Compare Loop Habits, Habitive, and Schedule Planner: Which App is the Best?

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:

• Flexible Tracking Options: The app supports daily, weekly, and monthly goals with customizable frequencies
• Detailed Statistics: Multiple graph types show your progress over time
• Custom Notifications: Individual reminders for each habit with "sticky" notification option
• Home Screen Widgets: Various widget styles for quick habit tracking
• Data Management: Export to CSV and SQLite formats for backup or analysis
• Calendar View: Easy access to historical data and habit completion

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.

Performance-wise, To-Do List - Schedule Planner generally delivers a smooth and responsive experience, though not without occasional hiccups.

The app launches quickly—within 2-3 seconds on our test devices (though the multiple ads on launch add annoying delays). Once running, navigation between screens is snappy. Switching from your task list to calendar view or checking completed items happens instantly. Creating new tasks, editing existing ones, and checking items off all feel immediate with no noticeable lag.

Performance highlights:

• Reliable Widgets: Update within seconds to reflect changes made in the app
• Cloud Sync: Works consistently across devices, syncing within 10-15 seconds with active internet
• Offline Functionality: Create and manage tasks without connectivity, syncs when back online
• Battery Efficiency: Didn't appear in battery drain statistics during our week of daily use
• Small Footprint: Modest download size and storage usage even with hundreds of tasks

However, we did encounter some bugs that multiple users also reported. The most concerning is recurring tasks occasionally disappearing or not repeating as configured. This happened to us twice during testing, requiring us to manually recreate the tasks. We also experienced one instance where the app crashed when trying to edit a task with many sub-items, though this wasn't reproducible.

The ad-loading mechanism in the free version can cause brief freezes, particularly on slower connections. Some users reported that ads occasionally fail to load properly, leaving the close button non-functional and forcing an app restart.

The core functionality performs well, with good speed and reasonable resource usage. The bugs are concerning but not constant, affecting usability occasionally rather than consistently. Overall: 8.5/10—generally reliable and fast, though stability issues need addressing.

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:

• Clear Data Visualization: Graphs and progress indicators are both beautiful and easy to interpret
• Consistent Patterns: Common actions follow familiar Android design patterns
• Effective Use of Space: Information density is well-balanced across all screens
• Responsive Layout: Adapts smoothly to different screen sizes and orientations

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.

The design of To-Do List - Schedule Planner is clean and functional, though it doesn't quite reach the aesthetic heights of some premium competitors. The interface follows a straightforward approach that prioritizes usability over visual flair.

What works well:

• Clear Organization: Task lists display with intuitive icons and color coding for easy category distinction
• Calendar View: Well-designed monthly grid with easy navigation
• Task Cards: Uncluttered design showing just enough information without overwhelming
• Theme Variety: Multiple color options to suit your style or mood
• Dark Mode: Solid implementation with good contrast and no harsh whites

Icons are simple and recognizable, though they lean toward generic rather than distinctive.

Where the design falls short is in refinement and consistency. Ad placements in the free version disrupt the visual flow, sometimes appearing multiple times on launch in ways that feel intrusive. Some users noted that the UI can feel a bit dated compared to modern Material Design standards. The premium upsell prompts with countdown timers feel aggressive and detract from the otherwise clean aesthetic.

Animations are minimal—tasks check off smoothly, transitions happen quickly. The widget design works fine but won't win beauty contests. Overall: 8.2/10—solid and usable, but lacking the polish and visual appeal that would make it memorable.

Value for money with To-Do List - Schedule Planner depends heavily on whether you're comfortable using the ad-supported free version or willing to pay for premium features.

The free version provides genuine utility. You can create unlimited tasks, set reminders, use categories, add sub-tasks, view your calendar, and sync via Google Drive—all without paying. For basic task management needs, this covers the essentials. Many users we saw in reviews were satisfied using the app completely free, especially students and casual users who don't mind occasional ads.

However, the ads are a significant detractor. Multiple users complained about intrusive ad placement, with some reporting that ads appear multiple times on every app launch and occasionally glitch, requiring app restarts. The aggressive premium upselling with countdown timer prompts also frustrated several users who felt pressured rather than persuaded. These elements diminish the free experience more than necessary.

