Why iPhone needs dedicated habit tracking
Building better habits sounds simple in theory: do something consistently until it becomes automatic. In practice, most people fail because they lack a system for tracking and maintaining momentum.
Habit tracking apps provide that system. They turn abstract intentions ("I want to exercise more") into concrete actions you check off daily. The visual feedback of seeing streaks build, patterns emerge, and progress accumulate creates motivation that good intentions alone can't sustain.
For iPhone users specifically, you want apps designed for quick interactions. Pull out your phone, mark a habit complete in seconds, put it away. No logging into websites, no navigating through menus, no friction between you and tracking. iOS-specific features like widgets, Siri Shortcuts, and notifications make the best habit trackers feel integrated into your daily routine instead of another app to remember.
We tested dozens of iOS habit trackers, focusing on apps that respect the platform. Good widgets that show your habits at a glance. Quick entry that doesn't require opening the full app. Smart notifications that remind without annoying. Visual streak displays that motivate without overwhelming.
This guide covers the best habit tracking apps for iPhone and iPad users in 2026. Each app has been tested for weeks in actual daily use, not just reviewed based on feature lists.
What Makes a Great iOS Habit Tracker?
Features that actually matter on iPhone
Habit trackers on iPhone need different strengths than desktop apps or paper journals. Your phone is always with you, making it perfect for quick logging. But phone interactions should be fast and frictionless.
We evaluated each app against iOS-specific criteria:
Widget quality: The best habit trackers put your habits on your home screen or lock screen. Check off habits without opening the app. See your progress with a glance. iOS 14+ widgets changed what's possible - we prioritized apps that take full advantage.
Quick entry methods: Can you log a habit in under 5 seconds? Apps with simple tap-to-complete interfaces, Siri Shortcuts integration, or Apple Watch complications scored higher. Complex logging flows break the habit-building process.
Visual feedback: Habit tracking works because of the psychological reward of seeing streaks and progress. Apps with clear, motivating visuals (streak counters, completion graphs, calendar heat maps) help maintain momentum.
Smart notifications: Reminders should prompt you at the right time without being annoying. We looked for customizable notification timing, smart suggestions based on your patterns, and the ability to snooze or adjust easily.
Sync and backup: Losing months of habit data because you switched phones is devastating. Apps with reliable iCloud sync or backup options prevent that disaster.
Flexibility: Some habits are daily (meditate every morning). Others are frequency-based (gym 3 times per week). Some are yes/no (took vitamins), others are quantitative (read 20 pages). Good trackers handle multiple habit types without forcing everything into the same structure.
Griply
Best All-in-One: Griply
Griply combines habit tracking with task management and life planning in one beautiful iOS app. This integration matters because habits don't exist in isolation - they connect to your goals and daily tasks.
The habit tracker itself is clean and functional. Add habits, set frequency (daily, specific days, X times per week), and track completions. The interface uses satisfying gestures - swipe to complete, long-press for options. Feels native to iOS in a way some habit trackers don't.
What sets Griply apart is how habits connect to your broader planning. Your morning routine habits live alongside your work tasks and long-term goals. Some people love this holistic approach - everything related to self-improvement in one app. Others find it cluttered if they just want simple habit tracking.
Best for
iPhone users wanting an all-in-one productivity system. People who think holistically about habits, tasks, and goals rather than treating them as separate activities. Anyone tired of juggling multiple apps for different aspects of personal development.
Not ideal if
You prefer specialized tools that do one thing excellently. The broader scope can feel distracting if you just want to check off your morning meditation and move on. People who already have established task management systems might find the integration redundant.
Real-world example
A freelance designer uses Griply to track morning meditation (habit), plan client projects (tasks), and work toward the goal of launching a course by Q3. Everything connects in one view. Morning routine completion gives context to daily productivity. Goals break down into tasks and habits that support them. One app replaces what used to be Streaks, Things, and a Notion dashboard.
Team fit
Griply is personal productivity focused. No team collaboration features. Works best for solo users managing their own habits and goals. If you need to share habit tracking with family or accountability partners, look elsewhere.
Onboarding reality
Moderate learning curve. The habit tracker piece is straightforward, but understanding how to use tasks, goals, and documents together takes a few days. The app provides templates and examples, which helps. Most people get comfortable within a week of daily use.
