Compare HabitKit, HabitNow, and Habitive: Which App is the Best?

HabitNow is a flexible habit and routine tracker with powerful scheduling, reminders, widgets, and detailed progress stats. Free to use, with a one-time premium upgrade for unlimited features.
Habitive is a beautifully designed habit tracking app that helps you build positive habits through an intuitive interface, achievement system, and unlimited habit creation. It's completely free with no ads or subscriptions required.
HabitKit is a beautifully designed habit tracking app that helps you form new habits with tile-based grid charts. It's privacy-focused, easy to use, and perfect for tracking daily, weekly, or monthly habits.
Key Features
  • Flexible Habit & Task Scheduling – Set daily, weekly, monthly, or custom routines
  • Widgets & Reminders – Home screen widgets and customizable notifications
  • Timer & Pomodoro Tools – Built-in stopwatch, countdown, and interval timers
  • Detailed Progress Tracking – Visual stats, charts, and streaks to keep you motivated
  • Customizable Experience – Personalize with themes, icons, and categories
  • Data Backup & Privacy – Local backups and lock screen for privacy
  • Unlimited Habits – No limits on how many habits you can create
  • Flexible Goals – Set weekly targets that fit your life (daily, 4x/week, etc.)
  • Achievement System – Unlock rewards as you build your habits
  • Home Screen Widgets – Keep your habits visible without opening the app
  • Progress Tracking – See how you're doing over time
  • Quick Setup – Get started in just 3 clicks
  • GitHub-Style Progress Visualization – Track your habits with beautiful tile-based grid charts that provide a clear visual representation of your progress over time
  • Flexible Habit Goals – Set custom completion goals (daily, 3x/week, 20x/month, etc.) and track your streaks
  • Customizable Dashboard – Personalize each habit with custom colors and icons for an intuitive, visually appealing overview
  • Smart Reminders – Set custom notifications for each habit to help you stay on track
  • Calendar Integration – Easily manage past completions through an intuitive calendar view
  • Privacy-Focused Design – All your data stays on your device, with no account required and full offline functionality
  • Data Backup & Export – Export your habit data for safekeeping or when switching devices
  • Home Screen Widgets – Keep your habits visible and accessible with customizable widgets (Premium feature)
  • Archive System – Temporarily archive habits you want to pause without losing their history
  • Detailed Analytics – Track your progress with comprehensive statistics and streak information (Premium feature)
Our Rating
9.2
9.2
9.3
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Entry Level PriceFreeFreeFree
Android
Google Play Store
Downloads
Google Play Store
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Google Play Store
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iOS
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Apple App Store
Apple App Store
Features
9.0

HabitNow delivers a comprehensive set of features for habit and routine tracking. We especially appreciate the flexible scheduling options—daily, weekly, monthly, and custom routines—which make it easy to adapt the app to any workflow. Widgets and reminders are reliable, and the built-in timer and Pomodoro tools are a great boost for productivity. Progress tracking is motivating, with detailed stats and streaks that help keep us on track.

The free version covers most basic needs, though it does limit the number of habits and tasks you can track. Upgrading to premium unlocks unlimited habits, advanced customization, and additional widgets. While we'd like to see features like account sync and even more robust alarm reliability, HabitNow offers an impressive feature set for both new and experienced users.

8.5

Habitive has all the basic features you'd want in a habit tracker, plus some nice extras. It's not trying to do everything - it focuses on helping you build habits without getting complicated.

What we liked most:

1. Unlimited Habits

This is where Habitive really shines. Most free habit trackers only let you create 3-5 habits, but Habitive lets you create as many as you want. No artificial limits. Unlike HabitKit which restricts free users to just 4 habits, or Disciplined which locks away detailed statistics behind a paywall, Habitive gives you everything upfront.

Setting up a new habit is super simple. Just tap the plus button, pick a name, and choose how often you want to do it each week. That's it.

