Best Habit Tracker Apps to Build Your Routines

Forming lasting habits can be hard in a world filled with distractions and unpredictable environments. That’s when habit tracking apps can be useful. Research shows that well-made trackers help us change behaviors, stay motivated, or develop better individual habits.

There’s an abundance of habit tracking apps, and it’s easy to get lost in a list of nicely designed products that promise quick results with little effort.

Choosing the best habit app is crucial for improving motivation, avoiding analysis paralysis, fostering self-accountability, and maintaining long-term focus.

We understand how overwhelming it can feel to sort through so much information on your own. This guide is designed to make things clearer, offering carefully chosen recommendations and practical insights you can trust.

Key Learnings

• People who track and set habits are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals, but it requires consistency and daily progress.
• An app great for one person might not be the ideal choice for someone else; it depends on the platform you choose, what motivates you to stay focused, and your personal wellness journey.
• To keep your habit streak, allow yourself some flexibility, share your progress with others, and be patient with yourself.

Best Habit Tracker Apps in 2025

How We Evaluate Apps

Each app is carefully assessed based on consistent, transparent criteria — from emerging startups to well-established platforms. We do not accept incentives for placement or ranking. Our goal is to provide objective, research-based insights that help readers make informed choices they can trust.

For this review, we had the following starting criteria for all the apps: 

• Having a feature of habit tracking
• Being user-friendly
• Offering flexibility in tracking
• Including overviews and statistics
• Providing customer support. 

Let’s look at what habit tracking apps we’ve included in the list. 

Best Free Apps

These apps are most suited for beginners who want to try habit tracking or budget-conscious users who prefer powerful tools at no cost. 

1. Habitica: Best for Gamifying Your Habits

Pros: This habit app turns habits into RPG-style quests, is strongly community-driven, and can be the best choice for gamers.

Cons: The interface feels busy, which may not be ideal if you dislike gamification. It can feel distracting for people who easily lose focus. 

Platforms: iOS, Android, Web.

Price: Free, but you can get cosmetics through in-app purchases.

Unique Features:

• Custom avatars
• Group habits
• Experience points
• Role-playing game (RPG) elements.

2. Loop Habit Tracker: Best for Simple Tracking

Pros: Loop is clean and distraction-free, has no ads, and offers exportable data.

Cons: The app is currently available only for Android users, and its design and functionality are relatively basic. It has only one feature.

Price: Loop is completely free.

Unique Features:

• Detailed habit stats
• Streak tracking
• Open-source design.

Best for Productivity & Work

If your habit formation is about becoming more productive and successful in your work or academic pursuits, consider these candidates.

3. Todoist: Best for Blending Habits with Task Management

Pros: This dedicated habit tracker app features a powerful task system, allows for tagging habits, enables recurring tasks to double as habits, and offers cross-platform syncing.

Cons: Todoist is more of a to-do app than a pure habit tracker.

Platforms: iOS, Android, Web.

Price: Free basic, premium from $4/month.

Unique Features:

• Productivity reports
• Tagging
• Various templates for different tasks. 

4. Notion (Templates): Best for Custom Habit Systems

Pros: Notion is a very flexible solution that has customizable templates and rich functionality. It also works well with goals and journaling.

Cons: Notion isn’t the easiest to use — users need to perform a manual setup, which can feel overwhelming if you just want to track your daily life.

Platforms: iOS, Android, Web.

Price: Free. For companies, costs range from $10/month per user.

Unique Features:

• Template library
• Wikis
• Calendar.

Best for Mental Health & Wellbeing

Sometimes, we need more than just tracking our habits — we need reflection and support, too. 

5. Liven: Best for Self-Discovery and Comprehensive Growth

Pros: Liven is a game-changer with a large system of instruments. It is backed by science, has a variety of tools, a flexible habit tracker, dopamine management tips for focus, and an intuitive design. Plus, Liven is also an all-in-one solution. Check out Liven's promo video to get to know how we help with building habits.

Cons: The app has a relatively costly subscription.

Platforms: iOS, Android.

Price: Starts at $34.99/month.

Unique Features:

• Mood Tracker to record how you feel and reflect on emotions
• AI companion Livie to talk about your feelings
• Journal to capture thoughts and reveal patterns
• To-do lists to plan your days and build healthy habits
• Sounds for focus and relaxation
• Personalized plan for your needs and goals
• Content hub with useful materials.

6. Fabulous: Best for Building Routines That Stick

Pros: Unlike most habit-tracking apps, Fabulous utilizes science-backed coaching that provides visual journeys with audio motivation and guided challenges. It was developed by scientists.

Cons: The habit-building app has an expensive premium version.

Platforms: iOS, Android.

Price: Premium starts from $49.99/year.

Unique Features:

• Step-by-step habit plans
• Morning and evening routines
• Deep focus
• Coaching library. 

7. Daylio – Best for Self-Care via Habit Tracking

Pros: Daylio combines habit building with mood tracking and simplified journaling. 

Cons: Its simplicity makes the app less robust for complex habit systems.

Platforms: iOS, Android.

Price: Free, premium starts from $4.99/month. 

Unique Features:

• Mood-habit correlation data
• Detailed analytics.

Best Minimalist Experience

Want just to track your mood and not deal with the extras? Here are a few options for you.

8. Streaks: Best for iOS Habit Simplicity

Pros: Made specifically for Apple, Streaks has a brilliant Apple-native design. It synchronises with HealthKit for better tracking. The app is highly visual, offering numerous seasonal themes.

Cons: The app is made only for Apple devices.

Platforms: iOS.

Price: One-time purchase at $5.99.

