Comparison

Just Start vs BesideMe

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

Head to head
About

Just Start

This app helps individuals overcome task initiation challenges with ADHD-friendly focus sessions. It offers customizable timers, AI-powered task breakdown, virtual body doubling, and ambient soundscapes to enhance concentration and productivity.

Highlights
  • Customizable Pomodoro timers
  • AI task breakdown
  • Virtual body doubling
  • Live Activities & Dynamic Island integration
  • Lock screen widgets
  • Ambient soundscapes
  • Evolving focus garden
Features
Read full description

The task is big. Your first step doesn’t have to be. Just Start helps you begin the task you keep putting off. Describe what feels hard to start, find one small action, and take it into a short focus session. MAKE THE FIRST STEP SMALLER Ask the app’s AI for a concrete first step for your own task. Still feels like too much? Ask for a smaller action. If AI is unavailable, you can write your own step or use the timer directly. START WITH TWO OR FIVE MINUTES Begin a short session without answering a survey. Pause when you need to. Longer focus and break presets are available when you want more time. SUPPORT WHEN YOU WANT IT Choose visual timers and ambient sounds. Pro adds more sound options, mixing, and optional AI check-ins. These check-ins are automated messages, not a live person working beside you. KEEP A LITTLE MOMENTUM See your focus history and progress. Return to a recent task or use a routine for something you do regularly. Optional account sync is available; an account is not required to start. START FREE The free app includes up to three focus sessions and three AI task requests per day, core progress tools, and three ambient sounds. Pro adds unlimited focus sessions and expanded support. AI requires internet access and is subject to service limits. PRIVACY The timer and local progress work offline. When you request AI help, your task and relevant context are sent through our server to our AI provider. Optional account sync sends account and synced app data to our cloud service. Read the privacy policy before sharing sensitive task information. APP LANGUAGES Choose in Settings: English, Español, Français, Deutsch, Português, Italiano, Nederlands, 日本語, Polski, 한국어, 繁體中文, العربية, Bahasa Indonesia, हिन्दी. PRO OPTIONS Monthly: $4.99 USD. Annual: $29.99 USD billed yearly. Existing lifetime purchases remain valid and can be restored. Local prices and terms are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled in your App Store account settings. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Just Start is a productivity tool, not a diagnosis or treatment for ADHD. Privacy: https://getjuststart.app/privacy Terms: https://getjuststart.app/terms

About

BesideMe

Features
Read full description

Starting is often the hardest part. BesideMe helps you turn “I should do this” into one small next step. Name a task, choose the smallest action you can take, and start with 5 free minutes. Use it for studying, writing an email, household chores, or the work you keep putting off. ONE TASK. ONE SMALL STEP. Keep your task and next action in view throughout your session. Start with a quick example, write your own, or skip the setup and begin. START WITH 5 FREE MINUTES A short guided countdown helps you settle in. Both 5-minute and 15-minute sessions are free, with gentle prompts to bring your attention back. PICK UP WHERE YOU LEFT OFF Pause when you need to. Your task, next step and session progress stay saved when you leave or reopen the app. The timer accounts for time spent in the background; paused time stays paused. KEEP THE SAME TASK GOING At the end of a session, choose your next small step and continue the same task. See the time you have put into it across consecutive blocks. CHOOSE YOUR SUPPORT • Get Unstuck: warm prompts to help you begin. • Deep Work: quieter support with fewer nudges. • Stay On Track: firmer prompts and an active check-in, available with Pro. BesideMe is a self-guided focus companion inspired by body doubling. It does not connect you to a live partner. It is designed for people who find it hard to start or return to a task, including people looking for ADHD-friendly focus support. BESIDEME PRO Unlock 10-, 25- and 45-minute sessions and the Stay On Track support style. Core task setup, 5- and 15-minute sessions, pause and resume, and same-task continuation are free. Your task text and session progress are stored on your device. No account is required to start focusing. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Just Start3 screens
BesideMe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Just Start at 15.0 against BesideMe's 18.6. 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. Just Start sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and BesideMe sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Just Start ships an update every 11 days, BesideMe fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Just Start versus BesideMe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJust StartBesideMe
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEstus Holdings LLC冲 洪

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Just Start

Subscriptions2
  • Just Start Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Just Start Pro Annual$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Just Start Pro Lifetime$58.99
3 purchases

BesideMe

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Yearly$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Just Start free?
Just Start is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BesideMe free?
BesideMe is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Just Start or BesideMe have ads?
Neither Just Start nor BesideMe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Just Start or BesideMe?
Just Start ships an update every 11 days, and BesideMe fortnightly. Most recently, Just Start was updated on October 25, 2026 and BesideMe on October 28, 2026.

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