Compare HabitKit, HabitNow, TheFor: Habit Tracker, Motivated, and Me+ Lifestyle Routine: Which App is the Best?

TheFor: Habit Tracker covers all the basics - you get unlimited habits for free, streak tracking, reminders, and a clear, motivating overview of your progress. Premium unlocks advanced analytics, backup, color customization, widgets, routines, and a journal—so if you want to go deeper, the option is there.

We did run into a few limitations: there's no way to set monthly or custom frequencies for habits, and backup/sync is only available for premium users and limited to one device. Habit categories or grouping are missing, and we'd love to see more widget options and richer analytics. Still, for most people, the core features are more than enough to build and stick to new habits.

Compared to Habitive which offers unlimited habits completely free, TheFor's freemium model provides more advanced features but at a cost. For users who need comprehensive scheduling and timer functionality, HabitNow offers more robust planning tools.

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.

Me+ goes beyond basic habit tracking with a full routine planner, mood logging, and optional personality-based guidance. During our testing, we found it especially good at turning plans into action through clear steps and timely reminders.

Here's what we liked most:

• Detailed routines: You can customize steps, timing, and priorities
• Progress feedback: Streaks and completion rates that actually motivate you
• Self-care plans: Build exercise, nutrition, and wellness blocks
• Smart reminders: Nudges that arrive when you need them most
• Widgets: See today's routine at a glance on your home screen

Areas for improvement: some advanced content sits behind a paywall, and reordering items via drag-and-drop could be smoother. While HabitNow offers more comprehensive scheduling and timer features, Me+ focuses on routine structure and personalization. Overall, it's a thoughtful feature set that earns an 8.5.

HabitNow performs reliably in daily use. The app is fast, responsive, and stable, even when tracking a large number of habits and tasks. We experienced smooth navigation and quick loading times throughout our testing.

While there are occasional reports of alarms or notifications not firing as expected, and some widget update quirks, these issues are relatively rare and do not significantly impact the overall experience. HabitNow delivers strong performance for a productivity app of its kind.

Performance is rock solid. The app launches quickly, navigation is snappy, and everything from marking habits to viewing analytics feels smooth. Animations are polished and never slow things down.

We did notice the occasional delay with widget updates or reminders, but these were rare and never got in the way of daily use. TheFor is a dependable choice for anyone serious about tracking habits.

This performance puts TheFor ahead of some competitors like Habitica which has reported occasional bugs and slowdowns, though Habitica's unique gamification features make it appealing for users who want a more engaging experience.

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.

Me+ felt stable and responsive throughout our tests. Navigation is smooth, widgets update reliably, and notifications fire on time.

We noticed occasional sluggishness when reordering many items in long routines, especially on older devices, but it didn't affect daily use. While Loop Habit Tracker offers superior performance with its lightweight design and 9.8 performance rating, Me+ provides solid performance that earns an 8.3.

Design is one of HabitNow's standout qualities. The interface is clean, modern, and easy to navigate, making it simple to set up and manage habits or routines. We enjoyed the customizable themes and icons, which allow for a personalized look and feel.

Widgets are visually appealing and integrate well with the Android home screen. While we'd love to see even more color options and better support for system fonts or accessibility settings, the overall design is both attractive and highly functional. HabitNow strikes a great balance between aesthetics and usability.

TheFor stands out for its design. The interface is clean, modern, and genuinely enjoyable to use. Everything feels thoughtfully laid out, and the minimalist look keeps you focused on what matters—your habits. Subtle animations and a calming color palette add polish without getting in the way.

Most customization options (like extra colors) are premium, but the default look is already a cut above most habit trackers. We did spot a few minor quirks with widget alignment, and we'd welcome even more flexibility in widget appearance, but these are small details in an otherwise beautiful app.

While HabitKit offers the most elegant GitHub-style visualization in the category, TheFor's design is more approachable and user-friendly for everyday use.

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.

The interface is clean and purposeful, with typography and color used to guide your attention without getting in the way. We always knew what was next, and progress felt tangible.

What stood out to us:

• Clear structure: Navigation never feels cluttered or confusing
• Color cues: Helpful for reading status at a glance
• Consistent visuals: A cohesive look across all screens and widgets

A dark mode would be nice for early mornings, and the drag-and-drop could be more obvious visually. Still, the design supports the main goal: helping you do the next right thing. While HabitKit offers more elegant GitHub-style visualization, Me+ provides a practical, motivating interface. We rate design at 8.8.

