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Fantastical vs Things 3

A detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Fantastical logo

Fantastical

Productivity & Notes

Try Fantastical
VS
Things 3 logo

Things 3

Productivity & Notes

Try Things 3

A
About Fantastical

Fantastical is a polished calendar and task management app built exclusively for Apple devices, including Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. It stands out for its natural language parsing, which lets you type or dictate events in plain English and have them automatically placed on your calendar with the correct details. The app combines calendars, to-dos, and scheduling into a single interface with a clean, thoughtful design. It's particularly popular among Apple power users who manage multiple calendars and want a more capable alternative to the built-in Calendar app. Features like scheduling links, weather overlays, interesting calendars (sports, holidays), and robust recurring event options make it one of the most full-featured calendar apps available on Apple platforms.

B
About Things 3

Things 3 is a personal task manager built exclusively for Apple devices — Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Developed by Cultured Code, it's designed around a GTD-inspired workflow that organizes tasks into areas of responsibility, projects, and headings, making it easy to break down complex goals. The app is known for its exceptionally polished design and fluid interactions, offering features like quick entry, natural language date parsing, and calendar integration. It appeals to individuals who want a powerful yet elegant task management system without the clutter of team collaboration features. While it lacks cross-platform support and a web version, its focused approach has earned it a loyal following among Apple users.

Pricing Comparison

Tool
Fantastical
Things 3
Price
Free / Premium $4.75/mo
$9.99 (iPhone) / $49.99 (Mac)
Category
Productivity & Notes
Productivity & Notes
Rating
4.2 (36)
3.8 (47)
Free Plan
No
No
Integrations
8+ apps
7+ apps
Founded
2010
2007

Feature Comparison

Feature
Fantastical
Things 3
Natural language input
Multiple calendar sets
Scheduling links (Openings)
Weather integration
Tasks & to-dos
Conference call detection
Widgets & complications
Focus filters
Travel time
Apple Watch app
Inbox & quick entry
Today & upcoming views
Areas & projects
Headings & checklists
Tags & filters
Calendar integration
Quick Find search
Keyboard shortcuts
Shortcuts & URL schemes

Choose Fantastical

Premium calendar and scheduling app for Apple ecosystem

Try Fantastical Free

Read full review

Choose Things 3

Award-winning elegant task manager for Apple platforms

Try Things 3 Free

Read full review

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Score Comparison

Ease of Use
9.0
8.0
Features
8.0
7.0
Pricing
7.0
7.0
Support
8.0
6.0
Integrations
8.0
6.0
Overall
8.0
6.8
FantasticalThings 3

Our Verdict

FantasticalWinner

A premium calendar experience tailored for Apple users who value design and functionality.

Easier to get started
More features
Better support
Things 3

Choose Things 3 if you're an Apple user seeking an elegant, award-winning task manager for personal productivity.

Fantastical vs Things 3: The Bottom Line

Both Fantastical and Things 3 are strong productivity & notes tools, but they serve different needs. Fantastical has a higher user rating (4.2 vs 3.8).

Still unsure? Check the full reviews for Fantastical and Things 3, explore Fantastical alternatives, or use our AI search to describe exactly what you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fantastical or Things 3 better?

It depends on your needs. Fantastical (4.2★) is from $null/mo, while Things 3 (3.8★) is from $null/mo. Fantastical has a higher user rating.

Can I switch from Fantastical to Things 3?

Yes. Most SaaS tools offer data export features. Check if Things 3 has a migration guide or import tool specifically for Fantastical users. Many offer onboarding assistance for switchers.

Which is cheaper, Fantastical or Things 3?

Check the pricing pages of both Fantastical and Things 3 for the most up-to-date pricing information.

What are the main differences between Fantastical and Things 3?

Fantastical focuses on natural language input and multiple calendar sets, while Things 3 emphasizes inbox & quick entry and today & upcoming views. Both are in the Productivity & Notes category but serve slightly different use cases.