Forming new habits or breaking old ones can be a challenge, but with the right tools, it’s entirely achievable. Habit tracking apps have become invaluable allies in this journey, offering a systematic approach to personal growth. Our team has vetted each app for user-friendliness, feature set, and effectiveness, ensuring you can trust our recommendations. Whether you’re aiming to drink more water, exercise regularly, or cultivate mindfulness, these free habit tracking apps are poised to help you turn your aspirations into daily realities.
Habitica
Habitica takes a unique approach to habit tracking by gamifying the process. This app transforms your daily tasks, habits, and goals into a fun, RPG-style game. As you complete tasks, your character gains experience, levels up, and earns rewards. The engaging interface and social features make habit formation feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.
Users can join guilds, participate in challenges, and even battle monsters with friends, adding a layer of motivation and accountability to their personal growth journey.
Key Features
- RPG-style character progression
- Customisable avatars and equipment
- Social quests and party system
- Daily, habit, and to-do task categories
- Rewards and punishments for task completion or failure
- Integration with various productivity tools
Habitica offers a generous free plan that includes all core features. The paid subscription unlocks additional customisation options, exclusive quests, and removes ads, but isn’t necessary for full functionality.
HabitBull
HabitBull is a straightforward yet powerful habit tracking app that focuses on simplicity and effectiveness. It employs the “don’t break the chain” method popularised by Jerry Seinfeld, encouraging users to maintain streaks for their habits. The app’s clean interface allows for easy tracking of multiple habits simultaneously, with customisable reminders to keep you on track.
HabitBull also provides insightful statistics and charts to help you visualise your progress over time, making it easier to identify patterns and areas for improvement in your habit-forming journey.
Key Features
- Flexible habit tracking (daily, weekly, or custom schedules)
- Detailed progress graphs and statistics
- Customisable reminders and notifications
- Cloud sync across devices
- Export data to CSV
- Widget for quick habit checking
HabitBull’s free plan allows tracking of up to five habits with basic features. The premium version, available for a one-time fee of £4.99, unlocks unlimited habit tracking, advanced statistics, and cloud sync.
Loop Habit Tracker
Loop Habit Tracker is an open-source, privacy-focused habit tracking app that prioritises simplicity and user control. This ad-free app offers a clean, minimalist interface that makes it easy to track habits without unnecessary distractions.
Loop’s strength lies in its data visualisation tools, providing detailed graphs and statistics to help users understand their habit formation progress. The app operates entirely offline, ensuring your personal data remains on your device, which is a significant advantage for privacy-conscious users.
Key Features
- Completely free and open-source
- Offline functionality with no account required
- Customisable reminders and notifications
- Detailed habit history and trends
- Exportable data in CSV format
- Dark mode and customisable themes
Loop Habit Tracker is entirely free, with no paid upgrades or in-app purchases. All features are available to all users, making it an excellent option for those who want a no-frills, powerful habit tracking tool without any cost.
Habitify
Habitify is a sleek, user-friendly habit tracking app designed to help you build and maintain positive routines across all aspects of your life. The app’s intuitive interface allows for easy habit creation and tracking, with the ability to organise habits into categories for better management.
Habitify excels in providing detailed analytics, offering insights into your habit performance over time. The app’s clean design and cross-platform synchronisation make it a favourite among users who appreciate both aesthetics and functionality in their productivity tools.
Key Features
- Habit categorisation and organisation
- Detailed progress charts and statistics
- Customisable reminders and notifications
- Cross-platform sync (iOS, Android, macOS)
- Dark mode and various themes
- Journal feature for habit reflections
Habitify offers a free plan that includes basic habit tracking features. The premium version, priced at £4.99 per month or £29.99 per year, unlocks advanced analytics, unlimited habits, and cross-device syncing.
Strides
Strides is a versatile habit and goal tracking app that caters to various tracking needs, from simple habits to complex projects. Its flexibility allows users to track habits, targets, averages, and milestones, making it suitable for both personal and professional goal setting. The app’s SMART goal framework helps users create more achievable and measurable objectives.
Strides’ strength lies in its ability to provide a holistic view of your progress across different areas of life, with customisable dashboards and detailed reports to keep you motivated and on track.
Key Features
- Multiple tracking types (habits, targets, projects)
- SMART goal setting framework
- Customisable dashboard and reports
- Progress charts and streak tracking
- Flexible scheduling options
- Reminders and notifications
Strides offers a free plan that allows tracking of up to three goals or habits. The Plus plan, priced at £4.99 per month or £39.99 per year, provides unlimited tracking, advanced reporting, and data export features.
