Last Updated on October 18, 2024
Living with ADHD often means dealing with a whirlwind of thoughts, making organization and time management a daily struggle. Whether it’s keeping track of appointments, staying on top of tasks, or managing deadlines, staying organized is a challenge. Luckily, planners are a great tool to help people with ADHD overcome these obstacles.
In 2024, we have a variety of both paper planners and ADHD planner app options that can offer structure and help manage day-to-day tasks effectively.
Below, we’ll dive into the best planners for ADHD that can help you regain control of your schedule, boost productivity, and reduce stress.
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Why Planners Matter for ADHD
For individuals with ADHD, traditional methods of staying organized often fall short. ADHD brains crave stimulation, flexibility, and visual cues, which makes finding the right planner crucial. The best planners for ADHD are designed to help break down overwhelming tasks into manageable steps, provide reminders, and offer customization that caters to an individual’s unique needs. Whether it’s through a paper planner that provides tactile engagement or a digital planner that syncs across devices, a planner can become your secret weapon for success.
Without further ado, here are seven of the best ADHD planners for 2024, including both paper planners and mobile apps.
Best Planner for ADHD Adults
1. Imperfect Inspiration Discbound ADHD Planner
One of the best planners for ADHD is the Imperfect Inspiration Discbound Planner. This planner is specifically designed for people with ADHD, which means it offers unique features like customization, different layout formats, and disc binding. This allows you to add or remove pages easily, making it incredibly adaptable to your needs. Whether you need more room to plan your week or you want to reduce clutter by removing filled pages, this planner grows with you.
Pros:
- ADHD-specific design
- Printable, digital, or pre-packaged formats are available
- Customizable with disc binding for easy additions or removals
Cons:
- Bulky and not subtle for professional use
- Daily pages can be time-consuming to fill out
2. Panda Planner Classic
The Panda Planner Classic is another top contender for the best planners for ADHD. Its simple, undated design offers a sense of flexibility, allowing you to start using it at any time without wasting pages. It’s small, portable, and perfect for those who like a minimalist yet effective approach to planning. While it doesn’t have some ADHD-specific features, it does a great job of blending short- and long-term planning in a non-overwhelming way.
Pros:
- Small and portable
- Undated pages for flexibility
- Great for short- and long-term goal-setting
Cons:
- Not ideal for left-handed users
- Pages can’t be easily added or removed
3. Happy Planner 12 Month Planner
The Happy Planner, while not explicitly created for ADHD, has become a favorite among people who love a splash of color and motivation in their planning. It’s highly customizable with various layouts, and its vibrant designs make planning feel less like a chore. This planner helps to keep things visually stimulating, which is essential for ADHD individuals who thrive on visual cues and creative organization.
Pros:
- Fun, colorful designs that keep you engaged
- Easy to keep open on your desk
- Multiple sizes, styles, and layouts are available
Cons:
- Left binding can be frustrating for left-handed users
- Hard to find your place after closing
4. Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
For those who prefer full creative control over their planning, the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 is a fantastic option. Though not technically a planner, the bullet journaling system has gained popularity as one of the best ADHD planners because of its flexibility. You can create layouts that suit your specific needs, whether that’s daily task lists or habit trackers, and the professional design makes it suitable for all environments.
Pros:
- Customizable and flexible layouts
- Professional look, perfect for work settings
- Prompts and layout ideas included
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming for those who need more structure
- Time-consuming to set up your layouts
5. Papercode Simple Elephant Planner
The Simple Elephant weekly planner by Papercode is a stylish yet functional option that’s perfect for those who need a balance between structure and flexibility. It comes with stickers for additional organization, a pen loop, and attached bookmarks to help you stay on track. Its simplicity and elegance make it one of the best planners for ADHD, particularly for professionals who need something that looks sleek but offers solid organization tools.
Pros:
- Undated, giving you flexibility
- Elegant design with organizational stickers
- Built-in bookmarks, pen loop, and inner pocket
Cons:
- Not ideal for left-handed users
- Pages cannot be easily added or removed
6. Clever Fox Planner
Tailored towards goal-setting and achievement, the Clever Fox Planner is a hit among students and professionals alike. It offers monthly, weekly, and daily planning sections, which help break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. It’s also highly recommended for its focus on productivity and motivation, making it one of the best planners for ADHD users who are striving to balance academic and personal life.