Pricing friction
Free version limits habit count and features. Premium unlocks unlimited habits, advanced statistics, and cloud sync. Pricing sits around $5-8/month or $40-50/year. Reasonable for an all-in-one tool, though pricier than single-purpose habit trackers. The value depends on whether you'll actually use the task and goal features.
Integrations that matter
iOS widgets (home screen and lock screen), Apple Watch complications, iCloud sync across iPhone and iPad. No third-party integrations with other productivity apps. The all-in-one philosophy means Griply wants to be your only tool rather than playing nice with others.
Habitify
Best Value: Habitify
Habitify is the reliable, affordable habit tracker that just works. No gimmicks, no gamification overdose, just solid habit tracking with the features most people actually need.
The interface is clean and straightforward. Your habits appear as a list. Tap to complete. That's it. The simplicity is the point. You're not learning a complex system or navigating menus - you're building habits.
Habitify excels at the fundamentals. Quick entry, clear visual feedback, reliable notifications, good statistics. It handles daily habits, custom schedules, and habit streaks well. The iOS widgets work perfectly. Everything functions smoothly without bugs or quirks.
Best for
People wanting a reliable, no-nonsense habit tracker at a reasonable price. iPhone users who value function over flashy design. Anyone who tried complex productivity systems and just wants something that works consistently. Budget-conscious users who need premium features without premium pricing.
Not ideal if
You want beautiful illustrations, unique visual styles, or gamification elements. Habitify prioritizes function, so the design is clean but not particularly exciting. People needing social features or group challenges won't find them here. Power users wanting deep customization might hit limits.
Real-world example
A grad student tracks morning exercise (yes/no), pages read (measurable), and water intake (target of 8 glasses). The widget shows all three on the home screen. Quick morning check-in takes 20 seconds. After two months, the stats show exercise consistency at 85%, revealing that Thursdays are the weak spot. Adjusts gym schedule accordingly and consistency jumps to 92%.
Team fit
Primarily individual-focused. Premium allows some sharing features, but Habitify isn't built for team accountability or family tracking. Works best for solo habit building with optional sharing to accountability partners.
Onboarding reality
Easy. You'll figure it out in under 10 minutes. Add a few habits, set schedules, done. The interface is intuitive enough that you don't need tutorials. Most users are tracking their first habit within 5 minutes of download.
Pricing friction
Generous free tier covers basic needs: habit tracking, widgets, basic stats. Premium at roughly $5/month or $25/year unlocks unlimited habits, advanced analytics, and cloud sync. Compared to apps charging $10+ monthly, Habitify is a bargain. The free tier is functional enough to use long-term if budget is tight.
Integrations that matter
iOS widgets, Apple Watch support, iCloud sync. Also available on Android and web, so you're not locked into the Apple ecosystem if you switch platforms later. The cross-platform availability is rare among habit trackers.
Streaks
Best for Simplicity: Streaks
Streaks limits you to 12 habits maximum, and that constraint is the whole point. The app forces you to focus on what matters instead of creating 47 habits you'll never maintain.
The philosophy is that most people can realistically build a handful of habits consistently. Track too many things and you track nothing well. Streaks makes you choose your most important habits and commit to them.
The execution is beautiful. Each habit appears as a colorful tile. Tap to complete. The interface shows your current streak (days completed consecutively) prominently. Breaking a streak feels genuinely disappointing, creating motivation to maintain consistency.
Best for
iPhone users who want simple, focused habit tracking. People who benefit from constraints rather than unlimited flexibility. Anyone overwhelmed by apps that let you track 100 habits poorly instead of 12 habits well. Minimalists who appreciate the forced prioritization.
Not ideal if
You legitimately need to track many different areas: health habits, work routines, relationship practices, hobbies, learning goals. The 12-habit limit becomes genuinely restrictive if you have diverse tracking needs. People who want detailed analytics beyond streak counts will want more data.
Real-world example
An entrepreneur tracks exactly 12 habits: morning meditation, workout, no phone before 8am, 30 minutes reading, inbox zero by EOD, family dinner, 8 hours sleep, vitamin, journal, gratitude practice, walking meeting, no alcohol weekdays. The limit forces tough choices. When wanting to add a new habit, must remove an existing one. This constraint creates intentionality. After 6 months, all 12 habits average 80%+ consistency because they're truly the most important ones.