2. Weekly Goals

Instead of forcing you to do something every single day, you can set flexible goals. Want to exercise 4 times a week? No problem. Want to read every day? That works too.

This makes it much more realistic for most people's lives.

3. Achievement System

The app has a fun game-like system where you unlock achievements as you stick with your habits. It sounds silly, but it actually helps keep you motivated. While not as elaborate as Habitica's full RPG experience, it provides just enough gamification to keep things interesting.

4. Progress Tracking

You can see your stats for each habit - how many times you've completed it, your current streak, and a calendar view of your progress.

5. Home Screen Widgets

You can add widgets to your phone's home screen so you always see your habits. This is great for staying on track, though some users have reported bugs with this feature.

What could be better:

The app doesn't let you organize habits into groups or categories. If you have lots of habits, they can feel a bit scattered. Also, syncing between different devices doesn't work very well. For users who need more organizational features, Loop Habit Tracker offers better categorization and grouping options.

Overall, we give features an 8.5. It has all the essentials and does them well, but could use some organizational tools.

8.5

HabitKit delivers a solid set of core habit tracking features, focusing on simplicity and effectiveness. The standout is the GitHub-style heatmap, which makes tracking your progress both motivating and visually satisfying.

Key features we found especially useful include:

  • Flexible Habit Tracking: Set habits for daily, weekly, or monthly goals (e.g., 3 times per week)
  • Custom Reminders: Each habit can have its own notification schedule
  • Calendar View: Easily fill in or edit past completions
  • Customization: Assign unique colors and icons to each habit
  • Data Backup: Export and import your data as needed
  • Archiving: Temporarily archive habits without deleting them

There are some limitations: the free version restricts you to 4 habits, which may not be enough for everyone, and there's no way to organize habits into categories or folders. Widgets are visually appealing but don't allow direct interaction. Still, the features that are present are thoughtfully implemented and work reliably. We rate features at 8.5—excellent for core functionality, but with room for more organizational tools.

For users who need unlimited habits without restrictions, Habitive offers a completely free alternative, while Loop Habit Tracker provides more comprehensive organizational features at no cost.

Performance
9.0

HabitNow performs reliably in daily use. The app is fast, responsive, and stable, even when tracking a large number of habits and tasks. We experienced smooth navigation and quick loading times throughout our testing.

While there are occasional reports of alarms or notifications not firing as expected, and some widget update quirks, these issues are relatively rare and do not significantly impact the overall experience. HabitNow delivers strong performance for a productivity app of its kind.

8.8

The app runs smoothly most of the time. You can track habits without any delays or crashes.

Marking habits as complete is fast and reliable. You can also check your progress and stats without waiting. The app works offline, so you can use it anywhere, even without internet.

What works well:

  • Fast Startup: Opens quickly and is ready to use
  • Responsive: Taps and swipes work smoothly
  • Efficient: Doesn't slow down even with lots of habits
  • Stable: Core features work reliably
  • Lightweight: Doesn't use much phone storage or battery
  • Consistent: Performance stays good over time

There are some issues though. Several users reported problems with home screen widgets - sometimes adding a widget makes the app stop opening. You have to remove the widget to fix it.

Some people also said the app doesn't work properly on certain phones. This might be due to specific phone models or software versions.

Overall, the main app works great, but the widget feature and device compatibility have some problems. We give performance an 8.8 - generally excellent for daily use, but with some technical issues.

9.2

HabitKit 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. Animations are fluid and add to the overall polished feel of the app without causing any lag.

We encountered very few bugs or crashes, and the app remained stable even when tracking a large number of habits (in the premium version). User reviews echo this experience, with most people praising the app's reliability and speed. A handful of users mentioned minor issues with widgets, such as sizing or display quirks on certain devices, but these did not affect the core functionality and were often addressed in updates.

Overall, HabitKit 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 9.2 out of 10.

This performance rating places HabitKit among the top performers in the category, alongside HabitNow which also achieves a 9.0 rating, and Habitive which maintains an 8.8 rating despite being completely free.

