Freelancers managing client projects, invoices, and planningneed tools that keep up with their workflow. Here's how Melo and Things 3 compare for this specific use case.
What freelancers need from a productivity tool
Freelancers deal with client projects, invoices, and planning 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 — freelancers often handle sensitive information.
Each client is a different mental context with its own docs, tasks, and comms
No single view across all active projects and deadlines
Paying for project management tools designed for teams of 50 when you're a team of one
Client-sensitive information scattered across cloud services
Things 3 for freelancers
Award-winning task manager for Apple devices. While Things 3 is a capable tool, freelancers 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 client projects, invoices, and planning 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 freelancers pick Melo
Create a board per client in Melo. Tile the brief, task list, reference materials, and AI chat for each project. Switch between client contexts by switching boards. One-time purchase means no monthly overhead eating into your margins.
For freelancersspecifically, Melo's spatial canvas means you can design a workspace that mirrors how you think about client projects, invoices, and planning. 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 good for freelancers?
Yes. Melo's spatial canvas is particularly well-suited for freelancers who need to manage client projects, invoices, and planning. The ability to tile multiple content types on one board means you can see everything relevant to your work without switching apps.
Is Melo faster than Things 3?
Melo is local-first — your data lives on your Mac with zero server round-trips. This means sub-50ms response times for everything. Things 3 relies on cloud infrastructure, which introduces latency, especially with larger workspaces.
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.
Can I use Melo offline?
Absolutely. Since Melo is local-first, your entire workspace works offline. Notes, tasks, canvas arrangement, clipboard history — everything is available without an internet connection. AI features require connectivity.
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.