A Goblin Tools alternative, or a partner for it
Goblin Tools is one of the most loved free ADHD helpers, and it does one job brilliantly. Here is how TaskWaffle differs, and why many people use both.
TaskWaffle and Goblin Tools at a glance
| TaskWaffle | Goblin Tools | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A full planner: tasks, calendar, habits, notes, journal, money and a focus timer | A set of small single-purpose tools such as Magic ToDo, Formalizer, Judge, Estimator and Chef |
| Breaking tasks into steps | "Break down with AI" on any task turns it into small steps you keep in your list | Magic ToDo, its best-known tool, splits a task into smaller steps |
| Price | Free plan; 14 days of everything with no card | Website free; phone apps cost $2.99; some advanced features need Goblin Tools Pro |
| Account | Free account to use the app; the sample day on the website needs none | Not needed; an account keeps history and syncs lists |
| Where your plan lives | Tasks, dates, reminders, habits and money in one app | Lists inside Goblin Tools, built for one task at a time |
Where Goblin Tools shines
When a task feels too big to start, Magic ToDo turns it into small steps in seconds, with no sign-up. The other tools help with tone, time estimates and recipes. It is simple, fast and free on the web, which is why it appears on nearly every ADHD apps list.
Where TaskWaffle is different
- The steps have somewhere to go: they become tasks with dates and reminders, next to your calendar.
- Home shows one next small step, so after breaking a task down you only see the first piece.
- Habits counted as days out of the last 30, a journal, notes and envelope budgets with no bank login, in the same app.
- A brain dump that files each line for you, sorted on your device without AI.
- A bad-day view and a fresh start after a week away.
Which one to pick
Keep Goblin Tools if all you need is a quick way to break a task down or check the tone of a message. Pick TaskWaffle if you also want somewhere calm to keep the steps, the rest of your day and your habits. Plenty of people use Goblin Tools for the hard task and TaskWaffle for the day around it.
Questions
Is there a free Goblin Tools alternative?
TaskWaffle has a free plan on the web, Windows, Android and iPhone, and its task break-down sits inside a full planner. Goblin Tools itself is free on the web, so you can also use both.
Does TaskWaffle's break down use AI?
Yes. "Break down with AI" sends that one task to TaskWaffle's AI provider and creates the steps as tasks. It counts toward the assistant allowance. The brain dump, by contrast, sorts on your device without AI.
Is TaskWaffle affiliated with Goblin Tools?
No. TaskWaffle is an independent app.