Creating lasting habits is easier with the right tools. Habit-tracking apps help you stay consistent, turn goals into actionable steps, and monitor progress. Here’s a quick look at the 7 best habit-tracking apps in 2025:
- Habitica: Gamifies habit tracking with RPG elements, social accountability, and customization. Free, with a $4.99/month premium option.
- Habitify: A simple, data-focused tracker with cross-platform sync and detailed analytics. Free, with premium plans starting at $4.99/month.
- Streaks: Focuses on maintaining streaks with Apple integration and automation. One-time cost of $5.99.
- Loop: A free, open-source Android app with offline privacy, detailed stats, and simple design.
- Productive: Stylish with custom features, reminders, and cross-platform sync. Free, with premium plans starting at $6.99/month.
- Strides: Tracks multiple goal types with templates, analytics, and Apple Health integration. Free, with premium access at $4.99/month.
- Done: Visualizes progress with streaks and flexible goal scheduling. Free, with premium options available.
Quick Comparison
| App | Platform | Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitica | iOS, Android, Web | Free, $4.99/month | Gamified tracking, social features, RPG-style |
| Habitify | iOS, Android, Web | Free, $4.99/month | Analytics, reminders, cross-platform sync |
| Streaks | iOS, macOS | $5.99 (one-time) | Apple Health integration, streak tracking |
| Loop | Android | Free | Offline, open-source, simple UI |
| Productive | iOS, Android | Free, $6.99/month | Customization, reminders, Google Calendar sync |
| Strides | iOS, macOS | Free, $4.99/month | Goal templates, analytics, Apple Health sync |
| Done | iOS, macOS | Free, premium available | Streak visualization, flexible scheduling |
Each app offers unique features for different needs, from gamification to advanced analytics. Choose one that suits your style and start building habits today!
I Tested 12 Habit Tracker Apps So You Don’t Have To (2023)
1. Habitica
Habitica takes habit tracking to a whole new level by turning it into a role-playing game. Your real-life progress directly influences your virtual character. Completing tasks earns you experience points, gold, and gear, while skipping habits results in your character taking damage. This reward-and-penalty system creates a fun, engaging way to stay consistent.
The app transforms habits, daily tasks, and to-dos into quests that help your avatar level up. It taps into the same psychological triggers that make video games so addictive, but redirects that energy toward productive goals.
"Habitica is the perfect task management app for people who love games." – TechRadar
Another standout feature is social accountability. You can team up with friends, take on quests together, and even battle bosses as a group. If someone in your party skips their daily habits, it impacts the entire team’s progress. This shared responsibility adds an extra layer of motivation. Habitica also includes groups and challenges based on shared interests, making it easy to connect with others who share your goals. This mix of gamification and social interaction makes Habitica's approach to habit tracking truly one of a kind.
Customization is another highlight. You can personalize your avatar with a wide range of options, including different skin tones, hairstyles, and even wheelchairs. Plus, you can use the gold you earn to set up custom rewards, like treating yourself to a favorite snack, a movie night, or even a new book. The app also offers both dark and light color themes to match your style.
Habitica doesn’t just track progress with checkmarks. It uses color-coded tasks, streak counters, and a detailed leveling system to keep you on track. On the web version, you can even hide tasks that aren’t due today, helping you focus on what’s most important. If you’re new to habit tracking, you can start small by focusing on a few habits and gradually adding more as you gain confidence.
The app syncs effortlessly across desktop, iOS, Android, and Wear OS devices. There’s even a smartwatch app for Wear OS, allowing you to view, create, and complete tasks right from your wrist. You can also track your stats and avatar progress on the go, whether your watch is connected to your phone or operating independently.
Habitica’s free version includes most of its core features, but you can upgrade to a premium subscription for $4.99 per month. The premium plan adds extras like gems, mystic hourglasses, and exclusive in-game items. If you prefer, one-time gem purchases are also available.
User reviews highlight the app’s appeal: it has a 4.0-star rating on iOS from over 1,900 reviews and an impressive 4.8 stars on Android from more than 47,000 reviews. Some users mention that Habitica has a steeper learning curve compared to simpler habit trackers, but many agree that the gaming elements make it worth the effort. Involving friends turns personal growth into a shared adventure, and the combination of rewards, social features, and detailed tracking makes building habits feel less like a chore and more like an exciting journey.