Pros:
- Goal-setting tools that make big tasks manageable
- Multiple planning sections (monthly, weekly, daily)
- Great for both adults and teens with ADHD
Cons:
- The structure might feel too rigid for some users
7. Law of Attraction Life Planner
If you’re a fan of a more holistic approach to life and planning, the Law of Attraction Life Planner could be a game-changer. With features like vision boards, habit trackers, reflection pages, and gratitude journaling, this planner is designed to help ADHD users not only organize their tasks but also stay focused on their overall well-being. It’s a good fit for students or adults who appreciate mindfulness in their daily routines.
Pros:
- A holistic approach to planning with vision boards and reflection pages
- Encourages personal growth and mindfulness
- Ideal for those wanting a comprehensive organizational system
Cons:
Best Planner Apps for ADHD: Digital Options for 2024
If you prefer digital solutions to pen-and-paper planners, a wide variety of ADHD planner app options are available in 2024 that cater to the unique needs of ADHD users. From simple to-do lists to sophisticated goal-tracking systems, these apps are designed to help you stay on top of your tasks, boost productivity, and reduce chaos in your daily life. Below are some of the best planner apps for ADHD in 2024.
1. Upbase
Upbase is a clean, intuitive ADHD planner app that offers robust features like task prioritization, reminders, and scheduling options. Its simplicity and productivity-focused tools make it one of the top planners for ADHD users in the digital realm. With a sleek design and user-friendly interface, Upbase is perfect for anyone looking to streamline their daily tasks without the learning curve of more complex apps.
Pros:
- User-friendly and intuitive
- Great scheduling and task management features
Cons:
2. Sunsama
Sunsama stands out for its focus on mindful productivity. It combines task management and calendar functions in one, allowing users to plan their day with purpose. With its collaborative features, it’s perfect for ADHD users who thrive on teamwork. Sunsama is a great fit if you need to time-block your tasks and make daily planning a ritual.
Pros:
- Effective time-blocking
- Collaborative tools for team-based tasks
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to other apps
- No free version
3. Fantastical
Fantastical is known for its natural language processing, which means you can input tasks and events easily without having to follow rigid formats. This feature makes it one of the best planner apps for ADHD, as it streamlines the process of adding events and to-dos. It’s designed specifically for Apple users, though, so if you’re an Android user, this might not be the best fit.
Pros:
- Natural language input for quick task creation
- Multiple calendar views for flexibility
Cons:
- Not available on Android
4. Trello
If you’re a fan of visual task management, Trello’s customizable boards and cards make it one of the top best ADHD planners in the digital space. Its visual nature makes it easier for ADHD users to organize and track tasks, and with various Power-Ups available, Trello can become a highly customized digital planner tailored to your needs.
Pros:
- Customizable visual boards
- Free to use with powerful upgrade options
Cons:
- Basic collaboration features in the free version
- No built-in calendar in the free version
5. Todoist
Todoist is another highly-rated ADHD planner app that focuses on simplicity without sacrificing functionality. With features like natural language input, priority setting, and to-do lists, it’s an excellent app for ADHD users who need to organize their day-to-day tasks efficiently. Its clean interface and robust features make it one of the best planner apps for ADHD.
Pros:
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Effective task and priority management
Cons:
- Lacks a monthly calendar view
6. TickTick
TickTick provides a comprehensive solution for ADHD users with its task lists, reminders, and habit trackers. It’s perfect for those who need an all-in-one app that handles multiple facets of daily life. Cross-platform availability makes it highly versatile, and it even includes features like a Pomodoro timer, making it a favorite among ADHD users looking to improve focus and productivity.
Pros:
- Habit tracking and calendar views
- Cross-platform functionality
Cons:
Choosing the Best Planner for ADHD in 2024
Whether you opt for a paper planner or the best planner app for ADHD, the key to managing ADHD is finding a system that works for your individual needs. Paper planners like the Imperfect Inspiration Discbound or the Clever Fox Planner offer tangible, customizable planning solutions, while digital options like Sunsama and Upbase provide tech-savvy, cross-platform support.
Whichever path you choose, the right planner can transform the chaos of ADHD into a manageable routine, helping you take charge of your day with confidence and clarity.
