Things 3 set the bar for what a to-do app should feel like. dither was built to match that bar — and to fix the one thing Things 3 never will: it only runs on Apple.
Written by dither's developer — the numbers below are accurate as of this page's last update, but check each app's own store listing for current pricing.
Same one-time-purchase philosophy, same attention to detail. The difference is what platform you're allowed to use it on.
| dither | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Android, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows | iPhone, iPad, Mac only |
| Pricing model | One-time purchase, no subscription | One-time purchase, no subscription |
| Price per platform | $9.99 (Android / iPhone+iPad) · $24.99 (Mac / Windows) | $9.99 (iPhone) · $19.99 (iPad) · $49.99 (Mac) |
| Free trial | 21 days, full app, no sign-up | None — buy first, no trial on any platform |
| Sync | Your own cloud folder — Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, anything that syncs | Things Cloud (Apple's own servers, no self-hosting option) |
| Data export | Full JSON & Markdown export, always available | No built-in full export |
| Reminders | Re-fire until you act — done or snooze from the notification | One-shot system notification |
| Task dependencies | Yes — lock a to-do until its prerequisite is done | Not supported |
| Freeform notes / scratchpads | Markdown pages, scratchpads, attachments, hand-drawn scribbles | A notes field per to-do — no standalone notes surface |
| Import from Things 3 | Yes — tasks, projects, areas, tags, deadlines | — |
| Account required | No | No |
On price: owning dither on every platform it ships on ($9.99 + $9.99 + $24.99 + $24.99) costs less than owning Things 3 on the three platforms it ships on ($9.99 + $19.99 + $49.99) — and dither adds Android and Windows, which Things 3 doesn't offer at any price.
Credit where it's due — Things 3 has had a decade to sand down every rough edge, and it shows.
Things 3 has been refined since 2017. dither is newer — expect it to keep closing small polish gaps over time.
Things 3 goes deeper on Apple-only surfaces built up over years: Shortcuts actions, Apple Watch, a longer-established Mail-to-Things flow.
If you've used Things 3 for years and never touch a non-Apple device, cross-platform reach may simply not matter to you — and that's a fair reason to stay.
No account, no card, no commitment. See if dither earns the switch on its own terms.