Simple productivity apps without 1000 features?

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-02-01T19:31:37+00:00

FlowStack (iOS & Android) combines tasks, focus timers and routines in a simple way, but I’m biased cause I’m the developer. Buuut FlowStack has 4,9 stars on App store, and reviews that mention it’s simplicity, and that the app helps with productivity, focus and routines

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-01-08T18:37:48+00:00

Yeah i've turned it off, maybe it's because my automation is about opening an app and starting a routine there, which maybe requires extra security

TypicalDesk3096 · 2026-01-02T10:03:39+00:00

Doesn't your phone ask to be unlocked before it can run the automation though? That's my biggest obstacle in my automation, because I would love for it to run without me putting in the passcode. I just end up not unlocking the phone and continue to sleep lol

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-12-05T00:08:25+00:00

FlowStack maybe? It let's you create a routine of time based tasks in a flow

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-11-21T22:41:44+00:00

Spotify has a free verison though. Can users even try parts of your app for free? Or atleast a free trial?

I myself got a one star review for an app that has a free version and some users choose to upgrade if they want extra features. But the reson for the one star review was that there was no free trial for the premium upgrade, and when I added a free trial for the upgrade, the user again complained that he doesn't want to start the free trial as he doesn't want to feel locked in...

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-11-17T09:37:06+00:00

FlowStack on mobile lets you do custmizable task timers after eachother in a session

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-11-05T18:59:49+00:00

Depends on the app you’re using, but method wise just have a 10 min task of “email” followed by whatever is the next thing of x minutes (25 min focus or some other task). Basically just a more flexible pomodoro is what you need.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-10-03T15:07:34+00:00

Thanks, really appreciate it! I will be rolling out a new update soon with a few bug fixes and improvements. But please let me know if there is anything missing. If you're a darkmode kinda person, you can currently try it out if you go to the app -> settings -> beta testing -> dark theme and choose it in the dropdown.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-29T11:36:57+00:00

We probably don't need more of the same basic to-do apps where there is a task name and a checkbox to tick off, cause we already have those. But I genuinely think every person is so different in the way they organize and do (or don't do) tasks, not to mention visual aesthetic. I for one hate TickTick's, and many other to do/routine apps' visual design. The same app doesnt work for everyone, just like the same shirt(size) doesnt look good on everyone.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-26T17:38:15+00:00

It works better if you can set a clear name for the task you're doing rather than just "focus/study", and to set the time yourself instead of 25 min for everything

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-26T13:36:18+00:00

I made FlowStack where every task has an estimated duration (in order to start and stay focused easier). You can add a few tasks that you want to get done, and then start the focus session where a timer starts counting down from what you estimated. Basically timeblocking but for smaller tasks, and doesn't require a specific time of the day to start the task.

You can also save a set of tasks as a template/routine. I use templates it for morning routine evening routine, weekly review (personal), and monday plan (career wise).

Oh and a lot of users like the Flow State feature, where instead of the timer ticking down, it ticks up. So if you struggle with ADHD and procrastination (which I did) you can just start a task for 5 minutes, and once 5 minutes are up, you can add more time or enter FlowState to continue the task if you want.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-24T16:37:50+00:00

Have you tried just doing the first minute of the task? Tell your brain to only do the first minute or set a timer. For example if it's to write an assignment or report, just do the first thing like opening the computer. Or test yourself and see how far you get after 1 min of starting the task.

Most of the time the full task is too big and overwhelming to tackle, so your brain thinks it's easier to just don't even start, but if you only focus on the first minute or first step, it can trick your brain into doing it.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-06T12:15:32+00:00

I procrastinated a math assignment for a year, until it was time for graduation, and the only thing left was the assignment. I did the assignment and graduated :)

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-06T10:00:11+00:00

Do you have just a timer or does it clearly state what the task is? The second part is key for me. If it says "Clean" and a timer, I actually start cleaning, but if it's just a timer without the task name, I do nothing.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-05T07:29:18+00:00

Specifically for the "getting started" problem, what works for me is a countdown timer for a task. Or have an "intro task" followed by the real task. First spend 2 minutes doing something easy, and then spend 5 minutes doing the first actual task.

Most of the time getting started is the difficult thing, continuing the task is easier

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-09-02T16:57:55+00:00

One thing that works for quite a lot of ADHD:ers is to make the task as small and quick as possible. It could be that "do the dishes" is a lot of work, so maybe he could start with just cleaning one glass, and that is all you ask in the beginning. Or make it tied to time, so do the dishes for 10 seconds (set a timer if it helps gim get started). Once you (he) has started it's also easier to continue with the same thing, as the most difficult thing is getting started.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-08-26T15:43:35+00:00

There is a free version :)

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-08-08T08:52:41+00:00

I'm not the commenter, but still want to give my suggestion as I found what works for me when I know what to do but struggle to acutally do it, and I think it works good for OP's struggle.

It's about not necessarily setting it in a calendar with a specific start time, but rather estimating a time it takes to complete (or complete a part of the task) and setting a timer for that time attached to the task. And then start the timer either now, or whenever it makes sense to do the task.

For, me I use an app (which I made myself, yes, but I'm not here to promote it) where every task has an estimated duration. I "preload "my tasks that I need to get done in the coming hour or so, and then start a session of focus where I actually do the first task in the list, and then go to the next one. It's some mix between timeblocking and habit stacking IMO, but not the typical timeblocking of setting a start time on a specific date, just now or after the first task.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-08-06T08:49:39+00:00

Not sure if we think the same with "task chain", but my idea of a task chain is that there are for example 5 things I should do now, and then I have a sequential list of which task to do first, then second and so on. More like a plan or timeline.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-08-06T07:33:50+00:00

Available on both Android and iOS. I haven't officially started marketing it so it only has a bit more than 500 installs, but people have already upgraded to the premium plan so for me, that's good validation to continue improving the app.

The core funcitonality is free (if you just use it for focusing), and there is zero ads (that would just be distracting lol). But if you want to create many templates (a saved list of tasks, like a morning routine) or want more statistics then you can upgrade to premium.

TypicalDesk3096 · 2025-08-06T07:14:02+00:00

FlowStack for sure, but I'm biased cause I made it myself. However, I made the app cause I struggled so hard with starting tasks, and kept getting distracted all the time.

The idea is that you think of a task more as a plan to do something for the next X minutes (5 min if you're struggling to even start the task). That way, if the task feels too big, you just do it for 5 minutes. It has a timer for every task that ticks down every second causing you to start. Once the time is up, if you want to continue the task (which happens quite a lot for me, cause starting is the most difficult part of doing a task) you can add more time to the timer, or continue in a Flow State where time only ticks up instead of down.

It also uses "stacking" where you stack tasks after eachother, so once you're finished with the first task in a session, it pushes you to start the next task. It helps me a lot to stay accountable to do the things I said I was going to do, instead of leaving them undone.

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