Design
9.2

Design is one of HabitNow's standout qualities. The interface is clean, modern, and easy to navigate, making it simple to set up and manage habits or routines. We enjoyed the customizable themes and icons, which allow for a personalized look and feel.

Widgets are visually appealing and integrate well with the Android home screen. While we'd love to see even more color options and better support for system fonts or accessibility settings, the overall design is both attractive and highly functional. HabitNow strikes a great balance between aesthetics and usability.

9.2

The app looks really good. It's clean, modern, and easy on the eyes. We especially liked how simple everything is - no clutter, just what you need.

Users love the dashboard and how easy it is to find things. Everything is organized logically, so you don't waste time looking for features.

It also works great on different screen sizes - looks good on both phones and tablets.

Design highlights:

  • Clean Layout: Everything is easy to see and understand
  • Consistent Look: The design style stays the same throughout the app
  • Nice Widgets: The home screen widgets look good and show useful info
  • Cute Character: There's a sloth mascot that users really like
  • Good Colors: Colors are used well to organize information

People in the reviews keep saying things like "bright and beautiful," "looks great," and "the style is so consistent."

Some users mentioned wanting more color options or themes, but honestly, the current design is so good that this feels like a minor request. While HabitKit might have the most elegant GitHub-style visualization, Habitive's design is more approachable and user-friendly.

We give design a 9.2. It looks professional and makes you want to use the app every day.

9.5

HabitKit's design is one of its greatest strengths. The minimalist aesthetic strikes a perfect balance between beauty and usability. The GitHub-inspired tile grid is not only visually appealing but also serves as a powerful motivational tool—watching your chosen colors fill the grid is genuinely satisfying.

We especially liked:

  • Clean Dashboard: A clutter-free grid layout that's both attractive and functional
  • Color Customization: Assigning colors to habits makes it easy to distinguish between them at a glance
  • Intuitive Icons: A comprehensive icon selection helps create visual associations with your goals
  • Consistent Theme: The design language is cohesive across all screens
  • Beautiful Widgets: Home screen widgets match the app's aesthetic and provide useful information

Animations are smooth and purposeful, and the typography is clear and readable. While the minimalist approach may feel sparse to some, especially when managing many habits, we found it refreshing and effective. We rate design at 9.5.

This design excellence sets HabitKit apart from competitors like Habitica, which focuses on gamification, and HabitNow, which prioritizes comprehensive scheduling features over visual polish.

Value for Money
9.5

We think HabitNow offers excellent value for money, especially with its one-time premium upgrade that unlocks unlimited habits, advanced customization, and additional widgets. The free version is generous enough for most users to get started, and there are no ads or forced subscriptions.

Compared to other habit trackers that require ongoing payments, HabitNow's pricing model is refreshingly fair. While some may wish for a slightly higher free limit, the premium upgrade is well worth it for anyone serious about habit tracking and productivity.

10

You can use Habitive completely free without creating an account. You get access to features that other apps charge money for.

To get all the benefits - unlimited habits, achievements, widgets, and progress tracking - you don't need to pay anything. It's all included in the free version.

The pricing is amazing. It's perfect for students, working professionals, or anyone who wants to build better habits without spending money. No other app gives you this much for free.

Why it's such good value:

  • 100% Free: Most habit trackers limit free users or make you pay for good features
  • No Ads: Clean experience without annoying advertisements
  • All Features Included: No paywalls or restrictions
  • No Data Selling: The app doesn't make money from your information
  • High Quality: Despite being free, it looks and works like a premium app
  • No Expiration: Features don't expire or require renewal

Users keep saying things like "perfect and free," "nothing's behind a paywall," and "rare to find an app that doesn't force you to buy subscriptions."

We give value for money a 10.0. Habitive sets the standard for free apps - you get premium quality without paying anything. While HabitKit offers beautiful design, it requires premium for unlimited habits, and HabitNow has comprehensive features but also uses a freemium model.

