Things 3 vs TaskForge
A detailed comparison of Things 3 and TaskForge for task management in 2026. See how they differ on platform support, Obsidian integration, calendar events, widgets, and more.
Looking for a cross-platform task manager ? See why TaskForge is the top choice for Obsidian users and Android owners alike.
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Quick Comparison Summary
Both are polished task managers, but they take very different approaches
Things 3
An award-winning Apple-only task manager known for its beautiful design, fast entry, and smooth project organization.
TaskForge
Native cross-platform app with Android support, Obsidian integration, calendar events, widgets, kanban boards, and open markdown storage.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See exactly how Things 3 and TaskForge compare across all major features
Platform Support
| Feature | Things 3 | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Native iPhone App | ||
| Native iPad App | ||
| Native Mac App | ||
| Native Android App | ||
| Cross-Platform Settings Sync | ||
| Web Access |
Mobile Experience
| Feature | Things 3 | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive Home Screen Widgets | ||
| Lock Screen Widgets | ||
| Complete Tasks from Widgets | ||
| Calendar Widgets (5 layouts) | ||
| Smart Notifications | ||
| Custom Notification Times | ||
| App Badge Count |
Task Management
| Feature | Things 3 | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Obsidian Vault Integration | ||
| Open Markdown File Storage | ||
| Due Dates and Times | ||
| Priority Levels | ||
| Recurring Tasks | ||
| Subtasks / Checklists | ||
| Tags and Categorization | ||
| Natural Language Date Parsing | ||
| NLP in 18 Languages | ||
| Task Duration and End Times | ||
| Quick Entry / Task Creation |
Visualization
| Feature | Things 3 | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| List View with Grouping | ||
| Kanban Board View | ||
| Drag and Drop Reordering | ||
| Calendar View | ||
| Native Calendar Event Integration | ||
| Task Peek (Quick Edit Overlay) | ||
| Time Blocking with Durations | ||
| Calendar Day View (24-hour grid) |
Data and Storage
| Feature | Things 3 | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Open File Format (Markdown) | ||
| Local-First Storage | ||
| Cloud Sync | ||
| Full Data Portability | ||
| Zero Data Collection (Privacy) |
Automation
| Feature | Things 3 | TaskForge |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Linking (URL Schemes) | ||
| Shortcuts / Automation Support | ||
| Menu Bar Integration (Mac) | ||
| Keyboard Shortcuts (Mac) |
What TaskForge Offers Over Things 3
Things 3 is a beautifully designed app, but it is limited to Apple devices and closed storage. TaskForge opens up your task management.
Android and True Cross-Platform
Things 3 only runs on Apple devices. If you own an Android phone, a Windows PC, or a Linux machine, you are locked out. TaskForge runs natively on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android, so you can manage tasks on any device you own.
Obsidian Vault Integration
Things 3 stores your data in a proprietary format locked behind iCloud. TaskForge reads and writes standard markdown files in your Obsidian vault, so your tasks live alongside your notes and are always accessible.
Calendar Events Alongside Tasks
Things 3 has no calendar event integration. TaskForge pulls in events from Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, and more, so you can see your schedule and tasks together in one view.
Kanban Board View
Things 3 offers list-based views only, with no kanban option. TaskForge provides drag-and-drop kanban boards that let you organize tasks visually by status, priority, or custom tags.
5 Widget Layouts for Calendar and Tasks
Things 3 has limited widget options. TaskForge offers 5 different widget layouts that combine calendar events and tasks on your home screen and lock screen, with the ability to complete tasks directly from the widget.
Zero Data Collection
Things 3 requires iCloud for syncing across devices, meaning your data passes through Apple servers. TaskForge collects zero personal data and syncs through your own cloud storage or Obsidian sync, keeping your tasks fully private.
Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Both are excellent task managers. Here is how to decide which fits your workflow.
Choose Things 3 If:
- You only use Apple devices and have no plans to switch
- You value award-winning design and visual polish above all else
- You prefer project-based organization with headings
- You rely on keyboard shortcuts for rapid task entry on Mac
- You do not need Obsidian or markdown integration
Choose TaskForge If:
- You use Android, or need cross-platform support beyond Apple
- You want your tasks inside your Obsidian vault as markdown
- You need calendar events displayed alongside your tasks
- You want kanban boards or time blocking in a calendar view
- You want 5 interactive widget layouts for home and lock screens
- You care about data privacy and zero data collection
- You want to try it free for 1 week before committing
Switching from Things 3?
TaskForge uses open markdown files, so your tasks are never locked into a proprietary format. If you switch, your data stays portable and accessible forever.
- • TaskForge stores tasks as plain markdown files you can read anywhere
- • No vendor lock-in: your data is yours, always
- • Works with Obsidian sync, iCloud Drive, or any file sync service
- • Free 1-week trial of all Premium features
Related Comparisons
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