The 9 Best Habit Tracker Apps of 2024

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When you’re trying to establish new, healthy habits, a habit tracker app may help to keep you motivated and accountable. Habit tracker apps can help with health goals like getting more sleep at night, cutting back on your alcohol consumption, getting more active during the day, being more productive, establishing new workout routines and more. 

But habit tracker apps feature some key differences, and to get the maximum value out of an app, you’ll need to choose the app that’s the best fit for your needs. We’ve picked the eight best habit tracker apps available in 2024 and highlighted the key information you need to know about each to help with your search. We’ve also included some details on why these apps are important and the features you should look for when choosing the app that’s right for your needs.

Our Picks for the Best Habit Tracker Apps of 2024:

• Platforms and ratings: Google Play – 3.9 stars, App Store – 4.3 stars
• Free trial: Yes; one week 
• Number of habits tracked in free version: Not disclosed

Key features:

• Customized habit plans designed to align with your objectives and lifestyle
• Courses to support mental health, physical activity, daily routines, sleep habits, healthy relationships and more
• Expert-guided courses
• Habit tracker with daily statistics and reminders

Greatness is a free habit tracking app that helps you build a routine of lasting habits to help reach a wellness goal. Goals are categorized by physical health, mental health, meaning and purpose, work and home and relationships. After choosing your goals, you’ll select from 86 habits built into the app from categories like exercise, healthy eating, productivity, finances, personal growth and more. From there, you can choose how many times per day you want to practice the habit and if you want to add it to your morning, afternoon or evening routine.

The home screen shows a daily checklist of each habit you’re tracking, and you can mark them off as you complete them. There is a monthly calendar view so you can see your tracking history and edit your goals and habits at any time. Greatness also has a Fasting Tracker to track daily fasting habits, and it can be removed from the home screen if you do not want to use it. You can set alerts for specific routines, new course lessons, and daily coaching sessions to stay on track throughout the day. The coaching sessions and courses with daily learnings are only available for Greatness Premium users—which costs $49.99/year.

Pros:

• Habits and goals are measurable
• Daily checklist and reminders to keep you on track
• Monthly calendar view
• Habits have an exploration phase of three days to help you assess if it works for you

Cons:

• Free version does not include coaching programs and courses

• Platforms and ratings: App Store – 4.6 stars, Google Play – 4 stars
• Free trial: Yes; one week 
• Number of habits tracked in free version: Not disclosed

Key features:

• Customizable habit templates you can tailor to your goals
• Detailed analytics and visualizations help you to track your habits
• Participate in challenges with other participants
• Location-based and time-specific smart reminders to help you stay on track

Productive allows you to set personal goals by customizing the habit templates. You can receive helpful motivation prompts and habit tips to keep you on task, and articles with expert insights may help you to better understand your habits. The app also features smart reminders that you can set up to support you throughout the day.

The app’s interface is easy to use and understand, and it features an appealing visual style. Analytics give you feedback on your progress. You can also choose to participate in challenges, like “cut the clutter” and the “bedtime routine challenge,” which gives you a chance to compete with other users across the world. After the free trial, the Premium plan costs $29.99 per year.

Pros:

• Simple, easy-to-use interface
• Challenges add extra incentive
• Handy reminders help to keep you accountable

Cons:

• Free trial automatically becomes a paid subscription unless canceled
• Tracking capabilities are limited

• Platforms and ratings: App Store – 4 stars, Google Play – 4.1 stars
• Free trial: N/A
• Number of habits tracked in free version: N/A

Key features:

• Easy-to-use interface simplifies managing habits, daily goals and your to-do list
• Earn coins for completed tasks and trade them in for digital pets, magic skills or weapons
• Customizable color schemes, reminders and widgets
• Large community of more than four million users

Habitica is a free open-source gaming habit tracker app. Based on HabitRPG, Habitica turns your habit-building tasks into quests. Complete the quest by the deadline and you’ll earn a reward of gold coins that you can trade in for items in the game, like pets or weapons.

Like any great game, you play with teammates. When you sign up for Habitica, you’ll create an account and answer some questions. Then, you can find people who share similar interests, like fitness or weight loss, pair up, and even chat using the in-app chat function. The game format puts a fun twist on habit building, and with over four million users, you’ll be joining a robust community.