9.5

HabitKit offers a strong value proposition, especially when compared to other habit trackers. The free version is genuinely useful for those with minimal needs, providing all core tracking features and a beautiful, ad-free experience. However, it does limit you to tracking just 4 habits, which several users found restrictive if you want to monitor more aspects of your life.

Upgrading to premium unlocks unlimited habits, widgets, advanced analytics, and data backup/export. Pricing is fair and transparent, with options for a monthly, yearly, or one-time lifetime purchase. Many users appreciate the availability of a lifetime license, which is rare among productivity apps and offers excellent long-term value. The premium features are genuinely useful and not just cosmetic add-ons.

We also liked that there are no hidden costs, no ads, and no data collection, which adds to the sense of getting good value for your money. While some users wished the free version allowed tracking a few more habits, most agreed that the premium upgrade is worth it if the app fits your workflow. Overall, HabitKit delivers a high-quality experience at a reasonable price, and we rate its value for money at 9.5 out of 10.

However, for users seeking maximum value without any cost, Habitive offers a perfect 10.0 rating by providing unlimited habits completely free, while Loop Habit Tracker achieves the same perfect score by offering premium-quality features at no cost.

Ease of Use
9.3

We found HabitNow remarkably easy to use, with a clear and intuitive interface that makes setting up habits and routines quick and painless. Adding, editing, and organizing tasks is straightforward, and the onboarding process is smooth for new users. Widgets and reminders are easy to configure, and the app's layout keeps everything accessible without clutter.

There are a few minor quirks, such as needing to manually mark tasks as done after using the timer, or occasional confusion with backup and import features. However, these do not detract significantly from the overall experience. HabitNow is a great choice for anyone looking for a straightforward and effective habit tracker.

9.5

This might be the easiest habit tracker we've ever used. The best part? You don't need an account or any setup - just install and start using it.

Installation is simple on both Android and iOS. Once it's on your phone, creating your first habit takes about 10 seconds.

The 3-click setup they advertise is real. Name your habit, pick an icon, and set your weekly goal. Done.

You don't need any tutorials or help guides. The app is so intuitive that you'll figure everything out just by using it.

At first, all the features might seem like a lot, but you'll get the hang of it quickly. The habit management is especially simple compared to other trackers we've tried.

What makes it easy:

  • Quick Setup: New habits in seconds
  • Easy Navigation: Everything is just a tap or two away
  • Clear Feedback: You always know what's happening
  • Simple Goals: Setting weekly targets is straightforward
  • No Learning Curve: New users can start right away

Reviews keep saying things like "really easy to use," "intuitive," and "does exactly what it says."

We give ease of use a 9.5. It's extremely user-friendly, though some of the more advanced features might take a minute to figure out.

9.5

HabitKit is remarkably intuitive and user-friendly. The "less is more" philosophy makes it easy to get started and maintain your habits without confusion or clutter.

Highlights include:

  • Quick Habit Creation: Setting up a new habit takes just seconds—name it, pick an icon and color, and you're ready to go
  • One-Tap Tracking: Marking habits as complete is as simple as tapping a tile
  • Clear Visual Feedback: The color-coded grid instantly shows your progress
  • Intuitive Calendar: Retroactively adding or removing completions is straightforward
  • Simple Navigation: All core functions are accessible within a tap or two

The only minor quirk is that reordering habits requires a long-press, which isn't immediately obvious to new users. Once learned, it's easy to use. We rate ease of use an 9.5.

While HabitKit excels in simplicity, Habitive offers an even more streamlined experience with its 3-click setup, and Loop Habit Tracker provides more advanced features while maintaining excellent usability.

Security & Privacy
9.0

We appreciate that HabitNow takes privacy seriously by storing your data locally on your device and not requiring an account for basic use. The lock screen feature adds an extra layer of privacy for sensitive routines and notes, and backups can be created and exported manually, giving you full control over your data.