Team fit
Strictly personal. No collaboration, no sharing, no team features. Streaks is about your individual habit building, period. If you need accountability partners or family tracking, this isn't it.
Onboarding reality
Extremely easy. The interface is so simple you can't get confused. Add a habit, set when it should happen (daily, specific days, X times per week), start tracking. Five minutes and you're productive. The constraint means less to configure.
Pricing friction
$5 one-time purchase on iPhone. Separate purchases for iPad ($5) and Apple Watch ($5). No subscription, which is refreshing. The multiple-purchase-per-device model annoys some users (why isn't it universal?), but $5-15 total one-time is still cheap compared to annual subscriptions elsewhere.
Integrations that matter
Exceptional iOS integration: widgets, Siri Shortcuts, Apple Watch complications, Health app data sync. Can automatically mark workout habits complete based on Apple Health data. The Apple ecosystem integration is the deepest on this list. No cloud sync between devices though - habits stay on each device independently.
Notion
Best for Customization: Notion
Notion isn't a dedicated habit tracker, but thousands of people build custom habit tracking systems in it. The flexibility lets you design exactly the system you want instead of adapting to someone else's structure.
Building a habit tracker in Notion requires setup investment. You create a database, add properties (habit name, date, completed, notes), build views (weekly grid, monthly calendar, statistics dashboard), and design the interface. Templates exist to accelerate this, but customization is the point.
The payoff is a habit tracker molded to your exact needs. Track habits alongside related notes. Connect habits to goals in another database. Build weekly planning pages that show habits and tasks together. The possibilities match your creativity.
Best for
iPhone users already invested in Notion who want their habits in the same system as everything else. People who enjoy building custom systems and want complete control over structure and design. Teams or families who need shared habit tracking with collaboration features. Anyone comfortable with databases and views.
Not ideal if
You want to install an app and start tracking immediately. Building a functional habit tracker takes time and technical comfort. People who find databases overwhelming will struggle. The mobile experience for heavy editing isn't as smooth as desktop - you'll probably build the system on your Mac/iPad and just use iPhone for checking off habits.
Real-world example
A productivity enthusiast builds a Notion system with three connected databases: habits, goals, and weekly reviews. Morning meditation habit links to the "mental health" goal. Weekly review template shows habit completion rates and pulls in related journal entries. Monthly dashboard visualizes trends across all habit categories. The system took 4 hours to build initially but now serves as a complete personal operating system. Habits, goals, notes, tasks, and reflections all connect.
Team fit
Works for individuals, families, or teams. Notion's collaboration features let couples track shared household habits or study groups share accountability. The flexibility supports any group structure you can imagine. Free for personal use, paid plans scale to teams.
Onboarding reality
Moderate for basic use, heavy for builders. Anyone can click a checkbox in a simple habit list. Creating complex tracking systems with multiple views and automated calculations requires learning databases, formulas, and relations. Budget 2-4 hours to build a sophisticated system. Using someone's template is faster but limits customization.
Pricing friction
Free plan works for individuals with unlimited blocks and guests. Plus ($10/user/month) unlocks unlimited file uploads and version history. Business ($15/user/month) adds advanced permissions. For personal habit tracking, free tier is sufficient. The value proposition depends on whether you'll use Notion for other purposes beyond habits.
Integrations that matter
iOS widgets show database views on your home screen. Display today's habits, completion percentage, or any custom view. Updates sync as you check things off. Also available on Android, Windows, Mac, web - true cross-platform. Can embed content from hundreds of other apps. The ecosystem is massive.
Habit Tracker
Best for ADHD: Habit Tracker
The app literally named "Habit Tracker" (from developer Davetech) has become surprisingly popular with the ADHD community, and for good reasons.
The interface uses bright colors, clear progress bars, and satisfying animations that provide immediate dopamine hits when you complete habits. For people with ADHD who struggle with delayed gratification, these instant visual rewards help maintain motivation.
The social features let you share habits with friends, family, or accountability partners. Other people can see your progress and send encouragement. The external accountability helps when internal motivation wavers.
Best for
iPhone users with ADHD or anyone who responds well to visual feedback and social accountability. People who struggled with minimalist habit trackers that feel boring or unsatisfying. Anyone needing external motivation from friends or family to maintain consistency. Users who find gamification elements genuinely motivating rather than gimmicky.
