Compare Motivated and Now VPN: Which App is the Best?

	Motivated	Now VPN
	Motivated is a comprehensive habit tracking app that focuses on building lasting habits through its unique strength-based system, offering beautiful organization tools and extensive customization options. Habit Tracker Productivity	Now VPN is a free VPN service with fast connection speeds and unlimited data, though it comes with aggressive advertising that may impact the user experience. VPN
Key Features	Habit Strength Meter – Focus on building lasting habits rather than just maintaining streaks with a unique strength-based tracking system Smart Collections – Organize habits by time of day (morning, afternoon, evening) or custom categories for better workflow management Interactive Widgets – View and complete habits directly from your home screen for quick access and motivation Rich Text Notes – Add detailed notes to each habit for planning routines, tracking progress, or capturing thoughts Customizable Interface – Choose from over 550 custom icons and unlimited color options to personalize your experience Flexible Goal Setting – Set custom completion goals and repeat intervals without affecting your statistics Smart Reminders – Set custom notifications and opt-in for morning/evening summaries to stay on track Bad Habit Tracking – Special mode that auto-completes habits at day's end for easier bad habit monitoring	One-Tap Connection – Simple interface that connects to VPN servers with a single tap, making it accessible for VPN beginners Unlimited Bandwidth – No data caps or speed restrictions on the free tier, allowing unlimited browsing and streaming Global Server Network – Access to servers worldwide for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing blocked content No Registration Required – Start using the VPN immediately without creating accounts or providing personal information Smart Server Selection – Automatic selection of the fastest available server based on your location WiFi Security – Protect your data when using public WiFi hotspots with encrypted connections
Our Rating	8.3	6.3
Total users	0	0
Total ratings	0	0
Average rating	— ⭐	— ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Android	Downloads	Downloads
iOS
Features	8.0 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.	6.5 Now VPN delivers a solid foundation of core VPN features that meet the basic needs of most users. The app's feature set is straightforward and focused on simplicity rather than advanced functionality, which aligns well with its target audience of casual VPN users. Key features we found most valuable include: Unlimited Bandwidth: Unlike many free VPNs that impose data caps, Now VPN offers truly unlimited data usage, making it suitable for streaming and heavy browsing One-Tap Connection: The interface is designed for simplicity with a prominent connect button that automatically selects the best server Global Server Network: Access to servers worldwide for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing blocked content No Registration Required: Users can start using the VPN immediately without creating accounts or providing personal information Smart Server Selection: Automatic selection of the fastest available server based on your location WiFi Security: Basic protection for public WiFi connections with encrypted tunnels However, Now VPN lacks many advanced features that users expect from premium VPN services. There's no kill switch to protect against connection drops, no split tunneling to route specific apps through the VPN, and no specialized servers for streaming or torrenting. The server selection is limited compared to premium alternatives, and there's no way to manually choose specific server locations in the free version. While the core features work well for basic privacy and geo-unblocking needs, power users will find the feature set limiting. For users who need advanced features like kill switches, split tunneling, or specialized servers, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more comprehensive free tiers, while NordVPN provides extensive advanced features for premium users. We rate features at 6.5 out of 10—good for basic VPN needs but lacking the depth and reliability that serious users require.
Performance	8.8 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.	6.0 Now VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a free VPN service with heavy advertising monetization. While the app can deliver fast connections when working properly, reliability issues and the advertising model significantly impact the overall performance experience. Performance strengths include: Fast Connection Speeds: When connected, users report good speeds for browsing and streaming Quick Connection Times: The app connects to servers relatively quickly when the connection is stable Global Server Network: Access to servers worldwide provides good coverage for geo-unblocking Lightweight App: The app itself is relatively small and doesn't consume excessive system resources However, significant performance issues undermine the user experience: Frequent Connection Drops: Users consistently report that connections drop frequently, requiring reconnection Inconsistent Reliability: Connection quality varies significantly between sessions and servers Advertising Interruptions: The 30-60 second ads for basic actions create artificial delays that impact perceived performance Rating Decline Trend: The recent rating drop from 4.7 to 4.61 (last 100 reviews) suggests increasing performance issues Connection Instability: Many users report that the VPN disconnects after a few minutes of use User reviews reveal a pattern of performance degradation, with newer reviews showing more complaints about connection stability and speed issues. The app's heavy reliance on advertising revenue may be impacting server quality and maintenance, leading to the performance decline observed in recent reviews. For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like Proton VPN offer more consistent free performance with better server maintenance, while NordVPN provides premium performance with dedicated servers and better reliability guarantees. We rate performance at 6.0 out of 10—good speeds when working but undermined by frequent connection drops and advertising interruptions that create an inconsistent and frustrating user experience.
