Compare Loop Habits and Habit Diary: Which App is the Best?
Habit Diary is a comprehensive habit tracking app that helps you build good habits through customizable tracking, 30-day challenges, and progress visualization. | A free, privacy-focused habit tracker that combines powerful features with elegant simplicity. In our review, we found it offers everything needed for effective habit building without the clutter of unnecessary features or ads. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.2 | 9.3 Winner in this category |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | - |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 7.0 Habit Diary offers a solid foundation of habit tracking features that cover the essential needs of most users. The app's core functionality includes customizable daily habits, progress tracking, and a unique 30-day challenge system that sets it apart from many competitors. What we found particularly effective during our testing:
However, there are some limitations that impact the overall feature score. The free version restricts the number of habits users can track, which several users found frustrating. Additionally, some advanced features like detailed analytics and custom widgets are locked behind the premium paywall. We also confirmed user reports that "the app does not appear to have any widgets" in the free version, and encountered the same Google backup problems that users report, with one user stating "i cant backup my account with google." Based on our testing and user feedback, we rate the features at 7.0 out of 10. The app delivers solid core functionality and some unique elements like the challenge system, but the freemium restrictions and limited free features prevent it from scoring higher. | 8.5 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:
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. Winner in this category |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 6.5 Habit Diary 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. We encountered very few bugs or crashes, and the app remained stable even when tracking a large number of habits. User reviews echo this experience, with most people praising the app's reliability and speed. However, there are some performance considerations that impact our rating:
Overall, Habit Diary 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 6.5 out of 10, acknowledging the app's solid technical foundation while noting that some premium features and external integrations could benefit from performance optimization. | 9.5 Throughout our testing, Loop demonstrated exceptional performance with near-instant response times and minimal resource usage. The app's efficiency is particularly impressive given its extensive tracking and visualization capabilities. Key performance aspects:
The 9.5 rating acknowledges Loop's outstanding optimization and reliability. This performance excellence places Loop among the top performers in the category, alongside HabitNow which also achieves strong performance ratings for its comprehensive feature set. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.5 Habit Diary presents a clean and modern design that prioritizes usability while maintaining visual appeal. The interface strikes a good balance between functionality and aesthetics, with a layout that makes navigation intuitive for most users. Design strengths we observed include:
However, there are some design aspects that could be improved. The free version's ad integration can feel intrusive and disrupt the otherwise clean aesthetic. Some users also noted that the widget functionality, while functional, could benefit from more customization options and better visual integration with the main app design. Overall, Habit Diary's design successfully creates an engaging and motivating environment for habit tracking. The interface effectively balances simplicity with functionality, making it accessible to users of all experience levels. We rate design at 8.5 out of 10, acknowledging the app's strong visual foundation while noting areas where the user experience could be further enhanced. | 9.0 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:
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. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 5.5 Habit Diary offers a freemium model with both free and premium features. The free version provides basic habit tracking functionality but comes with limitations on the number of habits you can track and some advanced features. Premium features include:
In-app purchases range from €7.49 to €28.99, with options for monthly, yearly, or lifetime subscriptions. The free version is ad-supported, which some users find intrusive, but it does provide enough functionality to evaluate whether the app fits your needs before upgrading. However, several factors limit the value for money. Users consistently mention that the free version restricts the number of habits they can track, which can be frustrating for serious users. The free version's ad-supported model creates a fragmented user experience that some users find off-putting. We rate value for money at 5.5 out of 10. While the app provides solid functionality and competitive pricing for premium users, the free version's limitations and ad-supported model create a mixed value proposition that may not appeal to all users. | 10 Loop Habit Tracker delivers exceptional value as a completely free, ad-free, and open-source application. During our testing, we were consistently impressed by the quality and completeness of features available without any monetary commitment. Value highlights:
The perfect 10.0 rating reflects Loop's outstanding commitment to providing a premium-quality habit tracker completely free of charge. This makes it an excellent choice for users who want high-quality features without spending money, though Habitive also offers unlimited free habits for those who need more flexibility. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Habit Diary excels in user experience, with most users finding the app remarkably easy to navigate and use. The interface design prioritizes simplicity, making it accessible even for users who are new to habit tracking apps. Highlights include:
The only minor quirk is that some advanced features might benefit from more detailed onboarding or help documentation. Once learned, it's easy to use. Overall, Habit Diary's ease of use is one of its greatest strengths. The app successfully balances simplicity with functionality, making habit tracking accessible to a wide range of users. We rate ease of use at 9.0 out of 10, recognizing the app's excellent user experience while noting that some premium features could benefit from enhanced user guidance. | 9.2 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:
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. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 6.5 Habit Diary's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that reflects the typical approach of freemium apps in the habit tracking space. While the app doesn't appear to have major security vulnerabilities, there are some privacy considerations that users should be aware of. We found no evidence of third-party analytics or tracking tools. The app only requests essential permissions, such as notifications for reminders. This commitment to privacy is rare and highly appreciated. However, there are some privacy concerns that impact our rating:
While Habit Diary doesn't appear to have any egregious privacy violations, the lack of clear information about data practices and the ad-supported model in the free version create uncertainty about how user information is handled. We rate security and privacy at 6.5 out of 10, acknowledging that while there are no major red flags, users should be aware of the potential data sharing implications of using the free version. | 9.8 Privacy is where Loop truly shines. As an open-source app with a strict privacy-first approach, it sets a high standard for data protection in habit tracking apps. Key privacy features:
The 9.8 rating acknowledges Loop's exceptional privacy practices, with the tiny deduction only because some users might want optional cloud backup. This privacy focus puts Loop in excellent company with HabitKit, which also achieves a 9.8 rating for its offline-first approach. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Habit Diary is a solid habit tracking app that offers a comprehensive set of features for building and maintaining good habits. While the free version has limitations and includes ads, the premium features provide good value for serious users. The app's strength lies in its user-friendly interface and the 30-day challenge system that helps users form lasting habits. However, the freemium model and ad-supported free version may not appeal to everyone. For users who want unlimited habits without paying, Habitive offers a completely free alternative. Those seeking a more elegant design might prefer HabitKit with its beautiful GitHub-style visualization. However, if you value the structured 30-day challenge approach and don't mind the freemium limitations, Habit Diary remains a solid choice in the competitive habit tracking space. | Loop Habit Tracker proves that simplicity and power can coexist perfectly in a habit tracking app. Its thoughtful design and robust feature set create an experience that's both sophisticated and accessible to everyone. The app's commitment to user privacy and freedom sets it apart - being completely free, open-source, and offline-first. The distraction-free interface and reliable performance make it a pleasure to use daily, while comprehensive analytics keep you motivated. While there's room for improvements in areas like habit categorization and cloud sync, the core functionality is exceptional. With an average rating of 9.3 across our review categories, Loop stands out as a premium-quality app that puts users first. For anyone seeking a reliable, privacy-focused habit tracker that emphasizes substance over flash, Loop Habit Tracker is our top recommendation. However, if you need unlimited free habits without any restrictions, Habitive offers the best free experience, while HabitKit provides superior design aesthetics for users willing to pay for premium features. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