HabitHub
HabitHub is a visually appealing habit tracking app that uses a chain-based system to encourage consistency in habit formation. The app’s colourful interface makes tracking habits engaging and fun, with each completed day adding a new link to your habit chain.
HabitHub emphasises the importance of not breaking the chain, which can be a powerful motivator for many users. The app also offers flexible scheduling options, allowing you to set habits for specific days of the week or month, catering to various lifestyle needs.
Key Features
- Visual chain-based habit tracking
- Flexible scheduling (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Detailed statistics and progress graphs
- Customisable reminders
- Dark mode
- Widget for quick habit checking
HabitHub’s free plan allows tracking of up to five habits with basic features. In-app purchases are available to unlock premium features such as unlimited habits, advanced statistics, and data backup, typically priced around £4.99.
Productive
Productive is a polished habit tracking app that combines simplicity with powerful features to help users build and maintain positive routines. The app’s clean, intuitive interface makes it easy to set up and track habits across various life categories.
Productive excels in its habit scheduling flexibility, allowing users to set habits for specific times of day, days of the week, or custom intervals. The app also includes a life score feature, which provides an overall assessment of your habit adherence, adding an element of gamification to motivate users.
Key Features
- Flexible habit scheduling
- Life score and streak tracking
- Customisable reminders and notifications
- Progress charts and statistics
- Dark mode
- Habit archiving for temporary pauses
Productive offers a free plan with limited features, allowing users to track up to five habits. The premium version, priced at £3.99 per month or £29.99 per year, unlocks unlimited habits, advanced analytics, and additional customisation options.
Way of Life
Way of Life is a straightforward yet effective habit tracking app that focuses on simplicity and data-driven insights. The app uses a colour-coded system (green for success, red for failure, and grey for skipped days) to provide a quick visual representation of your habit performance.
Way of Life’s strength lies in its powerful trend analysis and reporting features, which help users identify patterns in their behaviour and make informed decisions about their habits. The app also includes a journaling feature, allowing users to add notes to each day’s entries for more context and reflection.
Key Features
- Simple colour-coded habit tracking
- Detailed trend analysis and charts
- Flexible scheduling options
- Customisable reminders
- Journaling feature
- Data export and backup
Way of Life offers a free plan that allows tracking of up to three habits. The premium version, available for a one-time purchase of £5.99, unlocks unlimited habit tracking and advanced features like data backup and export.
Google Keep
While not primarily designed as a habit tracker, Google Keep is a versatile note-taking app that can be effectively used for habit tracking. Its simplicity and integration with other Google services make it an attractive option for those already embedded in the Google ecosystem. Users can create checklists for daily habits, set reminders, and use labels to organise different habit categories.
The app’s collaborative features also allow for shared habit tracking, which can be useful for accountability partners or family goal setting. Google Keep’s strength lies in its flexibility and familiar interface, making it a good choice for those who prefer a more freeform approach to habit tracking.
Key Features
- Customisable checklists and notes
- Reminders and recurring tasks
- Label organisation system
- Collaborative note sharing
- Integration with other Google services
- Cross-platform synchronisation
Google Keep is entirely free to use with a Google account. There are no paid upgrades or premium features, making it an accessible option for anyone looking for a simple, no-cost habit tracking solution.
Fabulous
Fabulous is a science-based habit tracking and personal development app that takes a holistic approach to behaviour change. Developed in collaboration with researchers from Duke University, the app uses behavioural science principles to help users build healthy routines and achieve their goals.
Fabulous stands out with its beautifully designed interface and guided journeys that help users tackle various aspects of their lives, from improving sleep to increasing productivity. The app’s strength lies in its structured approach to habit formation, offering step-by-step guidance and gradually increasing complexity as users progress.
Key Features
- Guided habit-building journeys
- Science-based coaching and advice
- Beautiful, engaging interface
- Customisable routines and reminders
- Progress tracking and insights
- Integration with health apps
Fabulous offers a 7-day free trial, allowing users to explore its features. After the trial, the app requires a subscription, typically priced at £9.99 per month or £49.99 per year, to continue accessing premium features and guided journeys.
How to choose the best habit tracking app for you
Assess your specific habit-tracking needs
Start by identifying the habits you want to monitor and improve. Consider whether you need simple daily check-ins or more detailed tracking with metrics and notes. Some apps excel at certain types of habits, like fitness or productivity, while others offer more versatile tracking. Think about how many habits you want to track simultaneously and whether you prefer visual representations like charts or more text-based logs.
