Goblin Tools vs Koala For Work

Goblin Tools

• People who find large tasks overwhelming and want them split into steps
• Neurodivergent users, the audience the tools were designed for
• Quick one-off help with tone, time estimates or decisions

Koala For Work

• Professionals with ADHD who find breaking work into steps the hard part
• People who want unfinished tasks moved forward without re-planning
• UK students funded through Disabled Students' Allowance
• Employers piloting support for neurodivergent staff

Goblin Tools

• The vendor warns that results come from general-purpose AI models and should be treated as guesswork, not as fact.
• The website is free, but the Android and iOS apps are paid downloads: $0.99 and $1.99 in the US stores.
• Sync, history, templates and list sharing need the Pro subscription, and Pro sync covers the web only, with app support still to come.
• Pro costs more inside the iOS app ($3.99 a month) than on the website ($3 a month).

Koala For Work

• Koala is in beta: the site signs people up to a Koala 2.0 beta ahead of a release it dates to March.
• The Mac app is awaiting Apple approval and the Windows app is a desktop beta (version 0.1.0). The download page lists no phone apps.
• Prices are in pounds only, and the main pricing section shows no annual option outside the Founding 250 membership.
• Integrations named on the site are Google and Outlook calendars, Granola and an MCP connection for AI assistants; more are described as coming soon.

Goblin Tools

Magic ToDo

A to-do list that works out the steps for a task automatically. A spiciness level hints at how hard the task feels, and a higher level produces more steps.

Taskmaster

Works through a to-do list one step at a time, so that attention stays on a single task instead of the whole list.

Estimator and Compiler

Estimator gives a rough time estimate for a task or activity. Compiler turns a messy brain dump of text into an organized list of actions.

Formalizer and Judge

Formalizer rewrites text to match a chosen tone or level of formality. Judge offers a second opinion on the emotion or intent behind a message.

Professor, Consultant and Chef

Professor explains a complicated subject in simpler terms, Consultant compares options to help with a decision, and Chef invents a recipe from ingredients on hand.

Goblin Tools Pro

The subscription keeps Magic ToDo lists in sync across devices on the web, stores the last 50 results of each tool, and adds templates, custom tones and shareable lists.

Koala For Work

Task breakdown

Work described in your own words comes back as smaller steps sized in minutes, at a size you choose (small, medium or large). Any step can be adjusted.

A day planned to your capacity

Steps are planned across your days up to the deep-work hours you set. Whatever slips is rescheduled by the next morning, and a daily brief opens the day.

Deep-work blocks in your calendar

With Google or Outlook Calendar connected, Koala adds deep-work blocks around meetings, and clears a missed block to find it another time.

Deadline and backlog view

Every action shows its deadline and progress, a deadline that will not fit is flagged early, and the backlog shows how many weeks of work are waiting.

Focus toolkit

The workspace can be set up with timers, checklists, notepads and focus music, choosing only the tools you want to see.

AI assistant and meeting-note connections

Koala connects over MCP so Claude or another AI assistant can read the plan, add work and log what is finished. Granola meeting notes can become actions.

Goblin Tools

• Website$0

  All nine tools in a web browser, including Magic ToDo, Formalizer, Judge, Estimator and Compiler.

• Android app$0.99

  one-time purchase on Google Play

  The same tools as an Android app. Pro is sold separately as an in-app purchase.

• iOS app$1.99

  one-time purchase on the App Store

  The same tools as an app for iPhone and iPad. Pro is sold separately as an in-app purchase.

• Goblin Tools Pro$3

  per month on the web ($3.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly on iOS)

  Magic ToDo sync across devices on the web, the last 50 results per tool, templates, custom tones, standing instructions and list sharing.

Koala For Work

• Koala£18

  per month

  The single plan for individuals, with every feature included, after 14 days free.

• Founding 250£18

  per month, or £180 per year

  Koala access plus founding member office hours and a numbered badge, limited to 250 places. A separate £240 one-time Founding Patron tier does not include access.

• Koala for companiesCustom

  Team licences that start with an 8-week pilot covering a kickoff workshop, managed rollout and a results readout. Pricing is sent on request.

Goblin Tools

• Annual discount

  Yearly Pro on iOS costs about 16% less

  The App Store lists Pro at $3.99 monthly or $39.99 yearly, about 16% less than 12 monthly payments ($47.88). The $3 monthly price on the website is lower still.

Koala For Work

• Annual discount

  Founding 250 membership at £180 a year

  The Founding 250 membership, which includes Koala access, costs £18 a month or £180 a year. Twelve monthly payments would come to £216.

• Education

  Licences funded by Disabled Students' Allowance

  UK students can activate a licence code bought by their DSA supplier or university. The vendor says no personal payment method is needed for a DSA-funded licence.