What makes a planner work for ADHD
A planner works for ADHD when it is easy to open, easy to update and does not punish you for a bad day. A long list that never changes tends to be abandoned. A short list that adapts tends to survive.
- Low friction. Capturing a task should take seconds.
- Small steps. Big tasks should break into pieces you can start.
- Fewer things on screen. Seeing less is often easier than seeing everything.
- Flexible scheduling. Some days you have the energy for a hard task and some days you do not.
For a wider list that includes habit and period apps, see our best ADHD apps for women.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Price model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunar | Women with ADHD whose energy shifts with the cycle | iPhone (iOS 26.1 or later) | Free to download, 14-day free trial, then $79.99/yr |
| Tiimo | Visual day planning | iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, Android and web | Free to download on the App Store. Paid plans: Not stated |
| Structured | Timeline view of the day | iPhone (App Store listing). Other platforms: Not stated | Free to download on the App Store. Paid plans: Not stated |
| Todoist | Flexible lists and projects | iPhone (App Store listing). Other platforms: Not stated | Free to download on the App Store. Paid plans: Not stated |
| Routinery | Routines and habits | iPhone (App Store listing). Other platforms: Not stated | Free to download on the App Store. Paid plans: Not stated |
Checked October 2026 against tiimoapp.com and the App Store listings for Tiimo, Structured, Todoist and Routinery. "Not stated" means we did not find it on the app's own site or App Store page.
Lunar: for women with ADHD whose energy shifts with the cycle
Lunar is an iPhone planner for women with ADHD. You check in with your energy (exhausted, low, okay or high) and, if you choose, your cycle phase, and your list shows the tasks that fit today. A voice brain-dump captures tasks quickly, and AI task breakdown turns a big one into steps.
Best for: women whose focus changes across the month. Platform: iPhone, iOS 26.1 or later. Price: free to download, 14-day free trial, then $79.99/yr. Read how energy-based planning and the cycle-aware planner work, or the ADHD planner for women overview.
Tiimo: visual day planning
Tiimo turns the day into a visual timeline, which many people with ADHD find helps with time blindness. Its site lists iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, Android and web.
Best for: people who need to see time pass. Compare it directly: Tiimo vs Lunar or the Tiimo alternative guide.
Structured: timeline view
Structured is a calendar-first daily planner that lays tasks out on a timeline. It suits days with fixed appointments and a clear order.
Best for: people who think in time blocks. See Structured vs Lunar or the Structured alternative guide.
Todoist: flexible lists
Todoist is a general to-do list app with projects and priorities. It is flexible, but it does not adjust the list to your energy or your cycle.
Best for: people who like lists and want to organise them their own way. See Todoist vs Lunar or the Todoist alternative guide.
Routinery: routines
Routinery is a routine planner and habit tracker, listed on the App Store as "Routine Planner, Habit Tracker". It is built around repeating routines rather than one-off tasks.
Best for: people who want steady morning and evening routines. See Routinery vs Lunar or the Routinery alternative guide.
Free ADHD planner apps vs paid
Every app in this list is an app, not a printable. Lunar is free to download with a 14-day free trial, then $79.99/yr. Tiimo, Structured, Todoist and Routinery are free to download on the App Store, but we did not confirm what their free versions include or what their paid plans cost, so check the app before you rely on it.
How to choose
- Time slips away: try a visual timeline such as Tiimo or Structured.
- You like lists: try Todoist.
- You need routines: try Routinery.
- Your energy shifts with your cycle: try Lunar.
Not sure how to get started? Read how to use a planner with ADHD.
FAQ
If I have ADHD, what is the best planner app?
There is no single best planner app, because ADHD shows up differently in each person. If time slips away, try a visual timeline like Tiimo or Structured. If you like lists, try Todoist. If your energy shifts with your cycle, Lunar filters your tasks by energy and cycle phase.
What type of planner works best for ADHD?
The planners that work best keep the list short, make starting easy and are quick to update. Look for tasks broken into small steps, a way to capture ideas fast, and flexible scheduling. Many people do better when the plan follows their energy for the day, not only the clock.
What is the best planner for ADHD adults?
For adults, the best planner matches the problem you notice most. Time blindness points to a visual timeline, scattered tasks point to a simple list app, and unreliable routines point to a routine app. Lunar suits women who want tasks filtered by daily energy and menstrual cycle phase.
Is there a free ADHD planner app?
Yes. Lunar is free to download, with a 14-day free trial, then $79.99 a year. Tiimo, Structured, Todoist and Routinery are all free to download on the App Store. We have not listed what their free versions include or what their paid plans cost, so check each app before you commit.
Is a digital ADHD planner better than paper?
It depends on how you work. Paper has no notifications and no setup, but it cannot reshuffle itself or remind you. A digital planner can break tasks into steps, send reminders and filter what you see. Choose whichever you will actually open every day, and switch if it stops working.
Which ADHD planner app is best for women?
If your focus and energy change across the month, Lunar is built for that. You check in with your energy and, if you choose, your cycle phase, and your task list shows what fits today. Lunar runs on iPhone, iOS 26.1 or later. Other apps in this list do not plan by cycle phase.