Even More of my favorite ADHD-Friendly Apps

I’ve talked about ADHD-friendly apps a couple times now, namely here and here. I tend to love seeing what’s out there, though, so I decided to play with even more apps recently, and I fell in love with three of the four of these. The fourth isn’t bad, but it wasn’t quite for me. Still, it’s very ADHD-friendly, so it’s here for you to check out. 

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s talk about which ones I highly recommend. As always, you can watch here or listen below, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This post does contain a couple of affiliate links; however I wouldn’t suggest anything I didn’t already use and love.

4. Brili 

Brili is a habit tracker that even says upon startup that it was “made with ADHD in mind,” and it shows. Not only does the app include visual timers and allow for lots of customization, but it also gamifies the experience by giving you stars based on tasks you achieve, and achievements based on stars you get over time. 

I used Brili for a while, and I kept it simple, using it to help me get to the point where I was brushing my teeth every day, instead of when I just happened to think about it. It worked for the first two days, but then I started just skipping the notifications because I was too tired to bother. Unfortunately, unlike Tusk, which will give achievements even for skipping routines, Brili doesn’t really do much of anything, which leads to a drop in interest in the app for me. I eventually kinda forgot it even existed. 

That said, I can absolutely see how this is an ADHD-friendly app, and I can see it working for many people. It forces you to cut overarching tasks into smaller tasks, and it’s very visually pleasing. It wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean that it wouldn’t work for you. If you’ve been looking for a good habit tracker that will give you more of a visual element to work with, I’d suggest Brili. 

Pros:  Visual timer, breaks things into bite-sized steps, customizable, there is a kids’ version of the app that has all of the same helpful features.

Cons:  Doesn’t have a ton of available achievements, relies pretty heavily on notifications for success, no desktop version

Price: Free, upgrade is 49.99/year for adult version, 19.99/year for kids.

3. TimeFinder

TimeFinder is the ultimate proof that something doesn’t have to be pretty or fancy to be effective. 

I’m shocked nothing like this has been released before; maybe it has and I’ve missed it, but this is the first time I’ve seen an ADHD-friendly time blocking app, and I love it. 

TimeFinder allows you to make lists of all the things you might have to do, categorized however you’d like, and then view those lists side-by-side with your calendar so that you can see in real time where what you want to do fits in with what you have to do. You’re able to grab whatever it is that you want to do, and move it into a free slot, adjusting the time as needed. It’s that simple. 

Since it’s still new, there are kinks that need to be worked out of the app. For one, it only integrates with iCal at the moment, meaning that if you’re an Android user, this won’t work for you. Also, even though there is a desktop version of TimeFinder, it lacks a few capabilities that you’d think it wouldn’t, like…oh, I dunno…marking tasks as done?!. 

Linking TimeFinder with my iCal was clunky and not at all intuitive either, because I had to feed my Google calendar into my iCal in order to be able to see what I have on deck. 

That said, once I got it set, TimeFinder has been a fantastic way for me to get a good feel for how much of my wants will actually fit into my day. I’ve worked it into my daily rotation and even upgraded to a Premium account. No ragerts. 

Pros: Visually shows you what your schedule will look like when you add things to it, lots of customization, has a desktop version, is easily customizable

Cons: Only works with iCal right now, difficult to sync your Google calendar into the mix, desktop version is missing a few features

Price: Free, upgrade to premium version is 19.99/year

2. Artful Agenda

And then, it was love at first sight. 

When I made my ClickUp planning template, I wanted more than anything to give people an ADHD-friendly app where they could plan their days and their tasks. And, for project management, I think I nailed it. Artful Agenda, though, is what I wanted that template to be when it grew up. 

The app is made to appease the planner junkie in all of us, but to keep it functional. Your main screen looks like a paper planner, and it allows you to do a couple things that you’d want to do with one, too, namely tracking water intake and planning the day’s meals. You also are able to change covers, and to make whatever you input look like handwriting.  But then, this app takes a hard turn into Badassville. 

Every “Month” and “Week” page has a space for you to write down your goals. Every “Week” and “Day” page allows for you to write down your priority tasks, and allows for an extra 1-2 lists that you can customize however you want and switch day to day. You have stickers that you can add to the pages. AND. You can integrate your planner with your Google calendar. 

