Compare Habitica and Calm: Which App is the Best?

	Habitica	Calm
	A fun, RPG-inspired habit tracker that turns your daily tasks into a game. Great for motivation, with strong social features and lots of customization. Habit Tracker Productivity	Calm is a leading meditation and sleep app with 4.1 stars on Android, 4.8 stars on iOS, and 50M+ downloads. Known for celebrity-narrated sleep stories by Cillian Murphy and Bob Ross, plus comprehensive daily meditation programs. While most users love the content, some Android users report recent billing and technical concerns. Meditation
Key Features	Gamified Habit Tracking – Turn daily tasks into RPG-style quests Customizable Avatars & Collectibles – Personalize your character and earn rewards Flexible Task Types – Track habits, dailies, and to-dos Party & Social Features – Team up with friends for accountability Reminders & Widgets – Stay on track with notifications and widgets	Sleep Stories – Bedtime stories narrated by celebrities like Cillian Murphy, Rosé, Jerome Flynn, and the popular Bob Ross "Painting" series Daily Programs – Daily Calm with Tamara Levitt (10-minute meditation), Daily Trip with Jeff Warren, Daily Move (mindful movement), and Daily Jay Extensive Meditation Library – Guided meditations for various needs including anxiety relief, focus, habit breaking, and stress management Soundscapes & Music – Sleep sounds, nature soundscapes, relaxing music, and EMDR sounds for therapeutic use Breathing Exercises – Guided breathwork sessions for relaxation and stress reduction Mindful Movement – Stretching exercises and movement sessions for relaxation Progress Tracking – Daily streaks, mindful minutes counter, and activity tracking Wear OS Support – Quick-start tiles and meditation tracking complications for smartwatches
Our Rating	7.8	7.3
Total users	0	0
Total ratings	0	0
Average rating	— ⭐	— ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Android	Downloads	Downloads
iOS
Features	8.2 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.	8.0 Calm's content library is genuinely impressive and sets the standard for meditation apps. The celebrity-narrated sleep stories are the standout feature—falling asleep to Cillian Murphy's voice, Bob Ross painting descriptions, or Rosé's calming narration provides a unique experience users rave about. These aren't just celebrity gimmicks; they're high-quality productions that genuinely help people fall asleep. Outstanding features include: Celebrity Sleep Stories: Premium productions with recognizable voices that have become nightly routines for millions of users Daily Programs: Daily Calm with Tamara Levitt, Daily Trip with Jeff Warren, Daily Jay, and Daily Move provide fresh, structured content that builds meditation habits Extensive Meditation Library: Comprehensive content addressing anxiety, focus, habit breaking, stress management, and sleep improvement Soundscapes & Music: High-quality nature sounds, sleep music, and EMDR sounds for therapeutic use Kids Content: Sleep stories specifically designed for children that parents find highly effective for bedtime routines Wear OS Integration: Quick-start tiles and tracking complications for smartwatch users Breathing Exercises: Guided breathwork for stress reduction and relaxation Progress Tracking: Streaks and mindful minutes to maintain motivation The library is genuinely extensive, with enough variety that most users find multiple favorites. The quality is consistently high—professional voice work, good production values, and thoughtful content design. Users frequently mention specific favorites like "Painting with Bob Ross" or programs with Tamara Levitt that they return to regularly. The app uses a subscription model, with most content requiring payment. The free version offers limited access, which is standard for premium apps in this category. Some users wish for more free content to evaluate before subscribing, though the free trial provides opportunity to explore the library. A few long-term subscribers mention content updates could be more frequent, though the existing library is large enough that most users have plenty to explore. For daily users who cycle through content quickly, occasional waits for new stories can be noticeable. We're rating features 8.0 out of 10. The celebrity sleep stories, daily programs, and extensive meditation library provide excellent value, making Calm a feature-rich leader in the meditation app category.
Performance	7.2 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.	7.5 Calm performs reliably for the vast majority of users across 50+ million downloads and two platforms. The 4.8-star iOS rating and 4.1-star Android rating indicate consistent, stable performance that users depend on nightly. Audio playback is smooth, sleep stories run without interruption, and the app handles background playback well while you sleep. Performance strengths: Reliable Playback: Sleep stories and meditations play consistently without issues for most users Background Stability: App runs reliably in the background through the night for sleep content Quick Loading: Content loads promptly and playback starts without long waits Cross-Platform Performance: Works well on both Android and iOS with high ratings on both Battery Efficient: Doesn't drain battery excessively during overnight use Multiple Device Support: Performs consistently across phones, tablets, and smartwatches The app handles demanding use cases well—playing audio continuously through 7-8 hours of sleep, managing large content libraries, and supporting offline downloads. Users who've used Calm for years mention it working consistently night after night, which demonstrates solid long-term reliability. A small percentage of users report occasional audio stopping during sleep sessions or rare app crashes. These issues seem device or configuration-specific rather than widespread problems, as the majority of users don't mention performance concerns. Some users note the splash screen takes a moment to dismiss, though this is designed as a brief mindfulness moment rather than a technical delay. Load times are generally good, with content starting quickly after selection. The app's size and resource usage are reasonable for the extensive content library it manages. Updates are regular, suggesting active maintenance and performance optimization. For an app with 50M+ downloads used nightly by millions, achieving 4.8 stars on iOS demonstrates exceptional performance reliability. The vast majority of users experience smooth, consistent operation exactly when they need it most—during meditation and sleep. We're rating performance 7.5 out of 10. Calm delivers reliable, stable performance for the overwhelming majority of users, with consistent playback and efficient resource usage. The high ratings across millions of users demonstrate performance excellence at scale.