Not ideal if
You prefer minimal interfaces without visual noise. The colorful, animated design is intentional but can feel overwhelming to people who like clean, simple apps. Privacy-focused users who don't want to share habit data with others will skip the social features. People allergic to gamification won't appreciate the approach.
Real-world example
Someone with ADHD tracks morning medication, exercise, and focus work sessions. Shares the medication habit with their partner, who gets a notification if it's not completed by 9am and can send a gentle reminder. The bright green checkmark and celebration animation provides instant satisfaction that helps override the ADHD tendency to forget. After 3 months, medication consistency went from 60% to 95% thanks to the combination of visual rewards and external accountability.
Team fit
Built for individuals with optional sharing to accountability partners, friends, or family. Can create groups for mutual accountability (gym buddies, study partners). Not designed for workplace teams or formal collaboration. The social features are personal, not professional.
Onboarding reality
Easy. The visual interface is intuitive. Add a habit, pick a color and icon, set schedule, optionally share with someone. The app guides you through setup with friendly prompts. ADHD-friendly design means minimal text, lots of visual cues. Most people are tracking their first habit within 5 minutes.
Pricing friction
Free version includes ads and limits some features. Premium removes ads, unlocks advanced statistics, and adds more customization options. Pricing around $3-5/month or less than $30/year. The ads in the free version aren't terrible, so many users stick with free. Premium is affordable enough that most people upgrade if they use it daily.
Integrations that matter
iOS widgets with color-coded habit status (green for completed, red for missed, gray for pending). Quick visual status check without opening the app. Push notifications with customizable timing and snooze options. No complex integrations with productivity tools - this app stays in its lane as a focused habit tracker.
Habit Tracker is a habit tracking app that helps users build and maintain routines.
TickTick
Best with Tasks: TickTick
Like Griply, TickTick combines habit tracking with task management. The difference is TickTick is primarily a task app that added habits, while Griply is more balanced between the two.
The habit tracker in TickTick is surprisingly robust for a "bonus feature." You create habits, set schedules, track completions, and view statistics. The interface integrates habits into your daily task list, showing both what you need to do and what habits you want to build.
For people already using TickTick for tasks (and many do - it's popular with productivity enthusiasts), adding habit tracking makes perfect sense. One app handles both, reducing app switching and keeping your daily planning unified.
Best for
iPhone users already using or considering TickTick for task management. People who want habits and tasks in one app rather than switching between separate tools. Productivity enthusiasts who appreciate the integration of daily tasks with habit building. Cross-platform users who need Android, Windows, Mac, and web access.
Not ideal if
You don't need task management and just want habit tracking. TickTick Premium is required to unlock habits, making it expensive if you're only using that one feature. People already committed to another task manager won't want to switch just for habit tracking. The app can feel cluttered if you have lots of tasks and habits competing for attention.
Real-world example
A product manager uses TickTick to manage work tasks, personal to-dos, and habits. Morning routine habits (meditation, exercise, journal) appear alongside work tasks in the daily view. Can time-block the day with actual calendar events, tasks to complete, and habits to maintain all visible together. Weekly review shows both task completion rate and habit consistency. One app replaces what used to be Things for tasks and Streaks for habits.
Team fit
Primarily individual-focused. TickTick has team task features, but habit tracking is personal. You can share task lists with colleagues or family, but habits stay private. Works for solo users who want personal habit tracking alongside potentially shared task lists.
Onboarding reality
Moderate learning curve. The task management piece requires learning TickTick's system (projects, tags, filters, Smart Lists). Once you understand tasks, adding habits is straightforward. If you're new to TickTick entirely, budget a week to get comfortable with the full feature set. The habit tracker alone is simple.
Pricing friction
Free tier covers task management but habits require Premium. Premium is $35.99/year or $2.99/month. Reasonable if you're using TickTick for tasks and habits. Expensive if you only want the habit tracking and already have a task manager elsewhere. The annual pricing is competitive with dedicated habit trackers, though.
Integrations that matter
Swipe gestures for quick habit completion (swipe right to mark done). iOS widgets showing both tasks and habits. Apple Watch support. Calendar integration syncing with Google Calendar and iCloud. Available on literally every platform: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, web, Apple Watch, browser extensions. True cross-platform flexibility.
