Compare Motivated and Habitica: Which App is the Best?

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.
Motivated is a comprehensive habit tracking app that focuses on building lasting habits through its unique strength-based system, offering beautiful organization tools and extensive customization options.
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
  • Habit Strength Meter – Focus on building lasting habits rather than just maintaining streaks with a unique strength-based tracking system
  • Smart Collections – Organize habits by time of day (morning, afternoon, evening) or custom categories for better workflow management
  • Interactive Widgets – View and complete habits directly from your home screen for quick access and motivation
  • Rich Text Notes – Add detailed notes to each habit for planning routines, tracking progress, or capturing thoughts
  • Customizable Interface – Choose from over 550 custom icons and unlimited color options to personalize your experience
  • Flexible Goal Setting – Set custom completion goals and repeat intervals without affecting your statistics
  • Smart Reminders – Set custom notifications and opt-in for morning/evening summaries to stay on track
  • Bad Habit Tracking – Special mode that auto-completes habits at day's end for easier bad habit monitoring
Our Rating
7.8
8.3
Total users
0
0
Total ratings
0
0
Average rating
— ⭐
— ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Android
Google Play Store
Downloads
Google Play Store
Downloads
iOS
Apple App Store
Apple App Store
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

Motivated has some really cool features that make it stand out from other habit trackers. The best thing is probably the habit strength system - instead of just counting how many days in a row you did something, it shows you how strong your habit actually is. This is way more motivating when you're trying to build good habits.

Here's what we liked most:

1. Habit Strength Percentage:

This is the main thing that makes Motivated special. Instead of getting upset when you miss a day and break your streak, you can see your habit strength percentage. It's like having a progress bar for your habits - way better than just counting days.

2. Lots of Different Habit Types:

You can track pretty much any kind of habit - daily stuff, weekly goals, or monthly targets. The app handles all of them without any problems.

3. Notes for Each Habit:

You can add notes to your habits, which is really useful. We used this to plan our workout routines and keep track of what we're reading. It makes the app feel more like a personal planner.

4. Time-Based Organization:

You can group habits by time of day - morning, afternoon, evening. This is actually really helpful for building routines.

5. Tons of Customization:

There are over 550 icons to choose from and you can pick any color you want. It's fun to make each habit look different and personal.

But there are some downsides too. The free version feels pretty limited - basic stuff like widgets is locked behind premium, and some users feel like it's a "paid app pretending to be free." We also noticed you can't easily mark a habit as missed on a specific day, which several users have asked for.

Compared to Habitive which offers unlimited free habits, or Loop Habit Tracker which provides exceptional privacy features, Motivated's freemium model can feel restrictive. However, for users who want the unique habit strength tracking system, the premium features provide genuine value.

Overall, we'd give features an 8.0/10. The core stuff works great and the habit strength idea is really smart, but the free version restrictions and some missing features keep it from being perfect.

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.

8.8

The app performs seamlessly, allowing you to track habits without any lag or interruptions. The habit completion functionality is quick and accurate, enabling you to mark off your daily habits effortlessly.

Performance strengths we observed:

  • Fast App Launch: The app opens quickly and is ready for use almost immediately. We never experienced long loading times or delays
  • Smooth Interactions: All user interactions feel fluid and responsive. Marking habits complete, navigating between screens, and customizing settings all work smoothly
  • Efficient Data Handling: The app handles multiple habits and extensive tracking history without any noticeable performance degradation
  • Reliable Widget Performance: Home screen widgets update promptly and accurately, providing real-time information without draining device resources
  • Stable Operation: We encountered very few crashes or bugs during our testing period. The app maintained consistent performance throughout

However, we did notice some minor performance issues:

  • Widget Updates: Some users have mentioned occasional delays in widget updates, though this didn't significantly impact our experience
  • Date Picker Performance: The month-by-month scrolling in the date picker can feel sluggish when trying to set dates far in the past
  • Large Data Sets: When dealing with very long habit histories, some operations may take slightly longer, though this is expected behavior

The best part is that the app works entirely offline. So, you can track your habits from any device, even without an internet connection.