Design	8.8 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.	7.5 Calm's design successfully creates a soothing, peaceful atmosphere that supports its meditation and sleep mission. The dark, calming color scheme with deep blues and purples sets the right mood immediately. Visual elements are thoughtfully chosen to promote relaxation rather than stimulation, which is exactly what you want from a meditation app. Design strengths: Beautiful, Calming Aesthetic: Dark themes, soothing colors, and nature imagery create an immediately relaxing visual environment Intuitive Content Organization: Sleep stories, meditations, soundscapes, and daily programs are clearly categorized and easy to browse Material Design Excellence: Clean, modern interface that follows Android design guidelines effectively Visual Consistency: Cohesive design language throughout the app maintains the calm atmosphere Easy Discovery: Featured content, favorites, and recently played sections help users find what they need The interface generally succeeds at fading into the background, letting the content take center stage. For most users, navigation feels natural—open the app, select your content, and start your meditation or sleep session without friction. Some users mention the splash screen "take a breath" message appears frequently and takes a moment before you can access content. While this fits the app's philosophy, a few long-term subscribers find it repetitive after daily use for years. The search function within categories could be more robust for power users who want to explore the full catalog depth. For subscribers, the experience is streamlined. For free users exploring before committing, distinguishing between free and premium content could be clearer, though this is fairly standard for freemium apps. We're rating design 7.5 out of 10. Calm delivers a beautiful, calming visual experience with thoughtful design that supports meditation and sleep. Minor navigation refinements would elevate it further, but the overall aesthetic excellence justifies the premium positioning.
Value for Money	7.5 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.	7.0 At around €70 per year (pricing varies by region), Calm positions itself as a premium meditation app, and for most users, the content library justifies the investment. With 50M+ downloads and 4.8 stars on iOS, millions of people clearly find value worth paying for. Users who've subscribed for years mention the app becoming an essential nightly routine they wouldn't want to give up. The value proposition is strong: Celebrity Content: Unique sleep stories narrated by Cillian Murphy, Rosé, Bob Ross, and Jerome Flynn you won't find elsewhere Daily Fresh Content: Daily Calm, Daily Trip, Daily Jay, and Daily Move provide new material regularly Extensive Library: Hundreds of meditations, sleep stories, soundscapes, and programs for stress, anxiety, sleep, and focus Professional Production: High-quality audio and voice work throughout the library Multiple Use Cases: Sleep stories, meditation, soundscapes, breathing exercises, and movement all in one subscription Family Sharing: Kids content makes it valuable for entire families Employer Coverage: Many insurance companies and employers provide Calm subscriptions as wellness benefits For users getting Calm through employer wellness programs, the value is excellent—high-quality content at no personal cost. Even at full price, long-term subscribers frequently mention the subscription has become essential for their sleep quality and mental health, which makes the cost worthwhile. The subscription model is standard for premium apps—the free version offers limited access to encourage paid subscription. Users can try the app during a free trial period to evaluate whether the content works for them before committing long-term. Cancellation through the Play Store is typically one-click, which most users navigate successfully. Some users report billing confusion during trial periods or difficulty with customer service responses when issues arise. A small number mention pricing discrepancies during promotional periods. Like any subscription service, it's important to track trial end dates and verify charges match promotional pricing if taking advantage of special offers. Compared to competitors, Calm sits at the premium end with Headspace, while Medito offers free content. The celebrity narrations and production quality differentiate Calm's value proposition. We're rating value for money 7.0 out of 10. The extensive, high-quality content library with unique celebrity narrations provides solid value for the subscription price, particularly for users committed to regular meditation and sleep improvement. Those with employer coverage get excellent value, and even full-price subscribers generally find the cost justified by daily use.
