Why Stacks?
70 apps is overwhelming. Decision fatigue is real. These stacks are opinionated recommendations — apps that work well together for specific struggles.
Tip: Pick ONE stack. Install those apps. Use them for 2 weeks before adding anything else.
Time blindness is one of the most frustrating ADHD symptoms. This stack makes invisible time visible with visual timers, automatic tracking, and regular check-ins.
The Stack:
1Time Timer
Visual countdown for tasks
RescueTime
Automatic time tracking
Focusmo
Hourly check-ins
💡 Pro tip: Start with just Time Timer for a week. Add the others once the visual timer becomes habit.
The hardest part is starting. This stack breaks big tasks into tiny steps, adds gentle accountability, and uses body doubling to make starting easier.
The Stack:
1Goblin Tools
Break tasks into tiny steps
Focusmate
Body doubling sessions
Forest
Gentle commitment timer
💡 Pro tip: When stuck: open Goblin Tools, break the task down, then immediately book a Focusmate session.
Mornings are chaos with ADHD. This stack walks you through each step with timers, blocks distractions before you even pick up your phone, and makes waking up non-negotiable.
The Stack:
1Alarmy
Actually get out of bed
Opal
Block apps during morning
Routinery
Step-by-step routine guide
💡 Pro tip: Set Opal to block social media from 6am-9am BEFORE you go to bed. Future you can't be trusted.
When you finally get in the zone, protect it. This stack blocks distractions, provides focus-enhancing audio, and tracks your productive time.
The Stack:
1Cold Turkey
Nuclear distraction blocker
Brain.fm
Focus-enhancing music
Toggl Track
Track deep work hours
💡 Pro tip: Create a "Deep Work" block in Cold Turkey that's 2-4 hours. Once started, you literally cannot access distractions.
Your phone is designed to hijack your attention. This stack adds friction before opening apps, closes your tabs, and helps you notice the habit.
The Stack:
1one sec
Pause before opening apps
OneTab
Close all those tabs
Forest
Visual phone-free timer
💡 Pro tip: Start with one sec on just 2-3 apps (Instagram, TikTok, Twitter). The forced pause breaks the reflex.
Late fees, forgotten subscriptions, impulse purchases — the ADHD tax is real. This stack tracks bills, budgets forgivingly, and reminds you before due dates.
The Stack:
1YNAB
Forgiving budgeting system
Prism
Bill tracking & reminders
Due
Nagging payment reminders
💡 Pro tip: YNAB takes time to learn but is worth it. Start with Prism for immediate bill tracking, add YNAB when ready.
Some days are harder than others. This stack celebrates tiny wins, tracks your mood without judgment, and helps with basic self-care when executive function is low.
The Stack:
1Finch
Celebrate tiny self-care wins
Daylio
Quick mood check-ins
Headspace
Short, gentle meditations
💡 Pro tip: On hard days, just open Finch. Brushing your teeth counts as a win. Everything counts.
School with ADHD is playing on hard mode. This stack helps you remember everything, study efficiently, and actually start assignments before the night before.
The Stack:
1Anki
Never forget what you study
Goblin Tools
Break down assignments
Focusmate
Study body doubling
💡 Pro tip: Use Goblin Tools the day you get an assignment, not the night before it's due.
Keeping a family running with ADHD is exhausting. This stack syncs everyone's schedules, shares grocery lists, and reminds you about the important stuff.
The Stack:
1TimeTree
Shared family calendar
AnyList
Shared grocery & lists
Due
Nagging reminders for you
💡 Pro tip: Get your partner/family on TimeTree and AnyList too. Shared systems work better than solo ones.