Pros:

• Fun, unique gaming design
• Ability to engage with and complete quests with others
• Upgrades like avatar customizations and collectible gear helps to keep you engaged

Cons:

• Reviewers report some glitches
• No automated tracking

• Platforms and ratings: Google Play – 3.9 stars, App Store – 4.3 stars
• Free trial: Yes; one week
• Number of habits tracked in free version: Not disclosed

Key features:

• Long-lasting habits broken down into small achievable daily actions
• Offers courses that provide in-depth knowledge on topics that pertain to your goals
• Daily coaching sessions to help you feel confident and supported
• 27 goals and 86 habits to choose from; Greatness Premium users can create custom habits and routines

Greatness curates personalized habit tracking programs to support a positive lifestyle goal and is available to all iPhone users. After taking an initial quiz and selecting their goals, users can choose from a list of 86 habits and what part of the day they want to implement them. New habits can be anything from drinking one glass of water as part of a morning routine to consciously practicing active listening three times a day. Greatness can help with:

• Anxiety and stress management
• Productivity
• Insomnia
• Time management
• Procrastination
• Work-life balance
• Building healthy habits
• Weight loss
• Mental health and mindfulness

The app also has a Fasting Tracker that allows users to choose from five fasting goals. After choosing, a running clock starts and contains information about each fasting phase. The weekly and monthly fasting data is recorded for accountability and tracking progress. If you don’t want to use the Fasting Tracker, it can be turned off and removed from the home screen.

Greatness Premium is the paid version of the app that allows subscribers to create custom habits and establish custom routines. There is also daily audio coaching led by experts to guide users while working to reach their goals and to offer concrete strategies to make sustainable change. Greatness Premium comes with a one-week free trial, then it costs $49.99/year.

Pros:

• Each habit requires a commitment pledge for accountability
• Daily reminders can be set to keep you on track
• Courses and programs are expert-led
• Free and paid versions available

Cons:

• No community support feature
• Cannot create custom goals

• Platforms and ratings: Google Play – 4.8 stars
• Free trial: App is free
• Number of habits tracked in free version: N/A

Key features:

• Highly customized reminders to help keep you motivated
• Digital journal you can write in daily
• Detailed analytics with different charts and statistics

The HabitNow app takes a simple, no-frills approach to habit tracking. You can create different habits and to-do lists, and set daily, weekly or monthly goals to keep yourself motivated. Customizable reminders help to keep you on track, and the app also features a digital journal that you can use to track your progress. There are also plenty of themes and icons that you can use to customize the app to your preferences.

Pros:

• Ability to set custom daily, weekly or monthly goals
• Simple, easy-to-use interface
• Customizable reminder system

Cons:

• No automation, must log all details manually
• Limited information available about the app

• Platforms and ratings: App Store – 4.1 stars
• Free trial: N/A; free version available
• Number of habits tracked in free version: Three

Key features:

• Tracking capabilities for both building habits and breaking habits
• Customizable habit display and plenty of fun color options to choose from
• Data can be exported to a CSV file, so you can analyze it outside of the app

With Done, you’ll enjoy plenty of customization options. This habit tracking app lets you customize everything from the habit display to the colors. Once you set your habits, you can also create goals, including multiple goals per day. You can set multiple reminders for each habit to help keep you on track, and track your activity using the Apple Watch. Your data is exportable, so you can review it outside of the app and better understand your behavior over time.

Done is available for free, but you can only create three habits with the free version. While the Premium plan costs $59.99 per year, it allows you to track unlimited habits.

Pros:

• Can set goals for multiple times a day
• Set multiple reminders for each habit
• Download your data to review habits outside of the app

Cons:

• Premium plan costs $59.99 per year
• Only available for iOS

• Platforms and ratings: Google Play – 4.4 stars, App Store – 5 stars
• Free trial: Free plan available
• Number of habits tracked in free version: Five

Key features:

• Specialized discussion forums let you engage with like-minded people to help you get motivated
• Easily export your data as a CSV file to review your habits outside of the app
• Detailed analytics tools help you to visualize your data and better understand your habits

HabitBull offers fully customizable goal and habit tracking. The free plan limits you to tracking five habits, but the premium version allows you to track up to 100 habits. You can track both good and bad habits—each in its own calendar—and view a streak counter for each habit to help keep you motivated. There are plenty of other analytics, too, including graphs and the ability to export your data. Reminders, including sound and vibrate options, help to keep you focused on your goals.

Upgrading to the premium version costs $4.99 per month or $19.99 per year.

