Software · head to head
Google Optimize vs Things 3
The short version
- Only Google Optimize has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Google Optimize google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023; Things 3 no team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
- They diverge on capability: Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Things 3 covers Today view.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Google Optimize and Things 3 actually diverge.
| Attribute | Google Optimize | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $9.99/one-time |
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS |
| Founded | 1998 | 2004 |
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 Google Optimize
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics integration
- Visual editor
- Real-time analytics
- Google Analytics
- Google Tag Manager
- Google's security
- Cloud deployment
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.
Google Optimize
- A/B and multivariate testing of web pages tied to Google Analytics goalsnot Things 3
- Personalising page content for defined audience segmentsnot Things 3
- Redirect tests between alternative landing page URLsnot Things 3
Things 3
- Schedulingnot Google Optimize
- Appointment bookingnot Google Optimize
- Time trackingnot Google Optimize
- Resource managementnot Google Optimize
- Team coordinationnot Google Optimize
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Google Optimize
- Google Optimize and Optimize 360 were sunset and are no longer available as of September 30, 2023
- Any experiments and personalizations still running on that date were ended by Google
- Google directs former users to third-party A/B testing tools, naming AB Tasty, Optimizely and VWO, rather than a replacement Google product
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
Google Optimize
Free- FreeFree
- A/B testing
- Google Analytics integration
- Visual editor
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 Google Optimize if
- You need a/b testing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want google analytics integration.
Choose Things 3 if
- You need today view.
- You work on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
- You also want projects and areas.
Questions people ask
- Is Google Optimize or Things 3 better?
- Neither clearly leads. Google Optimize 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, Google Optimize or Things 3?
- Google Optimize has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Google Optimize and $9.99/one-time for Things 3.
- Does Google Optimize or Things 3 run on more platforms?
- Google Optimize runs on Web. Things 3 runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
- Can I use Google Optimize for free?
- Yes. Google Optimize has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time.
- What is Google Optimize best used for?
- Google Optimize is most often used for a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals, personalising page content for defined audience segments, redirect tests between alternative landing page urls. Of those, a/b and multivariate testing of web pages tied to google analytics goals and personalising page content for defined audience segments are not what Things 3 is typically brought in for.
- What can Google Optimize do that Things 3 cannot?
- Google Optimize covers A/B testing, Google Analytics integration, Visual editor, Real-time analytics. 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.
SourceThings 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.
SourceThings 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.
SourceThings 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.
SourceThings 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Google Optimize
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- Things 3 vs Fathom Analytics
- Things 3 vs Funnel.io
- Things 3 vs Improvado
- Things 3 vs June
- Things 3 vs Todoist
- Things 3 vs OmniFocus 3
- Things 3 vs Brain.fm
- Things 3 vs TickTick
- Things 3 vs Akiflow
- Things 3 vs Any.do
- Things 3 vs Focus@Will
- Things 3 vs Forest
- Things 3 vs Google Workspace
- Things 3 vs Hubstaff
- Things 3 vs Remember The Milk
- Things 3 vs Structured
- Things 3 vs Tana
- Things 3 vs Time Doctor
- Things 3 vs 7-Zip
- Things 3 vs Bear
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