Compare HabitKit, Loop Habits, HabitNow and 3 more apps: Which Habit Tracker App is the Best?

HabitKit delivers a solid set of core habit tracking features, focusing on simplicity and effectiveness. The standout is the GitHub-style heatmap, which makes tracking your progress both motivating and visually satisfying.

Key features we found especially useful include:

• Flexible Habit Tracking: Set habits for daily, weekly, or monthly goals (e.g., 3 times per week)
• Custom Reminders: Each habit can have its own notification schedule
• Calendar View: Easily fill in or edit past completions
• Customization: Assign unique colors and icons to each habit
• Data Backup: Export and import your data as needed
• Archiving: Temporarily archive habits without deleting them

There are some limitations: the free version restricts you to 4 habits, which may not be enough for everyone, and there's no way to organize habits into categories or folders. Widgets are visually appealing but don't allow direct interaction. Still, the features that are present are thoughtfully implemented and work reliably. We rate features at 8.5—excellent for core functionality, but with room for more organizational tools.

For users who need unlimited habits without restrictions, Habitive offers a completely free alternative, while Loop Habit Tracker provides more comprehensive organizational features at no cost.

Habitica is honestly unlike any other habit tracker we've used. It turns your daily tasks into a full-on RPG adventure, which makes building routines way more fun. You can track habits, daily routines, and one-off to-dos, and you get experience, gold, and collectibles for checking things off. It's surprisingly motivating!

• Gamified Habit Tracking: Every time you finish a task, your character levels up and you get new rewards.
• Flexible Task Types: You can track habits, daily routines, and one-off to-dos all in one place.
• Party & Social Features: Team up with friends for extra motivation and shared quests.
• Customization: Make your avatar your own, collect gear and pets, and join community challenges.
• Reminders & Widgets: Notifications and home screen widgets help you stay on track.

We did wish there were more advanced stats and better ways to manage tasks (like duplicating or redoing them). We also ran into a few bugs that messed with streaks or notifications. For users who need comprehensive analytics, HabitKit offers detailed statistics and beautiful progress visualization. Still, Habitica's features are fun and keep you coming back—especially if you like games. We give features an 8.2 out of 10.

Loop offers an impressive set of core features that focus on effective habit tracking without unnecessary bloat. The standout feature is the sophisticated habit strength calculation that considers both your streaks and overall consistency.

Key features we thoroughly tested include:

• Flexible Tracking Options: The app supports daily, weekly, and monthly goals with customizable frequencies
• Detailed Statistics: Multiple graph types show your progress over time
• Custom Notifications: Individual reminders for each habit with "sticky" notification option
• Home Screen Widgets: Various widget styles for quick habit tracking
• Data Management: Export to CSV and SQLite formats for backup or analysis
• Calendar View: Easy access to historical data and habit completion

However, we did notice some limitations. The app lacks the ability to categorize habits into groups or folders, which can become unwieldy with many habits. There's also no way to track multiple completions of the same habit within a day, and the weekly scheduling could be more flexible. For users who need comprehensive scheduling and timer functionality, HabitNow provides more advanced organizational features.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the features present are thoughtfully implemented and work reliably. We're giving it an 8.5 for features - it excels at core functionality while maintaining simplicity, though there's room for some organizational improvements.

HelloHabit takes an ambitious approach by integrating multiple productivity tools into one package. Beyond basic habit tracking, you get built-in timers, a journal with rich text editing, and Health Connect integration on Android. This all-in-one philosophy works well if you want to consolidate your productivity stack.

