Choose Todoist if you want projects, labels, filters, recurring tasks, collaboration and apps on every platform. Choose Things if you want a polished Apple-only task manager with projects, areas and a Today list. Choose Cadence if your problem is not storing tasks but seeing what fits in this week: it is a single week board for Mac and iPhone where you drag tasks between days, for $19 once.
At a glance
| Cadence | Todoist | Things 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core idea | One week board | Task database with projects and filters | Projects, areas, Today and Upcoming |
| Platforms | Mac, iPhone | Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro |
| Projects and tags | No | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring tasks | No | Yes | Yes |
| Collaboration | No | Yes | No |
| Rescheduling | Drag to another day | Change the due date | Change the date or drag in Upcoming |
| Pricing model | $19 once for Mac | Free Beginner plan; Pro and Business subscriptions | One-time purchase for each platform, bought separately |
| Account | None; your iCloud | Todoist account | Free Things Cloud account for sync |
Checked against public information in October 2026. Other products' features and prices change, so check their sites for current details.
When Todoist is the right tool
- You work with other people on shared lists.
- You use Windows or Android anywhere in your day.
- You rely on recurring tasks, natural-language dates, filters or integrations.
- You already have a tuned Todoist system that works.
When Things is the right tool
- You are all-Apple and want the most refined traditional task manager.
- You think in projects and areas of responsibility.
- You want an iPad or Apple Watch app.
When Cadence fits better
- Your lists are long and your weeks are still chaotic. A board with a column per day makes overload visible.
- You stopped maintaining your system. There is nothing to maintain: no projects, tags or priorities.
- Your plans change daily. Dragging a task to tomorrow is one motion.
- You do not want another subscription or account.
A one-week test
The quickest way to tell which kind of tool you need is to run one week on a board and see what you miss.
- On Monday, write down only what you intend to finish this week, each task on a day.
- Each evening, drag what is left to a day where it fits, or delete it.
- On Friday, count: how many tasks moved more than twice, and how many things did you need that the board could not hold?
If you kept wishing for a recurring task, a shared list or a project view, you need Todoist or Things. If the week simply felt lighter and nothing was lost, the long lists were the problem, not the cure. You can run this test on the live preview board on the Cadence page or on paper before buying anything.
Using them together
These are not exclusive. Some people keep a long-term backlog in Todoist or Things and use a week board for what they have committed to this week. Each Friday, pull next week's handful of tasks across. The backlog stays out of sight; the week stays honest.
What Cadence does not do
- No projects, tags or filters. That is deliberate. If you need a task database, use a full task manager.
- No team features. It is a personal planner.
- Not a calendar. Appointments belong in your calendar; Cadence holds the movable work.
- Apple only. Mac and iPhone, synced through iCloud.
Price
Cadence for Mac is a one-time purchase of $19, from the Mac App Store or direct, with no subscription and no Cadence account. The iPhone version is on the App Store. Tasks sync between your devices through your own iCloud. See the feature list or try the live board on the Cadence page before buying.
Common questions
Can I import from Todoist or Things?
No. Cadence is a fresh week board; you add this week's tasks.
Does Cadence have recurring tasks?
No.
Is Cadence cheaper?
It is $19 once for Mac. Compare with current pricing on the Todoist and Things sites.
Who makes Cadence?
An independent developer at Yuzool. Todoist and Things are trademarks of their respective owners, and Cadence is not affiliated with them.
Can I try it first?
Yes. There is a live preview board on the Cadence page.
Try the week board: Get Cadence for Mac.