Compare HabitKit, Loop Habits, Habitive, Habitica, and Habit Diary: Which App is the Best?

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.

Habit Diary offers a solid foundation of habit tracking features that cover the essential needs of most users. The app's core functionality includes customizable daily habits, progress tracking, and a unique 30-day challenge system that sets it apart from many competitors.

What we found particularly effective during our testing:

• Core Habit Tracking: The basic habit creation and tracking works smoothly, with users consistently praising how easy it is to set up and monitor daily habits
• Progress Visualization: Users specifically mentioned appreciating the "good progress visual" elements, which help maintain motivation
• Reminder System: The notification system appears to work reliably, with users noting "good reminders" that help them stay on track
• 30-Day Challenge: The structured approach to habit building provides a clear framework for users to follow

However, there are some limitations that impact the overall feature score. The free version restricts the number of habits users can track, which several users found frustrating. Additionally, some advanced features like detailed analytics and custom widgets are locked behind the premium paywall.

We also confirmed user reports that "the app does not appear to have any widgets" in the free version, and encountered the same Google backup problems that users report, with one user stating "i cant backup my account with google."

Based on our testing and user feedback, we rate the features at 7.0 out of 10. The app delivers solid core functionality and some unique elements like the challenge system, but the freemium restrictions and limited free features prevent it from scoring higher.

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:

• Fast Startup: Opens quickly and is ready to use
• Responsive: Taps and swipes work smoothly
• Efficient: Doesn't slow down even with lots of habits
• Stable: Core features work reliably
• Lightweight: Doesn't use much phone storage or battery
• Consistent: Performance stays good over time

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.

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.

Habit Diary performs exceptionally well in day-to-day use. The app is lightweight, launches quickly, and all interactions—such as marking completions, navigating between views, and customizing habits—are smooth and responsive.

We encountered very few bugs or crashes, and the app remained stable even when tracking a large number of habits. User reviews echo this experience, with most people praising the app's reliability and speed.

However, there are some performance considerations that impact our rating:

• Ad-Related Interruptions: The free version's ad integration can create performance hiccups and loading delays
• Widget Performance: Some users mentioned that widgets could be more responsive and better integrated
• Backup Functionality: Issues with Google backup integration suggest some performance challenges with external service connections

Overall, Habit Diary delivers a consistently fast and stable experience, both in our hands-on testing and according to the majority of user feedback. We rate its performance at 6.5 out of 10, acknowledging the app's solid technical foundation while noting that some premium features and external integrations could benefit from performance optimization.

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 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:

• Clean Layout: Everything is easy to see and understand
• Consistent Look: The design style stays the same throughout the app
• Nice Widgets: The home screen widgets look good and show useful info
• Cute Character: There's a sloth mascot that users really like
• Good Colors: Colors are used well to organize information

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.

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.

Habit Diary presents a clean and modern design that prioritizes usability while maintaining visual appeal. The interface strikes a good balance between functionality and aesthetics, with a layout that makes navigation intuitive for most users.

Design strengths we observed include:

• Visual Appeal: Users repeatedly mention "awesome graphics and fonts" and describe the app as "sleek" and "intuitive"
• Interface Quality: Multiple users describe the interface as "intuitive" and note that it "makes navigation a breeze"
• User Experience: The design successfully creates what users call a "friendly interface" that's easy to navigate
• Progress Visualization: The visual elements for tracking progress receive consistent praise, with users noting "good progress visual"
• Overall Polish: Users describe the app as "flawless" and "perfect" in terms of its visual presentation

However, there are some design aspects that could be improved. The free version's ad integration can feel intrusive and disrupt the otherwise clean aesthetic. Some users also noted that the widget functionality, while functional, could benefit from more customization options and better visual integration with the main app design.

Overall, Habit Diary's design successfully creates an engaging and motivating environment for habit tracking. The interface effectively balances simplicity with functionality, making it accessible to users of all experience levels. We rate design at 8.5 out of 10, acknowledging the app's strong visual foundation while noting areas where the user experience could be further enhanced.

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.

Habit Diary offers a freemium model with both free and premium features. The free version provides basic habit tracking functionality but comes with limitations on the number of habits you can track and some advanced features.

Premium features include:

• Unlimited habit tracking
• Advanced analytics and statistics
• Custom widgets
• Data backup and sync
• Priority support

In-app purchases range from €7.49 to €28.99, with options for monthly, yearly, or lifetime subscriptions. The free version is ad-supported, which some users find intrusive, but it does provide enough functionality to evaluate whether the app fits your needs before upgrading.

However, several factors limit the value for money. Users consistently mention that the free version restricts the number of habits they can track, which can be frustrating for serious users. The free version's ad-supported model creates a fragmented user experience that some users find off-putting.

We rate value for money at 5.5 out of 10. While the app provides solid functionality and competitive pricing for premium users, the free version's limitations and ad-supported model create a mixed value proposition that may not appeal to all users.

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.

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.

Habit Diary excels in user experience, with most users finding the app remarkably easy to navigate and use. The interface design prioritizes simplicity, making it accessible even for users who are new to habit tracking apps.

Highlights include:

• Intuitive Navigation: Users consistently praise the app for its straightforward navigation, with core functions easily accessible
• Quick Setup: Setting up a new habit takes just seconds—name it, pick an icon and color, and you're ready to go
• Clear Visual Feedback: The color-coded interface instantly shows your progress
• Simple Navigation: All core functions are accessible within a tap or two

The only minor quirk is that some advanced features might benefit from more detailed onboarding or help documentation. Once learned, it's easy to use.

Overall, Habit Diary's ease of use is one of its greatest strengths. The app successfully balances simplicity with functionality, making habit tracking accessible to a wide range of users. We rate ease of use at 9.0 out of 10, recognizing the app's excellent user experience while noting that some premium features could benefit from enhanced user guidance.

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:

• No Data Collection: The app doesn't track what you do
• Local Storage: Your data stays on your phone
• No Tracking: No third-party analytics or tracking tools
• Minimal Permissions: Only asks for what it absolutely needs
• No Account Required: You can use it without giving any personal info

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.

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.

Habit Diary's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that reflects the typical approach of freemium apps in the habit tracking space. While the app doesn't appear to have major security vulnerabilities, there are some privacy considerations that users should be aware of.

We found no evidence of third-party analytics or tracking tools. The app only requests essential permissions, such as notifications for reminders. This commitment to privacy is rare and highly appreciated.

However, there are some privacy concerns that impact our rating:

• Ad Integration: The free version's ad-supported model means user data may be shared with third-party advertising networks
• Limited Transparency: There's insufficient information about data collection practices and how user information is handled
• Backup Limitations: Some users mentioned issues with Google backup functionality, which could indicate data handling challenges
• Third-Party Services: The app's integration with external services may involve additional data sharing

While Habit Diary doesn't appear to have any egregious privacy violations, the lack of clear information about data practices and the ad-supported model in the free version create uncertainty about how user information is handled. We rate security and privacy at 6.5 out of 10, acknowledging that while there are no major red flags, users should be aware of the potential data sharing implications of using the free version.