Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Things VS FocusList

Compare Things VS FocusList and see what are their differences

Things logo Things

Things is an easy to use task manager.

FocusList logo FocusList

Daily planner & focus timer based on timeboxing and pomodoro
  • Things Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-17
  • FocusList Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-02-05

Things features and specs

  • 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 of Things

  • 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.

FocusList features and specs

  • Productivity-Boosting Features
    FocusList incorporates the Pomodoro Technique, which can help users manage their time effectively and improve productivity by breaking tasks into focused intervals with short breaks.
  • Task Management
    The app allows for easy task management, enabling users to create, organize, and prioritize their to-do lists seamlessly, helping them stay on top of their workload.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    FocusList offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and utilize the app's features without a steep learning curve.
  • Progress Tracking
    Users can track their productivity over time, enabling them to analyze their work habits and make data-driven adjustments to their routines.
  • Multiple Device Sync
    The app supports syncing across multiple devices, ensuring that users can access their task list and productivity data on the go.
  • Effective Focus Tools
    The app includes various focus tools designed to help users maintain concentration and productivity, such as Pomodoro timers and task prioritization features.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Escape is available on multiple platforms, including macOS and iOS, allowing users to sync their tasks and focus sessions across different devices.
  • Customization Options
    Users have the ability to customize their focus sessions, break times, and notification settings, tailoring the app to fit their specific productivity needs.
  • Data Visualization
    The app provides insightful data visualizations and reports, enabling users to track their productivity patterns over time and make informed adjustments to their routines.

Possible disadvantages of FocusList

  • Cost
    FocusList is a paid app, which could be a barrier for some users who are looking for free productivity tools.
  • Limited Platform Availability
    FocusList is not available on all platforms, which may limit its accessibility for users who do not own compatible devices.
  • Feature Set
    Some users may find the feature set limited compared to other, more comprehensive productivity apps that offer a wider array of tools and integrations.
  • Learning Curve for Some Features
    While the app is generally user-friendly, some features may still require a bit of a learning curve for users who are not familiar with productivity techniques or digital task management.
  • No Collaboration Tools
    FocusList lacks collaboration features, making it less suitable for team-based projects where task sharing and group communication are essential.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of Escape has limited features, which might not be sufficient for all users and could push them towards a subscription plan more quickly.
  • Premium Subscription Cost
    The cost of the premium subscription might be considered high by some users, especially if they are looking for a more budget-friendly solution.
  • No Android Support
    As of now, Escape is not available on Android, which limits its usability for those who do not own Apple devices.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, some of the more advanced features and customizations might require a bit of a learning curve to fully utilize.
  • Resource Intensive
    The app can be somewhat resource-intensive, which might slow down older devices or consume more battery life than some users would prefer.

Analysis of Things

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.

Analysis of FocusList

Overall verdict

  • FocusList is generally considered a good tool for productivity, particularly for users who benefit from time-blocking strategies like the Pomodoro Technique. Its simplicity and targeted functionality appeal to those who prefer a straightforward approach to task management.

Why this product is good

  • FocusList is a task management application that helps users boost productivity by using the Pomodoro Technique. It provides features such as task timers, progress tracking, and reports on work habits. This makes it suitable for individuals looking to enhance focus and efficiency in their work routines.

Recommended for

  • Students seeking improved study habits
  • Professionals managing multiple tasks
  • Individuals aiming to minimize distractions
  • Remote workers requiring structured workflows

Things videos

Brandon's Cult Movie Reviews: THINGS

More videos:

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

FocusList videos

VR ARCADES NEED THIS! CLEANBOX - UV Disinfection System For VR Headsets - Kills Covid-19 Dead

More videos:

  • Review - 2020 Ford Escape - Review & Road Test
  • Review - ART CLEANBOX PRO review
  • Review - Ford Escape 2021 review
  • Review - The 2020 Ford Escape is Ford's Answer to NOT Selling Cars in the US Anymore

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Things and FocusList)
Task Management
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
61 61%
39% 39
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Time Tracking
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Things and FocusList

Things Reviews

11 Ayanza Alternatives
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 features. It has been completely effective to boost efficiency with easy to use and is attractive to the eye. The themes are a creative and powerful feature that...
Five of the Best To-Do Apps for iOS
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.

FocusList Reviews

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Things seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 58 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Things mentions (58)

  • 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 efficiently manage daily affairs. While Things 3 does not support team collaboration features, it provides a smooth user experience on macOS as a personal task management tool. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year 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 / over 1 year ago
  • Ask HN: What macOS apps/programs do you use daily and recommend?
    Alfred - Productivity App for macOS [1] iTerm2 - macOS Terminal Replacement [2] Dropshare App - upload anything anywhere on macOS [3] Mimestream - A native macOS email client for Gmail [4] Things - To-Do List for Mac & iOS [5] [1] https://www.alfredapp.com [2] https://iterm2.com [3] https://dropshare.app [4] https://mimestream.com [5] https://culturedcode.com/things. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Ready to advance from Evernote, looking at Obsidian
    Currently, I use Things (https://culturedcode.com/things/) for tasks and Evernote for notes, and experimented with Freeform (I love the visual aspect and simplicity). At work, I've used Notion, Mural, Miro, LucidChart, Quip, and many other collaboration-based knowledge systems. I never researched the best of personal knowledge systems until now. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

FocusList mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of FocusList yet. Tracking of FocusList recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

Todoist - Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

Focus App - New Tab page that gives you a moment of calm and inspires you to be more productive.

TickTick - TickTickis a cross-platform to-do list app & task manager helps you to get all things done and make life well organized.

Pomotodo - Todo-list based on Pomodoro technique.

Remember The Milk - Remember The Milk is a task and time management application for mobile devices.

Be Focused by XWaveSoft - Simple Pomodoro timer in your Mac's menu bar