DOSE vs Inflow: Which ADHD App is Right for You?

Published: November 14, 2025 | 8 min read | By Steev Hodgson

If you're exploring ADHD apps, you've probably come across both DOSE and Inflow. While both aim to support people with ADHD, they take fundamentally different approaches. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right tool for your specific needs.

The Key Difference: Crisis Intervention vs Daily Coaching

The most important distinction between DOSE and Inflow comes down to when and how you need support:

Inflow is designed for daily ADHD management through structured coaching, educational content, and habit building. It's excellent for learning about your ADHD and developing long-term strategies.

DOSE is built for crisis intervention. When rejection sensitivity hits, when emotional dysregulation overwhelms you, or when executive function completely shuts down, DOSE provides immediate, structured tools to help you navigate those acute moments.

Feature Comparison

When to Choose DOSE

DOSE is the right choice if you:

• Experience intense rejection sensitivity - The RSD Meter is specifically designed for these crisis moments
• Need immediate support during emotional overwhelm - WAVE tool provides 2-3 minute emotional reset
• Struggle with cognitive spirals - SPARK breaks down thought patterns in real-time
• Lose brilliant ideas constantly - POPCORN captures and organizes creative thoughts
• Want tools that work when executive function fails - Designed for ADHD brains in crisis

When to Choose Inflow

Inflow is the right choice if you:

• Want structured ADHD education - Comprehensive modules about understanding ADHD
• Need daily coaching guidance - Regular check-ins and skill-building exercises
• Prefer a holistic ADHD management approach - Covers work, relationships, time management
• Value community connection - Access to coaching and peer support
• Are newly diagnosed - Excellent for learning about ADHD fundamentals

Can You Use Both?

Absolutely. Many users find that Inflow and DOSE complement each other perfectly. Use Inflow for ongoing education and daily habit building. Use DOSE when crisis hits.

Think of it this way: Inflow is your ADHD coach helping you build better systems. DOSE is your crisis hotline when those systems break down.

About the Author

Steev Hodgson is the founder of DOSE and an ICF-credentialed ADHD coach who has delivered 1,300+ coaching sessions. Diagnosed with ADHD at 50 after 15 years in enterprise tech sales, Steev built DOSE to address the critical gap he saw in ADHD crisis support.

DOSE vs Shimmer: Which ADHD App is Right for You?

Published: November 14, 2025 | 7 min read | By Steev Hodgson

Both DOSE and Shimmer aim to support adults with ADHD, but they approach the challenge from completely different angles. Shimmer connects you with professional ADHD coaches, while DOSE provides immediate digital crisis tools.

The Core Difference: Human Coaching vs Digital Tools

Shimmer pairs you with a dedicated ADHD coach for one-on-one video sessions, text support, and personalized strategies.

DOSE provides four evidence-based digital tools plus AI companion Barkley that you can use anytime, anywhere, without scheduling or waiting.

Feature Comparison

When to Choose DOSE

• Need immediate support - Can't wait for scheduled sessions when RSD hits at 2am
• Prefer privacy - Don't want to share personal details with another human
• Want affordable tools - Professional coaching is expensive
• Value structured frameworks - SPARK's 5-step CBT, WAVE's 3-step reset
• Experience frequent crises - Unlimited use without session fees

When to Choose Shimmer

• Want human connection - Prefer talking with a real person
• Need accountability - Scheduled sessions keep you on track
• Have complex situations - Workplace accommodations, relationships
• Can afford coaching - Budget allows $150-300+ monthly

The Hybrid Approach

Many users successfully combine both. Use Shimmer for strategic weekly sessions. Use DOSE for immediate crisis intervention between coaching sessions.

About the Author

Steev Hodgson is both an ICF-credentialed ADHD coach (1,300+ sessions) and the founder of DOSE. He understands the value of both human coaching and digital tools. He built DOSE to fill the gap: clients needed support between sessions, especially during crisis moments.

DOSE vs Numo: Which ADHD App is Right for You?

Published: November 14, 2025 | 7 min read | By Steev Hodgson

Numo and DOSE both support people with ADHD, but they couldn't be more different. Numo gamifies task management and builds community, while DOSE provides crisis intervention tools for emotional regulation.

The Fundamental Difference: Productivity vs Crisis Management

Numo makes ADHD task management fun through gamification, social accountability, and community support. It helps you remember to do things and makes boring stuff engaging.

DOSE addresses emotional and cognitive crises: rejection sensitivity, emotional dysregulation, cognitive spirals, and executive dysfunction during crisis moments.

Feature Comparison

When to Choose DOSE

• Experience intense rejection sensitivity - RSD episodes that derail your day
• Struggle with emotional regulation - Go from 0 to 100 emotionally
• Get stuck in cognitive spirals - Can't stop overthinking
• Need crisis tools, not task tools - Problem isn't forgetting laundry, it's emotional overwhelm
• Value privacy in vulnerable moments - Don't want to share RSD episodes publicly

When to Choose Numo

• Need help with executive function tasks - Remembering, starting, finishing things
• Thrive on gamification - Points and rewards motivate you
• Want community connection - Find support sharing with other ADHD folks
• Struggle with task initiation - Need dopamine hit to start boring tasks
• Like social accountability - Sharing progress keeps you motivated

Why DOSE and Numo Complement Each Other

DOSE and Numo address completely different aspects of ADHD. They're not competitors, they're complementary tools.

Use Numo for: Daily tasks, habit building, getting motivated, community support, executive function

Use DOSE for: RSD episodes, emotional overwhelm, cognitive spirals, quick emotional resets, capturing ideas

Real-World Scenario

Morning: Use Numo for your routine. Mid-morning: Boss sends terse email, you spiral. Use DOSE's RSD Meter. Afternoon: Back on track with Numo task list. Evening: Feeling overwhelmed. Use DOSE's WAVE tool for 3-minute reset. Night: Numo for evening routine.

About the Author

Steev Hodgson is the founder of DOSE and an ICF-credentialed ADHD coach with 1,300+ sessions delivered. After being diagnosed with ADHD at 50, he noticed that while task management apps helped with productivity, nothing existed for the emotional crises ADHD creates daily. That's why he built DOSE.