Honest comparisons
Goblin Tools vs Inchworm — which fits your brain?
Checked August 2026 · Written by the Inchworm team — we've tried to be scrupulously fair, and we link Goblin Tools so you can judge for yourself.
Short answer: Goblin Tools is wonderful, use it. Magic ToDo is the best free task breakdown on the internet and its honest, nearly-free pricing has made it a folk hero — deservedly. The comparison isn't about who breaks tasks down better. It's about the most common complaint in Goblin's own reviews: it hands you the list and walks away.
Side by side
| Goblin Tools | Inchworm | |
|---|---|---|
| The job | Break anything into steps, free | Break it down, then get you STARTED on step one |
| After the list | You're on your own | One step is surfaced, a 5-minute timer runs, starting is celebrated |
| Human element | — | One real friend gets a ping when you start, and can cheer back |
| Momentum | — | Pause-able streaks count days you showed up; a "next tiny step" is offered after each win |
| Personalization | Same magic for everyone | Learns from your own past starts — your next breakdown echoes what worked for you before |
| Platform | Web + mobile | iPhone (Android planned) |
| Price | Free / tip-priced | Free core (3 AI breakdowns/day); Pro $6.99/mo or $39.99/yr |
Which should you pick?
Pick Goblin Tools if…
the breakdown itself is all you need, or you need it on the web, or free is non-negotiable. It's the genuine article and its generosity deserves the loyalty it gets.
Pick Inchworm if…
you already have a folder of beautiful step lists you never started. The list was never your problem — the first move was. That's the part we built: one step, low-pressure minutes, a human who saw you begin.
Truthfully?
Many of our own users came from loving Goblin and hitting exactly this wall. If you don't hit it, you don't need us.
Common questions
Is Inchworm just a paid Goblin Tools?
No — the breakdown is the overlap, not the product. The product is the starting ritual after it: one tiny step, a gentle count-up timer, initiation-only streaks, and an optional real-human cheer. Goblin doesn't do any of that, by design.
Is the breakdown free in Inchworm?
3 AI breakdowns a day free, and the loop still works past the cap with a generic tiny first step. Unlimited breakdowns is part of Pro.
Does either treat ADHD?
No. Both are tools, not treatments.
More comparisons: the best ADHD apps in 2026. Or just try Inchworm free — the core loop costs nothing.