Some tools promise the world but leave your ADHD brain more scattered than before. TickTick is popular, sure—but is it the best option for you? Today, we’re rolling up our sleeves for a Productivity Tools Roundup, spotlighting five ADHD-friendly alternatives that hold their own against TickTick.
Don’t worry: this isn’t just an "X vs. Y" bullet list. We’ll dive deeper into which features truly matter for ADHD workflows—like quick reordering, minimal friction, and color-coded priorities. Plus, you’ll see why Forget might just become your new secret weapon.
Key Insight: A productivity tool should adapt to your ADHD patterns, not the other way around.
Why Look Beyond TickTick?
TickTick is famous for its sleek interface and habit-tracking add-ons. It’s a solid pick, especially if you love structured lists and a clean UI. However, many ADHD users crave more flexible, visual, or always-on solutions. Some also find TickTick’s habit features either too limited or too rigid.
Problem: For ADHD, the best tool is the one that meets you where you are—when your focus is at its peak and when it’s all over the place.
1. Forget
Overview
Forget offers a floating task manager that keeps tasks in your line of sight, effectively combating the ADHD quirk of "out of sight, out of mind." No more burying to-dos behind 15 open tabs.
Standout Features
Floating Visibility: Tasks gently hover onscreen, so you can’t forget them even in a hyperfocus rabbit hole.
Color-Coded Priorities: Immediate, visual cues for urgent tasks—perfect for ADHD brains that rely on quick dopamine triggers.
Seamless Reordering: Drag tasks around to match your current priority, without endless clicks.
Why It’s Great for ADHD
Instant Awareness: Reassures you that crucial tasks won’t disappear in a hidden list.
High-Reward Checkoffs: A mini dopamine bump each time you tick something off.
No Need for Complex Setup: Quick and simple—a huge plus for ADHD minds that can’t stand cluttered or complicated interfaces.
Try It Now: Ready to see if Forget keeps you on track? Head to Forget and give it a spin.
2. Trello
Overview
Trello is a kanban-style board that thrives on visual organization. Drag-and-drop columns (To Do, Doing, Done) give ADHD users a clear roadmap of tasks and progress.
Why It Stands Out
Visual Cards: The layout is highly customizable. You can attach images, labels, due dates.
Real-Time Collaboration: Great for group projects, with easy invites for colleagues or friends.
Automation Add-ons: "Butler" can handle repetitive tasks, though some ADHDers find it overkill.
ADHD Edge
Colorful Labeling: Each label stands out as a color-coded banner—like a big “HEY, LOOK HERE.”
Easy Reordering: Want to move a card to “urgent”? Drag it. No fuss.
Low Barrier to Entry: You can get started with a free tier that’s good enough for many personal workflows.
Heads Up: If text-based lists bore you, Trello’s visual boards might be a game-changer. Just watch out for too many boards that can overwhelm.
3. Notion
Overview
Notion is the Swiss Army knife of productivity: docs, databases, wikis, and to-do lists in one. Its modular design allows for infinite customization.
Unique Points
Customizable Databases: Track tasks, budgets, project outlines, all in one platform.
Templates Galore: Community-driven templates for everything from daily journaling to project management.
Relational Linking: Connect different pages, so your tasks can reference notes or client info seamlessly.
ADHD-Friendly?
Potential for Overwhelm: If you’re prone to getting lost in details, Notion can become a rabbit hole.
Highly Personalized: You can create exactly what you need (and skip the rest) to align with your ADHD style.
Excellent for Visual Thinkers: Use toggles, columns, and embedded boards to keep info well-organized.
Pro Tip: Start with a basic task board or daily planner in Notion. Gradually add advanced features only as you need them.
4. Google Tasks
Overview
Google Tasks is simplicity incarnate. It integrates seamlessly with Gmail and Google Calendar, so if you’re already living in Google’s ecosystem, this might be a natural fit.
Why It’s Worth Considering
Instant Access: Open your email, see your tasks—no extra logins required.
Calendar Integration: Dates sync with Google Calendar, giving you at-a-glance reminders.
Mobile and Web: Jot down tasks on the go. Your phone’s always on you, right?
ADHD Verdict
Low Friction: No huge learning curve. You’re likely familiar with the Google interface.
Lacks Advanced Features: No fancy color-coding or stats. Could be a pro or con, depending on your style.
Keep It Short: Best used for smaller daily to-dos. If you manage big projects, consider pairing with another tool.
Heads Up: If time blindness is a major issue, remember to set those Calendar reminders. Google Tasks won’t push you as aggressively.
5. Asana
Overview
Asana is a robust project management platform used by many teams. Think of it like Trello’s big sibling, offering timelines, custom fields, and advanced reporting.
Standout Features
Timeline View: Great for mapping out multi-week projects.
Task Dependencies: Avoid confusion on which tasks must be done first.
Team Collaboration: If you’re working in a group, Asana keeps everyone in sync.
ADHD Lens
Ease of Use Varies: Some find Asana intuitive; others feel it’s too heavy. ADHDers might be split based on personal preference.
Visual Reminders: Color-coded tasks, plus the option for integration with Slack or email.
Potential Overwhelm: Asana’s many features can bury you in options if all you want is a simple to-do list.
Pro Tip: If your ADHD thrives on structure—and you love having details spelled out—Asana might be your go-to.
Which Tool Fits Your ADHD?
Forget – Ideal if you’re prone to ignoring to-do lists once they’re minimized. The floating visibility is a lifesaver.
Trello – Best if you’re a visual thinker who loves dragging and dropping tasks.
Notion – A blank canvas for power users who crave deep customization.
Google Tasks – Lightweight and integrates well with Gmail and Calendar, good for simpler tasks.
Asana – Enterprise-level features if you need structured projects and team collaboration.
Key Insight: The best alternative to TickTick is the one that aligns with your ADHD tendencies—whether that’s hyperfocus on color-coded boards, or minimal friction from a floating panel.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hunting for a TickTick alternative, these five tools offer distinct advantages, from simple to sophisticated. Remember: ADHD brains aren’t one-size-fits-all. Try each platform in a small pilot, see how it impacts your daily flow, and stick with what feels naturally supportive.
Action Step: Pick one tool to experiment with this week—just one. No need to set up all five. Keep it simple, monitor your productivity, and course-correct based on real-world results.