Alcove vs Things 3: which to-do app fits your Mac?
Both are calm to-do apps for Apple devices with no subscription. Alcove lives in the Mac menu bar, adds boards and notes that calculate, and costs $29.99 once for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Things 3 is a mature planner with a beautiful main window and an Apple Watch app, sold separately per device.
Things 3 is one of the most admired to-do apps on the Mac, with two Apple Design Awards to its name, and it's an app I respect. Alcove shares its calm and its one-time price, but it's built around a different idea: your day lives in the menu bar. Here's how they compare, checked on 28 September 2026.
At a glance
| Alcove | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29.99 once for Mac, iPhone and iPad, after a 14-day free trial | $49.99 Mac, $9.99 iPhone, $19.99 iPad, each once. 15-day trial on Mac |
| Platforms | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro |
| Quick capture | ⌥ Space from any app; reads day, time, length, list, tag, priority and repeat | Quick Entry with ⌃ Space, and Quick Entry with Autofill |
| Menu bar | Popup with today, lists, the month and notes; lists can float on top | Quick Entry window |
| Boards | Yes, with columns you choose | No |
| Notes | Notes that calculate, with tables and budget rows | Markdown notes on tasks and projects |
| AI assistants | Local MCP server on the Mac | Not built in |
| Sync | Your own iCloud, no account | Things Cloud |
Where Things 3 is stronger
- Maturity and polish. Things has been refined for years, and it shows in every detail of its main window.
- Apple Watch and Vision Pro. Things runs on both. Alcove doesn't.
- Projects with headings. Things' projects, areas and headings are a lovely way to structure big plans.
- Quick Entry with Autofill captures the link to the web page, email or file you're looking at into the new to-do's notes.
Where Alcove is stronger
- The menu bar. Alcove's popup shows today's tasks and count, every list, the month and your notes, one click from any app. Any list can float above your work, even full-screen apps. See the menu bar guide.
- Boards. Cards you drag from To do to Done, and every card is a real task. See personal kanban boards.
- Notes that calculate. Sums on any line, tables with totals and budget rows that show what's left. See notes that do the maths.
- One price for everything. $29.99 covers Mac, iPhone and iPad together.
- AI assistants. Alcove's MCP server lets assistants like Claude read and add tasks, with your approval and a log of every request. See connecting an AI assistant.
Which should you choose?
Choose Things 3 if you want the most refined planner for Apple devices, use an Apple Watch, or plan big projects with headings.
Choose Alcove if your day happens on the Mac and you want it in the menu bar, like to keep notes with numbers beside your tasks, use boards, and want one purchase for all three devices.
Sources
Checked on 28 September 2026:
- Things 3 for Mac, iPhone and iPad on the App Store
- Things features and Quick Entry, Cultured Code
Questions people ask
Is Alcove a good Things 3 alternative?
Yes, if you want your list in the menu bar, boards and notes that calculate, and one price for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Stay with Things if you rely on its Apple Watch app or its project headings.
How much do Alcove and Things 3 cost?
Alcove is free for 14 days, then $29.99 once for Mac, iPhone and iPad. Things 3 is $49.99 for Mac, $9.99 for iPhone and $19.99 for iPad, each bought once.
Do either of them have a subscription?
No. Both are one-time purchases.
Can I share lists in Alcove or Things?
Neither is built for sharing. Both are for one person.