Softwr

Software · head to head

Abstract vs Things 3

Abstract logo

Abstract

Software

Design version control and asset management

From
Free
Rated
-
Full review
Things 3 logo

Things 3

Software

The award-winning personal task manager

From
$9.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Abstract has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Abstract the product appears to be gone. Its documentation path 404s, goabstract.com no longer resolves, and abstract.com now belongs to an unrelated venture capital firm; Things 3 no team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
  • They diverge on capability: Abstract covers Version control, Things 3 covers Today view.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Abstract and Things 3 actually diverge.

Attributes where Abstract and Things 3 differ
AttributeAbstractThings 3
Starting priceFree$9.99/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacos, WebmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS
Founded20152004

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Abstract

  • Version control
  • Branching & merging
  • Asset library
  • Design tokens
  • Collaboration
  • File management
  • Comments
  • Activity tracking

Only in Things 3

  • Today view
  • Projects and areas
  • Quick entry
  • Tags
  • Calendar integration
  • Apple Calendar
  • Siri
  • Shortcuts

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Abstract

  • Design systemsnot Things 3
  • Version controlnot Things 3
  • Asset managementnot Things 3
  • Team collaborationnot Things 3

Things 3

  • Schedulingnot Abstract
  • Appointment bookingnot Abstract
  • Time trackingnot Abstract
  • Resource managementnot Abstract
  • Team coordinationnot Abstract

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Abstract

  • The product appears to be gone. Its documentation path 404s, goabstract.com no longer resolves, and abstract.com now belongs to an unrelated venture capital firm
  • Built around Sketch files, so it never covered teams that moved to Figma

Things 3

  • No team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
  • Apple ecosystem only, with no Windows, Android, or web version
  • No third-party app integrations beyond Apple's ecosystem
  • Cannot attach files or images to tasks, only text notes
  • No time blocking or calendar integration for scheduling tasks into specific time slots

Pricing, plan by plan

Abstract

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 shared library
    • Basic version control
    • 2 team members
  • Pro$12/month
    • Unlimited libraries
    • Full version control
    • Unlimited team members
  • Enterprise$50/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Advanced admin controls
    • Compliance & security

Things 3

$9.99/one-time
  • iPhone/Watch$9.99/one-time
  • iPad$19.99/one-time
  • Mac$49.99/one-time

Which should you pick?

Choose Abstract if

  • You need version control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Macos, Web.
  • You also want branching & merging.
Abstract review

Choose Things 3 if

  • You need today view.
  • You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
  • You also want projects and areas.
Things 3 review

Questions people ask

Is Abstract or Things 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Abstract starts at Free and Things 3 at $9.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Abstract or Things 3?
Abstract has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Abstract and $9.99/one-time for Things 3.
Does Abstract or Things 3 run on more platforms?
Abstract runs on Macos, Web. Things 3 runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
Can I use Abstract for free?
Yes. Abstract has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time.
What is Abstract best used for?
Abstract is most often used for design systems, version control, asset management, team collaboration. Of those, design systems and version control are not what Things 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Abstract do that Things 3 cannot?
Abstract covers Version control, Branching & merging, Asset library, Design tokens. Things 3 covers Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry, Tags.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Things 3: Does Things 3 support team collaboration?

No. Things 3 is designed for individual use only with no task sharing, team workspaces, task assignment, or commenting features.

Source
Things 3: What platforms does Things 3 run on?

Things 3 is exclusive to Apple devices: macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and visionOS. There is no Windows, Android, or web version.

Source
Things 3: How much does Things 3 cost?

Things 3 uses a one-time purchase model: $9.99 for iPhone/Watch, $19.99 for iPad, and $49.99 for Mac. Total cost for all platforms is approximately $80 with no subscription required.

Source
Things 3: Does Things 3 sync across devices?

Yes. Things Cloud keeps your to-dos in sync across all your Apple devices automatically. There is no extra cost for cloud synchronization.

Source
Things 3: Can you attach files or images to tasks in Things 3?

No. Things 3 does not support attachments. You can only add notes (text) to tasks.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Abstract

More on Things 3

Keep looking

Other head to heads