Best ADHD apps for Mac that actually work [Tried and tested]

About 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. believe they have ADHD, but half of them do not seek medical help. Symptoms vary. Some people find it difficult to concentrate on their studies, some switch easily between tasks at work, and some lose track of the conversation. ADHD is not a flaw; it just means that your brain works differently.

I've spent considerable time researching ADHD apps for adults that actually work. Not the ones that promise miracles, but the ones that people with ADHD consistently use and recommend. Let's explore what makes them different.

Comparison of the best ADHD apps for Mac (2026) 

While selecting apps for ADHD, I focused on the following criteria:

• Minimal frustration between opening and using the app
• Visual design that shows the big picture at a glance
• Customization without unnecessary complexity
• Support without shameful pressure

Not every app claims to be “for ADHD,” but the following tools have these features. 

App	Best for	Price
Be Focused	Breaking tasks into timed chunks	Included in Setapp
Calendars	Seeing your schedule at a glance	Included in Setapp
Clockwise	Creating focus time automatically	Free for individuals
GoodTask	Managing tasks with Apple Reminders	Included in Setapp
Session	Tracking how well you focus	Included in Setapp
Timemator	Tracking time without remembering to	Included in Setapp
Awesome Habits	Building habits your way	Included in Setapp
Diarly	Private journaling with structure	Included in Setapp
Clariti	Background sounds that help you focus	Included in Setapp
Evernote	Capturing ideas before you forget them	Free or from ~$8.25/month
Todoist	Managing tasks with your team	Free or from $4/month
RescueTime	Seeing where your time really goes	From $7/month

Let's take a look at each of these ADHD apps one by one!

Be Focused: Best ADHD app for task management with built-in timers

The biggest struggle with ADHD isn't laziness, it's getting started. Be Focused solves this by combining your to-do list with a timer, so you're not just looking at tasks, you're actively working through them.

Here's what users appreciate about Be Focused:

 “Simple to use. Other apps try to do too much for me. This is a clean interface and focuses me on what I’m doing NOW. Very helpful”.

Best features:

• Break big, overwhelming projects into smaller, achievable daily tasks
• Set customizable work intervals and break times that match your focus patterns
• Export completed tasks to CSV for freelance tracking or personal analytics
• Start, pause, or skip work intervals without a rigid structure

Pros:

• Simple, uncluttered interface reduces decision fatigue
• Visual progress tracking creates satisfaction and motivation
• Goal tracking helps maintain a long-term perspective
• Syncs across Mac devices (iOS version available separately)

Cons:

• No collaboration features for team projects

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Calendars: Best calendar app for ADHD minds

Sometimes I think I have plenty of time, then suddenly it's 3 PM and I haven't eaten lunch. Calendars address this by making time visible and manageable.

What I personally like is the color coding system. Before this ADHD app, I used Google Calendar — it was fine, but I don't like scanning that wall of text and trying to remember what's important. Now I see tasks marked in red and know they're urgent, while meetings are marked in blue and personal appointments are green. 

The natural language input is a game-changer. Type "meet Alex at Starbucks tomorrow at 10" and Calendars creates the event, adds the location, and links your contact. 

 “I swear by the Calendars app. It’s the only way I keep my life together — work meetings, gym, dinner with friends, all in one place. I color-code everything so my brain doesn’t melt: blue for work, green for personal stuff, red for workouts. Total game changer”, says Oleksandra Melnyk, Product Marketing Manager.

Best features:

• Sync multiple accounts (Google, iCloud, Outlook) to see your entire life in one view
• Set up to 5 reminders per event 
• Color-code events for instant visual differentiation of priorities
• Create event templates for recurring appointments or habit-building tasks

Pros:

• Drag-and-drop task scheduling makes planning intuitive
• Access to 200+ preset calendars (sports, TV shows, holidays)
• Visual time blocking helps with time awareness

Cons:

• Can feel overwhelming if you sync too many calendars at once

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Clockwise: Best ADHD app for automatic schedule optimization

Sometimes there are so many tasks that it seems like a separate task itself to distribute them across the week's calendar. With Clockwise, there's no need to spend time scheduling – this is one of the best ADHD apps that does this for you, taking your preferences into account.

