Comparison

Three 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

Three Things

Read full description

Too many tasks. Too little focus. Sound familiar? Three Things is a minimalist daily planner that limits you to just 3 tasks per day. No endless to-do lists. No overwhelm. Just the 3 things that actually matter today. Unlike traditional task managers and productivity apps, Three Things uses intentional constraint to create focus. You pick your 3 priorities each morning, check them off, and build momentum through daily streaks. Why people switch from complex to-do apps: Clarity over chaos — know exactly what matters today instead of scrolling through 50 tasks. Daily streaks and completion tracking keep you consistent without pressure. A 30-second morning routine replaces complicated planning systems. All data stays on your device — no account, no cloud, no tracking. Three Things is the best daily planner for people who are overwhelmed by Todoist, Things 3, or TickTick and want something radically simpler. It works for ADHD focus, daily habit building, goal setting, and anyone who needs fewer choices to get more done. What makes Three Things different from other to-do list apps: Most productivity apps give you unlimited tasks, projects, tags, and filters. That flexibility becomes the problem. Three Things removes the decision fatigue by giving you exactly 3 slots. No categories. No sub-tasks. No priority levels. Just today's 3 most important things. This approach is based on the proven productivity principle that forcing prioritization leads to better output than managing longer lists. When you can only pick 3, you have to choose what actually matters. Built for people who want less, not more: Entrepreneurs and freelancers who need daily clarity without project management overhead. Students managing coursework, study sessions, and deadlines without complex systems. People with ADHD or executive function challenges who benefit from reduced choices. Anyone recovering from productivity app burnout who wants to actually finish things instead of organizing them. Remote workers who need a simple daily focus tool without team features they will never use. Track your progress over time: See your completion rate and daily streaks. Review your timeline of finished tasks. Get insights into your most productive days and patterns. Watch small daily wins compound into real progress over weeks and months. Privacy first — your data stays on your device. No sign-up required. No social features. No data collection. Just a clean, distraction-free planner that opens in seconds and helps you move forward every day. Stop managing tasks. Start finishing them. Privacy: https://www.notion.so/ninakolari/3-Things-Privacy-Policy-27de68c5264080099c60e4a2b26d25b2 Terms: https://www.notion.so/ninakolari/Terms-Conditions-3-things-34ce68c52640800f903ee3f68fb52b19

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
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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

Three Things4 screens
Scratch.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Scratch. at every 5 days against Three Things's every 3 weeks. Scratch. also leads on device support (4 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Three Things sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Scratch. sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Three Things ships an update every 3 weeks, Scratch. every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Three Things versus Scratch.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThree ThingsScratch.
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKatja Nina KolariDustin Wiens

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Three Things

One-time1
  • Three Things Premium$9.99
3 purchases

Scratch.

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

Questions

Is Three Things free?
Three Things is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scratch. free?
Scratch. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Three Things or Scratch. have ads?
Neither Three Things nor Scratch. shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Three Things or Scratch.?
Three Things ships an update every 3 weeks, and Scratch. every 5 days. Most recently, Three Things was updated on October 8, 2026 and Scratch. on October 6, 2026.

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