Key feature highlights we appreciated:

• Integrated Timers: Stopwatch and countdown timers work seamlessly with habits—perfect for timed activities like meditation or workouts
• Journal Functionality: Rich text editor with searchable notes, tags, and filters creates a proper journaling experience
• Routine Groups: Organize habits into morning, evening, or custom categories for better focus
• Health Connect Sync: Automatic tracking of steps, distance, exercise duration, and other fitness metrics from Android's Health Connect
• Flexible Goals: Daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly targets with customizable completion criteria
• Bad Habit Tracking: Dedicated mode for quitting negative habits with milestone celebrations

However, the feature set comes with notable limitations. The free version's 5-habit cap feels restrictive when competitors like Habitive offer unlimited habits at no cost. There's no widget interaction on Android—you can only view habits, not complete them from the home screen. We also noticed the app lacks some organizational tools like habit categories or folders that HabitNow provides.

The features that are present work well when the app is functioning properly, but recent updates have introduced bugs that impact core functionality. We rate features at 8.2—strong integration and breadth, but held back by free tier limitations and inconsistent stability.

HabitKit performs exceptionally well in day-to-day use. The app is lightweight, launches quickly, and all interactions—such as marking completions, navigating between views, and customizing habits—are smooth and responsive. Animations are fluid and add to the overall polished feel of the app without causing any lag.

We encountered very few bugs or crashes, and the app remained stable even when tracking a large number of habits (in the premium version). User reviews echo this experience, with most people praising the app's reliability and speed. A handful of users mentioned minor issues with widgets, such as sizing or display quirks on certain devices, but these did not affect the core functionality and were often addressed in updates.

Overall, HabitKit delivers a consistently fast and stable experience, both in our hands-on testing and according to the majority of user feedback. We rate its performance at 9.2 out of 10.

This performance rating places HabitKit among the top performers in the category, alongside HabitNow which also achieves a 9.0 rating, and Habitive which maintains an 8.8 rating despite being completely free.

Most of the time, Habitica runs smoothly and does what you need. We did run into some slowdowns, bugs, and issues with notifications or widgets—something other users have mentioned too. These problems didn't ruin the experience, but they were a little annoying. For users who prioritize performance and stability, HabitKit offers consistently smooth operation with a 9.2 performance rating. With some bug fixes, Habitica's performance could be even better. For now, we rate it 7.2 out of 10.

HabitNow performs reliably in daily use. The app is fast, responsive, and stable, even when tracking a large number of habits and tasks. We experienced smooth navigation and quick loading times throughout our testing.

While there are occasional reports of alarms or notifications not firing as expected, and some widget update quirks, these issues are relatively rare and do not significantly impact the overall experience. HabitNow delivers strong performance for a productivity app of its kind.

Performance is where HelloHabit struggles most significantly, particularly on Android. The app's trajectory tells a concerning story: while it launched with strong ratings, recent reviews paint a picture of declining stability and reliability. The Android version's rating for the last 100 reviews has dropped to 3.39 stars, compared to its overall 4.6-star average—a dramatic decline that reflects widespread performance issues.

Recent users report serious problems:

• Loading Issues: "App didn't even start. Was stuck in a loading screen"
• Widget Failures: "Last update ruined the app. it doesn't load and the widget also doesn't load"
• Frequent Updates: "This app has to be updated once or twice a day I swear, and every time it needs updates, the widget ends up unusable"
• Slow Performance: "App either opens really slowly, or not at all"

Multiple users mentioned that a recent update (around late November 2025) broke core functionality. One reviewer with ADHD explained they had to uninstall because "having to spend 5-10 minutes every day updating it before I could spend 5 seconds to type in 2 digits of data" made habit tracking harder than it should be. Another stated simply: "Used to work great, last update killed the widget and entire app."

The iOS version appears to fare better, maintaining a 4.9-star rating with fewer performance complaints. This suggests the issues are primarily Android-specific, possibly related to widget implementation or platform integration. When the app works, users report it's fast enough for daily use, but reliability has become the defining issue.

Performance inconsistency is particularly problematic for a habit tracker, where the whole point is building daily consistency. If users can't reliably access their habits when they need to, the app fails at its primary purpose. We rate performance at 6.5—barely acceptable due to recent instability, and significantly below competitors like HabitKit (9.2) or Habitive (8.8) that maintain consistent reliability.