Design	9.2 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.	6.0 Now VPN's design philosophy centers on simplicity and accessibility, which works well for its target audience of casual VPN users. The interface is clean and uncluttered, with a prominent connect button that makes the core functionality immediately obvious to new users. Design strengths we observed include: Clean Interface: The main screen features a simple, intuitive layout with the connect button as the focal point Clear Visual Feedback: Connection status is clearly indicated with color-coded states (connected/disconnected) Minimalist Approach: The app avoids overwhelming users with complex settings or technical jargon Consistent Branding: The visual design maintains consistency across different screens Accessible Design: Large buttons and clear text make it usable for users of all technical levels However, the design experience is significantly compromised by the advertising model. The 30-60 second unskippable ads that appear for basic actions like connecting or disconnecting create a jarring user experience that breaks the otherwise clean interface. Users frequently mention that the ads feel intrusive and disrupt the app's flow, making what should be a simple action feel cumbersome. Additionally, the forced rating prompts and persistent push notifications that cannot be disabled create a sense of being "pushed around" by the app rather than being in control. This undermines the otherwise user-friendly design and makes the app feel more like an advertising platform than a privacy tool. While the core interface design is solid, the advertising intrusions significantly impact the overall design experience. For users who value a clean, uninterrupted interface, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more polished design without advertising interruptions, while Windscribe VPN provides a cleaner free experience with less aggressive monetization. We rate design at 6.0 out of 10—good core design principles undermined by intrusive advertising that compromises the user experience.
Value for Money	7.8 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.	6.5 Now VPN's value proposition is fundamentally split between its free and premium tiers, creating a confusing experience where the free tier's value is undermined by its own monetization strategy. Value strengths include: Truly Free Core Service: Unlimited bandwidth and server access without time limits or data caps No Upfront Costs: Users can start using the VPN immediately without payment or registration Unlimited Usage: Unlike many free VPNs, there are no daily or monthly data limits Global Server Access: Free access to servers worldwide for geo-unblocking No Registration Required: Start using the service immediately without providing personal information However, the free tier's value is significantly compromised by the advertising model: Intrusive Advertising: 30-60 second unskippable ads for basic actions make the free experience frustrating Forced Interactions: Rating prompts that prevent app functionality create artificial barriers Poor User Experience: The advertising interruptions often make the free tier feel more like a trial than a genuine free service Expensive VIP Pricing: The VIP subscription ($1.49-$79.99) is expensive compared to dedicated premium VPN services The VIP pricing is particularly problematic when compared to alternatives. Premium VPN services like NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive features, better privacy protection, and more transparent pricing for similar or lower costs. The VIP tier also doesn't address the fundamental privacy concerns that come with the free service. For users seeking genuine value, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a more generous free tier with better privacy protection and fewer restrictions, while Windscribe VPN provides a more respectful free experience with clearer upgrade paths. We rate value for money at 6.5 out of 10—good value in theory but undermined by advertising that makes the free experience feel more like a trial than a genuine free service, with expensive premium pricing that doesn't justify the upgrade.