The premium tier removes ads and unlocks additional themes, wallpapers, and potentially other features, though the exact premium feature list isn't entirely clear from the store listing. Pricing ranges from €1.09 to €57.99, suggesting multiple subscription tiers or a lifetime purchase option. Without clear differentiation of what each tier offers, it's hard to assess whether the premium pricing is fair.

Compared to alternatives, the value proposition is mixed. Habitive offers unlimited habits and tasks completely free with no ads. Loop Habit Tracker is open-source and feature-complete at no cost. Even HabitKit provides an ad-free experience in its free tier, though it limits you to 4 habits.

For users needing comprehensive task management with calendar integration who don't want to pay, the free tier remains serviceable despite the ads. Premium might be worthwhile for daily users bothered by ads, though it's hard to assess whether the €57.99 tier represents good value without trying it. Overall: 7.8/10—decent free functionality undermined by aggressive monetization and unclear premium benefits.

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:

• Simple Habit Creation: Adding new habits takes just a few taps with clear, logical options
• Efficient Daily Use: Main screen provides quick access to all habits with one-tap completion
• Smart Notifications: Reminders can be managed directly from notifications without opening the app
• Intuitive History: Calendar view makes it easy to review and edit past entries
• Accessible Statistics: Complex data presented in easily digestible visual formats

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.

Ease of use is where To-Do List - Schedule Planner truly excels. The app's learning curve is remarkably gentle, and we were creating tasks and organizing lists within seconds of first launch.

Creating a new task is dead simple: tap the plus button, type your task name, and you're done. Want to add more details? Tap the task to set a reminder, assign it to a category, add priority stars, or break it into sub-tasks. This progressive disclosure approach means beginners aren't overwhelmed, while power users can dive into advanced options when needed.

Highlights include:

• Widget Functionality: Check off completed tasks with a single tap from your home screen without opening the app
• Intuitive Calendar: Tap any date to see or add tasks, swipe to navigate between months
• Simple Navigation: Clearly labeled buttons for task lists, calendar, and completed items
• Quick Search: Find specific tasks easily when your lists grow long
• Easy Categorization: Organize tasks by selecting from a dropdown menu

A few minor friction points exist. The initial setup flow includes aggressive premium prompts that can be confusing for new users trying to access basic features. Some users reported that the tutorial felt unnecessary or difficult to skip. Recurring tasks occasionally behave unexpectedly, requiring users to double-check that repeating items are properly configured.

Despite these small issues, the experience remains smooth and intuitive. Most functions work exactly as expected—the hallmark of good usability design. Overall: 9.0/10—excellent accessibility for all skill levels, with only minor stumbling blocks.

Privacy and security with To-Do List - Schedule Planner presents a mixed picture. The app requires several permissions that may raise concerns for privacy-conscious users, though most are justifiable given its feature set.

The app requests access to your calendar, storage, and audio recording capabilities. Calendar access makes sense for integration with your existing schedule. Storage permissions are needed for local data storage and the cloud sync feature via Google Drive. Audio recording is required if you use any voice input features, though this isn't a core function for most users.

Cloud sync through Google Drive is optional, which we appreciate. If you're comfortable with Google's data handling, this provides a convenient backup and cross-device access. However, the app doesn't clearly communicate what data is synced or how it's encrypted during transmission and storage. We couldn't find a detailed privacy policy easily accessible within the app or on the developer's website.

The developer, BetterApp Tech Co., Limited, is based in Hong Kong. While this doesn't inherently indicate security concerns, users subject to certain data protection regulations (like GDPR) may want to understand how their data is handled across jurisdictions. The app doesn't require account creation for basic use, which is a privacy plus—your tasks stay on your device by default.

We didn't find evidence of data being sold to third parties, though the free version includes ads, which typically involves some level of user tracking for ad targeting. The app hasn't been involved in any known security breaches, which is reassuring.

The lack of end-to-end encryption for synced data is notable, especially for users storing sensitive work tasks or personal information. Password protection for the app itself is also absent, meaning anyone with access to your unlocked phone can view your tasks. Overall: 7.5/10—adequate for casual use, but concerning for highly sensitive data or privacy-focused users.