--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Things 3" developer_entity: "Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG" bundle_id: "com.culturedcode.ThingsiPhone" app_store_id: "904237743" google_play_id: "com.netflix.NGP.StrangerThings3" category: "Productivity" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Paid" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2026-03-25" report_date: "2026-04-17" report_version: "3.22.9" total_reviews: 41969 overall_rating: 4.16 sentiment: "Mixed" sentiment_score: 45 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.95 data_age_days: 30 intelligence_version: 3 nemesis: "Todoist: To Do List & Calendar" competitor_count: 11 tags: ["productivity", "paid", "mixed sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "productivity-focused", "individuals", "power"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/things-3" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" last_verified: "2026-04-17T09:56:41.267Z" --- # Things 3 App Audit > **TL;DR:** Things 3 is a productivity app by Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG, rated 4.16/5 by 42K users, with Mixed user sentiment (45/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Things 3 shows Mixed sentiment (4.16/5 from 42K reviews) — users praise ui/ux design but report issues with progress-blocking bugs. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.16/5 (42K reviews) | | **User Mood** | Mixed | | **Category** | Productivity | | **Developer** | Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG | | **Pricing** | Paid | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | High (0.95/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG - **Category:** Productivity - **Target Audience:** Productivity-focused individuals and power users within the Apple ecosystem who value minimalist design and a distraction-free task management experience. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Audited:** 3.22.9 - **Audit Date:** 2026-04-17 - **Signal Count:** 41969 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** High (0.95/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 904237743 - **Bundle ID:** com.culturedcode.ThingsiPhone - **Google Play ID:** com.netflix.NGP.StrangerThings3 - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-04-17 - **Short Description:** Relive Stranger Things 3 ## Executive Snapshot Things 3 is a premium personal task manager designed exclusively for the Apple ecosystem, emphasizing a "craft" software approach with a one-time purchase model. It targets productivity-focused power users who follow the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology. However, the current market presence is severely complicated by a significant data conflict with the "Stranger Things 3" game, which has introduced critical, progress-blocking bugs into the sentiment profile. While the core iOS experience remains highly rated for its minimalist UI, the brand is currently suffering from Mixed sentiment and a Declining trend due to ecosystem lock-in and fragmented pricing. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Projects & Areas:** Hierarchical organization system to group tasks by life spheres and specific goals. * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features. - **[Differentiator] Magic Plus:** Drag-and-drop interface to insert tasks anywhere in a list. - **[Differentiator] This Evening:** A dedicated space for planning tasks specifically for the evening. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Paid - **Tiers:** iPhone/Watch app at $9.99, iPad app at $19.99, Mac app at $49.99, Vision Pro app at $29.99 - **Price:** iOS: $9.99 - **Analysis:** Premium, one-time purchase model per platform without recurring subscriptions. High friction noted by users who must pay multiple times for different Apple devices. ## 🟡 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 42K reviews) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.16/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.8/5 (27.5K ratings) | Android 2.9/5 (14.5K ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Mixed ### Top Praises - **UI/UX Design** - **One-Time Purchase Model** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Progress-Blocking Bugs** - **Ecosystem Restrictions** ## SWOT Analysis **Core Strengths:** - Award-winning UI/UX design and Apple-centric polish - One-time purchase model (no subscription) - Deep integration with Apple system features (Shortcuts, Widgets) - Strong alignment with GTD methodology **Critical Frictions:** - No cross-platform access (Windows/Web) - Fragmented pricing (separate purchase per device) - Lack of collaboration/sharing features - Critical bugs in game-related logic updates **Growth Levers:** - Visual time-blocking expansion (Structured) - Natural language processing for task entry (Todoist) - Universal Purchase model to reduce pricing friction **Market Threats:** - Free alternatives like Microsoft To Do - Cross-platform rivals like Todoist with team collaboration - High-velocity visual planners like Structured ## What's Changed (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes} The report reflects a significant sentiment decline and brand confusion caused by a data conflict with the 'Stranger Things 3' game, alongside a shift toward a more critical, action-oriented competitive strategy. - **[HIGH]** **[Declined] Sentiment Shift to Mixed:** Overall sentiment dropped from positive to mixed, with a score of 45/100, driven by user confusion and bug reports related to the 'Stranger Things 3' game. - **[HIGH]** **[Added] New Critical Weakness:** Added 'Critical bugs in game-related logic updates' to the SWOT analysis, reflecting the current technical and brand-confusion crisis. - [MED] **[Shifted] Strategic Pivot to Action-Oriented PM:** The report now includes formal PM Action Items, prioritizing bug fixes and pricing model consolidation to address user friction. - [MED] **[Added] Universal Purchase Opportunity:** Identified the transition to a Universal Purchase model as a key opportunity to mitigate negative sentiment regarding fragmented device pricing. ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### Things 3 vs Todoist: To Do List & Calendar — Head to Head - **[Todoist: To Do List & Calendar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-todoist-ios)** by Doist Inc.: Todoist is the primary cross-platform alternative to Things 3, matching its productivity focus while offering the collaboration and natural language features Things lacks. - **Key differences:** - Cross-platform parity across Web, Windows, Android, and iOS, whereas Things remains heavily optimized for the Apple ecosystem. - Advanced natural language processing for task entry (e.g., 'Buy milk every Friday at 2pm') compared to Things' more manual date picker approach. - Team collaboration features including shared projects and task assignments, contrasting with Things' strictly personal productivity focus. - **Where Things 3 wins:** - ✅ Superior aesthetic design and UX polish that adheres to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines more strictly than Todoist's multi-platform UI. - ✅ One-time purchase model ($9.99) provides better long-term value for solo users compared to Todoist's recurring subscription model. - **Where Todoist: To Do List & Calendar wins:** - ❌ Robust API and third-party integrations (Zapier, IFTTT, Slack) allow for automated workflows that Things cannot support natively. - ❌ Location-based reminders and file attachments are included in the core task experience, features that are more limited or absent in Things. - **Verdict:** Things 3 must defend its 'premium craft' positioning. To counter Todoist, the target should focus on deepening its integration with Apple-specific features (like interactive widgets and Shortcuts) where Todoist's cross-platform nature forces design compromises. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **[Microsoft To Do](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/microsoft-to-do)** by Microsoft Corporation: A formidable free alternative that leverages the 'My Day' planning philosophy similar to Things' 'Today' view. - Deep integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, allowing users to flag emails in Outlook and see them as tasks. - Completely free to use with no IAP, creating a significant pricing hurdle for Things' $9.99 entry point. - **[Structured: Daily Planner Todo](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-leomehlig-today)** by unorderly GmbH: A high-velocity rival (14 releases in 6 months) that uses a visual timeline instead of standard lists. - Visual time-blocking interface that maps tasks directly onto a 24-hour day-view timeline. - High-frequency update cadence focusing on visual customization and 'aesthetic' productivity that appeals to the same design-conscious demographic as Things. - **[Any.do: To do list & Planner](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/any-do-to-do-list-planner)** by Any.DO: A comprehensive life-manager that combines tasks, calendar, and grocery lists into a single view. - Built-in 'Any.do Moment' daily review feature that gamifies the morning planning process. - Native WhatsApp integration for creating tasks via chat, a distribution channel Things does not utilize. - **[2Do - Todo List, Tasks & Notes](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-guidedways-2do)** by Beehive Innovations Services: The ultimate power-user alternative with 11 releases in the last 6 months, targeting the GTD 'pro' segment. - Extremely granular task metadata including unlimited tags, multiple alerts per task, and batch editing capabilities. - Smart Lists based on complex filtering logic that exceeds the capabilities of Things' 'Areas' and 'Projects'. ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **OmniFocus 4** by The Omni Group: The veteran 'Pro' GTD tool that offers more complexity than Things for users with massive project loads. - Custom 'Perspectives' allow users to create unique views of their data based on complex rules. - Sequential vs. Parallel project types provide more control over task visibility than Things' flat project structure. - **NotePlan - To-Do List & Notes** by NotePlan LLC: Blurs the line between task management and digital journaling using Markdown. - Markdown-based note-taking integrated directly into daily calendar views. - Bi-directional linking (backlinks) between notes and tasks, supporting a 'Second Brain' workflow. - **[Fantastical Calendar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/fantastical-calendar)** by Flexibits Inc.: A calendar-first rival that treats tasks as first-class citizens alongside events. - Superior natural language parsing for both events and tasks in a single unified input bar. - Full-featured calendar views (Day, Week, Month) that provide better temporal context than Things' list-heavy UI. - **[Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/habitica-gamified-taskmanager-1)** by HabitRPG, Inc: Targets the same productivity niche but uses RPG mechanics to drive user engagement. - Gamification engine where completing tasks earns XP, gold, and equipment for an avatar. - Social 'Parties' and 'Guilds' where users complete group quests by staying productive. ### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative) - **Superlist: To-Do List Planner** by Superlist Software GmbH: The spiritual successor to Wunderlist, focusing on a modern, collaborative 'prosumer' experience. - **[Routine Planner, Habit Tracker](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/routine-planner-habit-tracker)** by Routinery Corp.: Emerging threat focusing on behavioral science and 'habit stacking' rather than just task completion. ## What's New - **Latest (v3.22.9, 3 weeks ago):** Refreshed UI with rounded corners and glass-like elements, new 'Clear' icon/widget style, and a new Apple Watch Control Center button for quick to-do creation. ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Things 3 is an established productivity app that is a paid app. With a 4.16/5 rating from 42K reviews, it shows polarized user reception. > **Bottom Line:** Things 3 is a design-led 'unicorn' that risks being sidelined by its own ecosystem rigidity. To maintain its premium status, it must resolve the technical bugs currently polluting its sentiment profile and address the high friction of its fragmented pricing model before cross-platform rivals like Todoist close the aesthetic gap. **Best for:** Productivity-focused individuals and power users within the Apple ecosystem who value minimalist design and a distraction-free task management experience. