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Best Free & Open Source Alternatives to Things 3

Compare 1 open-source Things 3 alternative including Kagelin

If you're looking for the best open-source alternative to Things 3; Kagelin is a strong place to start.

#1Kagelin

Kagelin

Self-hosted, offline-first productivity app combining tasks, habits, a Pomodoro focus timer, and calendar with optional WebDAV sync.

Kagelin (currently in preview) is an ink-and-matte style productivity app that bundles tasks, habits, a Pomodoro focus timer, and a calendar into a single offline-first PWA. It ships with a Guest Mode that keeps everything in localStorage so you can use every feature without an account; signing in only enables cloud sync via Supabase and WebDAV.

Key Features

  • Tasks: Board and List views with vim-style keyboard navigation, multi-level projects, recurring tasks (Strict and Flexible modes), drag-and-drop groups, and a markdown notes editor.
  • Focus timer: Picture-in-Picture Pomodoro engine with real-time sync across devices and push notifications.
  • Habit tracking: longevity streaks, rolling-7 day strip, activity heatmap, and .db import from uhabits.
  • Calendar: month, desktop 4-day, mobile week, and rolling 3-day views with Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook sync, plus universal .ics import and export.
  • Data ownership: WebDAV sync against Nextcloud, Synology, or any compliant server; encrypted ZIP backup/restore; instant cloud data wipe; telemetry off by default.
  • Stats and insights: per-habit score history, streaks, frequency, on-time rate, period selectors, and CSV/JSON exports.

Why it replaces TickTick, Things 3, and Trello

Kagelin covers the same feature surface as TickTick (tasks + habits + Pomodoro + calendar) and the same task depth as Things 3 and Todoist, while running entirely on your own infrastructure via Docker Compose and Supabase. There is no account requirement to try it, no subscription tier, and no analytics collection by default. Self-hosters can point sync at Nextcloud or Synology over WebDAV instead of trusting a third-party cloud.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any open source alternatives to Things 3?

Yes, there are 1 open source alternatives to Things 3. Popular options include Kagelin. These alternatives are free to use and many offer self-hosting options.

What is the best free alternative to Things 3?

The best free alternative to Things 3 depends on your specific needs. Kagelin is a popular choice with self-hosting capabilities. All alternatives listed here are open source and free to use.

Can I self-host an alternative to Things 3?

Yes, 1 of the alternatives listed here can be self-hosted, giving you complete control over your data and privacy.

Why should I switch from Things 3 to an open source alternative?

Open source alternatives to Things 3 offer several advantages: no vendor lock-in, complete data ownership, no subscription fees, the ability to self-host for privacy and security, and active community support. You can also customize the software to fit your specific needs.

Things 3

Things 3

Things 3 is a premium task manager for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS built by Cultured Code, focused on projects, areas, headings, and a clean Today/Upcoming/Inbox workflow. Sold as a one-time purchase per platform with no subscription.

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