Software Alternatives & Startups

Things VS RosterMate

Compare Things VS RosterMate and see what are their differences

Things

Things is an easy to use task manager.

Rating
0 reviews
RosterMate

RosterMate is NZ's leading workforce management software for shift-based businesses. Simplify staff scheduling, time tracking & rostering.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Paid Free trial NZ$8 / Monthly (Per User)
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

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
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 26

Base details

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

Things
RosterMate
Website culturedcode.com rostermates.com
Pricing
Paid Free trial NZ$8 / Monthly (Per User) Official pricing
Company Startup from Germany Startup from New Zealand · 1 - 9 employees · 2025
Listed in

About Things and RosterMate

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Things
RosterMate

No description of Things yet.

RosterMate Features: Automated Scheduling:** Instantly generate optimal staff rosters based on availability, roles, and labor rules. Shift Management:** Easily edit, swap, or approve shifts in real time. Availability Tracking:** Employees can submit and update their availability directly. Time...

Read more about RosterMate

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Things 7 features
RosterMate 5 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.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    RosterMate offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of tech-savviness.
  • Automated Scheduling
    The software provides automatic scheduling features that save time and reduce errors in staff rosters.
  • Customizable Rosters
    Users can customize rosters to fit specific business needs, accommodating different roles, shifts, and availability.
  • Cost-Effective
    RosterMate is an affordable solution for small to medium businesses, offering competitive pricing for its features.
  • Real-Time Updates
    The platform offers real-time updates, ensuring that all users have access to the most current schedule changes.

Analysis

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

Things
RosterMate

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.

Overall verdict

  • RosterMate is a solid, purpose-built staff scheduling and rostering tool tailored for New Zealand businesses, offering good value for small to medium-sized teams that need straightforward shift planning and time management.

Why this product is good

  • Designed specifically for the New Zealand market, so it aligns with local employment practices and compliance needs
  • Simplifies staff rostering and shift scheduling, saving managers time on manual planning
  • Helps track staff hours and availability, reducing scheduling conflicts and understaffing
  • Cloud-based access allows managers and employees to view rosters from anywhere
  • Generally affordable and user-friendly for small to medium businesses

Recommended for

  • Small and medium-sized New Zealand businesses needing staff rostering
  • Hospitality venues like cafes, restaurants, and bars with shift-based staff
  • Retail stores managing multiple employees across varying shifts
  • Managers looking to reduce time spent on manual scheduling
  • Businesses wanting a simple, locally-focused alternative to complex global workforce tools

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Things 3 videos + Add
RosterMate 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?

Leave Management in RosterMate | Requests, Approvals

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
RosterMate
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Things and RosterMate.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

RosterMate's answer:

RosterMate offers unmatched ease of use, advanced automation, and customization options tailored to each organization’s needs. Unlike many competitors, it provides real-time shift optimization, multi-location management, and predictive insights, all supported by a responsive customer success team.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

RosterMate's answer:

RosterMate’s primary audience includes businesses that rely on shift-based staff, such as retail stores, hospitality venues, healthcare facilities, and logistics companies. It’s designed for managers, HR teams, and business owners who need efficient, reliable, and scalable staff scheduling tools.

What's the story behind your product?

RosterMate's answer:

RosterMate was born out of frustration with outdated, time-consuming scheduling systems. A small team of operations and tech professionals set out to build a smarter, more intuitive solution that would empower businesses to manage staff effortlessly while improving employee satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

RosterMate's answer:

RosterMate is built using a modern tech stack that includes:

React.js for a fast, interactive user interface

Node.js and Express for a scalable backend

PostgreSQL for secure and reliable data management

AWS for cloud hosting and infrastructure

AI and machine learning algorithms for automated scheduling and optimization

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

RosterMate's answer:

Retirement Villages Rest Homes Hospitals Factory's Hotels Restaurants

What makes your product unique?

RosterMate's answer:

RosterMate stands out for its intelligent automation and user-friendly design. It combines powerful AI-driven scheduling with real-time flexibility, ensuring that managers save time while maintaining fairness and compliance. Its seamless integration with payroll, communication, and HR systems makes it an all-in-one workforce management solution.

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

Things no reviews yet
RosterMate no reviews yet
  • 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...

  • 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 RosterMate 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
RosterMate 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 RosterMate since Nov 2025.

Alternatives to Things and RosterMate

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