Done
Best for Data Lovers: Done
Done is for people who want extensive statistics and data visualization about their habit patterns.
The tracking interface is standard - add habits, mark completions, see streaks. Where Done excels is analytics. Charts showing completion trends over time, heat maps revealing which days you succeed or struggle, detailed breakdowns by habit category, goal completion percentages, and more.
For data-driven people who want to understand their behavior patterns deeply, Done provides the insights. You can spot trends like "I complete morning habits 90% of the time but evening habits only 60%" or "My workout streak always breaks on Thursdays."
Best for
iPhone users who enjoy data and want deep insights into their habit patterns. People who make decisions based on metrics and trends rather than feel. Quantified self enthusiasts who track everything and analyze the patterns. Anyone who finds spreadsheets and charts motivating rather than intimidating.
Not ideal if
You want gorgeous design and delightful animations. Done's interface leans functional over beautiful. People who find data overwhelming or don't care about detailed analytics will pay for features they won't use. If simple streak counts are enough motivation, the extensive charts are overkill.
Real-world example
A data analyst (naturally) tracks 8 habits across health, work, and relationships. After 3 months of data, Done's analytics reveal surprising patterns: reading habit completion correlates strongly with morning meditation completion (both 85% when done together, 60% when separate). Weekend habits lag weekdays by 20%. Exercise on Mondays predicts better habit consistency all week. Uses these insights to restructure the routine, grouping meditation and reading, adding weekend accountability, protecting Monday workouts. Overall consistency jumps from 72% to 86%.
Team fit
Individual-focused. No collaboration features. The analytics are about your personal patterns, not team or family tracking. Works for solo users who enjoy self-analysis.
Onboarding reality
Easy for basic tracking, moderate for analytics. Adding habits and checking them off is simple. Understanding and using the statistical views requires comfort with charts, percentages, and trend analysis. Most users grasp the basics quickly but take weeks to fully leverage the analytics. The app doesn't require you to use the data features to track habits.
Pricing friction
Free tier limits habit count (usually 3-5 habits). Premium unlocks unlimited habits and advanced analytics for roughly $5/month or $30-40/year. The pricing is competitive. Free tier is functional for people tracking just a few core habits. Premium makes sense if you want the full analytics suite or need to track 10+ habits.
Integrations that matter
iOS widgets showing today's habits and current streaks. Apple Watch support for quick check-ins. Export functionality to pull data into spreadsheets (CSV format) for even deeper analysis in Excel or Google Sheets. For people who enjoy custom data visualization, the export feature enables endless possibilities.
Awesome Habits wants to be your base for habit tracking with fun, easy tracking.
Everyday
Best for Streaks: Everyday
Everyday focuses obsessively on building and maintaining streaks. The entire interface revolves around current streak counts and the calendar view showing your consistency.
The psychology is simple: seeing a 30-day streak makes you not want to break it. The longer the streak, the stronger the motivation to maintain it. Everyday maximizes this psychological effect with prominent streak displays and visual calendars showing your progress.
The app is minimalist almost to a fault. You add habits, check them off daily, and watch streaks grow. No complex analytics, no social features, no bells and whistles. Just you versus the calendar.
Best for
iPhone users motivated primarily by maintaining streaks. People who find minimalist apps less distracting than feature-rich ones. Anyone who tried complex habit trackers and bounced off the complexity. Users who respond to the simple psychological pressure of "don't break the chain."
Not ideal if
You need detailed statistics beyond streak counts. The analytics are minimal - you get streaks and calendar views, that's it. People wanting flexible scheduling (habits that happen X times per week without specific days) will find the daily-focused approach limiting. Power users needing habit notes, mood tracking, or advanced features won't find them here.
Real-world example
A writer tracks one habit: write 500 words daily. The Everyday interface shows a massive "47" representing the current streak. The calendar view displays an unbroken chain of green checks for 47 consecutive days. The simplicity eliminates decision fatigue and excuses. Open app, check box, close app. On day 48, the temptation to skip is crushed by not wanting to reset the counter to zero. The minimalism creates focus. Six months later, the streak hits 180 days and the writing habit feels automatic.
Team fit
Strictly personal. No sharing, no collaboration, no accountability partners. Everyday is about your individual relationship with your habits and the streak psychology that drives consistency. Solo users only.
