Designers managing moodboards, references, and project briefsneed tools that keep up with their workflow. Here's how Melo and Things 3 compare for this specific use case.
What designers need from a productivity tool
Designers deal with moodboards, references, and project briefs daily. The ideal tool for this workflow needs to be fast (no waiting for pages to load), flexible (different projects require different layouts), and smart (AI that understands your specific context). Privacy matters too — designers often handle sensitive information.
Inspiration images, client briefs, and design specs live in different apps
No spatial workspace to arrange references the way your brain works
Design tools handle design, but not the thinking and planning around it
Sharing sensitive client work through cloud tools raises privacy concerns
Things 3 for designers
Award-winning task manager for Apple devices. While Things 3 is a capable tool, designers often find it limiting when they need to work with multiple content types simultaneously. Things 3's approach works for generic use cases, but the specific demands of moodboards, references, and project briefs require more flexibility.
Melo
Things 3
Scope
Full spatial workspace — notes, tasks, AI, web, calendar
Pure task management — todos, projects, areas
AI
Workspace-aware AI that helps prioritize and plan
No AI features
Content
Rich content tiles — web embeds, notes, clipboard alongside tasks
Task entries with basic notes and checklists
Organization
Spatial canvas — see everything in visual context
List-based — areas, projects, headings
Data
Local-first with AI integration
Local with iCloud sync
Why designers pick Melo
Melo's spatial canvas mirrors how designers naturally think — visually and spatially. Tile Figma embeds next to client briefs, moodboard images next to copy drafts. Everything stays local on your Mac, so client work stays private.
For designersspecifically, Melo's spatial canvas means you can design a workspace that mirrors how you think about moodboards, references, and project briefs. Tile your key documents, tasks, web references, and AI chat on one board. Switch between project contexts by switching boards. Everything stays local, fast, and private.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melo more expensive than Things 3?
Melo is a one-time purchase, while many competitors charge monthly subscriptions. Over a year or two, Melo typically costs less — and you own it forever with no recurring fees.
How do designers use Melo differently?
Designers typically create boards organized around their moodboards, references, and project briefs. They tile relevant documents, tasks, web references, and AI chat specific to their workflow. The spatial layout lets them design a workspace that matches how they naturally think about their work.
Can I import my data from Things 3?
Melo supports common import formats. While there's no one-click migration from Things 3, you can export your data and bring it into Melo's workspace. The spatial canvas also makes it easy to start fresh — many users prefer building a new spatial workflow from scratch.
Is Melo free?
Melo is a one-time purchase — no subscriptions, no recurring fees. Pay once and own it forever. There's no free tier, but you get the full product with a single purchase.
Is my data private with Melo?
Yes. Melo is local-first, meaning your data lives on your Mac by default. Nothing is uploaded to external servers unless you explicitly use AI features, which send only the necessary context and don't persist your data.