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

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.
Proton VPN is a premium privacy-focused VPN service with Swiss-based privacy protection, independent audits, and an excellent free tier that offers unlimited bandwidth with no ads.
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
  • Swiss-Based Privacy Protection – Swiss privacy laws provide the strongest privacy protection available
  • Independent Security Audits – Third-party audits verify privacy claims and security practices
  • Unlimited Free Bandwidth – No data caps or speed restrictions on the free tier
  • No Ads or Tracking – Completely ad-free experience with no data collection
  • Advanced Encryption – AES-256 and 4096 RSA encryption for maximum security
  • Kill Switch Protection – Automatic protection against connection drops
Our Rating
8.3
8.3
Total users
0
0
Total ratings
0
0
Average rating
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Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Android
Google Play Store
Downloads
Google Play Store
Downloads
iOS
Apple App Store
Apple App Store
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.

9.0

Proton VPN delivers an exceptional set of features that prioritize privacy and security over flashy functionality. The app's feature set is comprehensive and focused on providing genuine privacy protection, which aligns perfectly with its target audience of privacy-conscious users.

Key features we found most valuable include:

  • Swiss-Based Privacy Protection: Swiss privacy laws provide the strongest privacy protection available
  • Independent Security Audits: Third-party audits verify privacy claims and security practices
  • Unlimited Free Bandwidth: No data caps or speed restrictions on the free tier
  • Advanced Encryption: AES-256 and 4096 RSA encryption for maximum security
  • Kill Switch Protection: Automatic protection against connection drops
  • NetShield Ad Blocker: DNS filtering that blocks ads and trackers
  • Secure Core Servers: Multi-hop VPN for maximum security
  • Split Tunneling: Route specific apps through the VPN tunnel

Proton VPN excels in providing advanced privacy features that are typically only available in premium VPNs. The free tier offers unlimited bandwidth with no ads, which is exceptional in the VPN market. The premium features are genuinely useful and not just cosmetic add-ons.

While the core features are excellent, some limitations affect the overall experience. The free tier has limited server locations, and some users report connection issues. However, these limitations are reasonable for a privacy-focused service.

For users who need advanced privacy features, Proton VPN offers the most comprehensive solution available. Alternatives like NordVPN provide more server locations, while Thunder VPN offers a more user-friendly free experience.

We rate features at 9.0 out of 10—excellent privacy-focused features with genuine value for privacy-conscious users.

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.

7.0

Proton VPN's performance presents a mixed picture that reflects the challenges of maintaining a privacy-focused VPN service. While the app can deliver good connections when working properly, some users report performance issues that impact the overall experience.

Performance strengths include:

  • Good Connection Speeds: When connected, users report decent speeds for browsing and streaming
  • Reliable Connections: The app generally maintains stable connections
  • Global Server Network: Access to servers worldwide provides good coverage
  • Lightweight App: The app itself is relatively small and doesn't consume excessive system resources
  • No Advertising: Completely ad-free experience improves perceived performance

However, some performance issues undermine the user experience:

  • Connection Issues: Some users report difficulty connecting to servers
  • Speed Limitations: Free tier users may experience slower speeds
  • Server Selection: Limited server locations on free tier
  • Connection Drops: Some users report occasional disconnections

User reviews reveal mixed experiences, with some users praising the app's performance while others report connection issues. The app's focus on privacy over performance may be impacting server quality and maintenance.

For users seeking reliable performance, alternatives like NordVPN offer more consistent performance with better server maintenance, while Thunder VPN provides more user-friendly performance.

We rate performance at 7.0 out of 10—good performance when working but some connection issues and speed limitations that impact the overall 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.

8.5

Proton VPN's design philosophy centers on functionality and privacy over flashy aesthetics, which works well for its target audience of privacy-conscious users. The interface is clean, professional, and focuses on providing clear information about privacy and security features.

Design strengths we observed include:

  • Clean Interface: The main screen features a simple, professional layout with clear privacy indicators
  • Clear Visual Feedback: Connection status and privacy features are clearly indicated
  • Professional Aesthetic: The design reflects the serious nature of privacy protection
  • Consistent Branding: The visual design maintains consistency across different screens
  • Privacy-Focused Design: The interface emphasizes privacy and security features
  • No Advertising: Completely ad-free experience with no visual distractions

The design experience is significantly better than competitors like Turbo VPN and Now VPN, with no advertising interruptions. Users consistently praise the app's clean interface and professional appearance, making it one of the most trustworthy-looking VPNs available.

While the core interface design is excellent, some users find the interface less intuitive than more user-friendly alternatives. However, this is a minor issue compared to the overall design quality.

For users who value a clean, professional interface, Proton VPN offers one of the best experiences available. Alternatives like Thunder VPN offer more user-friendly design, while NordVPN provides a more modern interface.

We rate design at 8.5 out of 10—excellent design principles with professional aesthetics that inspire trust and confidence.

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.

