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What is a Habit Tracker?
A habit tracker is a tool designed to help you monitor, maintain, and build new habits. Basically, if you know you’re pretty bad at keeping new habits and could do with some help, habit trackers are for you.
If your goal is improve or change your fitness, meditation, or productivity, habit trackers serve as a simple visual representation of your progress, making it easier to stay on track to your goals.
A habit tracker works by giving you a structured way to track the daily actions that align with your personal or professional goals; great if you know you sometimes lack focus and or / willpower.
Using a habit tracker can significantly improve your success in building new routines. According to a 2019 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit, though individual timelines may vary.
Habit trackers keep you accountable throughout this period, increasing your chances of reaching your goals.
Why Use a Habit Tracker?
- Accountability: Having a tool to measure progress helps you stay accountable. The visual progress bars, streak counts, and notifications keep you focused on your goals.
- Motivation: Many habit trackers use gamification elements like streaks, rewards, or graphs to make habit-building feel more fun, and not like a chore.
- Improved Success Rates: According to a report by Behavioral Scientist, using a habit tracker can improve habit success rates by 40% due to the increased accountability and consistency they encourage you with.
- Data-Driven Decisions: By keeping track of habits over time, you can reflect on your patterns pf behaviour and the way that you think. This will help you to make adjustments in the way that you do things and the actions that you take. Over time these small actions and the way you think will change, leading to bigger long-term changes.
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Sign me up for freeBest Type Of Habit Tracker
There are various ways to track habits, ranging from simple digital apps to DIY tools like spreadsheets and journals, and so it can feel a bit confusing to find out which might work best for you.
These options will help you to gain understanding of which type of habit tracker might support your goals the best.
1. Digital Habit Tracking Apps
Digital apps are the most popular method of habit tracking. These tools are easy to use, mobile-friendly, and often come with smart features like analytics, reminders, and streaks that help make habit tracking seem more interesting. By keeping your attention on your goals, you’re more likely to pay attention to your habits and thoughts that are the key things that will get you there.
Pros:
- Automatic data syncing across devices.
- Customizable habit schedules and reminders.
- Visual progress tracking through graphs and charts.
- Integration with fitness and productivity apps.
Cons
- Can be distracting due to smartphone notifications.
- Some apps require a premium subscription for full functionality.
You can find a detailed list of habit-tracking apps below, with my recommendations for iPhone, iPad, and Android users.
2. DIY Habit Trackers (Google Sheets and Notion Planners)
For those who prefer customization or want a free option, creating a habit tracker in Google Sheets or Notion is a really good alternative.
Google Sheets Habit Tracker
Google Sheets allows you to create a personalized habit tracker that suits you, where you can manually input data, calculate percentages, and customize visuals (e.g., charts or graphs).
Pros
- 100% customizable to your needs.
- Free and accessible on all devices.
- You can integrate additional data points for deeper analysis (e.g., mood tracking, productivity logs).
Cons
- Requires time to set up and maintain.
- Lacks the automation and notifications that apps offer.
For inspiration, Etsy has some great Google Sheets Habit Tracker Templates.
Notion Habit Tracker
Notion, a popular productivity app, allows you to create detailed habit trackers using templates. Notion habit trackers can integrate into your daily workspace and be customized with tags, goals, and other productivity tools. They’re pretty useful but they are also pretty basic and for me they seem to feel a bit more like a chore, whereas digital apps make everything simple.
If you’re already using Notion for your work though it can be useful to have everything in one place and not have to download yet another app.
Pros:
- Seamlessly integrates with other productivity tools in Notion.
- Extensive flexibility with custom formulas, progress bars, and templates.
- Syncs across all devices.
Cons
- Requires initial setup and learning curve.
- Less visually engaging than dedicated apps.
Explore some great Notion habit tracker templates here.
3. Bullet Journals for Habit Tracking
A bullet journal is a simple yet effective system for tracking habits using pen and paper. Many people find that the tactile process of writing down habits and goals helps with retention and reflection, and it’s nice to spend more time off-screen too.
Pros:
- Highly customizable and creative.
- Encourages mindful reflection and planning.
- Reduces digital distractions.
Cons
- Requires time and commitment to update manually.
- No automated reminders or progress notifications.
For those who enjoy journaling and want a creative outlet, a bullet journal might be the perfect option for habit tracking. You can find many bullet journal habit tracker layouts here.
Key Takeaways
- Habit trackers help us to stay accountable, motivated, and on track to achieving our goals
- The most popular habit trackers are apps, DIY planning and tracking sheets, and bullet journals
- Habit trackers cost from zero (DIY bullet journals and paper) to pricier monthly subscriptions for apps, which start from free up to $25 p/m at the highest price point.
