Compare TheFor: Habit Tracker and Instapaper: Which App is the Best?
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. | Instapaper is a simple, no-fuss app for saving and reading articles offline. It's easy to use, looks clean, and helps you keep your reading organized. | |
| 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. | 8.7 Winner in this category | 7.6 |
| 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. | 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. Winner in this category | 7.5 Instapaper does what you need: save articles, read them offline, and organize with folders and tags. You can pay for extras like searching your saved stuff or adding more notes, but most people won't need that. Some things are missing or work better on iPhone than Android, and sometimes syncing is slow. But overall, it covers the basics really well. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 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. Winner in this category | 7.5 Instapaper is fast and works well most of the time. We didn't have crashes, and reading is smooth. Sometimes syncing is slow or articles take a while to show up, especially on Android. But for everyday use, it's reliable. |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 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. Winner in this category | 8.0 We like how Instapaper looks. It's clean and simple, so you can just read without distractions. You can change the font or switch to dark mode if you want. The Android app could look a bit more modern, but it's still nice to use. |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 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. Winner in this category | 7.0 The free version is great—you get all the basics and no ads. The paid plan costs more now and doesn't add a lot unless you really need the extra features. If you just want to save and read, stick with the free version. If you want more, think about if it's worth it for you. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 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. Winner in this category | 8.0 It's really easy to get started with Instapaper. Saving and reading is simple, and you don't have to mess with a lot of settings. Sometimes it's hard to find certain features on Android, and syncing can be a bit slow, but most of the time it just works. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 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. Winner in this category | 7.5 Instapaper doesn't show ads or track you much, which we like. You do need an account to sync your articles, but we didn't see any big privacy problems. It's not the most private app ever, but it feels safe enough for everyday use. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | 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. | If you want an app that just lets you save and read articles without any hassle, Instapaper is a great pick. It's not perfect—sometimes things are a bit slow or missing on Android, and the premium plan costs more now. But for most people, the free version is more than enough. We use it all the time and think you might like it too. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
