Trying to stick with new habits can be tough, right? It feels like you start strong, then life gets in the way, and suddenly, that goal of daily exercise or reading is just a memory. That’s where habit-tracking apps come in handy. They’re like a little nudge, keeping you honest and showing you how far you’ve come. We’ve checked out a bunch of them to find the best ones that can actually help you build better routines and, well, a better you. Let’s dig in and see which one might be your new secret weapon.
Key Takeaways
- Habit apps help you stay on track and see your progress, which can be super motivating.
- Some apps are really simple, great for just ticking off daily tasks, while others have lots of features like reminders and stats.
- You can find apps that make habit tracking feel like a game, which is fun if you like that kind of thing.
- Many apps let you customize your goals, so whether you want to read more or drink more water, you can set it up your way.
- It’s a good idea to try a few different apps to see which one fits your style best.
1. Streaks
Streaks is definitely the habit tracker I’d recommend first, especially if you’re all-in on Apple. It’s super streamlined and quick to use, while still giving you enough options to really tailor it to your needs. I appreciate that it doesn’t ask for a bunch of personal info right away; you can just open the app and start building habits. The interface is bold and simple, which I find really helps me focus.
Here’s what I like about it:
- The minimalist design is great.
- It’s easy to set up new habits. I just tap the plus icon, pick an icon, name the habit, and choose the frequency.
- I can even track negative tasks to help me reduce bad habits.
Of course, it’s not perfect. It’s only available on Apple devices, which is a bummer for Android users. Also, you’re limited to tracking 24 tasks, but that’s usually enough for me. I like that Streaks helps build positive habits by encouraging consistency. Overall, it’s a solid choice if you want a clean, no-frills habit tracker to improve your work-life balance.
2. HabitNow
HabitNow is a solid option, especially if you’re on Android. I find its interface clean and easy to navigate, which is a big plus for me. The free version lets you track up to seven habits, which I think is plenty for getting started. If you need more, the premium version is a one-time payment, which I appreciate.
Here’s what I like about it:
- It lets me track habits daily, weekly, and monthly.
- I can add recurring tasks, which is handy for things like paying bills.
- The stats are pretty comprehensive; I can see my current streak and completion rate easily. If you are looking for a gratitude application, this might not be the one.
However, the built-in task tracking is pretty basic. I wouldn’t rely on it for complex to-do lists. For that, I’d probably stick to a dedicated task management app. But for habit tracking, it does the job well. I also like that HabitNow offers widgets, so I can see what habits I still need to complete right from my home screen. It’s a nice visual reminder.
3. Productive
Okay, so Productive is another app I’ve been messing around with, and honestly, it’s pretty solid. It’s all about building routines and sticking to them, which is exactly what I need. I’m the kind of person who starts strong but then fizzles out, so having something to keep me on track is super helpful.
Here’s what I like about it:
- The interface is clean and easy to understand. I’m not spending hours trying to figure out how to use it.
- I can set reminders for each habit, so I don’t forget (which, let’s be real, happens way too often).
- It gives me these little motivational nudges, which, corny as they are, actually work sometimes. I also like that I can track my personal productivity over time and see where I’m improving (or not!).
I’ve been using it to try and get better at drinking water, flossing (ugh, I know), and doing a little bit of exercise every day. It’s not a miracle worker, but it’s definitely helping me be more consistent. Plus, seeing those streaks build up is weirdly satisfying.
4. Habit Tracker
I’ve tried a bunch of habit tracking apps, and honestly, they all have their strengths. But “Habit Tracker” (yes, that’s the name) is one I keep coming back to. It’s super straightforward, which I appreciate. No extra bells and whistles, just a clean interface to log my daily wins (or, let’s be real, sometimes losses).
Here’s what I like about it:
- It’s simple to set up. I can quickly add new habits and customize the frequency (daily, weekly, etc.).
- The visual progress tracking is motivating. Seeing those little bars fill up gives me a sense of accomplishment.
- It sends reminders, which is crucial for me because, without them, I’d probably forget half the things I want to do. If you want to improve your dating skills, this app can help you stay on track with your goals.
5. ClickUp
Okay, so ClickUp is more than just a habit tracker; it’s a full-blown project management tool. But hear me out! I’ve found it surprisingly effective for building habits, especially when you want to tie them to your work or other projects. The key is using its task management features to your advantage.
