Things 3 alternatives: 4 open-source picks
These 4 Things 3 alternatives replace it for $0, led by Super Productivity, Vikunja and Focalboard. All 4 are open source. License, stars and last commit checked by hand on 2026-08-29. No trials, no crippled tiers.
A local task manager with timeboxing, Pomodoro, and no account begging to be created
licenseMIT
runson your machine
installUse the browser/PWA or install a packaged desktop or mobile build
dataTasks, projects, time records, and settings are local-first in browser or app storage; optional synchronization and backups use the user's chosen WebDAV or Dropbox account
setup✓ installs clean
the catch vs Things 3Super Productivity is busier and more time-tracking-oriented than Things and lacks its exceptionally polished native Apple quick-capture and planning flow.
facts verified 2026-08-10
A capable Todoist replacement once you accept becoming its hosting department
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour machine or their cloud
installUse the paid hosted service or deploy the free server with Docker Compose, a package, or the standalone binary
dataTasks, projects, users, and settings live in SQLite, MySQL/MariaDB, or PostgreSQL, with attachments in a persistent files directory, on the selected host
the catch vs Things 3Vikunja feels like a hosted web task system and cannot match Things’ native offline polish, frictionless capture, or elegant Today and Upcoming experience.
setupThe free path requires a server or Docker, persistent volumes, secrets, and normally a reverse proxy with TLS
facts verified 2026-08-10
Kanban and project boards, a Trello/Notion-boards alternative from Mattermost
licenseMIT/AGPL dual
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
Realtime kanban board that feels exactly like Trello, on your own server.
licenseFair Use (source available)
runsyour server
setupnot verified by us yet — check the repo README
facts verified 2026-08-29
What each one is, in full: Vikunja · Focalboard · Planka
last updated 2026-08-29 · no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
how to choose a Things 3 alternative
Easiest to get running
Super Productivity — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
Most proven
Focalboard, with 26,000 GitHub stars — the largest community of the 4, which usually means more answers when something breaks.
Runs on your own machine, no server
Super Productivity — nothing to host, your data stays on your disk.
Works on your phone
Super Productivity has a mobile app on iOS and Android.
what you give up by leaving Things 3
- exceptional native design, Apple-device sync, shortcuts, and long-term maintenance
- perfect mobile sync
- calendar and email integrations
- shared workspaces
- behavioral coaching polish
None of the picks above covers all of it. The full verdict says which gaps matter.
Things 3 alternatives at a glance
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Productivity | MIT | one-click install | web, macos, windows, linux, ios, android | 21,156 | 2026-08 |
| Vikunja | AGPL-3.0+ | docker to self-host | web, macos, windows, linux, self-hosted | 5,000 | 2026-08 |
| Focalboard | MIT/AGPL dual | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 26,000 | 2026-08 |
| Planka | Fair Use (source available) | one-click install | self-hosted, web | 10,000 | 2026-08 |
why people still pay for Things 3
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.
questions about switching from Things 3
Is there an open-source alternative to Things 3?
Yes: Super Productivity, Vikunja, Focalboard and 1 more. Every tool on this page is open source: no trials, no crippled tiers.
Can open source really replace Things 3?
Our verdict is YES. 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. The full verdict, and what you give up by switching, is at caniopensourceit.online/things-3.
What is the easiest open-source Things 3 alternative to set up?
Super Productivity — a one-click install, no server to maintain.
What is the most popular open-source Things 3 alternative?
By GitHub stars, Focalboard (26,000). Super Productivity is next with 21,156.
