Compare Loop Habits, HabitNow, TheFor: Habit Tracker, Habitica, and Disciplined: 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.

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.

Disciplined covers the basics of habit tracking well without overwhelming you with unnecessary features. It focuses on what matters most - helping you build and maintain good habits. The app keeps things simple, which many users actually prefer.

Here's what works well:

• Easy Habit Setup: Creating habits with custom schedules and goals is straightforward
• Clear Progress Views: You can easily see how you're doing with visual trackers and calendar views
• Helpful Reminders: Custom notifications that actually help you stay consistent
• Sync Across Devices: Your data follows you from phone to tablet to computer
• Home Screen Widgets: Quick habit checking without opening the app

But there are some limitations. The free version locks away detailed statistics, which frustrates some users. People also want features like grouping related habits together, adding notes to habits, and better streak tracking. While the core tracking works great, the feature set feels a bit basic compared to some alternatives.

That's why we give features a 7.5. It's solid for basic habit tracking but missing some advanced capabilities that power users might want.

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.

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.

Disciplined's performance is generally solid, but there are concerning reports about lag and stability issues that prevent a higher rating. Performance seems to vary depending on your device and how you use the app.

Here's what works well:

• Quick Launch: The app starts fast and navigation feels responsive
• Reliable Core Functions: Basic habit tracking and UI interactions work consistently
• Stable Widgets: Home screen widgets work well without causing system issues
• Smooth Sync: Data synchronization across devices appears to work reliably

But there are performance concerns that impact the rating. Several users report that the latest version became "laggy" on their devices, with one user noting that the app made their phone slow and eventually stopped working. Some mention bugs that prevented them from getting value from the app, especially after paying for premium. These issues appearing in recent reviews suggest ongoing performance challenges that need attention.

We give performance a 7.0 - generally good, but the reported lag issues and occasional bugs prevent a higher score. Users with older devices should be particularly cautious.

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.

Disciplined's design is one of its best features. Users consistently praise the clean, intuitive interface. We love how it keeps things simple and focuses on what matters most.

Here's what makes the design great:

• Clean Layout: No clutter or distractions - just what you need to track habits
• Easy Navigation: Finding and using features feels natural and logical
• Clear Progress: Visual indicators that motivate you to keep going
• Consistent Look: The design feels cohesive throughout the app
• Good Widgets: Home screen widgets that look good and work well

Some users mention areas for improvement, especially around widget customization. One user wished the widget could be more transparent to better match their home screen. The "less is more" approach works well for a habit tracker, though some users might want more visual feedback or customization options.

We give design an 8.5 - excellent for its clean, functional approach, with room for minor aesthetic improvements.

We think HabitNow offers excellent value for money, especially with its one-time premium upgrade that unlocks unlimited habits, advanced customization, and additional widgets. The free version is generous enough for most users to get started, and there are no ads or forced subscriptions.

Compared to other habit trackers that require ongoing payments, HabitNow's pricing model is refreshingly fair. While some may wish for a slightly higher free limit, the premium upgrade is well worth it for anyone serious about habit tracking and productivity.

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.

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.

Disciplined's value is mixed - users have different opinions about whether the premium features are worth the cost. The pricing strategy and feature distribution significantly impact the overall value.

Here's what's good about the value:

• Free Core Features: Basic habit tracking is free, so you can test the app first
• Lifetime Purchase: One-time payments instead of forced subscriptions
• Reasonable Premium: Prices range from €2.39 to €29.99, which is fair compared to competitors
• No Ads: Clean experience without intrusive advertising

But several factors limit the value rating. Many users are frustrated that basic features like detailed statistics are locked behind the premium paywall. Some feel the free version is too limited, while others mention performance issues and bugs that reduce the perceived value. The fact that some users uninstall due to upgrade prompts suggests the freemium model could be better balanced.

We give value for money a 7.0 - fair pricing for what's offered, but the free version limitations and some user-reported issues impact the overall value perception.

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.

Disciplined is really easy to use. Most users find it intuitive and straightforward. We can't think of a simpler habit tracker to get started with. The app's simplicity is its biggest strength when it comes to ease of use.

Here's what makes it user-friendly:

• Quick Start: You can begin tracking habits almost immediately after installing
• Simple Menus: Clear structure and logical flow between features
• Easy Management: Adding, editing, and tracking habits takes minimal effort
• Intuitive Design: Most functions are easy to discover without tutorials
• Responsive: Smooth interactions and quick response times

But there are some usability issues that prevent a higher rating. Several users find the repeatability settings confusing, especially when setting up habits for quitting bad behaviors. Some also want features like adding notes to habits or grouping related habits together. While the basics are easy to use, some advanced features could use better guidance.

That's why we give ease of use an 8.0. It's extremely user-friendly for basic operations, though some advanced features might take a little time to figure out.

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.

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.

Disciplined's approach to security and privacy seems standard for a habit tracking app, though we found limited specific information about their data practices during testing.

Here's what we know:

• Cross-Device Sync: The app syncs data across devices, suggesting cloud storage or an account system
• Standard Permissions: Requests typical permissions for notifications and basic functionality
• Data Storage: Your habit data is stored and accessible across platforms

But there are some concerns that prevent a higher rating. The app has privacy policy and terms of service on their website, but we couldn't find details about data encryption, third-party sharing, or specific security measures. The fact that it syncs data across devices raises questions about how secure the data transmission and storage are.

We give security and privacy a 7.5 - adequate for basic use, but users concerned about data privacy should check the app's privacy policy for more specific details.