For me, it's a real gem. Clockwise knows when I need uninterrupted blocks of time to focus, and when there's time to transcribe interviews, respond to emails, edit social media posts, or read a new report on AI. 

Best features:

• Automatically moves flexible meetings to create focus blocks
• Smart meeting breaks add buffer time between long meeting blocks
• Travel time recognition adds transit buffer to external meetings

Pros:

• Reduces decision fatigue about scheduling
• Protects focus time automatically
• Respects your work and meeting hour preferences

Cons:

• Works best in team environments where others also use it

Price: Free for individuals. 

GoodTask: Smart ADHD app that syncs to-do’s with Reminders

If you're already using Apple Reminders and Calendar but need more power, check GoodTask. It expands on Apple's native apps without forcing you to learn an entirely new system.

Smart lists make GoodTask one of the best apps for ADHD. You can filter tasks by what's overdue, what's due today, or what's tagged for a specific project — all without manually organizing everything. For ADHD brains that struggle with categorization, this automatic organization is essential.

 “One of the biggest pros of GoodTask is that it uses the native Reminders and Calendars databases. This means I can access my work tasks from Exchange, tasks from my secondary accounts on Outlook.com, my wife's google tasks, our family shared shopping list, and my personal Reminders all in one app. I can add a task in Goodtask on iPhone using Siri while driving and it will be in my Outlook tasks on work laptop the next day”, shares Reddit user. 

Best features:

• Syncs with iCloud and Outlook/Exchange for unified task view
• Smart lists automatically filter and organize tasks based on criteria
• Quick actions and text snippets for rapid task creation
• Automatic repeat mode for recurring tasks without manual recreation

Pros:

• Builds on familiar Apple ecosystem
• Tagging system makes finding tasks effortless
• Customizable sort order adapts to your thinking style

Cons:

• May be too complex for users wanting extreme simplicity

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Read more:

• Best free productivity apps to supercharge your workflow
• Best planner apps for Mac users
• Getting things done: The art of stress-free productivity by David Allen
• How to enable pop-ups on your Mac and still stay focused

Session: Best focus timer app for ADHD with reflection tracking

Unlike classic Pomodoro timers, Session adds something special for ADHD minds: self-awareness about your focus patterns. After each work session, Session prompts you to reflect. Were you distracted? Neutral? Deeply focused? I noticed that it helps me recognize patterns. For example, I found that I can concentrate best early in the morning (perhaps because no one disturbs me with messages then). Anyway, with this information, I designed my day around my brain and became more productive, 

Another special feature of Session is the breathing exercise before the start of each session. I like those little breaks between tasks when I can literally breathe out and relax.

 "Blogging is my full-time job, so staying focused matters. Session helps me track how much time I actually spend on each task — and stops me from falling into a scrolling rabbit hole when I should be editing," says Thomas, creator of the NighTech Channel. 

Best features:

• Customizable focus intervals that adapt to your natural rhythm
• Website and app blocking removes distractions automatically
• Post-session reflection tracking builds self-awareness
• Detailed analytics reveal focus patterns over time

Pros:

• Syncs across Mac, iPhone, and iPad with Apple Calendar
• Session log shows productivity trends by day or week
• Breathing exercise creates mindful transition into focus

Cons:

• Requires discipline to use consistently

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Timemator: Best automatic time tracking app for ADHD

Forgetting to start and stop timers is practically an ADHD signature move. Timemator solves this by tracking everything automatically based on what apps and files you're using.

The activity timeline shows where your day actually went, not where you think it went. For ADHD brains that experience time differently, this objective record is invaluable for understanding your work patterns.

What users love is the flexibility. You can let it track automatically, or you can manually start and stop when you want more control. The app adapts to how your brain works on any given day.

