Compare TheFor: Habit Tracker and Merlin AI: Which App is the Best?
Merlin AI combines ChatGPT, Grok AI, DeepSeek, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI in one powerful app with 70+ AI tools. Enjoy 102 free daily queries and seamless cross-platform integration. | TheFor: Habit Tracker is a minimalist, ad-free app that lets you track unlimited habits for free. Its clean design and smooth experience make it easy to build better routines, with advanced analytics and customization available in the premium version. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
|
|
| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 8.3 | 8.7 Winner in this category |
| 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. | 9.0 Merlin AI has everything you'd want in an AI assistant. It brings together seven different AI models - ChatGPT, Grok AI, DeepSeek, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI - all in one place. This means you don't need separate subscriptions for each one. We really liked the 70+ AI tools it comes with:
The best part is how easy it is to switch between different AI models - just one tap and you're using a different AI. Plus, everything syncs across your devices so you can start a conversation on your phone and continue it on your computer. Winner in this category | 7.8 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. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 8.0 The app runs smoothly without lag or interruptions when chatting with multiple AI models. The search function works quickly and accurately, so you can easily find your conversations. We tested it on different devices and platforms, and it performed well everywhere. The chat responses are fast, even when switching between different AI models. The cross-device sync works reliably, so you can start a conversation on your phone and pick it up later on your computer. The integration with Gmail and LinkedIn works well without delays. We did notice some occasional loading times when processing complex requests or large documents, but overall the performance is consistent and reliable for everyday use. The best part is that basic features work offline, so you can access your conversations even without an internet connection. | 9.0 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. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 The app looks clean and modern. It's easy to find what you need without getting lost in menus. The chat interface is well-designed with clear differences between responses from different AI models. We liked how the app works the same way whether you're on Android, iOS, or desktop. It adapts nicely to different screen sizes. The dark and light theme options are a nice touch, and you can customize the interface to your liking. The mobile version works really well too - you can easily access your AI conversations on your phone without any issues. | 9.2 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. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Merlin AI offers great value. You can use it for free without creating an account, and you get 102 queries per day across all the major AI models. This free access to ChatGPT, Grok AI, DeepSeek, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI in one app saves you from needing multiple expensive subscriptions. The premium plan adds useful features like voice chat, advanced AI tools, and team collaboration. The pricing is reasonable, making it a good choice for students, professionals, and anyone who wants to boost their productivity. When we compared it to individual subscriptions for these AI services, Merlin AI saves you money while offering more convenience. You really can't find another tool that gives you this much value for so little cost. Winner in this category | 7.7 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. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 9.0 Merlin AI is one of the easiest AI assistants we've tried. You can start using it right away without any complicated setup. The free tier gives you 102 queries per day, which is plenty to test everything out. Installing it is simple, and it works great on both Android and iOS. Switching between AI models is super easy - just tap to change from ChatGPT to Grok AI to Claude, and so on. The integration with Gmail and LinkedIn works smoothly. You don't need to configure anything complicated. The free tier lets you explore all the features without committing to anything, which makes it easy to learn at your own pace. We give it a 9 out of 10 because it's really user-friendly, though some of the more advanced features might take a bit of time to figure out. | 9.3 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. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.0 For security and privacy, we give Merlin AI a 7 out of 10. The app uses standard encryption for your conversations and personal data, which is good. However, since it connects to multiple AI providers, your data might be shared with these third-party services. This is mentioned in their privacy policy, but it's something to be aware of. The app doesn't ask for unnecessary permissions, but remember that your conversations and any documents you upload are processed by external AI services. While the company is transparent about how they use data, we would have liked more control over what gets shared with which AI providers. They do a good job of being upfront about it, but some users might want more control over their data. | 9.0 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. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Merlin AI stands out as an exceptional all-in-one AI assistant that successfully combines multiple AI models with practical tools. The generous free tier makes it accessible to everyone, while the premium features offer significant value for power users. For anyone looking to consolidate their AI tools into one powerful platform, Merlin AI delivers an impressive and well-rounded experience. | TheFor: Habit Tracker stands out for its minimalist design, unlimited free habit tracking, and smooth user experience. In our review, we found it to be a great choice for anyone who wants a simple, distraction-free way to build better habits. While many advanced features require a premium upgrade, the free version is generous and ad-free. If you value a clean interface and want to track unlimited habits without clutter, TheFor is an excellent option—especially if you're willing to pay for more in-depth analytics and customization. For users who want everything completely free, Habitive offers unlimited habits without any premium restrictions. Those seeking more elegant design might prefer HabitKit with its beautiful GitHub-style visualization, while users wanting comprehensive scheduling features should consider HabitNow. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