Onboarding reality
Extremely easy. The minimalist design means there's almost nothing to learn. Add a habit (name and optionally an icon), start checking it off daily. The calendar fills in, the streak counter increases. Five minutes from download to first tracked habit. The constraint means less to configure or customize.
Pricing friction
$5 one-time purchase. No subscription, no in-app purchases, no ads. You pay once, own it forever. Refreshing in an era of endless subscriptions. The low price and simplicity make it an easy impulse buy for people curious about habit tracking. No monthly fees means no pressure to use it to justify ongoing costs.
Integrations that matter
iOS widgets showing current streaks and today's habit checklist. Glance at progress without opening the app. The visibility reinforces consistency. No complex integrations with other productivity tools. Everyday intentionally stays simple and focused. iCloud sync keeps habits backed up across your iOS devices.
Everyday Habits helps you track habits, streaks and success with your daily habits.
Which iOS Habit Tracker Fits Your Needs?
Decision guide
Your ideal habit tracker depends on what motivates you and how you prefer to organize your life:
If you want habits integrated with tasks and life planning, Griply provides an all-in-one system. Everything connects instead of living in separate apps.
If you want reliable, affordable habit tracking that just works, Habitify delivers solid fundamentals without gimmicks or premium pricing.
If you benefit from forced focus on just your most important habits, Streaks' 12-habit limit creates helpful constraints.
If you already use Notion and want complete customization control, building your habit tracker in Notion lets you design exactly the system you want.
If you have ADHD or respond well to visual feedback and social accountability, Habit Tracker provides colorful reinforcement and group tracking.
If you already use TickTick for tasks, adding habits there keeps everything unified in one app.
If you love data and want detailed analytics about your patterns, Done provides extensive statistics and insights.
If you're motivated primarily by maintaining streaks, Everyday's minimalist, streak-focused approach removes distractions.
Most people try 2-3 habit trackers before finding the right fit. What works for your friend might not work for you. The best habit tracker is the one you'll actually use consistently, not the one with the most features or best reviews.
iOS Habit Tracker FAQ
Common questions
What's the best free habit tracker for iPhone?
Habitify offers the most generous free tier with good core features. Notion is free for personal use if you're willing to build your own system. Most dedicated habit trackers limit free versions significantly, making Habitify the best no-cost option.
Do habit tracker apps actually help build habits?
Yes, but they're tools, not magic. Tracking provides awareness, visual feedback, and streak motivation that helps consistency. But the app doesn't build the habit for you - you still need to do the actual behavior. Apps make it easier to stay consistent, which is where most people fail.
How many habits should I track at once?
Start with 1-3 maximum. Seriously. Most people fail by trying to build 20 habits simultaneously. Master one habit, let it become automatic, then add another. Apps that let you track unlimited habits enable this mistake. Streaks' 12-habit limit is generous - most people succeed with far fewer.
Should I track habits I already do consistently?
No point. Habit trackers work best for behaviors you're trying to make automatic. Tracking habits you already do consistently just creates busywork. Focus on behaviors you want to build, maintain, or change.
What if I miss a day?
Just continue. One missed day doesn't erase progress. The "never break the chain" advice creates all-or-nothing thinking that causes people to quit entirely after one slip. Good habit trackers show overall completion percentages, not just streaks. Missing occasionally while maintaining 80%+ consistency still builds the habit.
Do I need Apple Watch for habit tracking?
No, but it helps. Quick-checking habits from your wrist reduces friction. Most habit trackers work fine from iPhone alone. Apple Watch is a nice-to-have, not essential.
Start Building Better Habits
The best tracker is the one you'll use
The best iOS habit tracker is whichever one you'll actually open daily and use consistently. Feature lists and reviews matter less than finding an app that fits your psychology and workflow.
Start simple. Pick one tracker from this list based on what appeals to you. Add 1-3 habits maximum. Use it for at least 30 days before deciding it's not working. Most people quit apps in the first week, before habits have time to form.
Don't over-engineer your system. A basic tracker you use beats an elaborate setup you abandon. You can always switch apps later if your needs change.
The apps listed here represent the best options for iPhone users in 2026. Most offer free trials or free tiers - test a few to find what clicks. The right habit tracker disappears into the background, making tracking feel automatic instead of another task on your list.