10 Best Habit Trackers & Apps To Help You Reach Your Goals
1. Habitica
Habitica is a habit tracker where your progress is gamified, which helps to keep you motivated because it feels more fun. Habitica is one of our favourite habit trackers, and not just ours; it’s used by over four million people who also love the cute retro graphics and how easy it is to use.
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases; optional subscription for premium features.
Ease of Use: Medium; learning curve due to the RPG interface.
Features
- Turns habit-tracking into a game, with tasks as “quests” and rewards as in-game gear.
- Allows for social interactions—join parties, fight monsters together, and complete challenges.
- Syncs across devices and includes a robust web version.
Cons
- Can be overwhelming for users not interested in a fun / gamified experience.
- Requires regular use for the game elements to be effective.
2. HabitBull
HabitBull is a no-nonsense, straightforward, somewhat masculine and linear, data-driven approach to tracking your goals and progress. We like that it’s easy to use, fuss-free, and the graphs which provide satisfying progress in an easy-to-see way.
- Pricing: Free for up to 5 habits; premium version is $4.99/month or $19.99/year for unlimited habits.
- Ease of Use: Simple to use
Features
- Tracks streaks with detailed stats and reminders.
- Customizable habit goals (daily, weekly, etc.), and supports various habit types (positive or negative).
- Syncs data across devices
Cons
- Free version limits habit tracking, so it may not be enough for people with many habits to track.
3. Streaks
Streaks wins points from us for the simple user interface and design; it makes habit tracking so simple and clean. The great, clean, bold design of streaks is perfect for you if you know you struggle to stay focussed.
- Pricing: One-time purchase of $4.99.
- Ease of Use: Extremely user-friendly and minimalistic design.
Features
- Focuses on maintaining daily streaks and tracking progress over time.
- Customizable habit categories (health, fitness, learning, etc.).
- Integrates with Apple Health to track fitness-related habits automatically.
Cons
- Limited to iOS, so no Android version.
- Only allows 12 habits at a time, which may not be enough for some users.
4. TickTick
Ticktick is another app with a great simple interface; in fact, if you use any other planning or admin style tools, Ticktick’s layout will both familiar to you and easy to use. It’s not just easy to look at – it’s got incredibly powerful features, which is why this is one of the pricier apps in the store – because it does the job of 5 apps in 1. From calendar planning to checklists, this app does it all. Ticktick is great if you are planning an entire life overhaul, not just one or two simple goals.
- Pricing: Free version with essential features; premium version at $27.99/year.
- Ease of Use: Simple and intuitive; integrates to-do lists with habit tracking.
Features
- Combines task management and habit tracking in one app.
- Features include reminders, calendar view, Pomodoro timer, and habit streak tracking.
- Syncs across multiple devices.
Cons
- Free version offers limited habit tracking, which might require upgrading for full functionality.
5. Done
Done is for you if you want your habit tracking to be minimal and easy. Done is simple, yet still uses motivational feature such as streaks, to make your habit tracking fun and to keep you on track.
- Pricing: Free version available, with premium upgrade for $8.99/year.
- Ease of Use: Clean, colorful interface designed for ease of use.
Features
- Tracks daily habits with visual progress bars and motivational prompts.
- Supports goal setting with flexible schedules (daily, weekly, monthly habits).
- Data export and advanced reminders available in the premium version.
Cons
- Limited features in the free version.
- Only available for iOS.
6. Loop Habit Tracker
The obvious advantage of loop is that it’s completely free to use; however users looking for motivation and encouragement might find it too simple and lacking in the gamification and motivation elements that some of the pricier apps use. It’s a great app, but currently only available on android.
- Pricing: Completely free with no in-app purchases.
- Ease of Use: Simple and intuitive; very user-friendly.
Features
- Provides detailed statistics and graphs for each habit.
- Works offline and syncs seamlessly when you go back online.
- Open-source with an active development community.
Cons
- Only available on Android.
- Lacks some advanced features like social or accountability tracking.
7. Strides
We love Strides because it’s more like having four types of habit tracker in one! You select from the type of tracker they would like to use to best suit their goal – from habit, target, average, or project, which is especially good if you’re working on more than one change or habit at a time (as most of us are)! It’s more detailed and comprehensive than some of the other apps, which can feel a little overwhelming, but it makes the simple tasks like daily routine and progress reports a breeze.
- Pricing: Free version available; premium at $29.99/year.
- Ease of Use: Detailed, customizable, and user-friendly interface.
Features
- Includes flexible goal-setting and tracking for different types of habits (milestones, averages, project tracking).
- Progress tracking via charts and reports, with daily reminders.
- Syncs across multiple devices.
Cons
- Only available for iOS.
- More complex features may feel overwhelming if you’re a beginner.