 “Balancing a full-time job and side projects, I used to waste hours updating Excel sheets just to track my billable hours. Timemator changed everything — it automatically tracks time per task and project, so now I just check the totals and send an invoice. No more manual logging or spreadsheet chaos.”, says Stefan-Radu Gogolan, video editor, digital marketing specialist. 

Best features:

• Automatic tracking based on apps and files you use
• Activity timeline shows all your work in one view
• Detailed reports with progress tracking and earnings calculations
• Traditional timer option for manual control when needed

Pros:

• No need to remember to start and stop tracking
• Works with design tools, development software, and most Mac apps
• Edit entries and adjust timing sessions flexibly
• Hourly rate tracking for freelancers

Cons:

• May track too much if not configured thoughtfully

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Awesome Habits: Best app for adults with ADHD to track habits

The main problem with most habit trackers is that they make you feel ashamed if you fail (or simply forget to enter information into the app). Awesome Habits takes a different approach.

Instead of demanding daily perfection, you can set weekly or monthly goals. For instance, I decided to exercise for three hours per week. It could be Monday-Wednesday-Friday, or two hours on Saturday and one on Sunday. I decide for myself what is convenient for me, and the app doesn't bother me with notifications that “it's time to exercise right now.” Instead, it syncs with Apple Health, so my steps, sleep, and workouts count automatically. 

You're building habits without having to manually log everything — which you probably wouldn't remember to do anyway.

Best features:

• Preset habits for common goals (water intake, meditation, limiting spending)
• Custom reminder frequencies (daily, weekly, monthly, or custom intervals)
• Unit specification for measurable progress tracking
• Apple Health sync for automatic metric tracking

Pros:

• Flexible scheduling respects inconsistent ADHD patterns
• Visual statistics show completed goals and streaks
• Customizable colors and widgets make tracking enjoyable
• Can track both building habits and breaking them

Cons:

• May become overwhelming if you track too many habits at once
• Requires consistent phone/Mac use to maintain accuracy

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Diarly: Best journaling app for ADHD with reflection structure

Once, a therapist suggested journaling, and I was searching for the best ADHD app to help me reflect. I didn't want anything complicated, and of course, I prioritized privacy (if I wanted to reflect openly, I would do it on Instagram, right?). 

Diarly is a perfect combination of a user-friendly interface, privacy, and organizational tools for ADHD, all in one app. I especially appreciate how Diarly's formatting tools let me structure ideas in whatever way makes sense to me.

Here’s what a Setapp user says about Diarly: 

 “I’ve tried a number of the other (obvious) journally apps, and not quite gorton with them. (too much effort or not tailorable) I now use Diarly regularly and slowly am creating a template to do just what I want”. 

Best features:

• Encrypted entries protect your privacy completely
• Markdown editor with preview for formatted writing
• Calendar, customizable lists, and hashtag search for easy navigation
• Syncs via iCloud across Mac, iPhone, and iPad

Pros:

• Password protection across all devices
• Custom templates for different entry types
• Distraction-free interface with customizable fonts and themes

Cons:

• May feel too structured for free-form writing

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Clariti: Best soundscape app for ADHD focus and relaxation

When I worked with music playing in the background, it distracted me. Turned out that working with the right audio actually enhances focus. Clariti was a discovery for me, and even as I write this article, I have the calm sounds from this app playing in the background. 

What makes Clariti unique is the location-based adaptation. The app uses real-time weather, location, and time of day to create soundscapes that change with your environment. If it starts raining outside, Clariti adjusts, keeping you grounded and present.

You can layer sounds based on what helps you personally. Some ADHD brains focus better with white noise, others with nature sounds, some with ASMR or binaural frequencies. Clariti lets you build the exact audio environment your brain needs.

