BusyCal vs Things 3
Things 3 is a dedicated task manager. BusyCal is a calendar-first app with integrated tasks. Different tools for different workflows — if you need pure task management depth, Things 3 may be the better fit. If you want calendar + tasks in one place, BusyCal is usually stronger.
Last reviewed: February 2026.
At a Glance
| Criteria | BusyCal | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary model | Calendar planning with tasks | Task list planning |
| Best fit | Time-blocked schedules and calendar context | List-driven personal task execution |
| Strength | Schedule visibility and calendar context | Simplicity and clean task workflows |
| Trade-off | Calendar-oriented setup | Limited calendar controls |
Calendar & Sync Comparison
| Capability | BusyCal | Things 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Native CalDAV account sync | Yes | No |
| Microsoft 365 / Exchange calendar sync | Yes | No |
| Calendar subscriptions (.ics / holiday feeds) | Yes | No |
| Multiple provider calendars in one app (iCloud + Google + Exchange + CalDAV) | Yes | No |
| Calendar views (Day / Week / Month / Year Planner) | Yes | No |
| Calendar Groups | Yes | No |
| Favorite Time Zones | Yes | No |
| Map out events with locations | Yes | No |
| Task-first workflow without calendar-heavy UI | No | Yes |
Where Things 3 May Be Better
- You want pure task management without calendar-heavy planning.
- You prefer a clean, focused task-list workflow.
- Your execution model is list-first rather than schedule-first.
Where BusyCal May Be Better
- You want one workflow for calendar + tasks, not separate planning systems.
- Calendar blocks are your primary source of truth.
- You need events and tasks visible in one scheduling interface.
- You manage multiple calendars alongside tasks.
- You want Calendar Groups to organize many calendars into folders.
- You want native account sync across iCloud, Google, Exchange/Microsoft 365 (Graph), and CalDAV in one calendar client.
- You want to map out events with locations and travel-time context directly in your planning workflow.
BusyCal Account Sync Docs
- Office 365 via Microsoft Graph
- CalDAV account sync
- Public WebDAV calendar subscriptions
- Google Calendar sync
- iCloud calendar sync
- Map out events with locations and travel time
Official Links
Want to compare a few more options before deciding? Browse all BusyCal comparison guides.