Comparison

3 Things vs Scratch.

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

3 Things

This app helps you focus on your three most important daily tasks. It combines a clean to-do list, notes, mood tracking, and motivation to build momentum through consistent actions. Designed for privacy, all your data stays on your device.

Highlights
  • Daily focus on three key tasks
  • Capture ideas with mind dump and notes
  • Track daily mood for pattern recognition
  • Built-in focus timer
  • Daily motivational messages
  • Clean, distraction-free interface
Features
Read full description

3 Things: Focus Your Day, Achieve More Focus. Achieve. Repeat. Accomplish more by focusing on fewer things. 3 Things is a simple, thoughtful productivity app that helps you focus on the three most important tasks you want to accomplish each day. Combining a clean to-do list, notes, mood tracking, and motivation, it helps you build momentum through small, consistent actions. Whether you're planning work, personal goals, studying, or daily routines, 3 Things helps you stay organized without the clutter of traditional task managers. Private by Design Your privacy comes first. All your tasks, notes, thoughts, and mood check-ins stay on your device. No account is required to use the core features, giving you complete control over your data. Features Daily Focus: Choose your three most important tasks and stay focused on what matters most. Mind Dump & Notes: Capture ideas, reminders, and notes instantly, then turn them into actionable tasks whenever you're ready. Mood Tracker: Track your mood each day to recognize patterns and better understand how you work. Focus Timer: Stay in the zone with a simple focus timer designed to help you work with intention and minimize distractions. Daily Motivation: Stay inspired with uplifting messages that celebrate your progress and keep you moving forward. Clean, Distraction-Free Design: Enjoy a beautifully simple interface built for focus. Build Better Habits: Small, consistent actions repeated every day lead to meaningful long-term success. Focus today. Achieve your goals. Repeat tomorrow. Download 3 Things and discover how powerful doing less can be. Privacy Policy: https://kauscoder.com/3-things-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Scratch.

This app offers a minimalist approach to task management, using a single Markdown canvas for all your daily notes and to-dos. It prioritizes speed and simplicity, allowing you to quickly capture thoughts without navigating complex menus or forms. Enjoy offline access or cloud sync for seamless data management across devices.

Highlights
  • Single Markdown canvas for tasks and notes
  • Plain text with Markdown support
  • All data in one continuous page
  • Offline local mode for privacy
  • Cloud sync for multi-device access
  • Home and lock screen widgets
  • Instant opening and fast performance
Features
Read full description

Most task apps get in your way. You open them up just to write down a quick thought, and suddenly you’re picking dates, picking projects, and clicking through dropdowns. Scratch is built on a simpler idea: treat your to-do list like the paper scratchpad on your desk. It gives you a single, clean Markdown canvas for your entire day. Open the app, type what you need to do, and get back to what you were working on. No folders to manage, no forms to fill out, and no clutter. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT * Just Plain Text: Use standard Markdown for list, checkboxes, headings, hyperlinks, and highlighting. * Everything in One Place: No nested submenus or lost lists. Your active tasks, daily notes, and quick brain dumps all live on one continuous page. * Your Data, Your Choice: Want complete privacy? Use Scratch in 100% offline Local Mode — your notes stay locked on your device. Need access everywhere? Turn on Cloud Sync to mirror your data on other devices. * Instant Access with Widgets: Keep your list front and center. Use home screen widgets to view your scratchpad at a glance, or add lock screen widgets to check tasks without even unlocking your phone. * Blazing Fast: It opens instantly and stays out of your way so you can capture ideas as fast as you think of them. If you like keeping things simple, Scratch is for you.

Screenshots

3 Things4 screens
Scratch.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Scratch. at 15.0 against 3 Things's 17.6. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. 3 Things sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Scratch. sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for 3 Things against 5.0 for Scratch.. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3 Things ships an update every 10 days, Scratch. every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
3 Things versus Scratch.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3 ThingsScratch.
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKaustav HalderDustin Wiens

Customer experience

3 Things

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Scratch.

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

3 Things

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Yearly$5.991 Year
3 purchases

Scratch.

One-time3
  • Small Tip$1.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$9.99

Questions

Is 3 Things free?
3 Things is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scratch. free?
Scratch. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, 3 Things or Scratch.?
3 Things and Scratch. are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do 3 Things or Scratch. have ads?
Neither 3 Things nor Scratch. shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 3 Things or Scratch.?
3 Things ships an update every 10 days, and Scratch. every 5 days. Most recently, 3 Things was updated on October 10, 2026 and Scratch. on October 6, 2026.

Other comparisons