Ease of Use	7.8 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.	7.0 Calm is designed to be intuitive, and for most users, it succeeds. Opening the app and starting a meditation or sleep story takes just a few taps. The main interface presents your options clearly—browse by category, check out daily programs, or jump back to recently played content. Playback controls are simple and work as expected. For subscribers in their daily routine, the experience is smooth. Select your favorite sleep story, set a timer if desired, and drift off. The app remembers your preferences, making it easy to return to content you love. Many users mention using Calm nightly for years, which speaks to how well the basic experience works. Usability strengths: Simple Navigation: Clear categories and straightforward content selection Quick Start: Recently played and favorites let you start familiar content immediately Intuitive Playback: Controls work as expected without confusion Progress Tracking: Streaks and history visible but not intrusive for most users Multiple Devices: Works across phones, tablets, and smartwatches The free trial process is standard for subscription apps—you provide payment information upfront, explore the content during the trial period, and can cancel before being charged. Most users navigate this successfully, though like any subscription app, you need to remember to cancel if you don't want to continue. Some users report specific issues: occasional login difficulties with Google authentication, confusion about which content is free versus premium for non-subscribers, and rare cases of the app stopping playback during the night. A small number of users mention subscription management confusion, though canceling through the Play Store is typically straightforward with one-click unsubscribe. The splash screen appears when opening the app, which some daily users find repetitive over time. For those who want to jump straight into content, this adds a brief delay, though it's designed to encourage that initial mindful breath. We're rating ease of use 7.0 out of 10. The app is genuinely easy to use for the vast majority of users, with intuitive navigation and simple playback. Minor friction points exist, particularly for free users exploring content boundaries, but don't significantly impact the subscriber experience.
Security & Privacy	7.0 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.	7.0 Calm handles user data responsibly with standard privacy practices appropriate for a wellness app. The company partners with major employers and insurance providers, which requires meeting enterprise-level security and privacy standards. With 50M+ downloads and partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, Calm maintains professional data protection practices. Security and privacy strengths: Enterprise Partnerships: Trusted by major employers for wellness programs, requiring robust security standards Standard Data Protection: Privacy policy clearly outlines data collection and usage practices No Breach History: No prominent reports of data breaches or privacy violations Account Security: Standard authentication with options for Google login integration Usage Tracking: Data collection limited to progress tracking, streaks, and content preferences Professional Standards: Scale and partnerships require meeting industry privacy standards The app collects usage data to track your meditation progress, favorite content, and streaks—standard for any app with personalization features. This data helps improve your experience by remembering preferences and providing personalized recommendations. The privacy policy outlines what data is collected and how it's used. Financial transactions are processed through Google Play Store, which provides an additional layer of security and familiar payment infrastructure. The Play Store handles payment information rather than the app storing it directly, following best practices for subscription apps. For users concerned about mental health data privacy, Calm's meditation and sleep content choices represent personal information. The app's enterprise partnerships and scale suggest they take this responsibility seriously, though as with any wellness app, users should review the privacy policy to understand data handling. Some users report billing questions during trial periods, which is common across subscription apps and typically relates to understanding trial terms rather than security issues. Standard subscription management through the Play Store provides familiar cancellation options for most users. The lack of data breach reports across millions of users and years of operation demonstrates solid security practices. For a wellness app trusted by major corporations, maintaining strong security and privacy standards is essential to business partnerships. We're rating security & privacy 7.0 out of 10. Calm maintains professional privacy practices appropriate for a wellness app with enterprise partnerships, handles user data responsibly, and shows no history of security breaches across millions of users.
Conclusion	If you want to make habit tracking more fun, Habitica is a great pick. The RPG style and social features make it easy to stay motivated, and there's a real sense of progress as you level up and collect rewards. There are a few rough edges—like some missing stats and the occasional bug—but overall, Habitica is one of the most enjoyable productivity apps we've tried. 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 need comprehensive scheduling and timer features, HabitNow provides more advanced functionality. However, if you enjoy gaming and want to make habit tracking engaging, Habitica offers a unique experience that no other app can match.	Calm has earned its position as a leading meditation and sleep app with 50M+ downloads, 4.8 stars on iOS, and 4.1 stars on Android. The celebrity-narrated sleep stories are genuinely special—falling asleep to Cillian Murphy, Bob Ross, or Rosé provides a premium experience that justifies the subscription for millions of users. The daily programs, extensive meditation library, and variety of soundscapes create comprehensive value. Long-term subscribers frequently mention Calm becoming essential to their nightly routine, helping with sleep quality and stress management over years of use. The production quality is excellent, the content library is extensive, and the app performs reliably for the vast majority of users. For those whose employers provide Calm subscriptions as a wellness benefit, it's an excellent value proposition. Recent Android reviews show some concerns—the last 100 reviews average 3.04 stars, lower than the overall rating. Some users mention billing confusion during free trials, occasional technical issues, and customer service responsiveness questions. These issues appear to affect a subset of Android users rather than representing the typical experience, but they're worth noting. If you're considering Calm, the free trial lets you explore the content library to see if the sleep stories and meditation programs work for you. The celebrity narrations and production quality differentiate it from competitors. For daily meditation and sleep improvement, Calm delivers substantial value that users rely on over years. Alternative options include Medito for free meditation content with no subscription required, and Headspace for premium content with different stylistic approach. But Calm's unique celebrity content and extensive library make it a strong choice for those committed to meditation and sleep improvement.
	Install Habitica	Install Calm
Our Recommendation