If you’ve ever stared at a planner or productivity app and thought “ugh, this just isn’t working for me,” you’re not alone. For people with ADHD (hi, it’s me) or anyone who struggles with planning and focus, staying organised can feel like trying to herd cats. Traditional tools are either too strict or too boring, and sometimes that makes things worse instead of better.
That’s why I’ve fallen in love with gamified productivity tools/apps that make planning and focus feel more like playing a game than doing chores. My favourites right now are Spirit City: LoFi Sessions, Beebo & Luna, and Habitica. They’re all different, but they share one thing in common: they make productivity feel a little cosier and a lot less stressful.
Spirit City: LoFi Sessions
Spirit City is a cosy focus app that mixes ambient soundscapes, lo-fi music, and gamification. Users can customise a digital “room” where little spirit companions appear as you focus.
Spirit City is basically a digital cosy corner. You set up your little room, pick background sounds (like rain, café chatter, or a crackling fire), and put on some lo-fi music while you work. As you focus, cute little “spirits” show up in your room like you’re attracting friendly pets.
It’s super low-pressure. There aren’t a million buttons or settings to mess with, just vibes, focus, and some gentle rewards for sticking with it. It’s perfect if you get overstimulated by complicated apps or just want something calming in the background while you get stuff done.
Key features:
- Customizable ambient sounds (rain, café chatter, fire crackling).
- LoFi music playlists are designed to reduce distractions.
- “Spirit collection” mechanic that rewards you for consistent focus sessions.
- Simple task lists to structure work without feeling rigid.
Accessibility highlights:
- Minimal interface that avoids clutter.
- Gentle visual and audio cues rather than harsh alarms.
- Options to toggle sound effects and animations, which help those sensitive to overstimulation.
Best for:
People who prefer cosy, low-pressure motivation and want their productivity tool to also serve as a calming space.
Beebo & Luna
Beebo & Luna is a gamified productivity and focus game centred around your tasks, habits, and a cute cat companion. The game combines planning and focus sessions with gentle, story-driven progression, making it feel less like a strict planner and more like a supportive digital world.
This one feels like stepping into a storybook. Luna is a witch, and Beebo is her little companion who helps guide you through your tasks. You also get a magical cat familiar who keeps you company while you focus and plan. The whole vibe is whimsical and cozy, like working on productivity in a soft fantasy world.
You can plan your tasks, track your progress, and then use focus timers to actually work through them. As you stick with it, you and your familiar grow together in this magical little space. It has two modes, one which is a story-based mode with planning tasks, and the second where you can have Beebo as a desktop companion, which reminds you to stay on task.
It’s structured but still playful. You get the organisation of a planner (Luna helps you map things out), but the magical theme and your familiar make it feel fun instead of like boring homework. The timers and sessions are short and manageable, which is a huge help when ADHD makes starting things feel impossible. Plus… did I mention the cat familiar?
Key features:
- Task and habit tracking with visual progress.
- Pomodoro-style focus sessions supported by Beebo, your cat companion.
- Narrative-like environment that evolves as you complete goals.
- Journaling prompts and mood tracking to support mental wellness.
Accessibility highlights:
- Short, manageable focus sessions ideal for ADHD brains.
- Highly visual feedback (Beebo reacts to your actions right away).
- Simplified navigation and icon-based tasks to lower cognitive load.
- Balance of planning tools (Luna) and playful accountability (Beebo).
Best for:
Users who want both structure and fun, a tool that helps them plan but also keeps them engaged through companionship and gamified feedback.
Habitica
Habitica is a long-standing productivity app that turns your to-do list, habits, and goals into a full-on RPG (role-playing game). Completing real-life tasks gives you points, equipment, pets, and levels for your in-game avatar.
Habitica is the granddaddy of gamified productivity. It turns your to-do list into a full-on RPG. Every time you check off a task, your character earns gold, XP, and gear. You can even join parties and guilds to quest with other people.
Honestly, the social side is huge. If you need accountability, teaming up with friends or strangers makes you way more motivated. And if you’re into RPGs or games like Pokémon, levelling up your character feels so good when you’ve been struggling to get through real-life tasks.
Key features:
- Create daily tasks, habits, and to-do lists that directly fuel your character’s growth.
- Level up, earn gold, and unlock gear by completing tasks.
- Join parties and guilds for accountability with others.
- Community-driven challenges for extra motivation.
Accessibility highlights:
- Strong external reinforcement for task completion (levelling up, loot rewards).
- Community and social play for those who need peer accountability.
- Flexible structure, you can use it as lightly or as in-depth as you want.
- Text-heavy interface may be overwhelming for some, but customizable checklists and task breakdowns help reduce friction.
Best for:
People who thrive on RPG mechanics and community accountability. If you love games like Dungeons & Dragons or Pokémon, this is productivity in your language.
So… which one’s best?
That really depends on what you need. Want calm vibes and atmosphere? Go with Spirit City. Need planning + a cute accountability buddy? Try Beebo & Luna. Crave RPG mechanics and community motivation? Habitica’s your game.
Why these work so well for ADHD brains
- Instant rewards: Spirits, Beebo’s reactions, or loot drops give that quick dopamine hit that makes focusing easier.
- Small chunks: Pomodoro timers and checklists break tasks into pieces you can actually manage.
- No shame: These apps don’t punish you if you miss something—they just pick up where you left off.
- Fun factor: If it feels like a game, it’s easier to keep going back.
Final Thoughts
I used to think productivity tools had to be serious, rigid, and… kind of soul-crushing. But Spirit City, Beebo & Luna, and Habitica have totally changed that for me. They make getting stuff done feel cosy, playful, and way more ADHD-friendly.
So if planners stress you out, maybe try collecting spirits, hanging with Beebo, or levelling up your RPG character instead. Productivity doesn’t have to be boring; it can actually be fun.
Where To Get
Spirit City: LoFi Sessions– Steam £9.99
Beebo & Luna– Steam £4.99
Habitica– Google Play & Website FREE
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