Side-by-side comparison
| SuperTasks | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 | $49.99 Mac (one-time) |
| No account needed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyboard-first | ✓ | ✗ |
| Command palette | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom filtered views | ✓ | ~ |
| Open data format | ✓ | ✗ |
| Works offline | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free forever | ✓ | ✗ |
~ = partial support · Last updated 2026
Where SuperTasks wins
- Completely free — no trial, no tier, no upgrade nag
- No account required — open the app and go
- All data stored locally in SQLite on your Mac
- 22+ keyboard shortcuts with Vim-style j/k navigation
- Command palette (⌘K) reaches every action
Where Things 3 wins
- Exceptionally polished, beautiful Mac-native design
- One-time purchase — no ongoing subscription
- Local data by default — no cloud account required for Mac
- Excellent UX with thoughtful interaction design
- Natural language date input and repeating tasks
- Markdown support in notes
Who should choose which
SuperTasks Free
- You want zero monthly cost — forever
- You live on the keyboard and want 22+ shortcuts
- You want your tasks stored on your Mac, not a server
- You're a solo Mac user who needs speed over features
Things 3 $49.99 Mac (one-time)
- To spend $49.99 on a task manager
- Vim-style keyboard navigation and a command palette
- Custom filtered views (split views) beyond Things 3's Areas/Projects structure
- To script or query your task data with SQL
Frequently asked questions
Is SuperTasks a good free alternative to Things 3?+
SuperTasks is the strongest free alternative to Things 3 on Mac. Both store data locally and work offline. The difference: SuperTasks has 22+ keyboard shortcuts and a command palette where Things 3 is more mouse-oriented, and SuperTasks costs nothing where Things 3 is $49.99 upfront.
Does SuperTasks have a command palette like Things 3?+
Yes — SuperTasks has a full command palette (⌘K) that reaches every view, task, and action in the app. Things 3 has Quick Find for searching but lacks a command palette for firing actions without a mouse.
How does SuperTasks compare to Things 3 for keyboard users?+
SuperTasks is purpose-built for keyboard navigation. It has Vim-style j/k movement, g-chord view switching (G+I for Inbox, G+T for Today, etc.), single-key task actions (C to create, D to complete, R for due date), and ⌘K for everything else. Things 3 has some keyboard shortcuts but is fundamentally a trackpad-first app.
Can you access your task data in SuperTasks like Things 3?+
SuperTasks stores all data in a local SQLite file at ~/Library/Application Support/SuperTasks/tasks.db — you can open it with any SQLite browser, write SQL queries, or build scripts on top of it. Things 3 uses a proprietary database format that isn't directly accessible.
Also see: Best Things 3 alternatives for Mac →
Try SuperTasks free
No account. No subscription. No cloud. Your tasks live on your Mac.
Download takes seconds — press C and you're moving.