So far, we’ve looked at two task management systems both of which follow the GTD model yet both which can be acquired on an outright sale basis. However, in the case of 2do, this system is also available from Setapp and for anyone who needs software covering a broad range of functionality, Setapp may meet their needs cost effectively.
TickTick though sits as a subscription based program only and it can be considered to be on the more costly side. They are constantly updating the program so all these updates might make this a cost effective approach however, most subscription based models tend to be expensive.
The New kid on the block yet with a Host of Functionality
TickTick runs on a variety of platforms including the Mac, IOS and Android. It runs seamlessly across these environments with a sync engine designed to operate these common apps.
In previous articles I have noted how these task managers are similar in design. The choice of one over the other often has more to do with the Graphical User interface and how you relate to the manner in which it employs function than the functions themselves.
As with say Things you have:
- the Area of functionality
- Projects which might relate to goals
- Tasks to be done
- the completion of tasks
Which hopefully leads you closer to your goal.
TickTick actually seems to look and function a lot like Things. The nice thing about TickTick though is it has a more robust set of filters to view your data. Filters are critical to views and the better the views, the more likely it is that you can come to better decisions.
Ticktick is not quite as powerful as 2do but it’s not far off of it. You can produce a variety of views so that you’re looking at just the right data or the right amount of data. This has proven quite effective in reaching your goals. If you’re confronted by 50 tasks at once, it can be daunting. You can create a view in which you only see say ten of the most important tasks. Now it’s not nearly as difficult to get started and work through your list.
You can always bounce around with views for frame of reference or review activity. Your tasks have not been wiped out. They are just in a more manageable view. You can change your perspectives in Things 3; just not to the degree you can with Ticktick.
Whether to go Subscription or One Time Charging
There are a lot of factors that can go into a decision as to which pricing model you choose for your task manager but it can be as simple as which one costs me the least say over 3 years. If you want to put your cash out up front and have a cheaper three year cost then a task manager such as 2do would be the way to go. If you want to put out this year less knowing you’ll pay more over three years TickTick is the way to go.
Putting functionality and the looks aside, these two are relatively comparable in terms of function. 2do would be the more powerful but you may not need that extra mile you can get. So 2do would be your cheaper 3 year option and beyond whereas TickTick could be this incrementing cost say over ten years. As an example, if TickTick costs you $25 a year in ten you’ll have shelled out $250. If 2do is $49 up front and it doesn’t change for three years it will be $49. Let’s say at the three year mark it has a major upgrade and for existing users the price is $25 it now will have cost you $75 on a six year mark. Let’s now say there is only one more major upgrade to go for $25 that will take you till the 9th year. You will have shelled out $100. The difference between the two is $150 in 2do’s favour. This difference can be far too much for anyone to swallow so the obvious choice becomes 2do.
Can’t just look at one System unto Itself
When you’re considering which option to go with you cannot just look at TickTick as if it stands unto itself as it most likely does not. You will likely have a group of software components you need to complete your work. If Ticktick was the only piece of software you’d likely have to choose on a subscription based model, it might stand unto itself. However, this is probably not going to be the case.
Let’s say you have ten key products you have to use. Of the ten, five are on the subscription based model. These five, added together, with their cost differential could be quite an expensive undertaking. Now the picture starts to look very different and unless you have money you don’t care whether you part with, you will have to make a fairly informed decision. It is likely that, all things being equal, you would choose the regular cost model we have been dealing with since the inception of time on this one (being software).
The subscription based model only works well with a service type function such as a cloud service. Where it comes to products, they work best as a one off pricing model. You pay an upfront cost for the price of the product you’re buying. You may only ever use the one item for just a while. Why would you keep paying for it if you don’t use it. How does the subscription based model deal with this. I’m not sure the developers have considered this and that they have a product, not an ongoing service.
The standard or regular pricing model is the most fair and works the best. Let’s say you stop using it and don’t pay you’re subscription pricing. Is your data now locked into the product or is there a way to get at it so that it is still useful. As an example, you’ve decided that 2do is for you. You buy it and want to look back over some past tasks. Can you easily move them to 2do so you’re looking at everyone in one place or do you have to look at them in TickTick forcing you to use two products to look at something that relates to one thing.
TickTick is a great task manager but you have to ask the question what are you really buying into. Is it one that is easy to use, powerful and flexible but comes with a ball and chain or is it one that does come with the proverbial ball and chain.
It is often hard just to figure out what works for you best today let alone three years down the road, especially in an industry that registers change on a watch. It’s important to consider not only the product and how it works etc but also how it is priced and exactly what does that mean. With TickTick I have no doubt you are buying an excellent product however, it is one that comes with something you did’t ask for and that’s the ball and chain.
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