Honest Comparison
GoalSplitter vs Things 3
An honest look at how GoalSplitter and Things 3 compare - where each wins, and which is right for your needs.
GoalSplitter vs Things 3: Things 3 ($9.99 (iPhone/Watch) / $19.99 (iPad) / $49.99 (Mac) — one-time purchase) - Beautiful GTD task manager for Apple devices. GoalSplitter (Free / $9.99/mo) is an AI-powered weekly life-balance planner that schedules tasks across all life categories - work, fitness, family, learning, and new ventures - not just professional productivity. Choose Things 3 if you're focused purely on professional productivity. Choose GoalSplitter if you want to balance your whole life, not just your workday.
Last updated: February 2026
Feature comparison at a glance
| Feature | Things 3 | GoalSplitter |
|---|---|---|
| Life-balance categories | No — task manager only | Yes — unlimited categories with time allocation |
| Cross-platform | Apple only | Web-based (any device) |
| Time blocking | No | Yes — zone-based time blocking |
| AI task generation | No | Yes — Claude-powered with clarifying questions |
| Weekly planner | No — list-based | Yes — full drag-and-drop weekly view |
| GTD methodology | Yes — built-in | No — category-based approach |
| Pricing model | One-time purchase (~$80 total) | Free / $9.99/month Pro |
| Best for | Apple users with GTD preference | Anyone balancing life across categories |
Where Things 3 wins
We believe in honest comparisons. Here's where Things 3 has the edge.
- Clean, beautiful design with intuitive interface
- Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology built-in
- One-time purchase — no subscriptions or ongoing fees
- Family Sharing support — purchase once, share with family
Where GoalSplitter wins
Here's where GoalSplitter has the advantage.
- Apple devices only — no Android, Windows, or web version
- No time blocking or scheduling engine
- No life-balance category framework
- No AI-powered task generation or planning
The verdict
Choose Things 3 if...
You use Apple devices exclusively and follow GTD methodology. You prefer one-time purchases over subscriptions.
Choose GoalSplitter if...
You want to balance work, fitness, family, and side projects across a week. You need AI to help and a system that works on any device.
Try GoalSplitter FreeFrequently asked questions
Is Things 3 better than GoalSplitter?
Things 3 excels at GTD task management for Apple users. GoalSplitter excels at weekly life-balance planning across all categories.
Can I use Things 3 and GoalSplitter together?
Yes. Use Things 3 for task capture and GTD organization, GoalSplitter for scheduling into a balanced weekly plan.
Why would I choose GoalSplitter over Things 3?
If you need to balance work, fitness, family, and side projects across a week — not just organize tasks — GoalSplitter's category-based time allocation is designed for that.
Does GoalSplitter work on iPhone and Mac?
GoalSplitter is web-based, so it works on iPhone and Mac browsers. Native apps for iOS and macOS are planned.
Stop planning your work. Start planning your life.
Choose what matters today. Let GoalSplitter figure out your week.
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