Compare Habitive and Serenity: 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. | Serenity is a meditation app with 4.8 stars on Android (4.95 recent) and 4.9 on iOS, offering a free 7-day beginner course and sleep meditations. Known for its soothing narrator voice, simple interface, and no-account-required access, it provides excellent value with flexible pricing—buy content packs individually or unlock everything via subscription. | |
| 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 | 9.0 |
| 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 | 8.5 Serenity delivers a well-rounded meditation experience without overwhelming complexity. The feature set focuses on what matters for building a consistent practice, and executes this effectively. Standout features:
There are limitations. While the free version generously offers over 2 hours of content, it restricts access to advanced programs. Some users wanted more variety in the free tier, though most agreed the basics provided solid value. The app lacks organizational features found in complex apps—no folders or advanced filtering. This simplicity is intentional and generally works in its favor. Features earn 8.5 out of 10. Core meditation functionality is excellent, the beginner course stands out, and sleep content delivers genuine value. It doesn't match the content volume of Calm or the completely free library of Medito, but what's present is thoughtfully implemented and effective. Winner in this category |
| 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. | 9.0 Serenity performs reliably. Across thousands of recent reviews, technical issues are rarely mentioned—stark contrast to apps like Headspace where performance problems dominate feedback. Performance strengths:
Long-term reliability is impressive. Users with 3+ years of consistent use continue praising the app. One mentioned using it twice daily for years without issues. Another: "3 years later and I'm still using this app. Truly saved my life." The app handles offline mode well. Progress tracking and stats work reliably. Reminders arrive as scheduled. Basic functions work consistently—which should be standard but, as competitor reviews show, often isn't. The only minor performance consideration? Ads in the free version, though users say they're "seamlessly integrated" and not disruptive. No mentions of ad-related lag or crashes. Performance earns 9.0 out of 10. Serenity simply works, consistently, for years. In a market where major apps struggle with crashes and slowdowns, this reliability is a competitive advantage. The app delivers without technical friction. Winner in this category |
| 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 | 9.0 Serenity's design philosophy is refreshingly simple—clean interface, clear navigation, zero clutter. After testing meditation apps that try to do too much visually, this straightforward approach felt intentional and calming. Design strengths:
The design doesn't try to impress with visual flair, and that's its strength. Where Headspace has become cluttered with features and constant UI changes that frustrate users, Serenity maintains consistency. It looks professional without feeling corporate or sterile. Several reviewers compared Serenity's interface favorably to Calm and Headspace. The simpler design made it easier to use, and the lack of visual complexity helps maintain focus on practice rather than navigation. Design earns 9.0 out of 10. The minimalist approach works exceptionally well. It won't win design awards for innovation, but it excels at creating a calm, distraction-free environment that supports meditation. |
| 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 | 8.5 Serenity offers strong value, especially compared to subscription-only meditation apps. The pricing model provides genuine flexibility that respects different budgets. The free tier is legitimately useful:
Paid options are flexible:
Multiple users compared Serenity favorably to Calm. One review stated: "I like Calm but this app is a much better deal if you are low on money. The meditation quality is great." Another: "This app is by far the best deal for a simple meditation app." The main value limitation? Medito offers completely free, ad-free meditation with no purchases required. If budget is your primary concern, Medito's perfect 10.0 value rating can't be beaten. However, Serenity's flexible pricing—pay only for what you want—beats subscription-only alternatives. Value for money earns 8.5 out of 10. Free content is genuinely useful, purchasing options are flexible and fairly priced, and quality justifies the cost. While not free like Medito, Serenity delivers considerably better value than premium subscription apps. |
| 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 | 9.5 Serenity is remarkably easy to use. This came up repeatedly in reviews and matched our experience—the app just works, immediately, without friction. What makes it so accessible:
Ease of use particularly shines for beginners. Multiple first-time meditators mentioned Serenity helped them establish regular practice when other apps felt overwhelming. One user switching from another "popular meditation app" (likely Headspace) specifically cited Serenity's simpler layout as crucial during anxiety attacks—they could find what they needed quickly without confusion. Even purchasing is straightforward if you choose to upgrade. Buy specific content packs rather than committing to a full subscription. Flexibility and control. Ease of use earns 9.5 out of 10. This is one of the app's greatest strengths. Serenity removes barriers between you and meditation, making it genuinely effortless to build a practice. The 0.5 deduction? Perfection doesn't exist—but this comes close to frictionless usability. Winner in this category |
| 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. | 9.5 Serenity takes a privacy-friendly approach that stands out. The biggest advantage is simple: no account required means no personal data collection for basic use. Privacy strengths:
Ads in the free version are the main privacy consideration. Users say they're "seamlessly integrated," and they appear to be standard in-app advertising rather than highly targeted data collection. Still, ads typically involve some tracking—worth noting if you're privacy-conscious. For maximum privacy, Medito sets the gold standard with open-source, ad-free, account-free approach. Serenity's practices are solid though—better than subscription apps requiring accounts and more transparent than many competitors. Security and privacy earn 9.5 out of 10. The no-account approach provides excellent privacy. Ads in the free version are the only minor concern, and even that appears handled reasonably. For most users, Serenity's privacy practices are more than adequate. Winner in this category |
| 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. | Serenity delivers what a meditation app should: effective guidance, reliable performance, and genuine accessibility. The 4.8-star rating with 54.2K reviews isn't inflated—the app works well, the narrator's voice is soothing, and the interface stays out of your way. The rising recent rating (4.95 stars) shows quality improving, not declining. What makes Serenity valuable is a rare combination of factors. The free 7-day beginner course provides real value without requiring an account or payment info. Sleep meditations work effectively for long-term users. Flexible pricing respects your budget—buy what you want instead of committing to a subscription. The app maintains this quality over years without the technical deterioration affecting competitors. It's not perfect. Free content is limited beyond basics, ads are present, and the values-focused approach in some sessions won't appeal to everyone. Want completely free meditation? Medito is your choice. Want celebrity narrators and massive libraries? Calm has that (at subscription cost). Need therapy integration? Headspace provides it (though with current technical issues). For straightforward, effective meditation with excellent beginner support and reasonable pricing, Serenity hits the sweet spot. The simplicity is intentional. The focus on fundamentals over feature bloat helps. The consistent praise for ease of use, voice quality, and sleep effectiveness across thousands of reviews isn't marketing—it's genuine experience. We recommend Serenity for beginners building their first meditation practice, anyone struggling with sleep who wants guided sessions, and users who appreciate simplicity. The free content lets you test it without commitment. If it clicks, flexible purchasing provides fair value. Reliable performance won't get in the way of developing consistent practice. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
