Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Habitica

Free

Habitica is a free habit-building and productivity app that treats your real life like a game. With in-game rewards and punishments to motivate you and a strong social network to inspire you, Habitica can help you achieve your goals to become healthy, hard-working, and happy.

Our take

Gamify your habits with Habitica!

Alright, so Habitica is this nifty app that tries to make getting your stuff done more like playing a game. At first glance, it seems pretty cool because who doesn't want to turn their to-do list into something fun? You create an avatar and earn rewards like gear and pets as you complete tasks. It’s a clever idea, for sure, but whether it’s your cup of tea might depend on how much you dig the whole gamification thing. If you’re not into games, it might just feel like more work to manage than it’s worth.

One of the standout features is the community aspect. You can join parties or guilds with other users, which can be a solid motivator if you’re the type who thrives on a bit of friendly competition or collaboration. This might be great if you’re looking for that extra push, but if you’re not really into sharing your personal goals with random internet folks, it could feel a bit intrusive. Also, if your friends aren’t on Habitica, you might find it hard to drum up that sense of camaraderie.

The app is pretty flexible, letting you customize tasks into dailies, habits, and to-dos. The flexibility is a plus because you can tailor it to whatever your life looks like. But here’s the thing: if you’re not consistent with inputting tasks, it can become just another digital graveyard of good intentions. It’s like any planner or productivity tool—only as effective as the effort you put into using it.

Now, let’s talk design. Habitica’s interface is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not ugly, but it’s not exactly sleek or modern either. Some folks might find the retro game vibe charming, but if you’re used to something more polished, you might get a little frustrated. The user experience can feel a bit clunky at times, especially when navigating through different sections or trying to get the hang of all its features. It’s definitely not the most intuitive app out there.

For those who like to keep things free, the basic version of Habitica doesn’t cost a dime, which is always a bonus. However, there are in-app purchases and a subscription model for those who want extra features or to support the developers. If you’re not keen on spending, you might feel like you’re missing out on some of the cooler perks. But if you’re just looking for a bit of gamified motivation, the free version should do the trick. Overall, Habitica is an interesting tool for making productivity fun, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.