Comparison

ADHD Focus vs Protagonist

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

ADHD Focus

Features
Read full description

Most to-do apps solve the wrong problem. They help you collect more tasks, not finish them. ThatOneThing does one thing differently: every day, you pick a single task that matters, and you finish it before you're allowed to add another. That's the whole idea. No backlog staring back at you. No twelve half-finished projects competing for your attention. Just today's one thing, front and center, until it's done. It works especially well if you've got ADHD, or you just find long lists overwhelming no matter what. Built to keep you coming back Finishing your one thing builds a streak, and streaks are protected: miss a day here and there and a shield covers it, so one bad day doesn't wipe out three weeks of work. Every completion earns XP, XP adds up to levels, and leveling up reveals more of a 34-badge collection, from your first finish to a full year of showing up. See the proof Your Done list keeps a running record of everything you've actually finished, not just what you meant to do. Watch your all-time count climb. Look back at last Tuesday and see exactly what got done and when. Make it yours (Premium) Pick an accent color, choose from several app icons, and set a custom background or font for your focus card. Premium also adds multiple active tasks for the days you genuinely need more than one, your full stats history, and streak shields. Everything else you'd expect A home screen widget shows today's one thing at a glance. Reminders nudge you at the time you choose. Dark mode, VoiceOver support, and 34 languages are built in, and your data syncs across devices with iCloud. If you're tired of a list that never finishes itself, start with one thing today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Protagonist

This app uses AI and financial accountability to help you achieve your goals. Commit money to your goals, submit proof of habit completion, and earn your money back, potentially with a bonus. Designed with behavioral psychology to foster lasting change.

Highlights
  • AI-guided goal identification
  • Daily habit tracking with proof submission
  • Financial commitment and rewards system
  • Adaptive AI coaching
  • Behavioral psychology-based design
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Protagonist is the habit tracker that pays you to follow through. Most habit apps let you off the hook. Protagonist doesn't. Set a goal that matters. Put money on the line. Upload proof every day. Earn your money back when you do what you said you'd do. **How it works** Choose your goal — Build a habit around something that actually matters to you: meditation, workouts, sales calls, writing, job applications, and more. Pick your commitment level — Put down $30, $60, or $90 for the month. Earn back $1, $2, or $3 per day when you follow through. Upload proof daily — Submit a photo, video, or screenshot showing you completed the action. AI checks your proof — Protagonist verifies whether you followed through. You can always request for a human to check it. **Why Protagonist works** Real skin in the game — Your goals are backed by money, not just motivation. Proof-based accountability — You don't just tap a checkbox. You prove you did the work. AI-guided habit design — Our AI helps you identify which daily actions are most likely to move your life forward — not just what to track, but what actually matters. Built for real life — Fitness, business, focus, creativity, mindfulness, productivity, personal growth. *** Protagonist is for people who are tired of: Setting goals and forgetting them Downloading habit apps and abandoning them Knowing what to do, but not doing it Relying on motivation that disappears after a few days This is not about perfection. It is about progress. Stay consistent and unlock charity donations, bigger rewards, and in-app character development — the kind that carries over into real life. Build momentum. Become someone you can trust. Be the protagonist of your life.

Screenshots

ADHD Focus4 screens
Protagonist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Protagonist at none against ADHD Focus's 2. Protagonist also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). ADHD Focus's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 days). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ADHD Focus sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Protagonist asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ADHD Focus ships an update every 3 days, Protagonist every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ADHD Focus versus Protagonist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterADHD FocusProtagonist
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.4 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB57 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperAppgineering GbRProtagonist Research, Corp.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ADHD Focus

Subscriptions2
  • ThatOneThing Premium (1 week)3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • ThatOneThing Premium (1 year)$3.991 Year
None

Protagonist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ADHD Focus free?
ADHD Focus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Protagonist free?
Protagonist is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ADHD Focus or Protagonist have ads?
Neither ADHD Focus nor Protagonist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ADHD Focus or Protagonist?
ADHD Focus ships an update every 3 days, and Protagonist every 5 days. Most recently, ADHD Focus was updated on November 8, 2026 and Protagonist on November 5, 2026.

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