Comparison

Dr. Goldfish vs Drift

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

Head to head
About

Dr. Goldfish

This app helps you build healthier phone habits by blocking distractions and gamifying focus time. Grow a virtual goldfish as you stay off distracting apps and websites, making productivity rewarding and guilt-free.

Highlights
  • Virtual goldfish growth for focus time
  • Customizable app and website blocking
  • Multiple focus session styles (Pomodoro, stopwatch)
  • Cross-device focus session sync
  • Home screen widget support
  • Task display during focus sessions
  • Workspace customization
Features
Read full description

Dr. Goldfish is the screen time pet you need to stay accountable and build healthy habits. Ever opened your phone for one thing… and ended up scrolling for an hour? Social media, notifications, and endless content are designed to steal your attention and make it harder to focus. Most screen time blockers don’t work because you can simply press “ignore” and keep scrolling. Dr. Goldfish turns your focused time into the growth of a virtual goldfish. The longer you stay off the phone, the more your goldfish grows. Build healthier screen habits, reduce distractions, and stay productive with a focus app designed for real life Dr. Goldfish helps you spend less time scrolling and more time doing what matters. Start a focus session, block distractions, and grow a virtual goldfish as you stay present. WHY YOU WILL LOVE DR. GOLDFISH Grow Your Goldfish Stay off distracting apps and websites while your goldfish grows with your focus time. The longer you stay present, the more progress you make. Block Distractions Create customizable Block and Allow lists for apps and websites. Use Dr. Goldfish on mobile, pair it with the Chrome extension, and protect your focus across your setup. Choose Your Focus Style Use Pomodoro timers, stopwatch sessions, Deep Focus Mode, or quick sprints. Dr. Goldfish fits study sessions, work blocks, creative time, and everyday routines. Make Progress Feel Rewarding Complete sessions, level up your goldfish, unlock cozy upgrades, and build healthier phone habits without a harsh or guilt-driven experience. KEY FEATURES - App blocking with customizable Block and Allow lists - Pomodoro, stopwatch, and deep focus sessions - Website blocking with the Chrome extension - Cross-device focus session sync - Home screen widget support - Task display during focus sessions - Goldfish growth, levels, and workspace customization - Calm productivity tools for healthier screen habits PERFECT FOR - Students studying for exams, homework, or long reading sessions - Professionals who want fewer interruptions at work - Creators and developers who need deep focus time - Anyone trying to reduce doomscrolling, procrastination, or compulsive phone checks Turn focus into something you can see. The more time you stay focused, the more your goldfish grows. SUBSCRIPTION Dr. Goldfish Plus is available as an auto-renewable monthly or yearly subscription. Subscription price and duration are shown in the app before purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in App Store account settings after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://drgoldfish.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Drift

This intelligent task manager helps individuals with ADHD manage reminders and tasks without stress or overwhelm. It allows for quick capture of thoughts and provides gentle, well-timed nudges to help users stay on top of their responsibilities.

Highlights
  • External brain for tasks
  • Instant task capture
  • Smart, timely reminders
  • Calm, relevant task view
  • Gentle nudges
  • Reduces mental clutter
Read full description

Stop carrying your to-do list in your head. Drift is a calm, intelligent task manager designed to help ADHD brains manage reminders and tasks without the stress, clutter, and overwhelm of traditional to-do apps. Capture any fleeting thought in seconds — and let Drift bring it back at the perfect moment. No pressure. No cognitive overload. Just gentle, well-timed nudges that help you stay on top of life’s small tasks. KEY FEATURES • Brain Dump Stop relying on working memory. Drift acts as an external brain to hold small tasks so you can relax. • Quick capture Add tasks instantly using simple text or voice — no setup needed. • Smart reminders Drift learns what matters and reminds you at the right time, not all the time. • Calm task view See only what’s relevant now, instead of overwhelming lists. • Gentle nudges Get helpful reminders and follow-ups that feel supportive, never annoying. --- WHY DRIFT Most productivity apps add more noise. Drift removes it. Instead of forcing you to organize everything, Drift quietly understands your tasks and surfaces them when it makes sense. It’s not about doing more. It’s about thinking less. --- PERFECT FOR • Daily reminders • To-do lists without overwhelm • Staying organized effortlessly • Reducing mental clutter • People who forget small things --- Drift helps you remember less — and live more. *This app is a productivity tool and does not provide medical advice or act as a substitute for professional ADHD treatment. Terms of Use : https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Dr. Goldfish4 screens
Drift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dr. Goldfish at 4.2 against Drift's 4.0. Dr. Goldfish also leads on ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Dr. Goldfish sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Drift sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dr. Goldfish holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dr. Goldfish has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dr. Goldfish ships an update every 2 weeks, Drift every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Dr. Goldfish versus Drift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDr. GoldfishDrift
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (9 ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKyung Myung KoCHI HOE CHAN

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Dr. Goldfish

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Yearly Access3 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time2
  • 80 Time Cash$0.99
  • 500 Time Cash$4.99
3 purchases

Drift

Subscriptions3
  • Drift Pro Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Drift Pro Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Drift Pro Yearly$41.991 Year

Questions

Is Dr. Goldfish free?
Dr. Goldfish is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Drift free?
Drift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dr. Goldfish or Drift?
Dr. Goldfish is rated higher. Dr. Goldfish averages 4.2 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Drift averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Dr. Goldfish or Drift have ads?
Neither Dr. Goldfish nor Drift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dr. Goldfish or Drift?
Dr. Goldfish ships an update every 2 weeks, and Drift every 9 days. Most recently, Dr. Goldfish was updated on November 5, 2026 and Drift on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons