Yes, Concerta and Ritalin are the same medication (generic: methylphenidate). Metadate and Ritalin LA are also the same. The difference is in the delivery system and it is a huge difference. Concerta lasts much longer and is much smoother.

Generally speaking, Adderall is stronger. If you are already on it, and IF you aren't too concerned about the recent warnings about Adderall, you might go ahead and try a higher dose of it before changing drugs completely. But, that's up to you.