cloudwards.net/ticktick-review/)
- [macOS Tahoe overview](https://www.apple.com/macos/macos-tahoe/)
- [Things vs Apple Reminders comparison 2026](https://medium.com/the-mac-alchemist/things-3-vs-apple-reminders-i-paid-60-for-a-to-do-app-was-i-wrong-7161737e19d5)

## Related

- [TickTick vs Todoist](https://bundl.run/compare/ticktick-vs-todoist)
- [TickTick vs OmniFocus](https://bundl.run/compare/ticktick-vs-omnifocus)
- [Reminders vs Things](https://bundl.run/compare/reminders-vs-things)
- [Things vs OmniFocus](https://bundl.run/compare/things-vs-omnifocus)
- [Things vs Todoist](https://bundl.run/compare/things-vs-todoist)

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