2Do vs Things 3
Things 3 organizes tasks around a consistent set of views, including Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday. 2Do gives you more ways to arrange lists, search tasks, set alarms, and choose where your data syncs. Things 3 may suit you if you prefer fewer options and a defined workflow; 2Do may suit you if you want more control over how you organize and review your tasks.
Last reviewed: October 13, 2026.
At a Glance
| Criteria | 2Do | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary model | Flexible lists, projects, and checklists that adapt to your method | Today, Upcoming, Anytime, and Someday views |
| Best fit | Power users who want depth, search, and sync choice | Users who want simplicity with strong design |
| Strength | Feature depth without forcing a methodology | Simple design and a consistent workflow |
| Trade-off | More features to explore | Deliberately limited feature set |
2Do imports your Things 3 data directly on the Mac: choose File > Import > From Things… and your Areas arrive as List Groups with each Project as its own list, while your to-dos, checklists, tags, dates, reminders, and repeats come across intact. A Project's headings become sections in its list, in the same order. See Import from Things.
Task Sections and Apple Intelligence
On Mac, iPhone, and iPad, divide a regular list or the Inbox into named sections, such as Bookings and Packing in a trip list. Arrange sections in the order you want; tasks within each section follow the list's sort.
Auto-Create Sections uses Apple Intelligence to organize selected unfinished tasks or all unfinished, unsectioned tasks in a list. It reuses suitable existing sections and creates new ones where needed. Auto-Name Section names an existing section from its task titles. Both commands run on your device; organizing tasks also considers existing section names. They require a supported Mac, iPhone, or iPad running macOS 26, iOS 26, or iPadOS 26 or later, with Apple Intelligence enabled. See sections and Apple Intelligence.
2Do also uses Apple Intelligence to set priorities for selected tasks with Auto-Prioritize, available on Mac and iPhone and iPad under the same device and OS requirements.
Things 3 lets you create and name headings inside projects. 2Do adds built-in Apple Intelligence commands for creating sections and naming them from existing tasks, and its sections are available in regular lists and the Inbox.
Task Management & Sync Comparison
Where Things 3 May Be Better
- You prefer a simple workflow and its award-winning design.
- You want free sync through Things Cloud and don't need to choose another service.
- You'd rather have fewer options than more.
- You do not need built-in CSV or calendar export. If you later move to 2Do, it can import your Things data.
Where 2Do May Be Better
- You want to arrange your own structure, combining lists, projects, checklists, and sub-tasks however suits the work.
- You want to save searches as Smart Lists using a full search syntax.
- Choose from a dozen sort options, remembered per list, and narrow the results with a one-click Focus Filter, tag filters, or List Group filters.
- You can exclude any list from All, Today, or Done, so Someday lists and background chores stay out of your daily views.
- You need reminders that persist, with several alarms on one task and repeat sounds that continue until you act.
- You want to choose your sync service: Dropbox, iCloud CalDAV, CalDAV, Apple Reminders, Todoist, or Toodledo.
- You can exclude chosen lists from sync and they stay on this device only.
- Type a new task the way you would say it and 2Do fills in the date, time, repeat, alarm, tags, list, and priority as you type, in ten languages: see Natural Language Input. Things 3 reads natural-language dates in its own date fields instead.
- Siri works with 2Do directly: add, find, and complete tasks with its supported Siri commands, and on iOS 27 and macOS 27 describe changes in your own words. Tasks added to Reminders from an Apple Watch, CarPlay, or HomePod can sync to 2Do through two-way Apple Reminders sync.
- Use single-key commands to defer (
D), schedule (K), star (S), tag (L), and move (M) tasks, while shortcuts jump to any editor field and Option plus a digit selects a preset. - Press Spacebar for a Quick Look preview of notes, dates, alarms, and attachments, with the task's action one click away.
- Attach a Call, Message, Email, Visit, or Browse action to a task and perform it with one click.
- You capture by email with Mail to 2Do, or share a list over Wi-Fi with family or teammates.
- You want to manage tasks with Claude or automate with AppleScript and Shortcuts.
- You want to protect lists with a password and Touch ID.
- You also use Android, where 2Do is available too.
Moving over? See Import from Things for details about how tasks are imported, or read the FAQ.
Common Questions
- Can I import my Things 3 tasks into 2Do?
- Yes, on the Mac, when Things is installed. Choose File > Import > From Things, and your Areas arrive as List Groups with each Project as its own list and its headings as sections. To-dos, checklists, tags, dates, reminders, and repeats come across intact.
- Do 2Do and Things 3 both offer a one-time purchase?
- Yes, both do. 2Do for Mac from our store is a perpetual license that includes 18 months of updates, and it is also sold as a subscription on the Mac App Store and through Setapp.
- Can I choose where 2Do stores my tasks?
- Yes. 2Do keeps your tasks on your device and syncs through the service you pick: iCloud, Dropbox, iCloud CalDAV, custom CalDAV, Apple Reminders, Todoist, or Toodledo. Things 3 syncs through Things Cloud only.
- Does 2Do run on Android?
- Yes. 2Do has an Android app as well as Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps. Things 3 is Apple only.
Official Links
Want to compare a few more options before deciding? Browse all 2Do comparison guides.