Best features:

• Real-time environmental adaptation based on weather and location
• Customizable sound layers 
• Session timer with break management

Pros:

• Changes with your environment for continuous grounding
• Helps with focus, relaxation, and sleep in one app
• Simple interface without overwhelming options

Cons:

• May not appeal to those who prefer silence

Price: Available on Setapp — a subscription platform with 250+ apps for MacBook, iPhone, and iPad. You can try it free for 7 days.

Evernote: Best ADHD app for capturing everything in one place

Sometimes, right before falling asleep, I get an idea that I can't remember in the morning. I tried writing them down in my iPhone notes, but guess how many times I actually looked back at them? Not once. 

Evernote was created for just such cases. It's like your second brain, capturing everything before it disappears. And most importantly, you can easily find your notes later. When your brain can't remember where you saved something, Evernote's search finds it anyway.

Tasks live inside your notes, eliminating the need to switch between apps. You're not fragmenting your attention across multiple tools — everything lives in one searchable database.

Best features:

• Capture thoughts, images, receipts, and documents on any device
• AI-powered search 
• Tasks integrated directly into notes
• Search works on note text, attachments, and even photo content

Pros:

• Everything in one searchable place 
• Available on all platforms with automatic sync
• Can capture information in any format
• Strong search capabilities find information quickly

Cons:

• Can become overwhelming with too much unorganized content

Price: Free or from ~$8.25/month.

Todoist: Best collaborative task manager for ADHD

For ADHD users who work in teams or manage complex projects, Todoist is one of the top tools because it creates structure without being overwhelming.

Struggling with prioritization? Todoist helps you sort tasks. Not everything is equally urgent, and color-coded priorities make this visual rather than abstract. What users appreciate is the gamification. By completing tasks, you earn karma points and get streaks. It's gentle motivation that doesn't feel like a punishment when you're having a bad day.

A Reddit user compared various planning tools, and here is his opinion on Todoist:

 “Smooth, simple, and perfect if you’re not very techy or mostly manage personal/family stuff on your phone.. Worth upgrading? Free plan’s enough for personal use. Go Pro only if you rely heavily on filters or reminders.” 

Best features:

• Priority levels and labels for visual organization
• Recurring tasks with flexible scheduling
• Project templates for repeated workflows

Pros:

• Clean, simple interface 
• Available on all platforms with real-time sync
• Collaboration features for team projects
• Gamification provides motivation

Cons:

• Advanced features require premium subscription
• Can still become overwhelming with too many projects

Price: Free or from $4/month.

RescueTime: Best ADHD app for understanding time usage

For ADHD users, the gap between perceived time and actual time is often massive. RescueTime shows objective data: you spent three hours on this project, 45 minutes on email, and yes, an hour on that "quick" social media break.

The app categorizes activities automatically as productive or distracting based on your goals. Over time, you see patterns — maybe you're most productive right after lunch, or maybe mornings are consistently derailed by email.

Weekly reports show progress without daily pressure. You're not micromanaging every minute; you're developing awareness of your actual patterns so you can work with them.

Best features:

• Automatic tracking of all computer and phone activities
• Weekly reports showing productivity trends
• Goal setting with progress tracking
• Website and app blocking during focus time

Pros:

• No manual input required
• Creates objective data about time usage
• Identifies productivity patterns over time
• Cross-platform tracking (desktop and mobile)

Cons:

• May feel invasive if you're privacy-conscious

Price: From $7/month.

Create your own toolkit with the best ADHD apps

Analyzing 12 different apps for ADHD, I realized that the best aren’t the ones with the most features, but the ones you'll actually use consistently. That means finding tools that match how your brain works, not forcing yourself to adapt to rigid systems.

I believe that combining several apps creates the most effective workflow. Try Be Focused or GoodTask to manage your to-do lists, Calendars to view your schedule, and Session to actually focus during work periods. To find out exactly where your time is going, try RescueTime or Timemator. With Awesome Habits, you can finally develop the habits you need without pressure or shame, while Clariti provides the sensory environment 

With Setapp, you can experiment freely. Try different combinations without commitment anxiety with a 7-day free trial and see what works for your brain!