Ease of Use	8.5 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.	7.0 Now VPN excels in basic usability with its one-tap connection approach, making it one of the most accessible VPN apps for beginners. The core functionality is genuinely simple and requires no technical knowledge to operate effectively. Usability strengths include: One-Tap Connection: The primary action is as simple as tapping a single button—no configuration or technical setup required No Registration: Users can start using the VPN immediately without creating accounts or providing personal information Automatic Server Selection: The app handles server selection automatically, removing the complexity of choosing optimal servers Clear Status Indicators: Connection status is immediately visible with clear visual feedback Cross-Platform Consistency: The interface works similarly across Android and iOS devices Beginner-Friendly: No technical jargon or complex settings that might confuse non-technical users However, the ease of use is significantly undermined by the advertising model and forced interactions. The 30-60 second unskippable ads that appear for basic actions like connecting or disconnecting transform what should be a simple one-tap action into a frustrating experience. Users consistently report that these ads make the app feel "pushy" and interrupt their workflow. Additionally, the forced rating prompts that prevent the app from functioning properly create an artificial barrier to usage. Users report being unable to use the app until they provide a rating, which goes against the principle of ease of use. The inability to disable push notifications also creates ongoing annoyance for users who prefer to control their app notifications. While the core interface is genuinely easy to use, the advertising interruptions and forced interactions significantly compromise the overall user experience. For users seeking a truly hassle-free VPN experience, alternatives like Proton VPN offer a cleaner free tier without forced interactions, while Windscribe VPN provides a more respectful free experience with fewer interruptions. We rate ease of use at 7.0 out of 10—excellent core usability undermined by advertising interruptions that make simple actions unnecessarily complex.
Security & Privacy	7.5 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.	5.5 Now VPN's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that raises legitimate concerns for privacy-conscious users. While the app claims to offer secure connections and privacy protection, several factors undermine confidence in its privacy commitments. Security strengths include: Encrypted Connections: The app provides encrypted tunnels for data transmission, protecting users on public WiFi networks No Registration Required: Users can use the service without providing personal information or creating accounts Basic Privacy Protection: IP address masking and location spoofing for basic privacy needs Standard VPN Protocols: Uses established VPN protocols for secure connections However, significant privacy concerns emerge from the business model and operational practices: Hong Kong-Based Developer: The developer is located in Hong Kong, which raises questions about data jurisdiction and potential government access No Independent Audits: Unlike premium VPNs, Now VPN hasn't undergone third-party security audits to verify its privacy claims Advertising Revenue Model: The heavy reliance on advertising suggests potential data collection for ad targeting, though this isn't explicitly disclosed No Transparency Reports: No public transparency reports about government requests or data handling practices Free Service Concerns: The completely free model raises questions about how the service is monetized and whether user data is being sold User reviews reveal additional concerns about the authenticity of the service, with some users warning about "bot reviews" and questioning whether the positive reviews are genuine. This lack of transparency about the service's legitimacy further undermines trust in its privacy practices. For users who prioritize privacy and security, alternatives like Proton VPN offer Swiss-based privacy protection with independent audits and transparency reports, while Windscribe VPN provides Canadian privacy protection with more transparent data handling practices. We rate security and privacy at 5.5 out of 10—basic security features present but significant concerns about data handling, jurisdiction, and transparency that compromise trust in the service.
Conclusion	We have been using Motivated for our habit tracking needs and can confidently say it's a solid tool for anyone who's serious about building better habits. Its user-friendly design and powerful features make it a good choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking to improve their daily routines. The free version is functional, but if you need more advanced features, the premium options are worth considering. If you're serious about staying organized while building habits, we recommend giving Motivated a try. Just be aware that some key features require a premium subscription. For users who want unlimited free habits, Habitive is the best option with its completely free, ad-free experience. Those seeking elegant design might prefer HabitKit with its beautiful GitHub-style visualization. If you need comprehensive scheduling and timer functionality, HabitNow provides the most complete solution. However, if you value the unique habit strength tracking system and don't mind the freemium model, Motivated offers a compelling approach to building lasting habits.	Now VPN represents a classic example of how a promising free service can be undermined by its own monetization strategy. While the app delivers on its core promise of free, unlimited VPN access with simple one-tap connection, the aggressive advertising model and forced interactions create a frustrating user experience that often feels more like a trial than a genuine free service. The app's popularity (10M+ downloads, 4.7-star rating) reflects genuine demand for free VPN services, and many users do find value in its basic functionality. However, the recent rating decline (4.7 to 4.61 in last 100 reviews) and increasing complaints about connection stability suggest that the advertising model may be impacting the service quality. For users who can tolerate the ads and forced interactions, Now VPN provides a functional free VPN, but the experience comes with significant trade-offs. For users seeking a more respectful free VPN experience, Proton VPN offers better privacy protection and fewer restrictions, while Windscribe VPN provides a cleaner free tier with more transparent monetization. For those willing to pay for premium features, NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer more comprehensive solutions with better reliability and privacy guarantees.
	Install Motivated	Install Now VPN
Our Recommendation