Comparison

JustStart vs Meltime

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

Head to head
About

JustStart

Features
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The hardest part of having ADHD isn't understanding what to do — it's starting. JustStart is built around one simple truth: the smaller the first step, the easier it is to begin. Break any task into pieces small enough to actually start, then use a body doubling timer to keep your focus going. TASK BREAKDOWN — START IN 3 SECONDS Add a task, hit "Break It Down," and JustStart splits it into micro-steps you can actually begin. No more staring at "write report" on your to-do list. Instead: "open document," "write one sentence," "find one source." The first step is always achievable. BODY DOUBLING TIMER Body doubling is one of the most effective focus strategies for ADHD brains — working alongside someone else (even virtually) dramatically improves task completion. JustStart's body doubling mode pairs you with focus sessions so you're never alone in the struggle. HYPERFOCUS ALARM ADHD hyperfocus is a double-edged sword. JustStart's hyperfocus alarm gently interrupts you after a set time — reminding you to eat, move, or switch tasks before hours have vanished without you noticing. ADHD-FRIENDLY DESIGN No overwhelming dashboards. No endless lists. JustStart shows you one thing at a time — the very next step you need to take. Minimal visual clutter, high contrast options, and large touch targets make it accessible when your brain is already at capacity. FOCUS TIMER WITH FLEXIBLE INTERVALS Whether you prefer 25-minute Pomodoro blocks, 10-minute sprints, or custom intervals, JustStart's focus timer adapts to how your brain works — not how productivity gurus say it should work. WIDGET — YOUR NEXT STEP, ALWAYS VISIBLE The JustStart widget shows your current task's next step directly on your home screen. Glance, tap, start. No unlocking, no navigating, no decision fatigue. STREAKS BUILT FOR ADHD BRAINS Traditional streak systems punish one bad day and reset everything. JustStart's streak system is forgiving by design — rewarding consistency over perfection, and celebrating effort rather than output. REMINDERS THAT ACTUALLY LAND Smart, non-repetitive reminders that vary their message and timing so your brain doesn't tune them out. Because the fifteenth identical notification is invisible to an ADHD brain. JustStart is for adults and teens with ADHD, ADD, or anyone who struggles with task initiation, executive dysfunction, time blindness, or chronic overwhelm. You are not lazy. You just need a different kind of start. Free tier: 10 active tasks, basic focus timer. A subscription unlocks unlimited tasks, body doubling sessions, full focus history, custom hyperfocus alarm profiles, advanced widgets, and detailed productivity insights. Questions? hello@sourcesoftware.net Terms: https://juststart.sourcesoftware.net/terms.html

About

Meltime

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Watch time melt away as you focus. Meltime turns every work session into a calming liquid ritual — built for ADHD brains that need calm, not pressure. Most timers make you watch the clock. Meltime lets you watch liquid — a mesmerizing, hypnotic visualization that makes invisible time feel visible. No ticking. No beeping. No pressure. Whether you're studying for exams, entering deep work, meditating, or just trying to quiet the mental noise — Meltime helps your brain drop into flow. WHY MELTIME IS DIFFERENT • Liquid-physics visualization — the first focus timer with real-time fluid simulation • Radial dial — swipe your finger to set any duration, instantly • Built-in Pomodoro mode — three dials for focus, rest, and cycles, with the liquid melting away during each break • Breathe mode — box, triangle, 4-7-8 and coherent breathing; the liquid drips while you inhale and exhale and freezes while you hold • Focus stats — weekly, monthly and yearly overview, trends, a heatmap of your focus days, streaks and a full session history • Background sounds — rain, ocean, wind, fire, birdsong or a summer night playing softly under any timer • Liquid styles — classic liquid, clear water with air bubbles, soft falling snow, or sand that pours in and fills the screen as your time runs out • Calming by design — deep violet palette, soft cyan liquid, zero alarm anxiety • Dynamic Island Live Activity — keep the timer visible, exit the app, stay in flow • Save favourite rituals — Pomodoro classics (25/5, 50/10) or any custom combo BUILT FOR ADHD BRAINS We designed Meltime for the brain types other timers ignore: • Time blindness → liquid visualization makes time tangible • Task dread → the calm ritual lowers activation energy • Mental chatter → watching liquid is genuinely hypnotic • Hyperfocus traps → Dynamic Island gently surfaces where you are • Pomodoro burnout → flexible focus + rest + cycle dials replace rigid 25-min countdowns USE IT FOR • Deep work and coding sessions • Studying for exams or reading • Meditation and breathing • Creative work (writing, design, music) • Morning rituals and evening wind-down • Pomodoro cycles with focus and rest phases FREE vs PRO Meltime is free to try with no account required. Free includes: • 1 saved ritual preset • Limited daily timers + 1 Pomodoro and 1 Breathe session per day • White, pink and brown noise • Stats overview for the current week • Essential liquid colors • Dynamic Island Live Activity — free for everyone Pro unlocks: • Unlimited saved rituals • Unlimited timers, Pomodoros and Breathe sessions per day • Full stats — trends, heatmap and complete history • Nature soundscapes — rain, ocean, wind, fire, birds, summer night • Snow and sand liquid styles • Pay once: Pro is also available as a lifetime purchase • Full palette of liquid colors & backgrounds • All future Pro features included Lifetime Pro is a one-time purchase and never renews. Auto-renewable subscription — cancel anytime in Settings. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at purchase confirmation. Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Terms of Use: https://www.meltime.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.meltime.app/privacy SUPPORT Questions or feedback? quiz.where@gmail.com Privacy: no tracking, no accounts, no data sold. Everything stays on your device. Welcome to a calmer way to focus.

Screenshots

JustStart4 screens
Meltime4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: JustStart at 17.0 against Meltime's 26.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. JustStart sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Meltime sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
JustStart versus Meltime: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJustStartMeltime
PriceFreeFree
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDeniz DemirelOleksandr Bilokur

In-app purchases

2 purchases

JustStart

Subscriptions2
  • ADHD Monthly$4.991 Month
  • ADHD Yearly$29.991 Year
3 purchases

Meltime

Subscriptions2
  • Meltime Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Meltime Pro Annual3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Meltime Pro Lifetime$29.99

Questions

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

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