Top 5 Free Cross-Platform Habit Tracking Apps for 2021
As we all know, habits are very powerful. They can either take us where we want to go in life or hold us back perpetually. They set the stage for how we spend our time, how others perceive us, and the level of success and happiness we manage to achieve.
So, with that being said, let’s look at five free habit tracking apps available for both Android and iOS devices:
1. HabitShare
HabitShare is a very minimalistic and easy-to-use habit tracking app built with social accountability in mind.
By tapping the ‘+’ or ‘Add’ button, you can add a new habit:
HabitShare is a completely free app, and allows you to add an unlimited number of habits, sync data across different devices, schedule habit reminders, and create custom daily or weekly habits.
The feature that sets this app apart from others, however, is the ability to share habits with friends, motivate and support each other, and keep each other accountable to goals. You can access these features in the “Friends” and “Messages” tab in the app.
Of course, you can use HabitShare by yourself as well without sharing your habits with anybody. But, having an accountability partner or group can make the process of developing new habits a lot more fun and exciting. You’re more likely to stick with it, and you can help out others in the process as well.
2. Habitica
If you’re a gamer, and love RPGs, Habitica was made for you.
Just as in a video game, you unlock features and earn rewards in Habitica by completing various challenges and missions. You have your own avatar which you can customize based on your real-life appearance, join parties, and go on quests! Only, in this case, they’re all real-life tasks and the game is your life.
That being said, the amount of features and data this app pushes on you can be overwhelming if you’re just a beginner. However, if you find other habit-tracking apps too bland and boring, and if you’re seriously passionate about “gamifying” your life, then don’t look any further.
3. SnapHabit
SnapHabit is another great community-driven habit tracking app.
You can set habits as daily, weekly, or for specific days. Unlike in other apps, SnapHabit also allows you to write a brief note and add a photo to mark your progress. You can create group habits and invite other users to join you in your journey for increased accountability and support:
The feature that makes SnapHabit stand out from the rest is its built-in habit set, called Journeys. These are basically standard habits with preset instructions, useful for tracking common habits such as meditation and exercise.
If you love the group accountability feature of Habitica, but find the gaming element of it distracting, SnapHabit might be the right habit tracking app for you.
4. Coach.Me
Self-improvement and habit tracking can be a life-changing and fulfilling experience, but if you want to step up your game, you might need specialized coaching from professionals. This is where Coach.me can help you out.
Once logged in, you can add a habit. You have many categories to choose from, like Fitness, Productivity, and Mindfulness:
Once you add a habit to your list, you can join the discussion thread of other Coach.me users associated with it. In the Activity tab, you can connect with your friends, share ideas, and get the support and motivation you need to keep going.
Coach.me can be used as a standalone habit tracking app. But, of course, its main feature is specialized coaching. You can find various coaches in different niches for $87/month and up. If you’re looking for a habit tracking app with professional guidance and a strong community for inspiration, it’s the right pick for you.
5. Loop
Loop is the app I’ve been using for the last few months, and it’s worked amazingly for me. If I were to describe it in one word, it would be: basic.
And I mean that in the nicest possible way.
Loop doesn’t have any of the fancy features that the other apps on this list offer, like social accountability, gamification, or specialized coaching. It’s a habit tracker — nothing more, and nothing less. When you’re new to habit tracking and self-improvement, an app as simple and to-the-point as Loop can be a blessing.
After opening the app, simply tap the ‘+’ button to add a new habit. I’m currently tracking three habits:
The main downside to this app is that it’s only available on Android at the moment. Plus, if you value premium features, then Loop probably won’t cut it for you. In that case, you might want to check out the other apps on this list.
Ready to Change your Habits?
Now that you know the best habit tracking apps for Android and iOS, feel free to download any one of them and start your self-improvement journey!
But, you might be asking yourself, are habit tracking apps even important for developing better habits?
There’s a famous quote from Peter Drucker that goes, “What gets measured gets managed.”
Most people, when they set out to develop better habits, only manage to maintain them for a short while. Eventually, they go back to their old ways. The main reason behind this is that they don’t employ a solid method to track their progress. This leaves them with no way to determine their strengths and weaknesses, and thus no strategy to succeed.
By using a habit tracking app, you can see a visual representation of your progress. Once you do, you’ll have more motivation to persevere, and you’ll be less likely to give up. This can turn the entire process of self-improvement into a game, giving you small wins to look forward to every day.
To make the process fun, it’s important to start small. Don’t start tracking multiple habits simultaneously. Instead, start with one habit at a time. Before you know it, you’ll find an app that works perfectly for you, and helps you crush your goals!
Want to learn more about the science behind habits, and how to change your habits to improve your life? Check out my book Plus Habits!