Pros:

• Track up to 100 habits with the premium version
• Syncs between multiple devices
• Highly customizable habits and goals

Cons:

• Free version limits you to tracking five habits
• Lacks automation for streamlined tracking

• Platforms and ratings: App Store – 4.3 stars, Google Play – 3.6 stars
• Free trial: Free plan available
• Number of habits tracked in free version: Three

Key features:

• PIN, face ID and touch ID options help to keep your data secure
• Diary feature lets you take notes about your habits
• Analytics charts provide details about your behavior

The Way of Life app is designed to be quick and easy to use. Promising that you can track your routines in just a few seconds a day, the app features a streamlined interface. Color coding makes it easy to use and allows you to visually monitor your progress. A diary feature also allows you to take notes. The app’s archive feature means you can archive the goals that you’ve achieved, keeping the app’s interface clean and streamlined. While you can track up to three habits with the free version, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium version for $4.99 per month to track more habits.

Pros:

• Color-coded, easy-to-use platform
• Reminders help to keep you focused
• Excellent security options like face and touch ID

Cons:

• Free plan limits tracking to three habits
• No community engagement options

• Platforms and ratings: App Store – 4.9 stars, Google Play – 4 stars
• Free trial: N/A
• Number of habits tracked in free version: N/A

Key features:

• Users receive weekly tailored exercises and schedule
• Trainers provide accountability to keep users on track
• Stats and progress tracked on app

Creating a new habit is no easy feat, especially when it’s something like exercise which requires additional time and energy out of your daily routine. For those looking for an app to help them kickstart and maintain a habit of regular exercise, we recommend Future. This personal training app pairs users with a personal trainer, who then creates customized workout plans tailored to the individual’s preferences, schedule, fitness level and goals and guides them through the exercises while also holding them accountable. From running to strength training, walking to pickleball, the trainers in this app work to incorporate the types of exercise that you’re most comfortable and interested in to make it more attainable to reach your goals each week. Users can try Future for $19 for their first month and experience the benefits of a personal trainer without needing to visit them in a gym each week. Users will need to own a smartwatch—such as the Apple Watch—to follow along during workouts and give their trainers visibility into their stats during exercise.

Pros:

• Users receive personalized workout programs
• Trainers check in regularly to hold users accountable
• Easy to monitor progress and reach goals

Cons:

• More expensive than other options
• Smartwatch required

What Is Habit Tracking?

According to Kelsey Schultz, a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Oregon who studies the cortical neurophysiology of human motor control, habits are behaviors that you can perform without thinking about those behaviors. Some examples include locking your doors, eating breakfast, smoking cigarettes and binge eating. While some habits can be beneficial to your health, other habits can negatively impact your health and wellbeing.

Schultz explains that habit tracking is the process of recording habits that you want to change. For example, if you wanted to stop sleeping in every morning, you would write down the time that you got out of bed each day. Habit tracking can give you a clearer understanding of your behaviors across time, helping you to ultimately reach your goal.

Benefits of Habit Tracking

Whether you’re trying to eat healthier or establish a new workout routine, habit tracking provides several benefits that can help you to achieve those goals. Schultz notes that tracking habits can be useful motivation and serve as a form of accountability. 

Better control of your behavior

Breaking a habit requires some self-discipline and control of impulses, which can be difficult to implement. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of self-monitoring behaviors and habit tracking as methods of breaking bad habits, with suggestions that this may enhance our self-control abilities and potentially improve the capacity for changing other behaviors in a positive way. 

Get important reminders

When establishing a new habit, the reminders provided by a habit tracker app can play an important role in helping you create that new pattern of behavior. Typically, users can choose when they receive a reminder and how often. 

These nudges throughout the day can support establishing a new routine and consistency. A 2017 study conducted by the University of Washington states, “Participants emphasized that being triggered well ahead of tasks was important for helping them to build awareness of their health trajectory and contextualize their health tasks within it.”

Get motivated

Habit tracking creates proof of your progress and accomplishments, and you can review that proof on days when you’re lacking motivation. Seeing the hard work that you have done so far can serve as a reminder that you are capable of continuing that progress.

Receive satisfaction

Clear also notes that habit tracking provides important satisfaction. When you complete an entry in your tracking app, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve accomplished that task. These small daily rewards can help to keep you focused on accomplishing your goal.

Potential Downsides of Habit Tracking

While there are many benefits of habit tracking, it’s important to understand potential negative effects, too. 

