Compare Habitive and Psiphon VPN: Which App is the Best?
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. | Psiphon VPN is an open-source circumvention tool with 100M+ downloads and 4.5/5 rating, offering internet freedom and bypassing censorship, though it has faced some recent connection issues and forced app installations. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 9.2 Winner in this category | 7.1 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 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. Winner in this category | 8.0 Psiphon VPN offers a comprehensive set of features that justify its circumvention positioning. The service includes open-source transparency, automatic protocol selection, and constantly changing servers. The service also includes advanced features like multi-language support and NGO partnerships, making it more than just a basic VPN. What sets Psiphon VPN apart is its open-source nature and internet freedom focus. The service also includes advanced features like research-backed security and NGO partnerships, making it more than just a basic VPN. However, unlike Proton VPN, it lacks some advanced privacy features like kill switch and split tunneling. However, the service lacks some advanced features found in dedicated VPN providers, such as specialized servers for specific use cases and some cutting-edge privacy features. The service also doesn't offer some advanced features like obfuscated servers or specialized streaming servers that some competitors provide. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN offers good features, but the connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need circumvention features. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. Winner in this category | 6.0 Psiphon VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good circumvention capabilities when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent connection speeds and automatic protocol selection, but the frequent disconnections and loading delays make it difficult to use reliably. The service works well for basic circumvention protection when connected, but many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues are particularly concerning given the circumvention positioning. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the circumvention positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a circumvention tool, but Psiphon VPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's performance is below average. The connection issues make it difficult to justify the circumvention positioning, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability. |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. Winner in this category | 6.5 Psiphon VPN's interface strikes a basic balance between functionality and circumvention usability. The main screen provides quick access to connection controls and key settings. The interface is functional but not particularly polished, with basic attention to detail and user experience. The app's design is functional and well-organized, with clear navigation between different features. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the settings menu is basic. The interface doesn't overwhelm users with complex options while still providing access to advanced features. The interface is generally user-friendly and provides good visual feedback about connection status and app performance. The design reflects the circumvention positioning of the service, making it suitable for users in restricted regions. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's design is functional but not as polished. The interface is basic and functional, with adequate attention to detail for circumvention users. |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. Winner in this category | 7.5 Psiphon VPN's value proposition is good for circumvention users, with open-source transparency and internet freedom features. The service offers competitive pricing compared to other circumvention tools, with the ability to get open-source circumvention for free being a significant advantage. The service's pricing is competitive with other circumvention tools, and the open-source nature makes it particularly attractive for users who want complete control and transparency. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic circumvention functionality. However, the service's value is impacted by connection stability issues and forced app installations. Many users report frequent disconnections and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives like Proton VPN or NordVPN. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN offers good features but at a similar cost. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over circumvention alternatives that offer similar performance with better reliability. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. Winner in this category | 6.0 Psiphon VPN is moderately easy to use for basic circumvention functionality, but requires some technical knowledge for optimal use. The app's design is functional, but most users need to understand circumvention concepts to get the best results. The service works well for most circumvention use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. The service offers automatic protocol selection and constantly changing servers, making it accessible to users with technical knowledge. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the circumvention connection process is straightforward. The service works well for most circumvention use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. However, the service's ease of use is compromised by recent connection issues and forced app installations. Many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The app can be frustrating to use due to connection issues and loading delays. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The connection issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a circumvention tool. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. Winner in this category | 8.5 Psiphon VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with open-source transparency and research-backed security technologies. The service includes automatic protocol selection and constantly changing servers. The service also includes advanced features like NGO partnerships for enhanced privacy protection. The service's privacy features are comprehensive for a circumvention solution, with open-source transparency and research-backed security. The service also includes advanced features like NGO partnerships for enhanced security and privacy protection. Psiphon VPN has an excellent security record, with open-source transparency and community oversight. The circumvention focus ensures complete transparency, and the NGO partnerships mean the highest security standards are maintained. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's security practices are excellent. The service provides the highest level of protection for users who prioritize circumvention and transparency. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | 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. | Psiphon VPN offers good circumvention capabilities and open-source transparency, but its value proposition is compromised by recent connection issues and forced app installations. The service provides excellent internet freedom features and NGO partnerships, but the connection problems and loading delays make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives.
For users who prioritize internet freedom and are willing to work within the service's limitations, Psiphon VPN offers a solid feature set with good circumvention capabilities when working properly. However, those seeking specialized VPN functionality or experiencing connection issues might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability, such as Proton VPN for general VPN needs.
Ultimately, Psiphon VPN's open-source approach and internet freedom focus make it a good choice for users seeking circumvention tools, but the connection stability issues and forced installations make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. For general VPN usage, consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN for more reliable connections. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
