Joon is a game app designed to help parents motivate their children to complete chores and develop healthy habits. It’s beneficial for all kids, including those with ADHD, ODD, and autism. We rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars. The app engages children by allowing them to raise and care for virtual pets, earning coins as rewards for completing parent-assigned “quests” or tasks. Joon is free to use, with a premium version available for $12.99 monthly or $89.99 yearly, including a seven-day free trial
Editor’s Notes:
Since our last review, several things have changed! Joon is now available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Tablets, and Chromebook.
There is now a 7-day free trial of the premium version
There is also now a free version of Joon; it doesn’t have as many features but is otherwise the same.
Joon App At a Glance
Pros & Cons of Joon
- Has a free version
- Genuinely fun to play
- Regularly drops new features
- Great customer service
- Templates for easy set-up
- Provides holistic approach to well-being
- No online gameplay/multiplayer gaming
- Not optimized for teens (6-12 years old)
- Not intended as a therapy substitute
- More effective with multiple devices (one for child and one for parent)
Preview Joon
Joon is an ADHD app for kids that helps them build healthy habits by making daily tasks, chores, and self-care more engaging and motivating. Joon gives kids a virtual pet, called a Doter, which they nurture by completing tasks—known as quests—assigned by their parents. As they accomplish these tasks, they earn rewards to help their Doter grow.
Joon offers a free version, but premium features are available for $12.99 monthly or $89.99 yearly. A seven-day free trial lets you explore the premium plan, and you can switch back to the free version anytime after the trial ends.
To use Joon, you must download two apps: the parent-facing app (Joon) and the child-facing app (Joon Pet Game). Keep in mind that having another device for your child to play the game on is most convenient, but you can run both programs on the same device. For security reasons, the game requires a login code from the parent app.
Joon is great for children 6-12 years old, but teens and adults may find it too childish. If that’s the case, Inflow is a great CBT app that gives users a better understanding of their ADHD symptoms, as well as practical resources and coping strategies. Joon is also not intended as therapy or coaching. Families seeking this type of care should check out Bend Health.
Detailed Review of Joon App
We rated the Joon app 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for parents of kids with ADHD. As an interactive, virtual pet care game, it is fun and can potentially help entire families with family management, organization, day-to-day tasks, and more. Joon offers a free version as well as a seven-day free trial of the premium plan. You can see our scoring breakdown below.
Review our scoring criteria for mental health apps here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
An Interactive Game for ADHD
The Joon ADHD app features a virtual pet, called a Doter, that children care for by completing tasks and earning rewards, making daily responsibilities more engaging and fun. This gamified approach helps keep kids motivated while fostering a sense of responsibility. Additionally, Joon offers interactive games designed to enhance executive functioning skills like attention, memory, and planning.
Personalized Feedback and Progress Tracking
Joon provides personalized feedback to each child, allowing them to see their progress over time. As a parent, you can even write your own messages of encouragement, which can help improve your relationship. This feature helps to motivate children and keep them engaged in the learning process. There are also weekly check-ins for parents to complete focusing on skill areas: teamwork, focus, kindness, stamina, knowledge, and strength.
Customizations
The app allows parents to adjust the difficulty level to match their child’s individual needs and abilities. You can also choose which child these quests belong to, and how often they need to be completed.
Rewards and Incentives
Joon offers a reward system that encourages children to complete tasks and progress through the app. This feature helps to reinforce positive behavior and can be a motivating factor for children with ADHD. It is important to note there are no in-app purchases that require the use of real money (outside of paying for the subscription).
Getting started is as easy as downloading the Joon app from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or by clicking “Download App” directly on the Joon Website. Joon also has a user tutorial that makes getting started super easy.
Follow these easy steps:
- Create a parent account after downloading the app; answer basic information about yourself and your family’s goals.
- Download the Joon Pet Game by sending a link to your child’s device or downloading it on your own.
- Link accounts with the Login Code provided in the parent app.
- Choose which subscription plan you want.
The Parent-facing App
In order to use Joon, you must download two apps: the parent app (Joon) and the child-facing app (Joon Pet Game). Keep in mind that having another device for your child to use the Joon Pet Game is more effective. As of now, there are no multiplayer options. Your entire family will share an “Overworld” and your child can visit a plaza with other Doters, but it is more of a visual space versus an online chat space.
During the seven-day free trial, you can assign and approve seven quests per day to your child. Other features include the “Guide” tab where you can find parent resources, your child’s executive functioning check-in, and suggestions on other quests you can assign. There is a “Family” tab where you review your child’s progress on their quests, behavior reports, and developed skill areas. This tab also lets you manage your child’s game settings, you can send personalized messages, manage game limits, and create custom rewards.