TheFor: Habit Tracker is a great value, especially if you're happy with the basics. Unlimited habit tracking and an ad-free experience are free, which is rare. If you want analytics, backup, customization, widgets, and more, premium is available as a one-time lifetime purchase or a low-cost subscription.

Premium is fairly priced for what you get, but if you only want one advanced feature, it might feel like a lot. We'd also like to see backup and sync work across multiple devices. Still, the free tier is generous, and the premium upgrade is worth it if you want to unlock everything.

For users who want maximum value without any cost, Habitive offers everything completely free. Those seeking a one-time purchase model might prefer HabitNow which provides comprehensive features for a single payment.

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.

The free tier covers the essentials and is enough for many users. If you want advanced content and more customization options, upgrades are available through in-app purchases (€8.99–€74.99 on Google Play).

It's good value if you'll use the extra guidance and content regularly; otherwise, the free experience is already quite strong. For users who want completely free unlimited habits, Habitive offers better value. However, Me+'s MBTI guidance and structured approach may justify the cost for users who need more than basic tracking. We rate value for money at 7.2.

We found HabitNow remarkably easy to use, with a clear and intuitive interface that makes setting up habits and routines quick and painless. Adding, editing, and organizing tasks is straightforward, and the onboarding process is smooth for new users. Widgets and reminders are easy to configure, and the app's layout keeps everything accessible without clutter.

There are a few minor quirks, such as needing to manually mark tasks as done after using the timer, or occasional confusion with backup and import features. However, these do not detract significantly from the overall experience. HabitNow is a great choice for anyone looking for a straightforward and effective habit tracker.

TheFor is refreshingly easy to use. Getting started takes seconds, and adding or checking off habits is as simple as a tap or swipe. The uncluttered interface means you're never lost, and all the essentials are right where you expect them.

We especially liked how intuitive the daily and weekly overviews are—seeing your progress at a glance is genuinely motivating. Some advanced options, like reordering routines or using widgets, could be a bit easier to find, but overall, habit tracking here feels effortless, even if you're new to this kind of app.

This ease of use puts TheFor on par with Habitive in terms of user experience, though Habitive's 3-click setup is slightly faster for new users.

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.

Getting started is straightforward and guided. The basics are easy: add a routine, set reminders, start checking things off. As routines get more complex, arranging steps takes more effort, and the drag-and-drop interaction can feel a bit fiddly.

Here's what we liked:

• Guided onboarding: You're not left guessing what to do next
• Simple task actions: Add, edit, complete—no fuss or confusion
• Helpful widgets: Quick access without having to open the app

There's a reasonable learning curve and strong guidance makes it approachable. While Habitive offers the simplest 3-click setup, Me+ provides more structure for complex routine building. We rate ease of use at 7.8.

We appreciate that HabitNow takes privacy seriously by storing your data locally on your device and not requiring an account for basic use. The lock screen feature adds an extra layer of privacy for sensitive routines and notes, and backups can be created and exported manually, giving you full control over your data.

While some may wish for account-based sync or cloud backup, the current approach ensures your information stays private. There are no intrusive ads or unnecessary permissions, making HabitNow a trustworthy choice for privacy-conscious users.

Privacy is handled well. You don't need an account to use the core features, and your data stays on your device unless you choose to back up or sync. The app only asks for essential permissions, like notifications for reminders, and we didn't see any intrusive ads or third-party tracking.

Backup and sync are premium-only and limited to one device, which keeps things simple and secure, but might be a drawback if you want true cross-device sync. For most people, TheFor offers a strong level of privacy and peace of mind.

This approach is similar to Habitive which also keeps data local, though Habitive doesn't require any account setup at all for maximum privacy.

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.

The app requests sensible permissions and we didn't see any obvious overreach. Your routine data appears to be stored locally with account-based sync features available if you want them. We'd like to see clearer, more prominent documentation on how your data is handled.

Bottom line: nothing concerning in our testing, but more transparency would help users feel confident. While HabitKit offers superior privacy with fully local storage and no accounts required, Me+ provides a reasonable balance of convenience and security. We rate security & privacy at 7.5.