As if that isn’t beautiful enough, the integration is a two-way connection, meaning anything that you put into your planner will be added to your calendar automatically, and vice versa. You can also add external URLs to the planner, and FOLLOW THEM when you need them. It is incredible. 

Of course, nothing is without its problems, and Artful Agenda is no different. For one, you have to use data or internet to use it at all; you’re not able to even add anything offline like you might be able to in Google Calendar. The desktop app is definitely a bit clunkier than the phone app; not much, but there are some things that take a sec to get used to. You also won’t receive updates immediately; you have to sign up for their email list to be advised of when there are new updates to the product available. 

That said, I could see this being my planner app forever. I am a fan, and I bow to thee, AA. Thank you for existing. 

For the record, if you click above or here to sign up, use my code RA575368 to get 10% off, and to unlock a special cover.

Pros: Highly customizable, invites tracking of water and meals, many spaces for lists you you can use again and again, integrates with Google, iCal, and Outlook

Cons: Can’t use offline, updates aren’t automatic, customizations are still sparse. 

Price: 34.99/year after a 14-day free trial

1. Centered

I don’t remember how I stumbled on Centered, but I am so glad I did. 

In terms of ADHD work concepts, body doubling, or as I like to call it, “Virtual Coworking,” is one of the best-known. Not only does it add a certain amount of urgency to the situation, but it also tends to make us feel accountable and accomplished once we do it. It’s a strange phenomenon that even introverts like myself get behind. The problem is, in most cases, there isn’t really an ADHD-friendly app available that helps with this. Most either expect you pre-set times, to chat, or to work on your computer with nothing to keep you focused. 

Centered does something about that, and I love it. 

The app works thusly: you join a group on Centered, and then you work. If you update to the Pro version, you get a Pomodoro timer, but otherwise, you can work for as long as you need. As you work, the group’s coach will check in if you’re idle for a long time, if you seem distracted, or if you seem to be on your phone often (there’s a phone app you download to keep you off your phone). When you’re done, Centered gives us what we want by gamifying your session. You get points based on a number of factors, and that’s applied to your group total. 

You don’t have to be on when everyone else is on. You can sync your Google calendar, note the tasks you want to focus on, listen to focus music, and more. You don’t even have to talk to anyone, though there is a chat feature available. 

My only complaints about Centered have to do with its newness, and with a few of the features not available until you pay. In terms of newness, there are still kinks being worked out, such as mobile app capabilities, the ability to contact each other outside of the app, and the ability to let others on your team know when you’re working. 

When you’re trying the app out for free, there are some things you don’t get that I feel you should, such as the blocking of notifications. 

Otherwise, though, Centered has become a part of my daily work routine. Sometimes I work with others, and sometimes I don’t. But I find that it’s awesome to know that either way, I’m helping my group move forward. And I adore how accomplished those points make me feel. 

I adored it so much, in fact, that I got in contact with the company and teamed up with them to start our very own AdhDONE group. I’m in there regularly on weekdays, working alongside people like me, and it feels amazing to see people in there getting stuff done with me. 

The AdhDONE group is replacing the current community, and I’m extending a full-on invitation for you to join us. You can work when I’m there, or not, but you’ll have others in there to help keep you accountable. And, if you’d like, you’ll even have the option to be added to a calendar I’ve made to let everyone know when I WILL be in, so that we can work together then. Just shoot me an email at hello@theariannabradford.com and I’ll put you on it. Or don’t. Totally not required. 

You can join the group here, and if you decide to upgrade to Pro, use the code ADHDONE20 to get 20% off. 

Pros: Great for body doubling, offers focus music, timers, gamification and points.

Cons: Still adding options, no way to advise of when sessions are starting, no notification blocker when using the app for free.

Price: Free, or upgrade to Pro for $80/year, or $10/month (without the above discount) 

So there you have it. I hope you find something new and awesome within these four options, and if you have any questions, you know where to find me. If I find anymore ADHD-friendly apps, you know you’ll hear about it. I can’t help it, y’know? 

Yeah, you know. 

If you’d like to work together personally, reach out to me, and let’s get you going on your free intake appointment.