AuDHD managing

software to manage autism and ADHD needs!

AuDHD conflicting needs include: routine, but with novelty and special time for randomness. visual stimulation, but not distraction. balancing between overstimulation and understimulation.

other common problems: time blindness, executive dysfunction & task initiation anxiety, inability to read internal (body/emotional) signals.

i try to use FOSS as much as possible.

note: "multiplatform: yes" means there is a sync between devices (app and/or browser).

(!!!) for favorites

soul1472
soul1472List by soul1472, last updated 
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  1. everything

    Talking Clock by Mobo studio is a cure from time blindness. settings for the voice and time intervals. unfortunately, it's deleted from the app store. search for APKs!

  2. Brace.to icon
     Like

    (!!!) the one and only bookmark manager that works for me. why? ask my brain, i don't know.

    list/grid view, folders. as for cards in grid view: only preview, page's name and site's adress, nothing more.

    has both archive and trash bin. so you can move old (but still cool!) bookmarks from your view without deleting them.

    multiplatform: yes quick: yes colorful: no

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Google Chrome
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Brace.to screenshot 1
    Brace.to screenshot 1
    Brace.to screenshot 2
    +11
    Brace.to screenshot 3
  3. (!!!) widgets are EXTREMELY helpful, and there are plenty of them!

    all kinds of graphs and statistics to actually see the progress. it's rewarding.

    you can archive some habits if you need. they will be hidden, means less distraction.

    also, you can turn on optional rest/pause days without loosing a progress. for example, making a pause with sport while you're sick. it's only fair to take your time.

    it has two modes for habits: yes/no type and measured type. i like this separation. helps with priorities.

    i especially love "X times per week" regime ("yes/no" type). it leaves some freedom for rest without anxiety or guilt.

    plus, optional small notes for any day if you want. ^w^

    multiplatform: no quick: YES! coloful: yes

    suggestion from the comments: Grit Habit Tracker icon Grit Habit Tracker

    looks similar, but i didn't try it: Table Habit icon Table Habit

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Loop Habit Tracker screenshot 1
    Loop Habit Tracker screenshot 2
    Loop Habit Tracker screenshot 3
  4. MedTimer icon
     Like

    because i keep forgetting to take my meds. dumbass.

    notifications are sticky until you check if you took your meds or not. so no accidental swapping away.

    colors, icons, tags.

    suggestion from the comments: Pillo icon Pillo

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    MedTimer screenshot 1
    MedTimer screenshot 2
    MedTimer screenshot 3
  5. Kan.bn icon
     Like

    very simple and quick. i've been searching for Trello alternatives for a looong time. and i dislike complex setups.

    accessible everywhere, if you have an internet connection, that is.

    private and public boards! means you can share view-only pages with other people.

    not colorful at all! :( only light/dark mode, except for tags. i use colorful emoji to add at least something.

    multiplatform: yes (web) quick: yes colorful: NO!

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Kan.bn screenshot 1
  6. as a person cursed by visual thinking, i depend on widgets. nothing on the screen? nothing to do! (kill me.)

    as one AuDHD person said: "after my brain gets used to seeing something in one place for too long I don't notice it anymore. So a sticky note will work for about a week. Then my brain no longer notices it." and i agree with it. this is why changing colors and size is so important for me.

    if you feel like you got used to some widget or colors, change them. make it stimulate your brain again.

    and this one has 3 widgets: today's date, agenda, month view (with events). the most important part: you can resize fonts and widgets, choose colors and background opacity. helps when you need a reminder to scream in your face right at your home page. and yes, you have the whole color wheel.

    as for the app itself: even more colors customization, events/tasks, different views: month, week, agenda, day, month + agenda (split view).

    multiplatform: android + CalDAV quick: YES! colorful: YES!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Fossify Calendar screenshot 1
    Fossify Calendar screenshot 2
    Fossify Calendar screenshot 3
  7. Suntimes icon
     Like

    summer: to hide from the sun. winter: to walk outside while it's not too dark.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Solar events
    Alarms
    Sun and Moon positions
    +3
    Moon widget
  8. to use together with Suntimes or instead of it. it contains more information. sometimes it's better, something it's not.

