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Utilities · head to head

Rectangle vs Things 3

Rectangle logo

Rectangle

Utilities

Free open source window snapping for macOS, with a separate paid Rectangle Pro for extra features

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 Rectangle has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Rectangle rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.; Things 3 no team collaboration, task sharing, or task assignment features
  • They diverge on capability: Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Things 3 covers Today view.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Rectangle and Things 3 differ
AttributeRectangleThings 3
Starting priceFree$9.99/one-time
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsMacmacOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS
CategoryUtilitiesProductivity
FoundedUnknown2004

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

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 Rectangle

  • Keyboard shortcuts
  • Drag to snap
  • Multi-display support
  • Almost full screen
  • Rectangle Pro extras
  • Open source core

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.

Rectangle

  • A developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no accountnot Things 3
  • Anyone replacing Magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time feenot Things 3
  • A user who installs software via Homebrew rather than the Mac App Storenot Things 3
  • A power user who later wants Rectangle Pro extras but does not need them from day onenot Things 3

Things 3

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

Where each one falls short

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

Rectangle

  • Rectangle Pro is a separate app rather than an in-app purchase, so upgrading means installing and managing a second piece of software.
  • It is Mac only, so it offers nothing for a user who also runs Windows and wants one window manager everywhere.
  • It has no official paid support channel, being a community open source project, so issues are handled through GitHub rather than a vendor support desk.
  • Some very old or unusually built third party apps still resist Rectangle window snapping, a limitation shared with most third party window managers on macOS.
  • Because it is not distributed through the Mac App Store, some users have to manually approve accessibility permissions and updates rather than getting silent App Store updates.

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

Rectangle

Free
  • RectangleFree
    • Free and open source, no account needed
    • Keyboard and drag window snapping
    • Multi-display support
  • Rectangle Pro$9.99/one-time
    • Separate paid app, not an in-app unlock
    • Cursor-following snap areas
    • Per-app window size memory

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 Rectangle if

  • You need keyboard shortcuts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Mac.
  • You also want drag to snap.
Rectangle 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 Rectangle or Things 3 better?
Neither clearly leads. Rectangle 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, Rectangle or Things 3?
Rectangle has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Rectangle and $9.99/one-time for Things 3.
Does Rectangle or Things 3 run on more platforms?
Rectangle runs on Mac. Things 3 runs on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS.
Can I use Rectangle for free?
Yes. Rectangle has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Things 3 starts at $9.99/one-time.
What is Rectangle best used for?
Rectangle is most often used for a developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no account, anyone replacing magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time fee, a user who installs software via homebrew rather than the mac app store, a power user who later wants rectangle pro extras but does not need them from day one. Of those, a developer who wants source-available window management with no cost and no account and anyone replacing magnet who does not want to pay even a small one-time fee are not what Things 3 is typically brought in for.
What can Rectangle do that Things 3 cannot?
Rectangle covers Keyboard shortcuts, Drag to snap, Multi-display support, Almost full screen. Things 3 covers Today view, Projects and areas, Quick entry, Tags.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Rectangle: Is Rectangle really free?

Yes. The core app is free and open source with no feature gating or trial period.

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
Rectangle: What does Rectangle Pro add?

Cursor-following snap areas, per-app window size memory and some additional layouts, sold as a separate one-time purchase app.

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
Rectangle: How is it different from Magnet?

Rectangle is free and open source; Magnet is a paid Mac App Store app from the start with no free tier.

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
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