Compare Me+ Lifestyle Routine and Now VPN: Which App is the Best?
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. | A polished routine and habit planner with mood logging and personality-based suggestions. Easy to get started, motivating to keep using—backed by a 4.8★ rating and over 10 million installs. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 6.3 | 8.0 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. | 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:
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. | 8.5 Me+ goes beyond basic habit tracking with a full routine planner, mood logging, and optional personality-based guidance. During our testing, we found it especially good at turning plans into action through clear steps and timely reminders. Here's what we liked most:
Areas for improvement: some advanced content sits behind a paywall, and reordering items via drag-and-drop could be smoother. While HabitNow offers more comprehensive scheduling and timer features, Me+ focuses on routine structure and personalization. Overall, it's a thoughtful feature set that earns an 8.5. Winner in this category |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 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:
However, significant performance issues undermine the user experience:
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. | 8.3 Me+ felt stable and responsive throughout our tests. Navigation is smooth, widgets update reliably, and notifications fire on time. We noticed occasional sluggishness when reordering many items in long routines, especially on older devices, but it didn't affect daily use. While Loop Habit Tracker offers superior performance with its lightweight design and 9.8 performance rating, Me+ provides solid performance that earns an 8.3. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. | 8.8 The interface is clean and purposeful, with typography and color used to guide your attention without getting in the way. We always knew what was next, and progress felt tangible. What stood out to us:
A dark mode would be nice for early mornings, and the drag-and-drop could be more obvious visually. Still, the design supports the main goal: helping you do the next right thing. While HabitKit offers more elegant GitHub-style visualization, Me+ provides a practical, motivating interface. We rate design at 8.8. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 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:
However, the free tier's value is significantly compromised by the advertising model:
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. | 7.2 The free tier covers the essentials and is enough for many users. If you want advanced content and more customization options, upgrades are available through in-app purchases (€8.99–€74.99 on Google Play). It's good value if you'll use the extra guidance and content regularly; otherwise, the free experience is already quite strong. For users who want completely free unlimited habits, Habitive offers better value. However, Me+'s MBTI guidance and structured approach may justify the cost for users who need more than basic tracking. We rate value for money at 7.2. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 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:
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. | 7.8 Getting started is straightforward and guided. The basics are easy: add a routine, set reminders, start checking things off. As routines get more complex, arranging steps takes more effort, and the drag-and-drop interaction can feel a bit fiddly. Here's what we liked:
There's a reasonable learning curve and strong guidance makes it approachable. While Habitive offers the simplest 3-click setup, Me+ provides more structure for complex routine building. We rate ease of use at 7.8. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 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:
However, significant privacy concerns emerge from the business model and operational practices:
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. | 7.5 The app requests sensible permissions and we didn't see any obvious overreach. Your routine data appears to be stored locally with account-based sync features available if you want them. We'd like to see clearer, more prominent documentation on how your data is handled. Bottom line: nothing concerning in our testing, but more transparency would help users feel confident. While HabitKit offers superior privacy with fully local storage and no accounts required, Me+ provides a reasonable balance of convenience and security. We rate security & privacy at 7.5. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | 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. | After testing Me+ Lifestyle Routine ourselves, we'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a structured, motivating way to build better daily habits. It keeps the important stuff front and center—simple planning, timely reminders, and visible progress. The free version handles the basics well, and if you want deeper guidance and more content, the premium options are there when you're ready. For building sustainable routines that actually stick, Me+ is a solid choice. If you prefer a completely free experience, Habitive offers unlimited habits without any cost. For those who want elegant design and privacy focus, HabitKit provides beautiful GitHub-style visualization. And if you need comprehensive scheduling with timer features, HabitNow offers more advanced functionality. However, Me+'s unique combination of MBTI guidance, mood tracking, and structured routine planning makes it stand out for users who want a more guided approach to habit building. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
