Can I open-source Things 3?
YES · mature open-source replacementYes. Focalboard (26k stars), Super Productivity (21k stars), Planka (10k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Things 3 — self-host in one command and stop paying.
People still pay for Things 3 because task software is sticky because trust, speed, and ubiquitous capture matter more than the database schema. The recurring cost buys recurrence edge cases, notifications, sync conflicts, calendar APIs, mobile capture, and backups, not just the visible interface.
xexceptional native design, Apple-device sync, shortcuts, and long-term maintenance
xperfect mobile sync
xcalendar and email integrations
xshared workspaces
xbehavioral coaching polish
These projects already replace it, free.
SSuper ProductivityA local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be createdopen source↗VVikunjaA capable Todoist replacement once you accept becoming its hosting departmentopen source↗FFocalboardKanban and project boards, a Trello/Notion-boards alternative from Mattermostopen source↗What each one is, in full: Vikunja · Focalboard
all 4 open-source alternatives to Things 3 →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Things 3 pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| things for mac | custom | — | 1 Mac App Store license; 15-day direct-download trial. |
| things for iphone & apple watch | custom | — | 1 iPhone/Apple Watch App Store purchase. |
| things for ipad | custom | — | 1 iPad App Store purchase. |
| things for apple vision | custom | — | 1 Apple Vision App Store purchase. |
free tierno free tier
billingone-time purchase per Apple platform; no subscription or annual plan
hidden costsMac, iPhone/Watch, iPad, and Vision are separate purchases; there is no cross-platform bundle, though Things Cloud sync is free.
verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗
Can I open-source Things 3?
Yes. Super Productivity replaces Things 3 today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.
How much does Things 3 cost?
Things 3's pricing is usage-based or varies by plan · Sold as separate one-time app purchases; canonical monthly price is null..
What do I lose by replacing Things 3?
Honestly: exceptional native design, Apple-device sync, shortcuts, and long-term maintenance; perfect mobile sync; calendar and email integrations; shared workspaces; behavioral coaching polish. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Things 3?
Yes: Super Productivity (A local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be created) Vikunja (A capable Todoist replacement once you accept becoming its hosting department) Focalboard (Kanban and project boards, a Trello/Notion-boards alternative from Mattermost) All 4 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/things-3/alternatives.