Consider whether habit tracking is helping you to feel better or whether taking a hard look at your habits makes you feel guilty or inadequate. One study noted that there is a risk of forming a dependency on the habit tracker app in order to continue practicing the healthy habits. Keep in mind that the point of creating or breaking a new habit isn’t simply for the streak or reward in the app, but meant to be a way to improve your overall wellness or quality of life. 

What to Look for in the Best Habit Tracker App

While habit tracker apps can be a helpful tool in forming new habits and daily routines, you’ll get the most value if you strategically choose an app that’s the best fit for your needs. Consider the following factors when choosing your app.

Goal setting

Pay close attention to the app’s goal setting function. Look for the ability not only to set an end goal, but also to create milestones that you can accomplish along the way. Consider whether the app allows you to set short-term and long-term goals.

Look at the features that are designed to help you meet your goals, too. Some apps allow you to create checklists and make digital journal notes. The ability to set reminders and receive notifications can help to keep you focused and may contribute to your ability to meet those goals.

Accountability

Think about whether you’ll be capable of keeping yourself accountable for your habits and progress, or whether you might need some extra help. Many apps feature some sort of a community element, like a search function you can use to find an accountability partner or a forum where you can talk with other app users. Some apps even let you add a friend or family member to verify your progress, and these check-ins may help to keep you accountable and focused.

Look for an app that helps you easily monitor your progress, too. Graphs and charts help to track your success. Being able to visually see your habit streak can help to keep you motivated and can give you a fantastic sense of accomplishment.

Types of habits tracked

Consider the types of habits that you want to track and whether the app’s design supports the type of tracking you will need. Many apps are capable of tracking daily habits and monthly habits. Fewer apps allow you to track habits that you would perform multiple times per day.

As you consider each app, look at how the habit tracker function is formatted. Are you able to specify the habit type, or must you use a menu of preloaded habit types? What information can you enter, and can you log habits as frequently as you will need to?

If you’re focused on the food you’re eating, a macro tracking app offers the specialized format needed to track key information. If your goal is to eat healthier, then a meal planning app could be a helpful addition that offers specialized tools like recipes and grocery list creation.

Cost

It’s also important to choose an app that fits into your budget. While many apps offer free versions, those versions typically limit the number of habits that you can track. You will probably get more value out of a paid subscription, and you may be able to save money by paying annually instead of monthly.

Ease of use

Finally, make sure that an app is easy to use. Look for an interface that is clean and streamlined, and check how long it takes to log each habit or accomplishment.

It can also be helpful to choose an app that syncs with your other devices. For example, if you’re an Apple user, an app that uses Apple Health to automatically track your steps walked per day can save you logging time and ensure that all of your information is accurately recorded. Being able to access the app on your iPad or iPhone makes it easier to keep up with your tracking, no matter which device you happen to be using.

FAQs

How many days does it take to build a habit?

A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology examined 96 participants who tried to form new habits related to eating, drinking, exercise, and behaviors like meditation. The study found that forming a habit took between 18 and 254 days. On average, it took study participants 66 days before their behavior became automatic.

How effective is habit tracking?

A study published in the February 2020 edition of Frontiers in Psychology observed the formation of new study habits in 91 university students who logged habits using an app on their phones. The study results suggest that app-based habit building works and was effective in helping to improve students’ study habit performance.

Do habit trackers actually work?

According to the research referenced above, habit trackers can work, but it’s also important to choose a tracker that’s right for the habits that you want to change. Consider factors like the types of habits you want to track, whether the app automatically records data, and how easy the app is to use. An app that’s a good fit for your goals will stand a higher chance of being effective than an app that doesn’t effectively track the type of information you need to monitor.

Does Google have a habit tracker app?

Yes, Google offers the Habit Tracker app, which currently has over one million downloads and a 4.4-star rating on Google Play. The app allows you to track multiple habits, set yes/no and number goals and access inspiring quotes to help keep you motivated. The app also features reminders that you can set for multiple times per day.

Final Thoughts

Breaking bad habits and forming healthy habits is tough. You may not even be aware that you’re performing a negative behavior, like biting your nails or overeating. Habit tracker apps help to raise your awareness of your behavior as you build positive habits. Whether you’re establishing new workout goals or want to focus on drinking water, chances are there’s a habit tracker app that can help you on your journey. Consider the eight apps highlighted above, and make sure that you choose an app that works for your goals, the types of habits that you want to track and your budget, too.

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