2. Habitify
Habitify takes a no-nonsense, science-backed approach to habit tracking, helping over 2.5 million users organize and improve their daily routines. Unlike apps that rely on flashy features or gamification, Habitify focuses on the essentials of habit building. As the App Store Editors noted:
"Habitify isn't about the bells and whistles. Its aim is to cut through the noise to concentrate your mind. The interface is simple and organized, with all your habits presented in a calendar and ordered chronologically, so you can see your day measured out in goals."
What sets Habitify apart is its smart organizational system. The app allows you to categorize habits by time of day and customize categories for different areas of your life. Whether you're tracking a morning meditation, an afternoon workout, or evening reading, Habitify provides a clear structure to help you focus on meaningful goals. The app’s chronological calendar view makes it easy to visualize your day and stay on track.
Habitify also shines when it comes to data insights. It offers detailed statistics, including daily performance metrics, completion trends, averages, and totals. With trend line graphs, you can monitor your progress weekly or monthly, while the Overall Progress tab gives you a broader view of your achievements.
To keep you consistent, Habitify includes practical tools like smart reminders to prompt you at the right time and a built-in timer to help you stay focused. You can also add notes to track context, monitor your mood, and use habit stacking to cue the next habit automatically. For added peace of mind, the app features a privacy lock to keep your data secure.
Habitify’s cross-platform compatibility makes it incredibly versatile. It works on iOS, Android, macOS, and web platforms, syncing in real time. You can even complete habits directly from your Apple Watch or integrate the app with Apple Health, Google Fit, Zapier, and IFTTT.
The app’s effectiveness is reflected in its user reviews. Habitify boasts a 4.6-star rating on the App Store from over 152,000 users and a 4.4-star rating on Google Play from more than 28,000 users. One reviewer, Matt Minev, praised it as:
"a fantastic, no-nonsense habit-tracking app that keeps things simple yet effective"
Habitify offers flexible pricing options to suit different needs. There’s a free version, while premium plans are available for $4.99 per month, $34.99 annually, or a one-time $64.99 for lifetime access. While some users find the subscription cost high, many feel the app’s robust analytics and seamless syncing justify the price.
This app works best when you break big goals into smaller, manageable habits and take advantage of its reminders. The detailed analytics help you spot patterns and stay motivated, while the time-based organization ensures your daily routine stays structured.
3. Streaks
Streaks takes a "Don't Break the Chain" approach, turning habit tracking into a personal challenge to keep your streak alive. Think of it as a sleek to-do list designed specifically for building habits, letting you track up to 24 tasks on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
The app motivates users by tracking their longest streaks and completion rates, presenting the data in easy-to-read progress charts. As habit expert Monika Dimitrovska puts it:
"It's like a game where you're trying to beat your own record. This keeps you motivated to keep going and not give up."
Streaks goes beyond basic task management by integrating seamlessly with Apple devices. It syncs through iCloud across your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. For fitness goals, its connection to Apple Health is a game-changer - it automatically tracks activities like walking 5,000 steps, running 5 miles, or monitoring your heart rate, saving you the hassle of manual updates. This kind of automation turns daily habits into measurable achievements.
The app supports a range of habit types, including positive habits, negative habits, and timed activities. Customizable widgets make it easy to check your progress at a glance. Writer and photographer Harry Guinness, a loyal user, shares:
"Streaks is the standout habit tracking app for iPhone users (and the one I use any time I'm trying to build a new habit)."
Real-life success stories highlight its effectiveness. Ben from Adelaide shared how Streaks helped him quit smoking:
"I was smoking 15 cigarettes each day. Streaks helped me to quit smoking by reducing and then eliminating my daily use."
- Ben, Adelaide
Similarly, Otávio from Chicago credits the app with helping him reduce his coffee consumption:
"I've now reduced my coffee intake by 70% with Streaks, something I struggled with for 5 years. It's a life-changing app to me."
- Otávio, Chicago
At a one-time cost of $5.99, Streaks offers a lot of value and has earned high praise from users, with a 4.8-star rating on iOS and 4.7 on macOS. Even App Store editors have applauded it:
"It's not every day that an app helps you become a better person. But that's what Streaks does with a simple, compelling design that gets out of the way - and lets you focus on healthy eating, reading, flossing, and winning at life. Oh yeah, and it's one of the best Apple Watch apps we've ever used."
That said, the app does have limitations. It's only available on Apple devices, and the 24-task limit might feel restrictive for those wanting to track more habits. Still, Streaks shines when it comes to building consistent daily habits, thanks to its automatic tracking and seamless syncing across devices. It keeps your progress visible - and your goals within reach.