Habitica's design is a breath of fresh air compared to most productivity apps. The retro pixel art and RPG theme make it feel playful and rewarding. The interface is colorful and lively, and we had a lot of fun customizing our avatars.

• Pixel Art Style: The graphics and RPG touches make Habitica stand out.
• Customizable Avatars: Tons of ways to make your character unique.
• Colorful UI: The bright, fun interface actually makes you want to use the app.

Sometimes the UI can feel a bit busy, and we'd love even more options for color coding and icons. For users who prefer minimalist design, HabitKit offers a clean, GitHub-inspired interface that focuses purely on habit tracking. But overall, Habitica's design is charming and makes habit tracking feel less like a chore. We rate it 8.8 out of 10.

Loop's Material Design implementation stands out for its thoughtful balance between aesthetics and functionality. The interface uses color purposefully to highlight important information while maintaining a clean, distraction-free environment.

Design highlights:

• Clear Data Visualization: Graphs and progress indicators are both beautiful and easy to interpret
• Consistent Patterns: Common actions follow familiar Android design patterns
• Effective Use of Space: Information density is well-balanced across all screens
• Responsive Layout: Adapts smoothly to different screen sizes and orientations

While some might find the design austere, this intentional simplicity helps users focus on their habits. The 9.0 rating reflects excellent execution of Material Design principles with room for minor visual refinements. For users who prioritize visual appeal, HabitKit offers a more elegant GitHub-style visualization that some find more motivating.

Design is one of HabitNow's standout qualities. The interface is clean, modern, and easy to navigate, making it simple to set up and manage habits or routines. We enjoyed the customizable themes and icons, which allow for a personalized look and feel.

Widgets are visually appealing and integrate well with the Android home screen. While we'd love to see even more color options and better support for system fonts or accessibility settings, the overall design is both attractive and highly functional. HabitNow strikes a great balance between aesthetics and usability.

HelloHabit opts for a clean, modern interface that prioritizes function over flair. The design is straightforward and professional, with a focus on displaying information clearly rather than wowing you with visual effects. We found the layout logical and well-organized, making it easy to navigate between habits, journal entries, and calendar views.

Design elements that stood out:

• Clear Visual Hierarchy: Important information is easy to spot, with good use of color and spacing
• Customizable Habits: Each habit can have custom colors and icons for quick identification
• Calendar Integration: Daily, weekly, and monthly views present your habits in an accessible format
• Dark Mode: Well-implemented dark theme for comfortable nighttime use

That said, the design doesn't push any boundaries. Compared to HabitKit's beautiful GitHub-style heatmap (rated 9.5), Habitica's engaging gamification visuals, or even Habitive's polished minimalism (rated 8.7), HelloHabit feels more utilitarian. The interface gets the job done without offering the same visual satisfaction that makes daily tracking feel rewarding.

We also noticed inconsistencies in widget design and display, particularly on Android where sizing issues were reported. While the core app design is solid, the overall aesthetic lacks the polish and cohesiveness of top-tier competitors. We rate design at 8.0—clean and functional, but missing that extra refinement that elevates a good app to a great one.

HabitKit offers a strong value proposition, especially when compared to other habit trackers. The free version is genuinely useful for those with minimal needs, providing all core tracking features and a beautiful, ad-free experience. However, it does limit you to tracking just 4 habits, which several users found restrictive if you want to monitor more aspects of your life.

Upgrading to premium unlocks unlimited habits, widgets, advanced analytics, and data backup/export. Pricing is fair and transparent, with options for a monthly, yearly, or one-time lifetime purchase. Many users appreciate the availability of a lifetime license, which is rare among productivity apps and offers excellent long-term value. The premium features are genuinely useful and not just cosmetic add-ons.

