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Updated November 1, 2026 · Not sponsored · No app paid for placement
Todoist vs TickTick: Which Is Better for ADHD?
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Neither app paid to be here. Todoist keeps it simple; TickTick bundles timers and habits. Here is which suits your brain.
Todoist
Free / Pro $5/mo billed yearly ($60/yr) or $7/mo monthly
What works
- ✓ Clean interface (keep projects and labels simple)
- ✓ Natural language input ('meeting tomorrow 3pm')
- ✓ Optional Karma points (some find them motivating; turn them off if they trigger shame)
- ✓ Excellent mobile apps
- ✓ Labels and filters for flexible organization
What doesn't
- ✗ No built-in timer or Pomodoro
- ✗ Subtask handling is basic on free plan
- ✗ No energy-level tagging
- ✗ Reminders require premium
Best forPeople who need simple, fast capture with minimal friction. If seeing too many features paralyzes you, Todoist's restraint is a feature.
TickTick
Free / Premium $49.99/yr (~$4.17/mo)
What works
- ✓ Built-in Pomodoro timer
- ✓ Calendar view included free
- ✓ Habit tracker built in
- ✓ Eisenhower matrix view
- ✓ More features at the free tier than Todoist
What doesn't
- ✗ More complex UI can overwhelm
- ✗ No ADHD-specific features
- ✗ Habit tracking can create guilt spirals
- ✗ Calendar view gets cluttered fast
Best forPeople who want timer + tasks + habits in one app and don't mind a busier interface.
The honest take
Neither is built for ADHD specifically. Todoist wins on simplicity — less decision fatigue, faster capture. TickTick wins on built-in features — the Pomodoro timer means one less app to manage. If you're newly diagnosed or easily overwhelmed, start with Todoist. If you already know you need timers and habits together, try TickTick.
Want something built specifically for ADHD?
The UpOrbit Chrome extension replaces your new tab with a must-do, focus timer, and smart capture. Free, no account needed. Your data stays in your browser unless you turn on sync. (We make UpOrbit.)
Learn more about UpOrbit →
Not medical advice. Pricing checked November 2026 but may change. No app paid for inclusion. Some product links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend products we'd use ourselves. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Full disclosure.