4. Loop
Loop takes a straightforward approach to habit tracking, focusing on the basics needed to build and maintain consistent habits. This free, open-source app for Android allows you to log habits as done, missed, or skipped with just a single tap. Its clean, user-friendly interface adheres to material design principles, making it easy to navigate.
While the design keeps things simple, Loop doesn’t skimp on insights. A calendar view shows exactly when you’ve completed or missed habits, giving you a clear picture of your progress. Charts and statistics provide deeper insights into habit trends, and a built-in habit score helps you track how consistent you’ve been over time.
The app also offers flexible scheduling options. You can set custom frequencies for each habit, create individual reminders, and even use home screen widgets for quick updates. For those who like to keep backups, Loop allows you to export your data as CSV or SQLite files.
Privacy is a strong focus for Loop. The app works entirely offline, meaning no personal data is collected. Its open-source nature, with the source code available on GitHub, ensures transparency, and the absence of ads makes for a distraction-free experience.
With over 5 million downloads and a stellar 4.8-star rating on the Google Play Store from more than 58,800 reviews, Loop has a strong reputation. A February 2024 update (v2.2) introduced Android 14 support and language customization, showing the app continues to evolve.
If you’re looking for a habit tracker that balances simplicity, detailed progress tracking, and privacy, Loop is an excellent option.
sbb-itb-72d195f
5. Productive – Habit Tracker
Productive combines sleek design with a high level of customization, making it a favorite for users who enjoy both practicality and style. With over 15 million downloads, it’s clear this app has struck a chord with habit trackers worldwide.
One of its standout features is the ability to personalize your experience. You can name each habit, pick from a variety of icons, and assign custom colors to create a habit list that feels uniquely yours. This attention to detail makes habit tracking not just a task but an enjoyable part of your daily routine.
The app also offers smart notifications to keep you on track. For premium users, location-based reminders add an extra layer of convenience, notifying you when you arrive at specific places tied to your habits.
Flexibility is another key strength. You can create, complete, pause, or tweak habits as needed, adding personalized notes to keep everything organized. This adaptability ensures you can maintain long-term consistency without feeling boxed into a rigid system.
Productive syncs effortlessly across multiple devices, including macOS, iPhone, and Android. Your data updates automatically, and integration with Google Calendar ensures your habits and events stay perfectly aligned.
The app has earned a 4.6-star rating on the App Store and a 3.8 on Google Play, with users frequently praising its user-friendly design.
"This app has helped me, far more than any other on the App Store, to take control of my life... The accountability the app brings is one that is lacking in pressure." – taylinr
Pricing options include a free trial for premium features. Subscriptions are available at $34.99 annually (about $2.92/month) or $6.99 monthly. Premium users unlock unlimited habits, challenges, detailed analytics, and advanced reminders, offering deeper insights into their progress.
If you’re looking for a habit tracker that balances visual appeal, customization, and reliable functionality, Productive delivers on all fronts.
6. Strides
Strides takes goal tracking to the next level by offering flexible formats and real-time feedback. With four tracker types - Habit, Target, Average, and Project - it adapts to virtually any goal you’re pursuing. Whether it’s building daily habits, hitting specific milestones, monitoring averages, or managing long-term projects, Strides adjusts to fit your needs.
The app’s analytics dashboard is designed for clarity, featuring charts, streak counters, calendars, and line graphs. It even includes a green/red pace line to help you visualize whether you’re on track or falling behind.
The Daily Goals view lets you filter trackers based on repeat settings and sends notifications to keep you motivated. These reminders are customizable, so you can schedule them to align with your routine and celebrate milestones as you achieve them.
To make your tracking even more personal, you can add notes and tags. This feature allows you to organize goals by areas of focus, such as health, work, or even morning routines. The tagging system makes it easy to categorize and prioritize your efforts.
Strides works seamlessly across devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, ensuring your progress is always in sync. It also integrates with Apple Health, automatically pulling in your fitness and wellness data for a more comprehensive view.
The app’s impact is evident in user testimonials. One user, KT, shared an inspiring story:
"Amazing app! I've lost 80 lbs because of the accountability. I've also meditated 3 times per day, journaled, and exercised daily for the last year... all because of the daily check ins." – KT
Strides offers over 150 templates to help you get started, or you can create your own custom trackers. This level of personalization has earned the app a 4.8-star rating on the App Store, with many of its 610 reviewers praising the ability to track multiple goals on a single screen.
The app has both free and paid options. The free version includes basic features, though it does limit the number of trackers you can use. For $4.99 per month or $29.99 annually, Strides Premium unlocks unlimited trackers and advanced analytics, making it a worthwhile investment for those serious about reaching their goals.
