Aide vs Things 3

Side-by-side comparison to help you choose the best tool.

Aide

freemium

Productivity & Workflow

4.2 / 5.0

Aide is an AI IDE developed by CodeStory, forked from VS Code, that provides deep codebase understanding and proactive AI assistance throughout the development workflow. It features multi-file editing, proactive bug detection that identifies issues before they are triggered, and an AI agent that can plan and execute complex coding tasks across the repository. Aide is designed to be an IDE where AI is a first-class citizen rather than an add-on.

Best for: Developers who want an AI-first IDE where intelligent assistance is built into every aspect of the coding experience.

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Things 3

paid

Productivity & Workflow

4.8 / 5.0

Things 3 is a beautifully designed personal task manager exclusively for Apple devices (Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch) that is widely regarded as the gold standard for individual productivity on the Apple platform. It features quick entry via natural language input, a clear hierarchy of areas, projects, and tasks, and deep calendar integration that surfaces deadlines alongside your schedule. Things 3 uses a clean, focused interface that prioritises simplicity and daily planning over complex project management.

Best for: Apple users who want a polished, focused personal task manager without subscription fees.

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Feature Comparison

Feature	Aide	Things 3
Pricing	freemium	paid
Category	Productivity & Workflow	Productivity & Workflow
Rating	★★★★☆ 4.2	★★★★½ 4.8
Best For	Developers who want an AI-first IDE where intelligent assistance is built into every aspect of the coding experience.	Apple users who want a polished, focused personal task manager without subscription fees.
Views	4	7

Pros & Cons — Aide

Pros

AI deeply integrated into the IDE rather than bolted on
Proactive bug detection catches issues before they surface
Compatible with VS Code extensions

Cons

Smaller community and ecosystem compared to VS Code
Still maturing with some features in active development

Pros & Cons — Things 3

Pros

Exceptionally polished Apple-native design
One-time purchase with no subscription
Perfect balance of simplicity and power

Cons

Apple ecosystem only — no Windows or Android
No collaboration or team features

Key Features — Aide

AI-native IDE forked from VS Code
Deep codebase understanding and indexing
Proactive bug detection
Multi-file AI editing
Agentic task planning and execution

Key Features — Things 3

Natural language quick entry
Area, project, and task hierarchy
Calendar integration
Today, Upcoming, and Anytime views
Apple Watch support

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