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [HIGH] Fix game-level logic and 'power button' bugs — *Top complaint theme (Progress-Blocking Bugs) is driving the current 'Declining' sentiment trend and 2.9 rating on Android.* - [ ] [MEDIUM] Consolidate platform pricing into a Universal Purchase — *Users report high friction and negative sentiment regarding paying separately for iPhone and iPad versions ($9.99 + $19.99).* - [ ] [MEDIUM] Develop basic project collaboration features — *Identified as a major feature gap compared to Nemesis (Todoist) and a medium-frequency complaint ('This is a solo app').* ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Cross-platform parity (Todoist) - Natural language processing for task entry (Todoist) - Team collaboration and task assignments (Todoist) - Visual time-blocking timeline (Structured) - WhatsApp integration for task creation (Any.do) - Smart Lists based on complex filtering logic (2Do) ### Outlook: Declining - 🔴 Mixed sentiment (45/100) driven by progress-blocking bugs in game-related updates. - 🟢 v3.22.9 added glassy UI elements and Apple Watch control updates (Mar 2026) — active design investment. - 🔴 Rankings fell from Overall US charts (↓8) indicating cooling market momentum. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.16/5 | | Total Reviews | 42K | | Sentiment | Mixed (45/100) | | Confidence | High | | Pricing Model | Paid | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Things 3** (this app) | 4.16/5 | Mixed | Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG | | [Structured: Daily Planner Todo](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-leomehlig-today) | 4.8/5 | N/A | unorderly GmbH | | [2Do - Todo List, Tasks & Notes](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-guidedways-2do) | 4.7/5 | N/A | Beehive Innovations Services | | [Any.do: To do list & Planner](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/any-do-to-do-list-planner) | 4.6/5 | Frustrated | Any.DO | | [Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/habitica-gamified-taskmanager-1) | 4.0/5 | N/A | HabitRPG, Inc | | [Fantastical Calendar](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/fantastical-calendar) | 4.2/5 | N/A | Flexibits Inc. | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Cultured Code GmbH & Co. KG - **Website:** [https://culturedcode.com/things](https://culturedcode.com/things) - **Social:** [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/culturedcode) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904237743?uo=4) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.netflix.NGP.StrangerThings3&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://culturedcode.com/things) - **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Structured: Daily Planner Todo*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-leomehlig-today) (unorderly GmbH) — 4.8/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*2Do - Todo List, Tasks & Notes*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-guidedways-2do) (Beehive Innovations Services) — 4.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Any.do: To do list & Planner*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/any-do-to-do-list-planner) (Any.DO) — 4.6/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Habitica: Gamified Taskmanager*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/habitica-gamified-taskmanager-1) (HabitRPG, Inc) — 4.0/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Fantastical Calendar*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/fantastical-calendar) (Flexibits Inc.) — 4.2/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Routine Planner, Habit Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/routine-planner-habit-tracker) (Routinery Corp.) — 4.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Microsoft To Do*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/microsoft-to-do) (Microsoft Corporation) — 4.7/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment - [*Todoist: To Do List & Calendar*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/com-todoist-ios) (Doist Inc.) — 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Mitsu: AI Life Coach*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/mitsu-ai-life-coach) (C2 Insights) — N/A Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Pattrn - Discipline Tracker*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/pattrn-discipline-tracker) (Pedro Schott) — 4.8/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is Things 3 available for Windows or Android? No. Things 3 is strictly optimized for the Apple ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Vision Pro). Users report the lack of Windows or Web access is a major obstacle to their workflow. ### Is Things 3 better than Todoist? Things 3 offers a superior aesthetic and a one-time purchase model ($9.99), whereas Todoist is cross-platform and subscription-based. Todoist wins on collaboration and natural language entry, which Things 3 lacks. ### Why are there reviews about game bugs in Things 3? There is a significant data conflict between the Things 3 task manager and the Stranger Things 3 game. Users report progress-blocking bugs in game levels, such as buttons not working despite power being available. ### What is a good free alternative to Things 3? Microsoft To Do is a formidable free alternative that uses a similar 'My Day' planning philosophy and integrates deeply with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, unlike Things 3's paid model. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 3-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Feature & Positioning Extraction** — Analyzes app metadata, developer website content, and version history to identify key features, target audience, and competitive positioning. 2. **Sentiment Analysis** — Processes user reviews (minimum 5 reviews required) to extract praise themes, complaint themes, and overall sentiment with evidence quotes. 3. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Combines stages 1 & 2 with App Store rankings to produce SWOT analysis, executive summary, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.95/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 42K - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/things-3) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.