Overall, Motivated delivers excellent performance that enhances rather than hinders the habit tracking experience. The app feels fast and reliable in daily use. We rate performance at 8.8/10 - very good performance with just minor areas for improvement.

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.

9.2

The design is really clean and easy to use. You can start tracking habits right away without getting confused by a complicated interface. We really liked the customizable colors and how everything looks.

What most users seem to love is the dashboard and how habits are organized in a grid. It's super easy to find what you're looking for and navigate around.

Motivated's design is genuinely impressive - it's one of the cleanest, most intuitive habit tracking interfaces we've tested. The app strikes that perfect balance between being visually appealing and functionally clear, which is exactly what you want in a productivity app.

What we particularly loved about the design:

  • Clean, Premium Feel: The interface has this polished, premium quality that makes it feel like a high-end app. Users consistently mention the "beautiful UI" and "simple yet feels like premium" experience
  • Intuitive Color System: Being able to assign custom colors to each habit creates a beautiful, personalized dashboard. We found ourselves actually looking forward to filling in our daily habits because the visual feedback was so satisfying
  • Modern Iconography: The 550+ custom icons are well-designed and meaningful. We could easily find icons that perfectly represented our habits, making the app feel more personal and engaging
  • Consistent Visual Language: Every screen follows the same design principles - clean spacing, clear typography, and logical information hierarchy. Navigation feels natural and intuitive
  • Beautiful Widgets: The home screen widgets are thoughtfully designed and match the app's aesthetic perfectly. They're both functional and visually appealing

We also noticed some design elements that users frequently praise. The percentage-based habit strength display is not only functional but also visually motivating - seeing your habits turn from red to yellow to green as you build consistency is genuinely satisfying.

However, there are a couple of design quirks. The date picker for setting habit start dates requires scrolling month by month, which we found cumbersome when trying to set a habit that started years ago. Some users have mentioned this as well, suggesting it could be more user-friendly.

While HabitKit offers the most elegant GitHub-style visualization and Habitive provides a clean, distraction-free interface, Motivated's design excels in creating a premium, motivating environment. The visual feedback system is particularly effective for maintaining user engagement.

Overall, the design is excellent and clearly a major strength of the app. We rate it at 9.2/10 - it's beautiful, functional, and genuinely enhances the habit tracking experience.

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.

7.8

Motivated can be used for free without signing up, providing access to a range of offline features. However, the free version feels quite limited - basic features like widgets are locked behind premium, which some users find frustrating.

What we found valuable about the app's pricing:

  • Lifetime Purchase Option: The availability of a one-time lifetime license is excellent and provides great long-term value compared to subscription models. Many users appreciate this option
  • Comprehensive Free Tier: The free version includes all essential habit tracking functionality, allowing you to fully evaluate the app before committing to premium
  • Quality Premium Features: Premium features like unlimited habits, widgets, and advanced analytics provide genuine utility rather than just cosmetic enhancements
  • No Hidden Costs: The app is transparent about pricing with no surprise charges or hidden fees

However, we also encountered several value concerns that users frequently mention:

  • Premium Gating: Several users have described it as a "paid app masquerading as a free app" with a "predatory paywall" that's "forced into your face at every opportunity"
  • Feature Limitations: Some users feel that "some basics features that other apps would have free are paid for this app"
  • Regional Pricing Concerns: Some users in certain regions have mentioned that the lifetime premium price could be more affordable for their local currency

For users seeking the best free experience, Habitive offers unlimited free habits with no paywalls, achieving a perfect 10.0 value rating. Meanwhile, HabitNow provides comprehensive features with a one-time premium upgrade, earning a 9.5 value rating.

The pricing plans are reasonable, making it a cost-effective solution for serious habit trackers. However, the heavy restrictions on the free version and the perception of aggressive premium gating affect its overall value proposition.