The Child-facing Pet Game
The Joon Pet Game is the child-facing app and requires a login code from the parent app. Without this code, your child will not be able to log in. You can run both the parent app and the child app on one device, but the program works better with two devices.
Once you have your child’s app connected they will be prompted to hatch their first egg, which introduces them to their “Doter.” There is also a text-to-speech feature that can read things aloud to your child.
Your child can access their quest and rewards in three different ways:
- Going to the message board in their “Overworld”
- Navigating to the “Care” screen and clicking the checklist icon
- Tapping their Doter and clicking on the checklist icon labeled “Quests”
Once your child completes a quest, the Joon parent app will receive a notification that they are ready for review. Your child will not earn their rewards until approved within the parent app, and trust me, they will remind you. Especially if they want to keep earning coins to care for their pet, which in my experience, they did!
As a therapist, reward systems and gamification are significantly helpful for children with ADHD and adults with ADHD, whether they have been given a formal diagnosis or not. Studies also find that the repetitiveness of the conventional task combined with the suggested gamification techniques might help in influencing task adherence and reduce the abandonment of their tasks or app.1,2,3
How Much Does it Cost?
While there is a free version of Joon, the premium app costs $12.99 monthly or $89.99 yearly with a seven-day free trial. The only limitation during the free trial is the number of quests that can be approved. Reduced rates are available for families in need; you must contact Joon directly to learn more.
Who Does it Serve?
Joon App serves kids ages 6 – 12, children diagnosed with ADHD, and families with communication or relationship challenges. It is available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Tablets, & Chromebooks.
User Reviews
The Joon app has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating on the Apple App Store. No reviews have been written on Google Play Store as of yet due to still being considered in development; however, there have been over 50,000 downloads. While the app has received a lot of positive feedback, some users have reported issues. Many of the 1-star reviews were related to “sticker shock” and feeling as if the price was too high.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.7 out of 5 stars | 5.9K reviews
Positive reviews from the Apple App Store include many parents feeling that the app improved their children’s motivation for chores and tasks. Many stated that their children were now excited to do chores for the in-app rewards. Users cite the virtual coins as great reinforcements for children, especially when other methods have not worked.
Negative reviews from the Apple App Store include feeling that the app was too expensive. Many users enjoyed the free trial but did not feel the price was justified to get a full subscription. Users also often stated in reviews that they were still charged even after canceling the free trial within the required time frame.
Reviews from Reddit | r/ADHDparenting
Positive reviews from Reddit include many users feeling that their children were more motivated to complete tasks and chores. Not only that, many parents say that the Joon app has created more engagement in chores for their children.
Negative reviews from Reddit include feeling that the app was overpriced and only good for a short period. Many parents stated that their children grew bored — and sometimes even frustrated — with the app.
Alternatives & Competitors
While Joon is a gamified ADHD app that helps kids develop good habits and executive function skills, it does not provide clinical treatment and is not intended to be used as a replacement for therapy or behavioral coaching. If you would prefer more structured care for your child, or would like to explore therapy or medication in tandem with Joon, try Bend Health or Talkiatry. If you have a teen, explore our best online therapy options for teens.
Best for ADHD Medication - Talkiatry
Price: ~ $30 copay with insurance
Insurance: Yes, exclusively
Medication: Yes
Location: 43 US states
Talkiatry provides comprehensive mental health care, specializing in psychiatric services for children (5+), teens, and adults. It is one of our favorite choices for ADHD treatment online. Unlike Joon, Talkiatry focuses on clinical treatment, including evaluations and prescriptions. If you have insurance they accept and live in one of the 43 states they serve, it’s worth checking out.
Pros & Cons
- Treats children (5+), teens, and adults
- 300+ highly vetted psychiatrists
- Can prescribe controlled medication
- Only accepts in-network patients
- Does not offer weekend appts
Best Online Therapy for Kids - Bend Health
Bend Health is an online mental health platform for children, teens, and young adults, offering professional support through behavioral care managers, therapists, and psychiatrists. Their services include therapy, coaching, medication management, and neuropsychological testing to assess cognitive and emotional functioning. Plans range from $199.99 – $549.99 monthly, though in-network insurance may reduce costs. A comprehensive intake process ensures personalized care, with collaboration between providers, pediatricians, and schools.
Read more on our full Bend Health review.
