Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

Things VS ByDesign

Compare Things VS ByDesign and see what are their differences

Things

Things is an easy to use task manager.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
ByDesign

ByDesign is the only planner you’ll ever need — combining tasks, calendar, notes, and habits with AI scheduling, goal planning, and guided courses. Stay organized, achieve more, and design your future.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial $8 / Monthly (Pro plan , AI plan , AI Plus plan , Annual plan)
Alternatives Is it good?
cobwebs.app
Tap a thing and the counter resets. A quiet, local-first day counter for the things you keep meaning to do. No account needed, no spreadsheet. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Things seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 58 times since March 2021.

social mentions
58 vs 0
Task Management popularity
93% vs 7%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 107

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Things
ByDesign
Website culturedcode.com bydesign.io
Pricing
Official pricing
Freemium Free trial $8 / Monthly (Pro plan , AI plan , AI Plus plan , Annual plan) Official pricing
Company Startup from Germany —
Listed in
Project Management Task Management Todos Productivity +1
Daily Planners Task Management Event Management Calendar And Scheduling Calendar App Productivity +3

About Things and ByDesign

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Things
ByDesign

No description of Things yet.

ByDesign is an AI-powered productivity platform that brings tasks, calendars, notes, goals, and scheduling together in one workspace. It helps users organize their daily work, manage their time, and stay focused on their priorities. With the AI Planning Assistant, users can turn goals into...

Read more about ByDesign

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Things 7 features
ByDesign 9 features
  • User Experience
    Things is known for its clean, intuitive, and beautifully designed user interface, making it easy to use.
  • Integration with Apple Ecosystem
    Seamlessly integrates with macOS and iOS devices, offering features like Handoff and deep Apple Calendar integration.
  • Powerful Task Management
    Supports projects, areas, headings, and tags, providing a robust system for managing complex tasks and workflows.
  • Quick Entry
    Provides a quick entry function allowing users to capture tasks efficiently, which can later be categorized and detailed.
  • Updates and Support
    Regularly updated with new features and enhancements, backed by reliable customer support.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
    Offers extensive keyboard shortcuts for power users to navigate and manage tasks quickly.
  • Natural Language Processing
    Allows users to input tasks using natural language, which is then intelligently parsed and scheduled.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Things requires a one-time purchase for each platform (macOS, iOS), making it relatively expensive compared to some subscription-based competitors.
  • Platform Limitation
    Only available on Apple devices (macOS and iOS), making it inaccessible for users on Windows, Android, or other platforms.
  • No Collaboration Features
    Lacks built-in collaboration tools, which can be a drawback for teams looking to share and manage tasks collectively.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, fully utilizing advanced features can require time and a deeper understanding.
  • Limited Automation
    Offers fewer automation options and integrations compared to some competitors like Todoist or Microsoft To Do.
  • AI Planning Assistant
    Helps users organize tasks, events and habits , break goals into actionable steps, and plan their schedules with AI assistance
  • Task Management
    Create, organize, prioritize, and manage tasks in one workspace.
  • Calendar Management
    Manage daily schedules, appointments, and events
  • Google Calendar Integration
    Connect Google Calendar to view and synchronize supported events and changes with ByDesign.
  • Apple Calendar Integration
    Connect supported Apple calendars to manage events and schedules alongside ByDesign.
  • Two-Way Calendar Sync
    Keep supported calendar changes synchronized between ByDesign and connected external calendars.
  • Kanban Board
    Organize tasks visually into stages such as To Do, In Progress, and Completed.
  • Goal Planning
    Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks and action steps.
  • AI Scheduling Preview
    Review AI-suggested schedule changes before accepting or cancelling them.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Things
ByDesign

Overall verdict

  • Things is widely regarded as an excellent productivity tool, especially for Apple ecosystem users. It combines elegance with functionality, making it a top choice for those who prefer a minimalist but powerful task manager.

Why this product is good

  • Things by Cultured Code is highly acclaimed for its clean, intuitive design and effective task management features. It provides a seamless user experience with its natural language input, powerful integration with macOS and iOS, and features like projects, areas, deadlines, and reminders that help users organize their tasks efficiently. The app is particularly praised for its focus on simplicity and ease of use, which allows users to focus on their tasks without being overwhelmed by features.

