Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Things VS Obsidian

Compare Things VS Obsidian and see what are their differences

Things logo Things

Things is an easy to use task manager.

Obsidian logo Obsidian

GraphQL caching tool for the Deno runtime environment
  • Things Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-01-17
  • Obsidian Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-26

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.

Obsidian features and specs

  • Customizability
    Obsidian offers a high level of customizability, allowing users to personalize their workspace with plugins, themes, and settings to suit their workflow preferences.
  • Markdown Support
    It uses Markdown for writing and formatting, enabling users to create and manage plaintext notes that are easy to export and compatible with other Markdown-supporting applications.
  • Local Storage
    Obsidian stores notes locally on your device, providing greater privacy and control over data without relying on cloud services for storage.
  • Linking and Backlinking
    The software excels in creating connections between notes through bidirectional linking, helping users to build a network of related ideas and facilitating complex knowledge management.
  • Community and Extensions
    A vibrant community offers numerous third-party plugins and extensions, enhancing the basic functionality of Obsidian and helping users to expand its capabilities to meet diverse needs.

Possible disadvantages of Obsidian

  • Learning Curve
    Due to its extensive features and customizability, new users might face a steep learning curve when beginning to use Obsidian effectively.
  • Lack of Native Mobile App
    While Obsidian has mobile apps, some users feel they lack the full functionality and smooth experience of the desktop version, which can hinder productivity on the go.
  • No Built-in Cloud Sync
    Obsidian does not offer an integrated cloud syncing solution, requiring users to set up third-party cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive for cross-device access.
  • Resource Intensive with Large Vaults
    Handling very large vaults with numerous notes and extensive linking can become resource-intensive, potentially slowing down performance on less powerful devices.
  • Limited Task Management Features
    Obsidian is primarily a note-taking tool, and its built-in task management features are limited compared to dedicated task management applications.

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.

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?

Obsidian videos

I Tried Obsidian Note Taking for a Week... (MD App Review, Tips, Features, Guide, and Setup)

More videos:

  • Review - OBSIDIAN: Getting Started, Facts & Pricing
  • Review - Obsidian: The Most Secure Notion Alternative (not sponsored)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Things and Obsidian)
Task Management
94 94%
6% 6
Note Taking
0 0%
100% 100
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
Productivity
87 87%
13% 13

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 Obsidian

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.

Obsidian Reviews

We have no reviews of Obsidian yet.
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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 / 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
  • 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

Obsidian mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Obsidian yet. Tracking of Obsidian recommendations started around Apr 2022.

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Bear - Bear.app is a note-taking and content writing app that helps you boost productivity with its intuitive tools.

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

Notion - All-in-one workspace. One tool for your whole team. Write, plan, and get organized.

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

Simplenote - The simplest way to keep notes. Light, clean, and free. Simplenote is now available for iOS, Android, Mac, and the web.