7. Done
Done combines a bright, user-friendly design with an approach that makes tracking progress both simple and satisfying. The app takes its cue from Jerry Seinfeld’s famous productivity strategy, where he motivated himself by marking each day he wrote with a red X on his calendar. Seinfeld described the method like this:
"For each day that I do my task of writing, I get to put a big red X over that day. After a few days you'll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You'll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain."
Done brings this idea to life digitally. It uses circles to represent completed goals and X's for missed days, giving you a visual streak to maintain. The app’s dashboard provides a clear snapshot of your habits along with key statistics.
What makes Done stand out is its flexibility. While many habit trackers focus only on daily goals, Done lets you set goals that fit your schedule - whether that’s daily, weekly, or even several times per day. You can also customize the app’s look by choosing icons and colors, making your dashboard feel more personal and motivating.
For those who love data, Done offers trend analysis to monitor your progress over time. You can even export your data as a CSV file for deeper analysis.
The app integrates seamlessly with Apple HealthKit, automatically tracking fitness-related goals based on your activity. It also supports home screen widgets for quick updates and includes an Apple Watch app so you can mark habits as completed while on the move.
With a 4.0-star rating from over 16,600 reviews, users praise Done for its simplicity, attractive design, and effective tracking features. While the free version covers basic tracking, premium options unlock unlimited habits and additional customization through a one-time purchase or subscription.
Conclusion
Creating consistent habits is a key to achieving success, but studies reveal that 80% of new habits don’t stick. That’s where habit tracking can make all the difference, boosting your chances of staying on course.
Each habit-tracking app brings something unique to the table: Habitica turns tasks into a fun, gamified experience; Habitify offers detailed progress analytics; Streaks integrates smoothly with Apple devices; Loop provides a clean, ad-free option for Android users; Productive combines sleek design with practical features; Strides is perfect for juggling multiple goals; and Done digitizes the classic "don't break the chain" method. The best app for you is the one that keeps you motivated and engaged.
As Dr. Hannah Rose points out, building habits works best when the approach is simple and adaptable. These tools help you focus on the journey, rewarding steady progress over perfection. Start by trying one or two apps that resonate with your preferences. And remember, even a small improvement - just 1% each day - adds up to a 37% transformation over a year. Find the tracker that feels right for you, and take that first small step toward reaching your goals. Every bit of progress counts.
FAQs
How can I pick the right habit-tracking app for my goals and lifestyle?
To find the habit-tracking app that works best for you, start by thinking about your goals and daily routines. Choose an app that lets you customize your experience, allowing you to track different habits and set reminders tailored to your needs. Notifications can be a useful nudge to help you stay on track.
Look for apps with progress tracking features like charts or graphs. These visual tools can make it easier (and more rewarding) to see how far you've come and spot areas where you can improve. Also, pick an app that's simple to use - if it's easy to navigate, you'll be more likely to stick with it. By keeping these points in mind, you'll find an app that blends into your life and supports your goals effortlessly.
What’s the difference between free and premium habit-tracking apps?
When you're just starting out, free habit-tracking apps can be a solid choice. They usually cover the basics, like logging habits and sending standard reminders. But keep in mind, these free versions often have their limits - like restricting the number of habits you can track or offering only surface-level insights.
If you're looking for more robust features, premium versions step up the game. They often include perks like unlimited habit tracking, in-depth progress analytics, personalized reminders, and advanced customization options. These tools can make it easier to stay consistent and work toward your goals with greater focus.
The choice between free and premium comes down to what you need. If you're after a simple way to keep track of habits, free might be all you need. But if you're serious about digging into the details and optimizing your progress, premium might be worth exploring.
How does gamification in habit-tracking apps like Habitica help me stay motivated and consistent?
Gamification in Habit-Tracking Apps
Habit-tracking apps like Habitica use gamification to make sticking to your daily goals more engaging and enjoyable. By turning routine tasks into a game-like experience, these apps help boost both motivation and consistency. Features such as earning points, unlocking rewards, and completing challenges make habit-building feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. For instance, every time you complete a task, you might level up your avatar or unlock achievements, giving you a tangible sense of progress and accomplishment.
What makes this approach so effective is how it taps into core psychological drivers like autonomy, competence, and connection. By transforming everyday tasks into interactive activities, these apps make it easier - and a lot more fun - to stick with your goals. Over time, this consistent effort can lead to better productivity and help you achieve your bigger, long-term ambitions.