Here’s how I use it:
- Recurring Tasks: I set up recurring tasks for my daily habits, like “Write for 30 minutes” or “Meditate for 15 minutes.” This way, they automatically show up on my to-do list each day.
- Time Tracking: ClickUp has built-in time-tracking applications, so I can actually see how much time I’m spending on each habit. This helps me stay accountable and adjust my schedule as needed.
- Dashboards: I created a dashboard to visualize my progress. I can see at a glance which habits I’m consistently completing and which ones I’m struggling with. It’s a great way to stay motivated.
I also appreciate that ClickUp is available on both my phone and laptop, so I can track my habits no matter where I am. Plus, the ability to add notes to each task lets me reflect on my progress and make adjustments as needed. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, ClickUp can be a powerful tool for building better habits. You can even integrate CRM in ClickUp to manage your client relationships alongside your personal habits.
6. Habitica
Habitica is definitely a unique take on habit tracking. Instead of just marking off tasks, it turns your whole life into a role-playing game! I’ve found it’s a really fun way to stay motivated, especially if you’re into that kind of thing.
The core idea is that you create a character, and as you complete tasks and habits, you earn experience points and gold. You can then use these rewards to level up your character, buy cool gear, and even join parties with friends to go on quests. It’s like a digital planner app meets Dungeons and Dragons.
Here’s what I like about it:
- Gamified Motivation: The game-like rewards really keep me going. I can even set up rewards like “Watch Netflix for 1 hour” after working out for two days straight.
- Social Integration: Teaming up with friends to tackle quests adds a layer of accountability and makes it more fun. If someone slacks off, the whole party suffers!
- Customization: I can personalize my in-game avatar and tailor the rewards to my interests. It makes the whole experience feel more personal.
Of course, it’s not perfect. The sheer number of quests, items, and challenges might be distracting for some. But if you’re looking for a way to make habit tracking more engaging, Habitica is worth a try. Plus, the free plan includes features like full customization and unlimited habits, which is a huge bonus.
7. Habitify
Habitify is great if you want to organize your habits into different areas of your life. For me, the best part is how it’s structured. I can easily sort my habits into categories, like “Fitness,” “Learning,” or “Self-Care,” and give each one a color.
Setting up a habit is quick. I just type in what I want to do, set a reminder, pick the days, and that’s it. Habitify then puts it in my journal view, where all my habits are listed, and I can quickly check them off for the day. It’s pretty straightforward.
Habitify also lets me add to-do items to an “Action List” for each habit. If I need to remember to grab my gym gear, it’s a handy feature. I can also track my mood with emojis and add notes about how my habits are going. Plus, if I can get my friends to use it, or if I’m up for competing against strangers, Habitify has social Challenges. I can join an existing one, like holding a plank for 2 minutes, or create my own. It’s an interesting way to stay motivated. I can easily plan daily routines with this app.
Here are some things I like about Habitify:
- I can sort habits into areas like Morning, Afternoon, and Evening.
- I can create my own areas like “Mindfulness” or “In the Gym.”
- I can assign new habits to these areas to keep things organized.
8. Way Of Life
I’ve been using Way of Life for years, and its simplicity is what keeps me coming back. It’s not just another habit tracker; it’s more like a journal for your habits. What sets it apart is the ability to mark a habit as done, not done, or skipped, without breaking your streak. This is super helpful when life throws curveballs. Plus, you can add notes to explain why you skipped a habit or what happened during a workout. This way, you build a much clearer picture of your habits and the reasons behind your actions. I find this incredibly useful for detailed analysis.
One of the best things about Way of Life is its trend charts. They summarize your habits, both individually and collectively, so you can see where you’re succeeding and where you might need to adjust.
Here’s what I like about it:
- I can export my habit data in CSV or Excel formats.
- The green-red color scheme makes it easy to monitor my success rates.
- I can secure my habit data using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
While it’s not perfect (habit reminders sometimes fail on Android), the ability to write descriptions for each habit is a game-changer. Verbalizing why I’m doing something helps me stay motivated and focused. It’s like having a little pep talk built into the app. The Way of Life app lets me verbalize the benefits of each habit with detailed descriptions.