Pros & Cons
- Can collaborate with child’s pediatrician/school
- Can prescribe controlled medication
- Parent coaching not covered by insurance
- Onboarding process can become overwhelming
- Cannot book a session within 24 hours
Best ADHD App for Adults - Inflow
Inflow is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) app designed for teens and adults, offering self-paced programs, expert-led guidance, and tools for managing productivity, anxiety, and impulsivity. It includes ADHD-specific meditations, interactive journaling, and a supportive community. Inflow offers a seven-day free trial, with subscriptions at $47.99 monthly or $199.99 yearly (with financial assistance available).
Pros & Cons
- Monthly or annual plans available
- Offers financial aid & a student discount
- Does not accept insurance
- Not a replacement for medication or in-person therapy
History & News About Joon
Year Founded: 2018
Founders: Kevin Bunarjo, Brad Brenner, & Isaac Evans
Headquarters: Laguna Niguel, CA
Public or Private: Private
Joon ADHD app is a startup founded by Kevin Bunarjo, Brad Brenner, and Isaac Eaves, created by a team of neuroscientists, game designers, and developers.4 Launched in 2022, it has reached over 500,000 users and 18,000 subscribers. In October 2023, the company secured $6.4 million in funding, led by MaC Venture Capital and Dune Ventures.5,6
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Joon App Free?
Yes. Joon is available for free. The premium version offers access to additional features. There is also a seven-day free trial of the premium version.
How Does My Child Access the Joon App?
Your child can access the Joon app by downloading the Joon Pet Game. Parents will connect the app by linking accounts with the Login Code provided in the parent app. There is no limit to how many kids’ accounts can be created or linked to your account.
How Do I Cancel My Joon App Subscription?
To cancel your Joon App subscription, click on the “Family” tab, then select “Manage Account” followed by “Manage Subscription” and click “Cancel Subscription.” Then, you will be redirected to your iOS Subscription Settings within the iOS settings app to cancel the active trial. Make sure to hit cancel once redirected, otherwise your trial will not be officially cancelled. You can also email [email protected] for any questions about your account.
Does Joon App Offer Refunds?
Yes. Joon does offer refunds in certain circumstances. Users who downloaded the app from Joon’s website can email support at [email protected]. Joon states that they have a 30-day money back guarantee. This guarantee goes into effect the first day that your trial ends and you convert into a paying user.
Users who downloaded the app from the Apple Store, however, must go through Apple for a refund. Make sure to cancel your subscription first! Apple cannot issue you a refund with an active Joon subscription.
Does Joon App Offer Refunds?
Yes. Joon does offer refunds in certain circumstances. Users who downloaded the app from Joon’s website can email support at [email protected]. Joon states that they have a 30-day money back guarantee. This guarantee goes into effect the first day that your trial ends and you convert into a paying user.
Users who downloaded the app from the Apple Store, however, must go through Apple for a refund. Make sure to cancel your subscription first! Apple cannot issue you a refund with an active Joon subscription.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Jiang, H., Natarajan, R., Shuy, Y. K., Rong, L., Zhang, M. W., & Vallabhajosyula, R. (2022,March 4). The use of mobile games in the management of patients with attention deficit hyperactive disorder: A scoping review. Frontiers in psychiatry. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8931195/
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Zhang, M., & Ranganath, V. (2022, December 9). An emotional bias modification for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Co-design study. JMIR formative research. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9789490/
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Peñuelas-Calvo I; Jiang-Lin LK; Girela-Serrano B; Delgado-Gomez D; Navarro-Jimenez R; Baca-Garcia E; Porras-Segovia A; (n.d.). Video games for the assessment and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review. European child & adolescent psychiatry. Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32424511/
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Joon: The to-do app for kids with ADHD. Y Combinator. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/joon#:~:text=Isaac%20Eaves%20is%20the%20co,and%20Kevin%20Bunarjo%20in%202021
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Joon app, Inc. – Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding. Crunchbase. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2023, from https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/joon-motivate-your-kids
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Medium. (Oct. 2023). Joon’s Behavior Improvement Tools for Kids with Mental and Behavioral Disorder. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/%40DiggerInsights/joons-behavior-improvement-tools-for-kids-with-mental-and-behavioral-disorder-b95584935bde?utm_source=chatgpt.com
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: We edited for clarity and accuracy; we added that Joon now has both a free version and a 7-day free trial of the premium version; Joon is now available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Tablets, and Chromebook; added Talkiatry and Bend Health as options under Alternatives & Competitors; updated data under User Reviews; updated History & News to include recent funding information.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Changed the “Competitors” section to an updated list of ADHD apps (Added: Happy Kids Timer, Habitica, and EndeavorOTC), and fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Added summary block and star rating breakdown
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D.
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