Consider app features and user interface
Look for an app with an intuitive interface that suits your preferences. Some users prefer minimalist designs, while others enjoy more detailed dashboards. Key features to consider include customisable reminders, progress visualisation, goal-setting options, and data export capabilities. If you’re keen on motivation, seek apps with streak tracking or community support features. Also, check if the app syncs across devices if you plan to use it on multiple platforms.
Evaluate free version limitations and upgrade options
While focusing on free apps, it’s important to understand what each offers without cost. Compare the features available in the free versions and consider any usage limits, such as the number of habits you can track. Some apps may offer a fully functional free version, while others might restrict certain advanced features to paid tiers. If you think you might need premium features in the future, look at the pricing and benefits of paid versions to ensure the app can grow with your needs.
Which Free Habit Tracking App Is Best?
Habitica offers a gamified approach to habit tracking. Its RPG-style interface turns habit formation into an engaging quest, making it particularly appealing if you enjoy a bit of fun with your self-improvement. The free plan offers ample features to get you started on your habit-building journey. We recommend Habitica if you’re younger or struggle to stay motivated with traditional tracking methods.
If you prefer a more traditional approach with detailed analytics, HabitBull is worth considering. While the free plan has some limitations, it provides a solid foundation for tracking multiple habits and viewing your progress over time. The app’s clean interface and customisable reminders make it easy to stay on top of your goals. HabitBull is ideal if you’re data-driven and enjoy analysing your progress in depth.
Loop Habit Tracker is great for those who value privacy and open-source software. This completely free app offers a straightforward, no-frills approach to habit tracking with a focus on data security. Its simple design and lack of in-app purchases make it a reliable option if you want a distraction-free experience in your habit-forming journey. We recommend Loop Habit Tracker if you’re privacy-conscious and prefer a minimalist app experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Free Habit Tracking Apps
What are habit tracking apps?
Habit tracking apps are digital tools designed to help users monitor, develop, and maintain positive habits or break negative ones. They typically allow you to set goals, track progress, and receive reminders or motivational prompts to encourage consistent behaviour.
Are free habit tracking apps effective?
Yes, many free habit tracking apps can be quite effective. While paid versions often offer additional features, free versions usually provide the core functionality needed to track and build habits successfully. The effectiveness ultimately depends on the user’s commitment and consistent use of the app.
Which free habit tracking app is best for beginners?
For beginners, apps like Habitica or Loop Habit Tracker are excellent choices. Habitica makes habit-forming fun by gamifying the process, while Loop Habit Tracker offers a simple, straightforward interface that’s easy to use without overwhelming new users.
Can I use multiple habit tracking apps simultaneously?
Yes, you can use multiple habit tracking apps at the same time. However, it’s generally more efficient to stick with one app to avoid spreading your focus too thin. Try a few different apps to see which one suits your needs best, then commit to using that one consistently.
How often should I check my habit tracking app?
For best results, it’s recommended to check your habit tracking app at least once daily. Many users find it helpful to check in both morning and evening – in the morning to review goals for the day, and in the evening to log completed habits and reflect on progress.
Are there any privacy concerns with free habit tracking apps?
Privacy policies vary between apps. It’s always a good idea to read the privacy policy before using any app. Open-source options like Loop Habit Tracker often provide more privacy as your data stays on your device. For other apps, check their data handling practices and ensure you’re comfortable with how they use your information.
Can I export my data from these free habit tracking apps?
Data export capabilities vary among apps. Some free versions, like HabitBull and Strides, offer limited data export features. Others, like Loop Habit Tracker, allow full data export. Check the specific app’s features or settings to see what export options are available in the free version.
Do these apps work offline?
Many habit tracking apps, including Loop Habit Tracker and HabitHub, work offline. However, some features in certain apps may require an internet connection. It’s best to check the specific app’s description or settings to confirm its offline capabilities.
Can I set reminders in the free versions of these apps?
Most free versions of habit tracking apps, including Habitify and Productive, allow you to set reminders. However, the number or frequency of reminders might be limited in some free plans. Check each app’s features to see what reminder options are available in the free version.
How do free trials work for apps like Fabulous?
Free trials, like the 7-day trial offered by Fabulous, typically give you full access to all premium features for a limited time. After the trial period ends, you’ll usually revert to the free version unless you choose to subscribe to the paid plan. Remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be charged for the subscription.
