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Productivity · head to head

iLovePDF vs Things 3

iLovePDF logo

iLovePDF

Productivity

Browser toolbox for merging, splitting, compressing and converting PDFs, processed on the vendor's servers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Things 3 logo

Things 3

Productivity

The award-winning personal task manager

From
$9.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only iLovePDF has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: iLovePDF processing happens on the vendor's servers, so every file is uploaded to a third party, which rules the tools out for client documents, personal data and anything under a confidentiality obligation no matter how briefly the file is held.; Things 3 no team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
  • They diverge on capability: iLovePDF covers Single-purpose tools, Things 3 covers Today view.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where iLovePDF and Things 3 differ
AttributeiLovePDFThings 3
Starting priceFree$9.99/one-time
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS
FoundedUnknown2004

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

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 iLovePDF

  • Single-purpose tools
  • Format conversion
  • Text recognition conversions
  • File size limits
  • Desktop and mobile applications
  • Digital signatures
  • PDF/A output
  • No account needed

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.

iLovePDF

  • Combining scanned pages into a single PDF or splitting a large document occasionally, without buying a desktop PDF editor.not Things 3
  • Compressing a PDF that a mail system or an upload form refuses to accept.not Things 3
  • Converting a scanned document into an editable Word or Excel file, which needs the paid text recognition tools.not Things 3
  • A small office needing simple PDF operations across several machines without a per-seat desktop licence.not Things 3

Things 3

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

Where each one falls short

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

iLovePDF

  • Processing happens on the vendor's servers, so every file is uploaded to a third party, which rules the tools out for client documents, personal data and anything under a confidentiality obligation no matter how briefly the file is held.
  • The free tier is bounded by file size per tool rather than by feature, with Office conversions capped at 15 MB, so the large scanned documents most likely to need converting are precisely the ones most likely to be refused.
  • The conversions that require text recognition, meaning scanned PDF to Word or Excel, are held for the paid plan, and those are the conversions people genuinely struggle with, while the free ones mostly handle files that were digital already.
  • It is a per-account consumer subscription with no organisational administration, so a company that comes to depend on it ends up with staff holding personal subscriptions and no control over what is uploaded or by whom.
  • The API is a separate product with its own pricing, so a workflow prototyped by hand on the website cannot simply be automated under the same subscription and has to be costed again.

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

iLovePDF

Free
  • BasicFree
    • Access to essential iLovePDF tools
    • Limited document processing
    • 1 account
  • Premium$7/month
    • Full access to all iLovePDF tools
    • Unlimited document processing
    • 1-25 accounts
  • Premium Annual$48/year
    • Same as Premium plan
    • 42% discount compared to monthly billing
  • Business$null/mo
    • Custom pricing (contact vendor for quote)
    • Scalable solutions for businesses
    • 25+ accounts

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 iLovePDF if

  • You need single-purpose tools.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want format conversion.
iLovePDF 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 iLovePDF or Things 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. iLovePDF 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, iLovePDF or Things 3?
iLovePDF has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for iLovePDF and $9.99/one-time for Things 3.
Does iLovePDF or Things 3 run on more platforms?
iLovePDF runs on Web. Things 3 runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
Can I use iLovePDF for free?
Yes. iLovePDF has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time.
What is iLovePDF best used for?
iLovePDF is most often used for combining scanned pages into a single pdf or splitting a large document occasionally, without buying a desktop pdf editor., compressing a pdf that a mail system or an upload form refuses to accept., converting a scanned document into an editable word or excel file, which needs the paid text recognition tools., a small office needing simple pdf operations across several machines without a per-seat desktop licence.. Of those, combining scanned pages into a single pdf or splitting a large document occasionally, without buying a desktop pdf editor. and compressing a pdf that a mail system or an upload form refuses to accept. are not what Things 3 is typically brought in for.
What can iLovePDF do that Things 3 cannot?
iLovePDF covers Single-purpose tools, Format conversion, Text recognition conversions, File size limits. Things 3 covers Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry, Tags.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

iLovePDF: Do I need an account?

Not for the basic free tools, though they are subject to per-tool size limits and restrictions on batch processing.

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
iLovePDF: Is it safe for confidential documents?

Files are uploaded to the vendor's servers for processing. For client material, personal data or regulated documents, use a tool that works locally on the machine instead.

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
iLovePDF: What does Premium add?

Access to every tool including text-recognition conversions and PDF/A, much larger files, unlimited processing, desktop and mobile applications, digital signatures, workflows and no adverts.

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
iLovePDF: Can I use it inside my own application?

Only through the separate developer API, which is priced independently, so plan the automation cost separately from the consumer subscription.

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
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