Streaks is minimal. Habitica is an RPG. And there’s everything in between.

Which habit tracking approach actually works?

The Three Philosophies

Minimalist (Streaks)

Track habits. See streaks. That’s it.

Gamified (Habitica)

Level up your character. Fight monsters. Join guilds.

Middle ground (SimpleStreaks, Productive)

More than a list. Less than a game.

Streaks: Minimalist Habit Tracking

Price: $5 one-time Platform: iOS only Philosophy: Less is more

How it works:

  • Track up to 12 habits
  • Mark complete daily
  • Watch streak numbers grow
  • Siri and widget integration

Strengths:

  • Beautiful, clean Apple design
  • One-time purchase (no subscription)
  • Excellent iOS/Watch integration
  • Forces you to prioritize (12 limit)

Weaknesses:

  • iOS only
  • Limited to 12 habits
  • No gamification
  • No social features
  • $5 upfront cost

Best for:

iPhone users who want simple, elegant tracking without distractions.

Habitica: Full RPG Gamification

Price: Free (premium $48/year) Platform: iOS, Android, Web Philosophy: Turn life into a game

How it works:

  • Create a character
  • Habits give XP and gold
  • Level up, buy gear
  • Join parties, fight bosses
  • Character takes damage when you miss habits

Strengths:

  • Deeply gamified (if that works for you)
  • Social features (guilds, parties)
  • Covers habits, dailies, and to-dos
  • Free core features

Weaknesses:

  • Complex — steep learning curve
  • Gamification gets stale for some
  • Interface is cluttered
  • Can feel overwhelming

Best for:

Gamification addicts who want their habits to feel like World of Warcraft.

SimpleStreaks: The Middle Ground

Price: Free Platform: iOS Philosophy: Simple but not bare

How it works:

  • Unlimited habit tracking
  • Streak visualization
  • One-tap check-in
  • No complexity

Strengths:

  • Free
  • Clean interface
  • Streaks prominently displayed
  • No gamification bloat

Weaknesses:

  • Fewer features than Habitica
  • Less polish than Streaks (paid)
  • iOS only currently

Best for:

People who want streak tracking without paying or without RPG mechanics.

Download →

Head-to-Head Comparison

FeatureStreaksHabiticaSimpleStreaks
Price$5FreeFree
PlatformiOSAlliOS
GamificationNoneFull RPGMinimal
Habit limit12UnlimitedUnlimited
SocialNoYes (guilds)No
ComplexityLowHighLow
Apple WatchYesLimitedYes

Which Philosophy Works Best?

Research says:

  • Gamification works short-term for motivation
  • Simplicity works long-term for sustainability
  • Social accountability helps some people, annoys others

The pattern I’ve observed:

  1. People try Habitica, love it for 2-3 months, abandon it
  2. People buy Streaks, use it for years
  3. People use simple free apps consistently

Translation: Start simple. Add gamification only if you genuinely enjoy it.

Who Should Use What

Use Streaks if:

  • You’re an Apple user
  • You want premium quality
  • You prefer minimal design
  • $5 isn’t an issue
  • You have <12 core habits

Use Habitica if:

  • You love games/RPGs
  • You want social features
  • You’re competitive
  • You have lots of habits/tasks
  • You need heavy motivation

Use SimpleStreaks if:

  • You want free and simple
  • Gamification isn’t your thing
  • You have more than 12 habits
  • You want streaks without complexity

The Habit App Graveyard

A warning: Most people download habit apps enthusiastically, use them for weeks, then stop.

Why:

  • Too many habits at once
  • App complexity creates friction
  • Novelty wears off
  • Life gets in the way

Prevention:

  • Start with 1-3 habits max
  • Use the simplest app that works
  • Focus on the habit, not the app
  • If Habitica gets boring, switch to simple

My Recommendation

For most people: SimpleStreaks or Streaks

Habit tracking should be frictionless. Complex apps become another thing to manage.

For gamification lovers: Try Habitica

Some people genuinely maintain motivation through game mechanics. Know yourself.

For serious Apple users: Streaks ($5)

Best integration, best design, reasonable one-time cost.

FAQ

Which habit app has the best free version? Habitica and SimpleStreaks. Habitica has more features; SimpleStreaks is simpler.

Is paying for a habit app worth it? Streaks ($5 once) is worth it for iPhone users. Subscriptions are harder to justify.

Can Habitica work long-term? For some people, yes. Most burn out on gamification. Try it and see.

What about Productive, Done, or other apps? Many good options exist. The best app is one you’ll actually use daily.

Should I track all my habits in one app? Ideally yes. Switching between apps creates friction.

Related reads:

— Dolce