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.

8.5

We can't think of a simpler habit tracking app to start with than this one. The best part? It works seamlessly right out of the box, no account needed.

Installing it is a breeze, and you can easily add the app to both Android and iOS devices.

Once installed, the interface appears clean and intuitive. The process is easy to grasp and you'll be tracking habits in minutes.

Several aspects make the app particularly user-friendly:

  • Quick Setup: Creating new habits is incredibly straightforward. We could name our habit, pick an icon and color, and start tracking in just a few taps. No complicated configuration needed
  • One-Tap Tracking: Marking habits as complete is as simple as tapping the corresponding tile. This makes daily tracking effortless and encourages consistent use
  • Clear Visual Feedback: The color-coded system provides immediate visual confirmation. We could instantly see which habits we'd completed and which ones still needed attention
  • Intuitive Navigation: All the core functions are easily accessible. We never felt lost or confused about where to find what we needed
  • Smart Organization: The time-based collections (morning, afternoon, evening) make it easy to maintain structured daily routines

However, we did encounter some usability issues that users frequently mention in reviews. The date picker for setting habit start dates is quite cumbersome - you have to scroll month by month, which we found frustrating when trying to set a habit that started years ago. Several users have mentioned this same issue.

We also noticed that while the collection system works well, some users have requested more advanced categorization options. The current system is good but could be more flexible for users with many different types of habits.

For users who prioritize simplicity, Habitive offers an even more streamlined experience with its 3-click setup process. Meanwhile, HabitNow provides more comprehensive scheduling features for users who need advanced organization tools.

That's why we rate it 8.5 out of 10. It's extremely user-friendly, though some features might take a little time to fully appreciate.

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.

7.5

In the Security & Privacy category, we give Motivated a solid 7.5/10. The fact that you can use this tool without needing an account sets it apart from some competitors.

What we observed about privacy and security:

  • Local Data Storage: The app stores your habit data locally on your device, which is good for privacy. Your personal information isn't automatically uploaded to external servers
  • Minimal Permissions: Motivated only asks for essential permissions like notifications for reminders. It doesn't request access to unnecessary device features
  • No Account Required: You can use the app without creating an account, which means you're not sharing personal information with the developers
  • Transparent Policies: The app provides clear links to privacy policies and terms of service, though these are hosted externally

However, we also noticed some privacy concerns that users have mentioned:

  • Premium Features: Some premium features like cloud backup could potentially involve storing your data on external servers, though this is optional
  • Analytics Usage: The app may use third-party analytics tools, which could potentially track your usage patterns
  • Limited Privacy Controls: Compared to some privacy-focused alternatives, users have fewer options to control how their data is handled

For users who prioritize maximum privacy, Loop Habit Tracker offers exceptional offline-first privacy with a 9.8 rating in this category. Similarly, Habitive keeps all data local without requiring accounts, achieving a 9.0 privacy rating.

Based on our testing and the user feedback we've seen, we rate security and privacy at 7.5/10. The app provides basic privacy protection but doesn't go as far as some competitors in terms of transparency and user control over data.

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.

We have been using Motivated for our habit tracking needs and can confidently say it's a solid tool for anyone who's serious about building better habits.

Its user-friendly design and powerful features make it a good choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking to improve their daily routines. The free version is functional, but if you need more advanced features, the premium options are worth considering.

If you're serious about staying organized while building habits, we recommend giving Motivated a try. Just be aware that some key features require a premium subscription.

For users who want unlimited free habits, Habitive is the best option with its completely free, ad-free experience. Those seeking elegant design might prefer HabitKit with its beautiful GitHub-style visualization. If you need comprehensive scheduling and timer functionality, HabitNow provides the most complete solution. However, if you value the unique habit strength tracking system and don't mind the freemium model, Motivated offers a compelling approach to building lasting habits.

Our Recommendation