Compare HabitNow, Habitica, and HelloHabit: Which Habit Tracker App is the Best?

Habitica is honestly unlike any other habit tracker we've used. It turns your daily tasks into a full-on RPG adventure, which makes building routines way more fun. You can track habits, daily routines, and one-off to-dos, and you get experience, gold, and collectibles for checking things off. It's surprisingly motivating!

• Gamified Habit Tracking: Every time you finish a task, your character levels up and you get new rewards.
• Flexible Task Types: You can track habits, daily routines, and one-off to-dos all in one place.
• Party & Social Features: Team up with friends for extra motivation and shared quests.
• Customization: Make your avatar your own, collect gear and pets, and join community challenges.
• Reminders & Widgets: Notifications and home screen widgets help you stay on track.

We did wish there were more advanced stats and better ways to manage tasks (like duplicating or redoing them). We also ran into a few bugs that messed with streaks or notifications. For users who need comprehensive analytics, HabitKit offers detailed statistics and beautiful progress visualization. Still, Habitica's features are fun and keep you coming back—especially if you like games. We give features an 8.2 out of 10.

HelloHabit takes an ambitious approach by integrating multiple productivity tools into one package. Beyond basic habit tracking, you get built-in timers, a journal with rich text editing, and Health Connect integration on Android. This all-in-one philosophy works well if you want to consolidate your productivity stack.

Key feature highlights we appreciated:

• Integrated Timers: Stopwatch and countdown timers work seamlessly with habits—perfect for timed activities like meditation or workouts
• Journal Functionality: Rich text editor with searchable notes, tags, and filters creates a proper journaling experience
• Routine Groups: Organize habits into morning, evening, or custom categories for better focus
• Health Connect Sync: Automatic tracking of steps, distance, exercise duration, and other fitness metrics from Android's Health Connect
• Flexible Goals: Daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly targets with customizable completion criteria
• Bad Habit Tracking: Dedicated mode for quitting negative habits with milestone celebrations

However, the feature set comes with notable limitations. The free version's 5-habit cap feels restrictive when competitors like Habitive offer unlimited habits at no cost. There's no widget interaction on Android—you can only view habits, not complete them from the home screen. We also noticed the app lacks some organizational tools like habit categories or folders that HabitNow provides.

The features that are present work well when the app is functioning properly, but recent updates have introduced bugs that impact core functionality. We rate features at 8.2—strong integration and breadth, but held back by free tier limitations and inconsistent stability.

Most of the time, Habitica runs smoothly and does what you need. We did run into some slowdowns, bugs, and issues with notifications or widgets—something other users have mentioned too. These problems didn't ruin the experience, but they were a little annoying. For users who prioritize performance and stability, HabitKit offers consistently smooth operation with a 9.2 performance rating. With some bug fixes, Habitica's performance could be even better. For now, we rate it 7.2 out of 10.

Performance is where HelloHabit struggles most significantly, particularly on Android. The app's trajectory tells a concerning story: while it launched with strong ratings, recent reviews paint a picture of declining stability and reliability. The Android version's rating for the last 100 reviews has dropped to 3.39 stars, compared to its overall 4.6-star average—a dramatic decline that reflects widespread performance issues.

Recent users report serious problems:

• Loading Issues: "App didn't even start. Was stuck in a loading screen"
• Widget Failures: "Last update ruined the app. it doesn't load and the widget also doesn't load"
• Frequent Updates: "This app has to be updated once or twice a day I swear, and every time it needs updates, the widget ends up unusable"
• Slow Performance: "App either opens really slowly, or not at all"

Multiple users mentioned that a recent update (around late November 2025) broke core functionality. One reviewer with ADHD explained they had to uninstall because "having to spend 5-10 minutes every day updating it before I could spend 5 seconds to type in 2 digits of data" made habit tracking harder than it should be. Another stated simply: "Used to work great, last update killed the widget and entire app."

The iOS version appears to fare better, maintaining a 4.9-star rating with fewer performance complaints. This suggests the issues are primarily Android-specific, possibly related to widget implementation or platform integration. When the app works, users report it's fast enough for daily use, but reliability has become the defining issue.

Performance inconsistency is particularly problematic for a habit tracker, where the whole point is building daily consistency. If users can't reliably access their habits when they need to, the app fails at its primary purpose. We rate performance at 6.5—barely acceptable due to recent instability, and significantly below competitors like HabitKit (9.2) or Habitive (8.8) that maintain consistent reliability.

Habitica's design is a breath of fresh air compared to most productivity apps. The retro pixel art and RPG theme make it feel playful and rewarding. The interface is colorful and lively, and we had a lot of fun customizing our avatars.

• Pixel Art Style: The graphics and RPG touches make Habitica stand out.
• Customizable Avatars: Tons of ways to make your character unique.
• Colorful UI: The bright, fun interface actually makes you want to use the app.

Sometimes the UI can feel a bit busy, and we'd love even more options for color coding and icons. For users who prefer minimalist design, HabitKit offers a clean, GitHub-inspired interface that focuses purely on habit tracking. But overall, Habitica's design is charming and makes habit tracking feel less like a chore. We rate it 8.8 out of 10.

HelloHabit opts for a clean, modern interface that prioritizes function over flair. The design is straightforward and professional, with a focus on displaying information clearly rather than wowing you with visual effects. We found the layout logical and well-organized, making it easy to navigate between habits, journal entries, and calendar views.

Design elements that stood out:

• Clear Visual Hierarchy: Important information is easy to spot, with good use of color and spacing
• Customizable Habits: Each habit can have custom colors and icons for quick identification
• Calendar Integration: Daily, weekly, and monthly views present your habits in an accessible format
• Dark Mode: Well-implemented dark theme for comfortable nighttime use

That said, the design doesn't push any boundaries. Compared to HabitKit's beautiful GitHub-style heatmap (rated 9.5), Habitica's engaging gamification visuals, or even Habitive's polished minimalism (rated 8.7), HelloHabit feels more utilitarian. The interface gets the job done without offering the same visual satisfaction that makes daily tracking feel rewarding.