8.5

Proton VPN's value proposition is excellent for privacy-conscious users, offering a genuinely useful free service with no ads and comprehensive privacy protection. The app provides exceptional value for users who prioritize privacy over cost.

Value strengths include:

  • Exceptional Free Tier: Unlimited bandwidth with no ads and no tracking
  • No Upfront Costs: Users can start using the VPN immediately without payment
  • Unlimited Usage: No data caps or speed restrictions on the free tier
  • Privacy Protection: Swiss-based privacy protection with independent audits
  • No Registration Required: Start using the service immediately without providing personal information
  • Advanced Features: Kill switch, DNS leak protection, and other premium features

The free tier's value is exceptional, offering unlimited bandwidth with no ads and comprehensive privacy protection. However, some limitations affect the overall value:

  • Limited Server Locations: Free tier has limited server selection
  • Higher Premium Pricing: Premium subscription is more expensive than some competitors
  • Connection Issues: Some users report connection problems

The premium pricing is higher than some competitors, but the Swiss-based privacy protection and independent audits justify the cost for privacy-conscious users. Premium VPN services like NordVPN offer more comprehensive features for similar pricing, while Thunder VPN provides a more user-friendly free experience.

For users seeking genuine privacy protection, Proton VPN offers exceptional value. Alternatives like NordVPN provide more server locations, while Thunder VPN offers a more user-friendly free experience.

We rate value for money at 8.5 out of 10—excellent value for privacy-conscious users with exceptional free tier and premium features that justify the cost.

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.

7.5

Proton VPN provides good usability with its one-tap connection approach, though the interface is more complex than simpler alternatives. The core functionality is straightforward, but the advanced features require some technical knowledge to use effectively.

Usability strengths include:

  • One-Tap Connection: The primary action is as simple as tapping a single button
  • No Registration Required: Users can start using the VPN immediately without creating accounts
  • Clear Status Indicators: Connection status and privacy features are immediately visible
  • Cross-Platform Consistency: The interface works similarly across Android and iOS devices
  • No Advertising: Completely ad-free experience with no interruptions
  • Professional Interface: Clean, trustworthy design that inspires confidence

However, the ease of use is somewhat compromised by the complexity of advanced features. Some users find the interface less intuitive than more user-friendly alternatives, and the advanced privacy features require some technical knowledge to configure properly.

While the core interface is generally easy to use, the complexity of advanced features may overwhelm casual users. For users seeking a truly simple VPN experience, alternatives like Thunder VPN offer a more user-friendly interface, while NordVPN provides a more intuitive experience.

We rate ease of use at 7.5 out of 10—good core usability with professional interface, but complexity of advanced features may overwhelm casual users.

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.

9.5

Proton VPN's security and privacy practices represent the gold standard in the VPN industry, offering exceptional protection that goes far beyond basic VPN services. The app's commitment to privacy and security is unmatched by competitors.

Security strengths include:

  • Swiss-Based Privacy Protection: Swiss privacy laws provide the strongest privacy protection available
  • Independent Security Audits: Third-party audits verify privacy claims and security practices
  • Advanced Encryption: AES-256 and 4096 RSA encryption for maximum security
  • No-Logging Policy: Strict no-logging policy with independent verification
  • Open-Source Code: Transparent code that can be reviewed for security
  • Kill Switch Protection: Automatic protection against connection drops
  • Secure Core Servers: Multi-hop VPN for maximum security
  • DNS Leak Protection: Encrypted DNS queries prevent exposure

Proton VPN excels in providing genuine privacy protection that goes beyond marketing claims. The Swiss-based privacy protection and independent audits provide unmatched transparency and trust. Users consistently praise the app's privacy features and security practices.

For users who prioritize privacy and security, Proton VPN offers the most comprehensive solution available. Alternatives like NordVPN provide good privacy protection, while Thunder VPN offers basic privacy features.

We rate security and privacy at 9.5 out of 10—exceptional privacy protection with independent verification and transparent practices that inspire complete trust.

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.

Proton VPN represents the gold standard for privacy-focused VPN services, offering exceptional privacy protection with Swiss-based privacy laws and independent security audits. While the app delivers on its core promise of secure, private VPN access with no ads, some users report connection issues and speed limitations that may impact the overall experience.

The app's exceptional popularity (50M+ downloads, 4.7-star rating) reflects genuine demand for privacy-focused VPN services, and many users do find value in its comprehensive privacy protection. However, the recent rating decline (4.7 to 4.04 in last 100 reviews) and increasing complaints about connection issues suggest that the service may be experiencing some technical challenges. For users who prioritize privacy over performance, Proton VPN provides the most comprehensive privacy protection available.

For users seeking a more user-friendly VPN experience, Thunder VPN offers a more intuitive interface with better performance, while NordVPN provides more comprehensive features with better reliability. For those who prioritize privacy above all else, Proton VPN remains the best choice available.

Our Recommendation