We also liked that there are no hidden costs, no ads, and no data collection, which adds to the sense of getting good value for your money. While some users wished the free version allowed tracking a few more habits, most agreed that the premium upgrade is worth it if the app fits your workflow. Overall, HabitKit delivers a high-quality experience at a reasonable price, and we rate its value for money at 9.5 out of 10.

However, for users seeking maximum value without any cost, Habitive offers a perfect 10.0 rating by providing unlimited habits completely free, while Loop Habit Tracker achieves the same perfect score by offering premium-quality features at no cost.

Habitica is free to use, with optional in-app purchases for gems and subscriptions. Most features are available for free, and we never felt pressured to pay. Some of us wished there were more ways to earn premium currency without spending money, but overall, the value is fair—especially if you want a fun way to stay productive. For users who want completely free access without any limitations, Habitive offers unlimited habits at no cost, while Loop Habit Tracker provides premium-quality features completely free. We give value for money a 7.5 out of 10.

We think HabitNow offers excellent value for money, especially with its one-time premium upgrade that unlocks unlimited habits, advanced customization, and additional widgets. The free version is generous enough for most users to get started, and there are no ads or forced subscriptions.

Compared to other habit trackers that require ongoing payments, HabitNow's pricing model is refreshingly fair. While some may wish for a slightly higher free limit, the premium upgrade is well worth it for anyone serious about habit tracking and productivity.

HelloHabit's value proposition is mixed. The premium pricing itself is reasonable—ranging from around $20/year to a one-time lifetime purchase option—which several users praised as affordable compared to other productivity apps. The features you get for that price are comprehensive, including unlimited habits, journal entries, reminders, and all the integrated functionality.

The free version is where the value equation becomes more complicated. With only 5 habits, 1 reminder per habit, and 3 journal notes per day, you're getting a fairly restrictive experience. This is especially noticeable when Habitive offers unlimited habits completely free (rated 10.0 for value), or even HabitKit provides 4 habits with a more polished experience.

Several users expressed frustration with the free tier limitations. One reviewer noted: "This App is pretty helpful! However... You're only given 5 Free tasks and the moment you download the app it's immediately hit with: Hey pay for our subscription." Another commented: "only 5 free habits" as their sole review, suggesting the limitation was a dealbreaker.

Recent stability issues further impact the value proposition. When you're paying for a productivity app, you expect it to work reliably. The fact that Android users have experienced significant problems with recent updates—to the point where the app won't load or widgets stop functioning—undermines the value of the premium offering. The iOS version maintains better stability, so iPhone users are getting better value for their money than Android users currently.

We rate value for money at 7.8—reasonable pricing for what you get when it works, but the restrictive free tier and recent reliability problems prevent it from offering excellent value. If HelloHabit resolves its stability issues and increases the free tier limit even slightly, this rating could improve substantially.

Getting started with Habitica is pretty easy, and the game-like approach makes tracking habits feel less boring. Adding tasks, checking them off, and customizing your avatar are all simple. If you need a little extra motivation, this app really helps.

There is a bit of a learning curve if you want to use all the features, and sometimes the interface can feel overwhelming at first. We also hit a few bugs and slow moments here and there.

Once you get used to it, though, Habitica is user-friendly and rewarding. For users who want the simplest possible setup, Habitive offers a 3-click habit creation process that's even more straightforward. We'd love to see better onboarding and smoother performance, but overall, ease of use scores a 7.8 out of 10.

Loop Habit Tracker excels in providing a straightforward, intuitive experience without sacrificing functionality. Our testing revealed an app that anyone can start using effectively within minutes.

Standout usability features:

• Simple Habit Creation: Adding new habits takes just a few taps with clear, logical options
• Efficient Daily Use: Main screen provides quick access to all habits with one-tap completion
• Smart Notifications: Reminders can be managed directly from notifications without opening the app
• Intuitive History: Calendar view makes it easy to review and edit past entries
• Accessible Statistics: Complex data presented in easily digestible visual formats

The 9.2 rating reflects the app's excellent usability, with only minor deductions for the initial learning curve of advanced features like custom schedules and the habit strength system. For users who want an even simpler setup process, Habitive offers a 3-click setup that's hard to beat.