    but knowing weather is good for planning anyway! :) especially info about air quality, UV index and allergens.

    helps with starting an algorithm: checking the weather - picking right clothes - taking things for this weather (gloves, umbrella, etc.) - going outise.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Breezy Weather screenshot 1
    Breezy Weather screenshot 2
    Breezy Weather screenshot 3
  9. Stretchly icon
     Like

    forces me to pause with its annoying full-screen reminder! but this irritation is exactly what helps me to stop.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Snapcraft
    • Flathub
    • Homebrew
    • Chocolatey
    Microbreak
    Disable break reminder
    Skip to the the next break
    +8
    Break
  10. minus overstimulation

    less clutter. focus on what's needed.

  11. NewPipe icon
     Like

    (!!!) customizable af. i removed recommendations and trending page. only videos from channels i follow or something i really want to find.

    downloading in different formats, making a queue, playing at background, picture-in-picture, no account needed. views history back-up!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • SoundCloud
    • YouTube Music
    • Flathub
    • Bandcamp
    • YouTube
    • F-Droid
    • Flatpak
    • PeerTube
    Trending,
    Subscriptions
    Bookmarks
    +9
    Popup Player
  12. FreeTube icon
     Like

    it is still in development, but already better than YT, especially UI.

    standalone app, not a page in browser (where i have a temptation to check other websites). isolated environment for one certain task reduce risks of being distracted.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • AppImageHub
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Subscriptions showcase
    Video player
    Settings
    +4
    FreeTube screenshot 3
  13. Priviblur icon
     Like

    i honestly hate Tumblr UI, its load time, ads and login-wall. so slow, so infuriating.

    remember that frog on login requirement notice? i hate it with all of my heart now. i'm sorry, Tumblr frog. it's not your fault.

    though Tumblr itself is a risk, i try to not stuck there.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Priviblur screenshot 1
  14. to write/code

    important note: i do not code complex things. only HTML/CSS/JS for simple fun pages.

  15. (!!!) posting page is simple and stripped from distractions. markdown is default, but you can use HTML elements too.

    i don't like social aspects of microblogging, but i like making public text posts. also i dislike complex setups. so this thing is perfect for me.

    customization is hidden in menu, which means you won't be tempted to endlessly tinkering your CSS.

    cool for export/archiving if you have a website! or local copies.

    multiplatform: yes (web) quick: YES! colorful: depends on your CSS

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
  16. NotallyX icon
     Like

    (!!!) to quickly write down something stupid at 3am.

    tags and colors are helpful for balanced stimulation and categorization! i personally add emoji to the tags for better visuals as well.

    good amount of text formatting: not distracting, not limiting.

    multiplatform: no quick: YES! colorful: yes

    honorable mention: Notally icon Notally (original project).

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    NotallyX screenshot 1
    NotallyX screenshot 2
    NotallyX screenshot 3
  17. (!!!) stimulation is balanced: colors, icons, adding pictures to notes, markdown.

    widget with the short list of previous notes. optional reminders (mine are once/week), with custom description.

    you can even choose a custom font from your own files! to add crazy-ass font... or maybe more readable one.

    also has a cute option to make a postcard. ^w^

    multiplatform: no quick: YES! colorful: yes

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Easy Diary screenshot 1
    Easy Diary screenshot 2
    Easy Diary screenshot 3
  18. (!!!) again, if i don't see something right away, it does not exist for me. this rule applies for both physical and digital spaces. so i need something right on my screen!

    i use it for pictures that inspire me to draw. kinda making traps for my artistic attention! :P

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • F-Droid
    Show your favorite photos!
    Free, zero ads, open-source!
    Customize widgets your way
  19. it's just a blank page and my words, fullscreen. exactly what i need.

    multiplatform: no quick: YES! colorful: NO!

