Comparison

Just Start vs Ribbons 1

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

Ribbons 1

Features
Read full description

Ribbons is a simple place to keep the things you want to find again. Save text, images, links and PDFs. Keep everything together, or organise items into Drawers when that helps. Search titles, notes and saved content, including text inside supported images and PDFs. Open an item, copy text, revisit a link or preview a file. With iCloud, your Ribbons stay synced across iPhone, iPad and Mac. You can also share selected Drawers with people you choose. Ribbons Pro is available as a monthly or annual auto-renewing subscription. Eligible new subscribers can try it free for seven days. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Just Start3 screens
Ribbons 14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ribbons 1 at every 4 days against Just Start's every 11 days. Just Start's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Just Start sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Ribbons 1 sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Just Start ships an update every 11 days, Ribbons 1 every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Just Start versus Ribbons 1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJust StartRibbons 1
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size85 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEstus Holdings LLCPaul Waweru

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
4 purchases

Ribbons 1

Subscriptions4
  • Ribbon Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Ribbon Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Ribbon Pro Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Ribbon Pro Annual$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Just Start free?
Just Start is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ribbons 1 free?
Ribbons 1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Just Start or Ribbons 1 have ads?
Neither Just Start nor Ribbons 1 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Just Start or Ribbons 1?
Just Start ships an update every 11 days, and Ribbons 1 every 4 days. Most recently, Just Start was updated on October 25, 2026 and Ribbons 1 on October 29, 2026.

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