Unique Features:

• Apple ecosystem integration
• Detailed design options
• Timing
• Long-term tracking.

9. HabitNow: Best for Simple Android Tracking

Pros: HabitNow is specifically designed for Android, and it has an intuitive design. It has customizable habit reminders and a countdown timer.

Cons: HabitNow is Android-only.

Platforms: Android.

Price: Free; additional features can be purchased.

Unique Features:

• Color-coded habits
• Flexible categories
• Separate alarms and notifications
• Timing.

How to Choose the Right Habit Tracker for Building Habits

With so many apps available, it’s easy to feel unsure about where to start. You might be wondering how to track habits in a simple way without adding extra stress. The most supportive approach is to choose an app that feels aligned with your goals and fits naturally into your daily life. To help with that, let’s look at the key factors to consider.

Intuitive interface. Let’s be honest: most people will pick a well-looking app over one with a more ordinary look. This category also includes a UX factor and the ease of use. Take a look at the app’s screenshots or download it to try it out.

Compare it to other apps. Is it appealing? Do you find yourself wanting to open it later? Don’t underestimate the value of design. Everyone has different preferences: some opt for the bright visuals of Habitica or Streaks, while others prefer the minimalist approach of Loop or HabitNow.

Accountability. Building new habits often comes down to accountability. Research suggests that we stay most consistent when we have cues and repetition, and the right app should support that. Ask yourself what really motivates you: do you find energy in streaks, reminders, or a sense of social accountability?

Or do you prefer a quieter approach, with space for reflection and self-improvement? Consider whether external nudges or steady, gentle consistency will help you most, and choose the app that aligns with your style.

Integrations. If your habits overlap with work, fitness, or journaling, choose an app that connects with your calendar, emails, or health apps. For instance, if you are an iOS user, you might want an app that connects with Apple Health or Apple Watch. For Android users, check out Health Connect or various smart watches of your favorite brands.

Cost. Habit tracking doesn’t have to be expensive. Many apps offer free versions that often cover the basics. Please review the conditions for the free plan, as it frequently comes with specific limitations.

Personalization. Some apps provide structured templates (perfect if you like guidance), while others let you build a system from scratch. Of course, choose apps that allow you to add many of your own goals and habits.

To summarize:

• If you value simplicity, go for minimalist trackers like Loop (Android) or Streaks (iOS).
• If you need accountability, pick apps with streaks or communities like Habitica or Fabulous.
• If you love integrations and synchronization, choose Todoist or Notion.
• If cost is a primary concern, consider starting with apps like Loop or a basic plan from Daylio.
• If you want to try self-discovery, Liven is the best fit for you.

Our Top Picks Compared

How to Integrate Habit Tracking Into Your Daily Routine

To maximize your use of a chosen app, try to stick to the routines and stay realistic. 

Start with just one habit. Turning an entire world inside out would feel daunting, even for the most disciplined individuals. Usually, when you jump into logging all the goals you’ve had, it backfires. You feel too many emotions, and you don’t know where to begin. Begin with this one habit you care about most. 

Then, try to be consistent. But also, importantly, don’t stress out over streaks. We know, it might sound slightly contradictory to the concept of consistency. Here’s the secret: when you keep yourself accountable without being too harsh on yourself, your habits form most effectively. That’s what science says, too — habit tracking should be flexible and adjust to various circumstances, which will work best in the long run. 

Plus, pairing your habit tracking with reflections (for example, journaling or mood tracking) will help to strengthen your focus. Reflection accomplishes two goals at once: it reminds you why you want to keep this habit and shows what factors or moods affected your non-adherence to a specific routine.

Finally, share your progress with others. Join a community challenge, share it with a friend, or post a minor update on social media. The attention and support given by others will encourage you to keep going. 

Positive Habits Lead to a Better Life

Ultimately, the best habit-tracking app is the one you’ll actually use. It can be as simple as a to-do list with reminders or as structured as a color-coded system. We’ve explored several options here, but feel free to keep experimenting until you find what fits your rhythm best. The most important step is simply to start — track one habit, observe your progress, and notice what you’re learning about yourself along the way.

If you’d like to understand what truly drives your productivity and what might be holding you back, Liven can help. Think of it as a self-discovery ally, designed to make positive change feel easier and more sustainable.

That said, it’s important to remember that self-help tools don’t replace therapy or professional guidance. They’re best used as complements helping you build awareness, reflect on patterns, and support your personal growth journey between sessions or alongside professional care.  

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References

1. Baretta, D., Gillmann, N., Edgren, R., & Inauen, J. (2024). HabitWalk: A micro‐randomized trial to understand and promote habit formation in physical activity. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12605
2. McKinnon, P. (2025). I tracked my habits for 300 days and it changed my life. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV0EgdBdJ14
3. Samokhval, V. (2025a, July 24). Avoid analysis paralysis: Overthinking in decision-making. The Liven. https://theliven.com/blog/wellbeing/overthinking/empowering-decision-making-beyond-overthinking
4. Samokhval, V. (2025b, July 30). Dopamine and productivity: How to balance motivation and focus. The Liven. https://theliven.com/blog/wellbeing/dopamine-management/dopamine-and-productivity-balancing-motivation-with-long-term-focus
5. Wieczorek, M. (2024). Would John Dewey wear a Fitbit? A pragmatist analysis of self-tracking technologies’ impact on habit formation. Philosophy & Technology, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13347-024-00695-2
6. Zhu, Y., Long, Y., Wang, H., Lee, K. P., Zhang, L., & Wang, S. J. (2024). Digital behavior change intervention designs for habit formation: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26. https://doi.org/10.2196/54375

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