8. Fabulous
We loved the contemporary design of Fabulous, as well as the access to coaches and trainings for human interaction that’s great if you know that you need that extra accountability. It is easy to use, but can feel a little overwhelming. Having said that, it has over 37M users who use this habit tracker, and we love it for the emphasis on more soulful wellbeing, from meditation to motivational prompts.
- Pricing: Free 7-day trial; $39.99/year for premium.
- Ease of Use: Easy to use with guided step-by-step routines.
Features
- Science-backed approach to building habits with focus on mental and physical well-being.
- Includes meditation, motivation prompts, and wellness tips.
- Helps structure your day by building custom routines.
Cons
- Can feel overly guided and restrictive for users who prefer a free-form approach.
9. Tally
If you love your notes app, you’ll like Tally. If you want simple and straightforward habit tracking, Tally is for you; but only if you’re an Apple user because as of the time of writing, Tally isn’t yet available for other devices.
- Pricing: Free version available; premium at $6.99 one-time purchase.
- Ease of Use: Simple and highly visual interface.
Features
- Track anything from daily habits to specific tasks with unlimited trackers.
- View streaks, daily averages, and trends for habit progress.
- Offers widgets for easy access on your home screen.
Cons
- Only available on iOS.
- Limited integrations with other apps or platforms.
10. Coach.me
Coach.me is another great opportunity to access personal coaches at a relatively low cost investment when compared to standard 1:1 coaching sessions. If you know you break habits fast, and you need help making them stick, this could be the app for you.
- Pricing: Free for habit tracking; personal coaching available from $25 per week.
- Ease of Use: Straightforward habit tracking with a focus on coaching.
Features
- Provides habit tracking alongside access to professional coaches for accountability.
- Offers a community feature where users can get advice and encouragement from others.
- Detailed tracking for personal growth, with feedback from coaches.
Cons
- Coaching services can become expensive over time.
- Interface is simple but lacks some advanced features compared to other apps.
Best Habit Tracker for iPhone and iPad
Streaks is one of the top-rated habit tracking apps for iPhone and iPad users. Its clean interface, seamless integration with Apple Health, and intuitive streak-based tracking system make it easy for users to stay consistent.
- Price: $4.99 one-time purchase.
- Features: Syncs with Apple Health, customizable reminders, daily habit streaks, and clean user interface.
You can check out Streaks here.
Best Habit Tracker for Android
HabitBull is an excellent choice for Android users looking for a comprehensive habit tracker. It offers customizable goals, streaks, and detailed statistics.
- Price: Free with in-app purchases ($4.99/month for premium).
- Features: Tracks multiple habits, provides stats, integrates with Google Fit, and includes motivational quotes.
Explore HabitBull here.
Alternative Habit Trackers
If you don’t feel like you have space for yet another app in your life, you could utilise apps and software that you already use as a way to plan and track your goals. Project management software like Trello offers great visual motivation and notifications to help keep you on track, together with ‘checklist’ style functionality. Evernote is a similar platform, but with less visual reminders and prompts.
The Bottom Line
Habit trackers and habit tracking apps are a great way to stay on track to your goal, and they work well if you know you lack accountability and focus. Prices range from free to upwards of $19.99 for monthly payments, so habit trackers are available to suit all budgets.
As most habit trackers are straightforward and simple to use, there’s really no reason to not be able to meet your goals by making new habits and new routines for yourself!
What Is A Habit Tracker?
Habit trackers are aids to support you in staying on track to your goals. Habit trackers can be paper based or digital, and help you to stay motivated and on track.
What Habit Tracker Is Best For Me?
The best habit tracker for you will vary depending on your relationship with technology, your budget, and how much time you wish to spend tracking your goals.
What Is The Best Habit Tracker App?
If you are using an iphone, we like Streaks app, because it’s easy to use and wallet-friendly. For android, Habitbull is comprehensive and great for those with many goals.
Best Habit Tracker Apps With Personal Support
All habit tracker apps are designed to support you in reaching your goals but one we really like is coach.me which offers live, in-person coaching, which can help you feel more accountable and supported.
Do Habit Tracker Apps Really Work?
Habit trackers provide support through the time it takes to build new habits, as well as additional motivation through features such as gamification and visual representaion of your goals.
How Much Does A Habit Tracker App Cost?
Prices vary from free platforms, to $19.99 per month for more comprehensive, feature-rich apps.
Do I Need To Pay For A Habit Tracker?
Like most things, you get what you pay for; habit trackers tend to have more features which might be useful if you know you struggle with willpower and motivation when trying to break old habits or create new ones.
How Do I Achieve My Goals?
Using a habit tracker can be a great way to stay accountable and on track for your goals. They can provide great accountability and motivation to keep you inspired, energised, and on track.
Are There Alternatives To Habit Tracking Apps To Help Me Achieve My Goals
If you don’t like habit tracking apps and are trying to minimise your screen time, you could try bullet journaling as a paper based way to track your goals.