While some may wish for account-based sync or cloud backup, the current approach ensures your information stays private. There are no intrusive ads or unnecessary permissions, making HabitNow a trustworthy choice for privacy-conscious users.

9.0

For security and privacy, we give Habitive a 9.0 out of 10. The fact that you don't need an account is a big plus - it means the app isn't collecting your personal information.

Even when you do use the app, it keeps your data private. Your habits, progress, and achievements stay on your phone by default. This means your information is much safer from hackers or data breaches.

The app doesn't sell your data to other companies or use it for advertising. Everything stays private and is only used to make the app work.

What we liked about privacy:

  • No Data Collection: The app doesn't track what you do
  • Local Storage: Your data stays on your phone
  • No Tracking: No third-party analytics or tracking tools
  • Minimal Permissions: Only asks for what it absolutely needs
  • No Account Required: You can use it without giving any personal info

There is one downside though. Since everything is stored locally, if you lose your phone or it breaks, you'll lose all your habit data. There's no backup in the cloud. For users who prioritize maximum privacy, Loop Habit Tracker offers similar offline-first privacy with additional backup options.

We give security and privacy a 9.0. Habitive takes privacy seriously by keeping your data local and not collecting unnecessary information.

9.8

HabitKit stands out for its privacy-first approach. All data is stored locally on your device, with no account required and no remote servers involved. The app works fully offline, so there's no risk of data interception, and you can export your data manually whenever you wish.

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. The only small drawback is that backups are manual, so you'll need to remember to export your data regularly. We rate security and privacy at 9.8.

This privacy focus puts HabitKit in excellent company with Loop Habit Tracker, which also achieves a 9.8 rating for its open-source, offline-first approach, and Habitive, which maintains a 9.0 rating by keeping all data local without requiring accounts.

Conclusion

HabitNow Daily Routine Planner stands out as a flexible and feature-rich app for building habits and managing daily routines. Its clean design, powerful customization, and motivating progress tracking make it a top choice for anyone serious about self-improvement. While the free version has some limits, the one-time premium upgrade offers excellent value for unlocking the app's full potential.

For users who want unlimited free habits, Habitive is the best option. Those seeking elegant design might prefer HabitKit with its beautiful GitHub-style visualization. If you want gamification, Habitica offers unique RPG elements. However, if you need comprehensive scheduling, timer functionality, and flexible habit management, HabitNow provides the most complete solution in the habit tracking space.

We've been using Habitive ourselves and really like it. It's a solid habit tracker that does what it promises without trying to sell you anything.

The design is clean, it's easy to use, and the fact that it's completely free makes it even better. While there are some small issues with widgets and syncing, the core app works great.

If you want a simple, effective way to build better habits without spending money, give Habitive a try. It's worth it. For users who need more advanced scheduling features, HabitNow offers comprehensive planning tools, while those seeking elegant design might prefer HabitKit with its beautiful GitHub-style visualization.

HabitKit has proven itself to be a standout habit tracking app that truly delivers on its promises. Its greatest strength lies in its simplicity and focus—it does one thing exceptionally well, rather than trying to be everything for everyone.

The app's beautiful design, intuitive interface, and strong privacy focus make it a compelling choice for anyone serious about building better habits. While the free version's 4-habit limit may be restrictive for some, the premium upgrade offers excellent value for those who need more comprehensive tracking.

We especially appreciate the developer's commitment to privacy and the option for a lifetime purchase, rather than forcing users into a subscription. Regular updates and responsive support suggest this is an app that will continue to improve over time.

If you're looking for a clean, efficient, and privacy-focused way to track your habits, HabitKit is an excellent choice that we can confidently recommend. However, if you need unlimited free habits, Habitive offers the best free experience, while Loop Habit Tracker provides exceptional privacy features at no cost. For users who value design excellence and are willing to pay for premium features, HabitKit represents the perfect balance of form and function.

Our Recommendation