We also noticed inconsistencies in widget design and display, particularly on Android where sizing issues were reported. While the core app design is solid, the overall aesthetic lacks the polish and cohesiveness of top-tier competitors. We rate design at 8.0—clean and functional, but missing that extra refinement that elevates a good app to a great one.

Habitica is free to use, with optional in-app purchases for gems and subscriptions. Most features are available for free, and we never felt pressured to pay. Some of us wished there were more ways to earn premium currency without spending money, but overall, the value is fair—especially if you want a fun way to stay productive. For users who want completely free access without any limitations, Habitive offers unlimited habits at no cost, while Loop Habit Tracker provides premium-quality features completely free. We give value for money a 7.5 out of 10.

HelloHabit's value proposition is mixed. The premium pricing itself is reasonable—ranging from around $20/year to a one-time lifetime purchase option—which several users praised as affordable compared to other productivity apps. The features you get for that price are comprehensive, including unlimited habits, journal entries, reminders, and all the integrated functionality.

The free version is where the value equation becomes more complicated. With only 5 habits, 1 reminder per habit, and 3 journal notes per day, you're getting a fairly restrictive experience. This is especially noticeable when Habitive offers unlimited habits completely free (rated 10.0 for value), or even HabitKit provides 4 habits with a more polished experience.

Several users expressed frustration with the free tier limitations. One reviewer noted: "This App is pretty helpful! However... You're only given 5 Free tasks and the moment you download the app it's immediately hit with: Hey pay for our subscription." Another commented: "only 5 free habits" as their sole review, suggesting the limitation was a dealbreaker.

Recent stability issues further impact the value proposition. When you're paying for a productivity app, you expect it to work reliably. The fact that Android users have experienced significant problems with recent updates—to the point where the app won't load or widgets stop functioning—undermines the value of the premium offering. The iOS version maintains better stability, so iPhone users are getting better value for their money than Android users currently.

We rate value for money at 7.8—reasonable pricing for what you get when it works, but the restrictive free tier and recent reliability problems prevent it from offering excellent value. If HelloHabit resolves its stability issues and increases the free tier limit even slightly, this rating could improve substantially.

Getting started with Habitica is pretty easy, and the game-like approach makes tracking habits feel less boring. Adding tasks, checking them off, and customizing your avatar are all simple. If you need a little extra motivation, this app really helps.

There is a bit of a learning curve if you want to use all the features, and sometimes the interface can feel overwhelming at first. We also hit a few bugs and slow moments here and there.

Once you get used to it, though, Habitica is user-friendly and rewarding. For users who want the simplest possible setup, Habitive offers a 3-click habit creation process that's even more straightforward. We'd love to see better onboarding and smoother performance, but overall, ease of use scores a 7.8 out of 10.

HelloHabit proves remarkably intuitive once you get started. Creating a new habit takes just a few taps, and the interface guides you through setting goals, reminders, and customization options without overwhelming you with choices. We found the learning curve gentle, with most features discoverable through natural exploration.

Usability highlights:

• Quick Setup: Getting your first habits configured takes less than a minute
• Intuitive Navigation: All major features are accessible from the main screen
• Clear Onboarding: The app explains key concepts without being pushy
• Logical Organization: Habits, journal, and calendar sections are clearly separated
• Helpful Reminders: Notification system is straightforward to configure

Several users with ADHD specifically mentioned that HelloHabit helped them stay organized better than other trackers, praising its clear structure and reminder system. One reviewer noted: "I can be a hot mess and I tend to forget / become disengaged with habit tracking apps. But I can see myself using this long-term."

The main usability pain point comes from recent stability issues rather than design flaws. Users report that frequent mandatory updates interrupt their workflow, with the widget becoming unusable until the app is updated. One frustrated user wrote: "Every time it needs updates, the widget ends up unusable... I got tired of having to spend 5-10 minutes every day updating it." When the app works, it's easy to use—but reliability problems undermine that experience. We rate ease of use at 8.5, acknowledging the intuitive design while docking points for disruptive update cycles.

Habitica says your data stays private and isn't sold to third parties, which is great. We didn't find much info about advanced privacy or security features, but we also didn't run into any issues. For most people, privacy is handled well, but if you have strict needs, you might want to look a bit deeper. We rate security and privacy at 7.0 out of 10.

HelloHabit takes a reasonable approach to privacy, though it's not as privacy-focused as some alternatives. The app requires account creation for cloud sync, which is necessary for cross-device functionality but means your data is stored on the developer's servers. According to their privacy policy, data is kept private to your account and isn't sold to third parties.

For Android users, the Health Connect integration requires explicit permission for each data type (steps, distance, calories, etc.), and these permissions can be revoked at any time. The app handles this transparently, making it clear what data it's accessing. All health data is stored locally on your device and kept private to your account.

However, the app doesn't offer the same privacy guarantees as competitors like Loop Habit Tracker (rated 9.8), which is fully open-source and works completely offline, or HabitKit (also rated 9.8), which stores all data locally without requiring an account. HelloHabit's cloud-first approach means you're trusting the developer with your habit data, journal entries, and potentially sensitive information about your daily routines.

The app doesn't appear to include intrusive analytics or advertising trackers, which is a positive. Backup and data export options are available, giving you some control over your information. Overall, HelloHabit handles privacy adequately for a cloud-based app, but falls short of the privacy-first approach that top-rated alternatives offer. We rate security and privacy at 7.5—acceptable for most users, but not ideal if privacy is your top priority.