Comparison

RoutineGuide vs NextStep

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

Head to head
About

RoutineGuide

Features
Read full description

Your brain works differently โ€” your routine app should too. RoutineGuide is the simple, ADHD-friendly routine tracker designed for neurodivergent minds, overthinkers, and anyone who feels overwhelmed by their day. Build micro habits, stack them into routines, and let visual timers guide you through โ€” one small step at a time. Inspired by the science of habit stacking and making habits stupidly small, RoutineGuide removes the friction so you can just start. DESIGNED FOR HOW YOUR BRAIN WORKS โ€ข Simple, visual interface โ€” no clutter, no overwhelm โ€ข Flexible task timers so you move at your own pace โ€ข Morning, afternoon, and evening routine slots โ€ข Personalize with icons, colors, and your favorite music โ€ข Set open-ended durations for tasks that don't need a clock BUILD HABITS THAT ACTUALLY STICK โ€ข Start with micro habits and grow from there โ€ข Stack tasks into routines that flow naturally โ€ข Follow your streaks and build momentum โ€ข Log completions with personal notes โ€ข View your stats, history, and insights STAY ACCOUNTABLE WITH FRIENDS โ€ข Connect with friends and share your journey โ€ข See completed routines in your activity feed โ€ข React and comment on each other's progress โ€ข Discover and import community routine templates SEAMLESS ACROSS YOUR LIFE โ€ข Home screen widgets for quick access โ€ข Apple Watch app for on-the-go tracking โ€ข Siri integration โ€” start routines hands-free โ€ข iCloud sync across all your devices โ€ข Smart notifications to keep you on track โ€ข Live Activities show your current routine progress Whether you're managing ADHD, building a morning routine, or just trying to bring more structure to your day โ€” RoutineGuide keeps it simple so you can stay consistent. Download now and start small. That's the whole point. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

NextStep

Features
Read full description

Keep your next step in view. NextStep helps you move through everyday routines on iPhone and Apple Watch. Break getting ready, packing your bag or winding down into clear steps, then follow one step at a time with your finish-by time in view. YOU DECIDE WHEN A STEP IS DONE Set an estimate for each step and tap Done when you finish. Reaching zero never moves you on automatically. Pause, add step time, skip a step or end a routine when your plans change. Pausing or adding step time keeps your chosen deadline fixed, so you can see the effect on your plan. MAKE A ROUTINE YOUR OWN Create routines with up to 30 steps, optional steps, short notes and a finish-by time. Start from a sample or build your own. Reorder, duplicate and archive routines. Set optional recurring reminders separately from your finish-by time; a reminder never starts a routine for you. USE YOUR PHONE OR YOUR WATCH Start and follow a routine on either device. Saved routines can run on Apple Watch while disconnected from iPhone. When paired devices connect, they exchange routine and session updates. Each run stays with the device that started it, and the other device shows its saved progress. A QUICK LOOK WHEN YOU NEED IT Widgets and Watch complications offer a glance at your saved routine or current progress. Optional iPhone Live Activities show routines started on iPhone. Alerts depend on permission, Focus and system delivery; open NextStep to act on a step. LEARN FROM YOUR OWN ROUTINES Review completed and ended routines. After enough qualifying sessions, local duration suggestions can help you adjust future estimates. You choose which changes to apply. START FREE Save two non-archived routines and start them as often as you like. Free includes routine editing, reminders, essential widgets, the most recent seven days of history, local estimate suggestions and data export/import. Try a 45-second demo without creating a history entry. OPTIONAL NEXTSTEP PRO Pro adds more saved routines, full retained history views, detailed planned-versus-actual time comparisons and additional authored routine programs. Preview every program for free. Choose a monthly or annual auto-renewing subscription, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Prices and billing periods appear before purchase. If Pro ends, all your existing routines remain available to view, edit and run. Your retained data stays exportable. NextStep never presents a paywall during an active routine. YOUR ROUTINES STAY YOURS No NextStep account, advertising or external AI service. Routines and history are stored on your devices. Export files when you choose to share or back up your data. Apple handles purchases with your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically until cancelled in Apple Account settings. Lifetime does not cancel an existing subscription; manage that subscription separately. Privacy: https://mubaraklabs.com/privacy/nextstep/ Terms: https://mubaraklabs.com/terms/nextstep/ License: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

RoutineGuide4 screens
NextStep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: RoutineGuide at 4 against NextStep's 2. On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. RoutineGuide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and NextStep sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
RoutineGuide versus NextStep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoutineGuideNextStep
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch โ€” betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.017.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size22 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJostein DyrsethMubarak Almahmeed

In-app purchases

3 purchases

RoutineGuide

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro$3.991 Month
  • Annual Pro$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$59.99
3 purchases

NextStep

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pro Annual$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Pro Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is RoutineGuide free?
RoutineGuide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NextStep free?
NextStep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do RoutineGuide or NextStep have ads?
Neither RoutineGuide nor NextStep shows ads.

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