Brain.fm vs Things 3
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading productivity solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Brain.fm if you need Neuroscience-designed music and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Things 3 if you prioritize Today view and want plans starting at $9.99/one-time. Things 3 has a higher user rating (4.8 vs 4.7).
Brain.fm vs Things 3: At a Glance
Feature Comparison: Brain.fm vs Things 3
| Feature | Brain.fm | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience-designed music | ||
| Focus tracks | ||
| Relaxation tracks | ||
| Sleep tracks | ||
| Offline mode | ||
| Multiple genres | ||
| Cross-platform access | ||
| Ad-free experience | ||
| Today view | ||
| Projects and areas | ||
| Quick entry | ||
| Tags | ||
| Calendar integration | ||
| Apple Calendar | ||
| Siri | ||
| Shortcuts | ||
| Macos support | ||
| Ios support | ||
| Ipados support | ||
| Watchos support |
Brain.fm vs Things 3: Pricing Breakdown
Brain.fm Pricing
Model: subscription
- Unlimited music access
- Focus, relax, and sleep tracks
- Offline mode
- Ad-free experience
- Everything in Monthly
- Significant savings
- Priority support
Things 3 Pricing
Model: one-time
- Full iOS app
- Today widget
- Siri integration
- Full iPad app
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Split view
- Full Mac app
- Menu bar quick entry
- Mail to Things
Pros and Cons
Brain.fm
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
- Available on 4 platforms (Web, IOS, Android, MacOS)
- Rich feature set with 8+ capabilities
- Strong Neuroscience-designed music functionality
- Strong Focus tracks functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Things 3
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.8/5)
- Available on 4 platforms (Macos, Ios, Ipados, Watchos)
- Rich feature set with 13+ capabilities
- Strong Today view functionality
- Strong Projects and areas functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Brain.fm vs Things 3?
Choose Brain.fm if you:
- Need Neuroscience-designed music
- Have a budget of $9.99/month+
- Work primarily on Web and IOS
- Value Focus tracks
Choose Things 3 if you:
- Need Today view
- Have a budget of $9.99/one-time+
- Work primarily on Macos and Ios
- Value Projects and areas
Frequently Asked Questions: Brain.fm vs Things 3
Is Brain.fm better than Things 3?
It depends on your needs. Brain.fm has a 4.7/5 user rating while Things 3 has 4.8/5. Brain.fm excels in Neuroscience-designed music and Focus tracks, while Things 3 stands out with Today view and Projects and areas. Consider your budget ($9.99/month vs $9.99/one-time), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or Things 3?
Brain.fm starts at $9.99/month. Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Brain.fm and Things 3 together?
While both are productivity tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core productivity needs.
What are the main differences between Brain.fm and Things 3?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs one-time), platform support (Web, IOS, Android, MacOS vs Macos, Ios, Ipados, Watchos), and feature focus. Brain.fm emphasizes Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks while Things 3 focuses on Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry. User ratings differ slightly: 4.7 vs 4.8 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Brain.fm and Things 3.