If you live with ADHD, a generic to-do list usually turns into a graveyard of forgotten intentions. The right task app needs to feel more like an assistant than a spreadsheet. Two front runners often appear in the same conversation: Chaos and Todoist. Both are excellent, but they serve different brains.
Rather than chasing every new productivity craze, focus on evidence-backed criteria. NICE’s guidance on ADHD management stresses the value of external structure, reminders, and environmental supports alongside medication.[1] Let’s test both apps against those needs.
What to Look for in ADHD-Friendly Task Apps
- Low-friction capture. Tasks should flow from your brain into the system in seconds—via voice, email, or quick text.
- Context-aware reminders. Prompts need to arrive when you can act, not at random times that teach you to dismiss them.
- Visual momentum. The app should surface a short list of “now” tasks to dodge overwhelm.
- Accountability options. Body doubling, shared boards, or quick progress sharing help when motivation dips.
- Sensory clarity. Calm colour palettes and readable typography support focus.[2]
Chaos at a Glance
Chaos is built for natural language input. Type or say “Remind me to chase the grant report when I’m back in the studio on Monday afternoon” and the assistant parses the time, location, and follow-up tone instantly. Because Chaos connects to your calendar, email, and location, it can nudge you just before the moment you usually drift.
The standout features:
- Context engine. Reminders adapt to where you are, who you’re meeting, and whether you’re travelling.
- Email sweep. Chaos scans for actionable language (“please review”, “deadline”, “can you send”) and creates tasks before the thread disappears.
- Friendly tone. Prompts sound like a teammate, not a robot, which matters when rejection sensitivity is high.
- Built-in body doubling. Join shared focus rooms so you can work silently alongside someone else when you need social pressure.
Todoist at a Glance
Todoist is a veteran task manager with an excellent reputation for cross-platform reliability. It excels at project templates, keyboard shortcuts, and integrations with other productivity tools such as Zapier and Google Workspace.
People with ADHD appreciate Todoist for:
- Karma scoring. Gamified streaks can release a hit of dopamine when you stay on track.
- Filters and labels. You can build custom views (“calls”, “deep work”, “errands”) to simplify decision-making.
- Shared projects. Collaborate with partners or tutors easily—a solid option for study groups.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Chaos | Todoist |
|---|---|---|
| Capture speed | Natural language, voice input, email triage | Quick add syntax, email forwarding |
| Reminder intelligence | Location, calendar, and routine-aware prompts | Static due dates or manual rules |
| Accountability | Focus rooms, mood check-ins, light progress sharing | Shared projects, comments |
| Sensory design | Dark-friendly palette, minimal alerts | Bright labels, optional colour themes |
| Price | Free tier plus Chaos Pro for advanced context | Free tier plus Premium for reminders and filters |
Where Chaos Wins for ADHD
Chaos was built specifically for people whose brains resist rigid routines. The assistant understands phrases like “when I’ve recovered from the client meeting” because it reads your calendar. It notices when you usually leave the house and brings up the shopping list as you walk past the supermarket. That timing can make the difference between action and avoidance.[3]
Chaos also keeps notifications conversational: “You’ve got fifteen minutes before your focus block—want to prep the brief now?” That tone matters when you’ve internalised years of being told to “just try harder”.
When Todoist Still Shines
Todoist is unbeatable for templated project plans and cross-team work. If you manage large collaborative projects with repeatable steps, you might prefer its rigid structure. It also has a richer plugin ecosystem. Developers, freelancers, and project managers with established workflows love the predictability.
The One-Week Trial Plan
- Day 1–2: Import your existing tasks into both apps. Notice which one feels less taxing.
- Day 3–4: Enable reminders. Chaos will suggest context-aware prompts automatically; build equivalent filters in Todoist.
- Day 5: Try a body doubling session in Chaos and a shared project in Todoist. Which keeps you more accountable?
- Day 6: Review how many tasks each app helped you complete on time.
- Day 7: Make the call. Stick with the tool that felt like a teammate, not a taskmaster.
Whichever route you choose, remember that your brain deserves compassionate tooling. If you want an assistant that adapts to your context, download Chaos and let the AI handle the timing while you focus on doing the work.