Recommended for

    Things is ideal for individuals who are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and appreciate a minimalist design approach. It's perfect for users who prefer a straightforward, no-frills task management system that emphasizes ease of use, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal.

No analysis of ByDesign yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Things 3 videos + Add
ByDesign 1 video + Add

Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews: THINGS

More videos

  • - Things 3: Full Review (2019)
  • - OmniFocus vs. Things 3 review: which is best for you?

The Best AI Calendar App of 2026?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Things
ByDesign
93% 93%
Task Management
7% 7%
93% 93%
Project Management
7% 7%
91% 91%
Productivity
9% 9%
100% 100%
Todos
0% 0%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Things and ByDesign.

What makes your product unique?

ByDesign's answer:

ByDesign brings tasks, calendars, notes, goals, and AI-powered planning together in one workspace. Its AI Planning Assistant helps users organize their schedules, break goals into actionable tasks, and preview suggested changes before applying them. ByDesign also supports calendar integrations, helping users manage their work and schedules in one place.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

ByDesign's answer:

People should choose ByDesign if they want to manage their tasks, calendars, notes, and goals in one place instead of switching between multiple tools. Its AI Planning Assistant helps users plan their work, organize tasks, and make schedule changes with less manual effort. ByDesign combines everyday productivity tools with AI-assisted planning to make managing work easier and more organized.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

ByDesign's answer:

ByDesign is designed for students, professionals, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and busy individuals who want to manage their time and work more effectively. It is especially useful for people who handle multiple tasks, manage busy calendars, set personal or professional goals, and want AI assistance with planning and organization.

What's the story behind your product?

ByDesign's answer:

ByDesign was created to make productivity and planning simpler by bringing important everyday tools into one workspace. Managing tasks, calendars, notes, and goals across different applications can be time-consuming. ByDesign aims to solve this problem by combining these tools with an AI Planning Assistant that helps users organize tasks, plan schedules, and turn their goals into actionable steps.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

ByDesign's answer:

ByDesign uses modern web technologies and AI services to deliver its productivity and planning features. Its technology stack includes JavaScript-based frontend and backend technologies, database and API integrations, and AI models that support the Planning Assistant and tool-based actions. The platform also integrates with external calendar services to help users manage their schedules.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

ByDesign's answer:

ByDesign is designed for individuals and professionals who want to improve their productivity, manage their schedules, and organize their goals. We are focused on helping users simplify their daily planning and manage their work more efficiently.

User comments

Share your experience with using Things and ByDesign. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Things no reviews yet
ByDesign no reviews yet
  • 11 Ayanza Alternatives
    www.justalternativeto.com · Oct 2023

    Things 3 is a multi-award-winning personal task manager that assists you in keeping track of your tasks. The environment of the application is attractive with a fresh new look, delightful integrations, and powerful...

  • Five of the Best To-Do Apps for iOS
    www.macrumors.com · Feb 2020

    Things 3 is one of the few to-do apps that's not subscription based, and it costs $9.99 to purchase. Things 3 is also available for Mac and iPad, though each app must be purchased individually.

We have no reviews of ByDesign yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Things 58 mentions
ByDesign 0 mentions
  • We don't need startups, we need Digital-Mittelstand
    Correct: https://culturedcode.com/things/ Looks like the different apps (desktop, mobile, iPad) have different prices, but all are one-time payments of $10-$50. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Essential Software for Mac Users: Three Recommended Efficient Tools
    Things 3is an award-winning task management application known for its clean, elegant interface and intuitive usability. It employs a minimalist design style, allowing users to easily add, organize, and view tasks, helping individuals... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Show HN: I built a task manager that separates "Do" & "Due" dates
    How badly do Twos want to SEO rank on searches for Things? https://culturedcode.com/things/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago

View more

Tracking ByDesign since Oct 2026.

Alternatives to Things and ByDesign

When comparing Things and ByDesign, you can also consider the following products.

Loading...