Best To-Do App for ADHD: Simple Apps That Actually Help
Traditional to-do apps often fail for people with ADHD. Too many steps to add a task. Too much structure. No dopamine. This guide covers the best to-do apps for ADHD—apps with low friction, visual clarity, and features that actually help.
Why Traditional To-Do Apps Fail for ADHD
- Decision fatigue: Projects, tags, priorities—too many choices before adding a task
- Overwhelm: Seeing everything at once triggers paralysis
- No dopamine: Checking off a task should feel good; many apps don't
- Setup friction: Complex setup means you never start
- Guilt: Overdue tasks piling up creates shame, not motivation
What ADHD-Friendly Features Look Like
- Low friction: Add a task in under 10 seconds, no decisions required
- Dopamine rewards: Confetti, streaks, sounds—positive reinforcement
- Visual clarity: Clean layout, not cluttered, easy to scan
- Simple structure: Today and tomorrow, not 47 projects
- Morning routine: Something to start your day—briefing, reminder
- Flexibility: Bad days happen; app should adapt
7 Best To-Do Apps for ADHD
1. TaskSpot — Best for Simplicity + Dopamine
TaskSpot has low friction (add task, put in Today or Tomorrow), confetti when you complete all tasks, daily streak counter, and morning briefing email. No projects, no tags—just today and tomorrow. Free forever.
ADHD-friendly features: Confetti celebration, daily streaks, morning briefing, minimal decisions (Today/Tomorrow/Backlog only), clean interface, no overwhelm.
Best for: People with ADHD who want simple structure and dopamine rewards.
2. TickTick — Best for Focus + Pomodoro
TickTick has a built-in Pomodoro timer, habit tracking, and daily progress. Good for time blindness and focus. Free tier limited.
ADHD-friendly features: Pomodoro timer, habit tracking, Eisenhower matrix, daily view. Structure without overwhelming complexity.
Best for: People who benefit from timers and habit tracking.
Compare TaskSpot vs TickTick →
3. Amazing Marvin — Best for Customization
Amazing Marvin lets you customize your workflow—task jar, procrastination warnings, gamification. Built with ADHD in mind. Paid ($12/month).
ADHD-friendly features: Highly customizable, procrastination warnings, rewards, task breakdown. Can adapt to your brain.
Best for: People who want to customize their productivity system.
4. Tiimo — Best for Visual Timelines
Tiimo offers visual timelines, AI task breakdown, and executive function support. Designed for ADHD. Won iPhone App of the Year 2025.
ADHD-friendly features: Visual schedules, routine support, gentle reminders. Built for neurodivergent users.
Best for: People who think visually and need routine support.
5. Sunsama — Best for Daily Planning Flow
Sunsama has a daily planning ritual and time-blocking. Guided workflow for starting your day. Paid ($20/month).
ADHD-friendly features: Daily planning flow, time blocking, focus on one day at a time.
Best for: People who benefit from a structured morning ritual.
6. Twos — Best for Quick Capture + Notes
Twos combines tasks and notes with natural language. Quick capture, AI suggestions. Low friction input.
ADHD-friendly features: Fast capture, brain-dump friendly, flexible structure.
Best for: People who need to capture thoughts quickly.
7. Microsoft To Do — Best Free Option with My Day
Microsoft To Do has "My Day" for daily focus. Free. Simple. Good for basic use.
ADHD-friendly features: My Day view, simple lists, free. No confetti or streaks, but low friction.
Best for: People who want free and simple.
Compare TaskSpot vs Microsoft To Do →
How TaskSpot Helps with ADHD
- Confetti when you finish all tasks: Dopamine hit. Small win, big feel.
- Daily streak counter: Visual progress. Builds habit without guilt.
- Morning briefing email: Starts your day with your tasks. No open-app friction.
- Today and Tomorrow only: Not everything. Reduces overwhelm. Two days is manageable.
- Backlog for the rest: "Someday" doesn't clutter Today. Out of sight, not guilt.
- No projects or tags: Zero decisions when adding a task. Just type and go.
- Keyboard shortcuts: j/k/x/e—fast, no mouse. Reduces friction.
Recommendation
For simple + dopamine + free: TaskSpot. For Pomodoro + habits: TickTick. For customization: Amazing Marvin. For visual timelines: Tiimo.
Get started with TaskSpot—free, confetti, streaks, morning briefing.