A free habit tracker lets you tick off daily habits, see streaks and spot patterns, so small routines are easier to keep. Simple streak apps suit people who want a quick daily check-in, while game-style apps add rewards for people who need a push. Check how many habits the free version allows, because some cap it low.
Most of us don't fail at habits because we don't care. We fail because life gets busy and the new routine quietly slips. A habit tracker makes the slip visible, which is often all you need.
Here are ten free habit trackers in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from open-source apps to mood journals. Each description comes from the app's own website, re-checked today. If you're setting bigger goals at the same time, my guide to SMART goals helps you turn wishes into steps.
Start with fewer habits than you think. Two or three you'll really do beat ten you'll ignore by Thursday.
And make each habit specific enough to tick off. 'Read more' is hard to track, but 'read ten pages after dinner' is easy to mark as done or not done.
Free habit trackers side by side
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions often come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daylio | Mood and activity journal | Linking habits to how you feel | Yes |
| Done | Habit tracking app | Colourful habit goals | Yes |
| Habitica | Game-style habit app | Turning habits into a game | Yes |
| Habitify | Habit tracking app | Clean tracking across devices | Yes |
| HabitNow | Habit and task app | Habits and to-dos together | Yes |
| HabitShare | Social habit tracker | Accountability with friends | Yes |
| Loop Habit Tracker | Open-source Android app | Private tracking with no account | Yes |
| Strides | Goal and habit tracker | Tracking goals as well as habits | Yes |
| TickTick | To-do and habit app | Habits inside a task manager | Yes |
| Way of Life | Habit tracker for iPhone | Seeing patterns over time | Yes |
Ten free habit trackers to try
Daylio
Best for: People who want to log mood and activities together and see how habits affect their days.
Done
Best for: iPhone users who want a simple, colourful way to track how often they hit each habit.
Habitica
Best for: People who stay motivated by points, levels and playing alongside friends.
Habitify
Best for: People who want a tidy tracker that syncs across phone, desktop and web.
HabitNow
Best for: Android users who want habits, tasks and reminders in one app.
HabitShare
Best for: People who stick to habits better when friends can see their progress.
Loop Habit Tracker
Best for: Android users who want a free, open-source tracker with no ads and no sign-up.
Strides
Best for: People who want to track habits alongside bigger goals and targets.
TickTick
Best for: People who already manage tasks and want habits in the same app.
Way of Life
Best for: iPhone users who want a quick daily check-in and charts that show long-term patterns.
The free version limit that trips people up
Here's a detail worth checking before you get attached to an app. Habitify's own plans page lists its free plan as free forever with three habits, while the premium plan allows unlimited habits. That's enough to start, but not if you planned to track ten things at once.
It's not a reason to avoid it. Three habits is a sensible number for most people anyway. Just check the limit on whichever app you choose, so you're not caught out after a week of streaks.
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What to look for in a free habit tracker
- Habit limit: how many habits can you track for free?
- Reminders: can it nudge you at the right time of day?
- Missed days: does one missed day wipe your progress, or does it show the bigger picture?
- Privacy: do you need an account, and where's your data stored?
- Devices: does it work on the phone you carry every day?
How to make a new habit stick
- Pick one habit and make it small enough to do on a bad day.
- Attach it to something you already do, like brushing your teeth.
- Set a reminder for the same time each day.
- Tick it off straight away, so the streak feels real.
- Review your week every Sunday and adjust, not abandon.
Habit mistakes that kill streaks
- Starting too big. Make it easy enough for a tired day.
- Too many at once. Focus beats ambition.
- Vague habits. 'Exercise more' is hard to tick off.
- Quitting after one miss. Just restart tomorrow.
If you're curious about the routines behind successful people, my post on the habits of successful people has plenty to borrow.
Do you make habit apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free habit trackers
The best tracker is the one you'll open without thinking. Choose the simplest app that does the job, and let the habits be the hard part.
And don't panic about a broken streak. Missing a day is normal. What matters is getting back on track the next day, and a tracker that shows your whole month makes that easier to see than a single streak number.
Frequently asked questions
Do habit trackers work?
They help many people by making progress visible and adding a daily nudge.
Are there completely free habit trackers?
Yes. Some are free and open source, while others have free plans with limits.
How many habits should I track?
Start with two or three. Add more once those feel automatic.
What if I miss a day?
Just carry on. One missed day doesn't undo your progress.
Can I track habits without an account?
Some apps work without sign-up and keep data on your phone.
Is a habit tracker better than a paper chart?
Apps add reminders and charts. Paper works brilliantly if you'll look at it every day.
Can I track habits with friends?
Some apps let you share progress for accountability.
What's the difference between a habit and a task?
A task gets done once. A habit repeats, usually daily or weekly.
Can I track bad habits I want to stop?
Yes. Track the days you avoid them instead of the days you do them.
Do habit trackers work on smartwatches?
Some do, which makes ticking off a habit even quicker.
How long before a habit feels automatic?
It varies a lot between people and habits, so keep going even when it still feels like effort.