We found HabitNow remarkably easy to use, with a clear and intuitive interface that makes setting up habits and routines quick and painless. Adding, editing, and organizing tasks is straightforward, and the onboarding process is smooth for new users. Widgets and reminders are easy to configure, and the app's layout keeps everything accessible without clutter.

There are a few minor quirks, such as needing to manually mark tasks as done after using the timer, or occasional confusion with backup and import features. However, these do not detract significantly from the overall experience. HabitNow is a great choice for anyone looking for a straightforward and effective habit tracker.

HelloHabit proves remarkably intuitive once you get started. Creating a new habit takes just a few taps, and the interface guides you through setting goals, reminders, and customization options without overwhelming you with choices. We found the learning curve gentle, with most features discoverable through natural exploration.

Usability highlights:

• Quick Setup: Getting your first habits configured takes less than a minute
• Intuitive Navigation: All major features are accessible from the main screen
• Clear Onboarding: The app explains key concepts without being pushy
• Logical Organization: Habits, journal, and calendar sections are clearly separated
• Helpful Reminders: Notification system is straightforward to configure

Several users with ADHD specifically mentioned that HelloHabit helped them stay organized better than other trackers, praising its clear structure and reminder system. One reviewer noted: "I can be a hot mess and I tend to forget / become disengaged with habit tracking apps. But I can see myself using this long-term."

The main usability pain point comes from recent stability issues rather than design flaws. Users report that frequent mandatory updates interrupt their workflow, with the widget becoming unusable until the app is updated. One frustrated user wrote: "Every time it needs updates, the widget ends up unusable... I got tired of having to spend 5-10 minutes every day updating it." When the app works, it's easy to use—but reliability problems undermine that experience. We rate ease of use at 8.5, acknowledging the intuitive design while docking points for disruptive update cycles.

Habitica says your data stays private and isn't sold to third parties, which is great. We didn't find much info about advanced privacy or security features, but we also didn't run into any issues. For most people, privacy is handled well, but if you have strict needs, you might want to look a bit deeper. We rate security and privacy at 7.0 out of 10.

We appreciate that HabitNow takes privacy seriously by storing your data locally on your device and not requiring an account for basic use. The lock screen feature adds an extra layer of privacy for sensitive routines and notes, and backups can be created and exported manually, giving you full control over your data.

While some may wish for account-based sync or cloud backup, the current approach ensures your information stays private. There are no intrusive ads or unnecessary permissions, making HabitNow a trustworthy choice for privacy-conscious users.

HelloHabit takes a reasonable approach to privacy, though it's not as privacy-focused as some alternatives. The app requires account creation for cloud sync, which is necessary for cross-device functionality but means your data is stored on the developer's servers. According to their privacy policy, data is kept private to your account and isn't sold to third parties.

For Android users, the Health Connect integration requires explicit permission for each data type (steps, distance, calories, etc.), and these permissions can be revoked at any time. The app handles this transparently, making it clear what data it's accessing. All health data is stored locally on your device and kept private to your account.

However, the app doesn't offer the same privacy guarantees as competitors like Loop Habit Tracker (rated 9.8), which is fully open-source and works completely offline, or HabitKit (also rated 9.8), which stores all data locally without requiring an account. HelloHabit's cloud-first approach means you're trusting the developer with your habit data, journal entries, and potentially sensitive information about your daily routines.

The app doesn't appear to include intrusive analytics or advertising trackers, which is a positive. Backup and data export options are available, giving you some control over your information. Overall, HelloHabit handles privacy adequately for a cloud-based app, but falls short of the privacy-first approach that top-rated alternatives offer. We rate security and privacy at 7.5—acceptable for most users, but not ideal if privacy is your top priority.