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    The interface, full screen.
    The interface, windowed.
    Some options.
    +4
    WriteMonkey screenshot 3
  20. Notepad++ icon
     Like

    will use it 'till i die. i hate slow loading of more "advanced" code editors. perfect for simple coding. has custom color themes.

    doesn't have a split view, so you need to manually update the local web page to see the changes.

    multiplatform: no quick: YES! colorful: depends on your theme

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    Notepad++ screenshot 1
    Notepad++ screenshot 1
    Notepad++ screenshot 2
    +10
    TextFX plugin menu
  21. Turtl icon
     Like

    grid view, folders, tags and workplaces (with optional sharing), adding images.

    beware: it's discontinued, but servers still work.

    multiplatform: yes quick: yes colorful: no (but my favorite color is green, so i like it)

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Self-Hosted
    • Google Chrome
    • Firefox
    Turtl screenshot 1
    Turtl screenshot 1
    Turtl screenshot 2
    +1
    Turtl screenshot 3
  22. Markor icon
     Like

    literally the best markdown editor for android. files view, widgets, settings to add/remove tools. color schemes too!

    to-do lists are buggy and strange, i don't use them here. everything else works good!

    when my godforsaken hyperfixation hits, then i code (or edit code) here.

    multiplatform: no quick: yes colorful: depends on your theme

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    Markor screenshot 1
    Markor screenshot 2
    Markor screenshot 3
  23. feeling underwhelmed?

    be careful and do not to stuck there.

  24. Wikipedia icon
     Like

    interesting and random info. basically a rabit hole, but helps if used correctly.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    • F-Droid
    • Kindle Fire
    • MediaWiki
    The home page of Wikipedia.
    The main page of the English Wikipedia.
    The article for AlternativeTo on Wikipedia.
    +2
    The main page of the English Wikipedia (Android).
  25. Pinterest icon
     Like

    images, colors and randomness. i can't stand gifs and short videos, but i like looking at pictures. saving them feel like collecting cool rocks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Wear
    • Kindle Fire
    Main Page as of Out. 2011
    Pinterest screenshot 1
    Pinterest screenshot 2
    +3
    Pinterest screenshot 3
  26. projectM icon
     Like

    beware of flashing lights!

    visualizations for music. really captivating and stimulating.

    P.S. for other (unofficial) versions and platforms check github repository.

    honorable mention: old Windows Media Player visualizations. U_U

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    projectM screenshot 1
    projectM screenshot 2
    projectM screenshot 3
  • saber notes for hand-written notes. it seems like something useful when i need to visualize my thoughts right neaw. usual paper jounal is better for it, of course, but... will try it.
  • super productivity for tasks and algorithms (every-day routine like morning/evening routine). everything else later.
  • goblin tools seems like a good little helper, though i'm not a fan of genAI for many reasons.

  • Obsidian and logseq are too complex, not suitable for thoughts dump. i've been stuck in tinkering app itself instead of actually using it. that's a trap for my AuDHD mind.
  • bear blog is perfect in everything, yet doesn't work for me for some reason. don't ask why. i don't know.

Comments

Gwrvan Barré
1

ReDD Focus  icon ReDD Focus ReDD Focus is an Android accessibility service designed to help people with attention-related conditions (such as ADHD) manage their digital environment.

SleipnirTheHorse
0

This all looks great, is there a Windows only version and a Linux only version?

Gwrvan Barré
1
1 reply
Gwrvan Barré
01 z0
1

you might like bearblog.dev for writing /blogging if minimal and calm is your jam. I found peace on that spot of the web - thanks for your list - really useful

Clippy
2

Check out these 3 for android: Grit Habit Tracker (inspired by loop), Mindful : Focus & Screen Time, Goodtime (promodoro timer)

Camil Fernandez
1

Used to love MedTimer, but I have been using Pillo and it became my favorite. It gets so annoying and in the way that I eventually take my meds out of spite

Gu