Habitica is a productivity and task management app that uses gamification to create habits and set goals. It has a free and paid version available, with subscriptions costing $4.99 -$47.99, depending on which subscription you choose.
Habitica At a Glance
Cost: $4.99 -$47.99
Insurance Accepted? Not mentioned
Pros & Cons of Habitica
Pros - Gamification can help you with habit building or productivity
- There is social accountability through groups and challenges
- Fully customizable to fit your individual needs
- Multiple features for task management, goal-setting, and habit tracking
- Available for Desktop, iOS, and Android devices
Cons - Can be overwhelming to get started
- Internet access is required to use the app at all
- Gamification may not be a big motivator for some people
- Must be consistent with your check-ins to earn rewards
- The app is not updated as regularly as other apps
Who Is Habitica Right For?
- For college students
- For professionals and entrepreneurs
- Those who are looking to establish routines and meet their goals
Preview Habitica
Habitica is a productivity and task management app that uses gamification to create habits and set goals. Habitica offers tons of customizations and community engagement to meet your unique needs and experience. There is a free version and a premium version available, with subscriptions costing $4.99 – $47.99, depending on which subscription you choose.
Habitica specializes in gamification where you can gain experience points (XP) and turn tasks and habits into a fun and engaging experience. Habitica’s dashboard homepage has habits, “dailies”, to-do’s, and rewards. All of these features are available in the free version which means you will not need to sign up for premium to use them.
There are many customization features both within the app as well as in a browser like app extensions and integrations with other apps. There is a supportive community that encourages and celebrates accountability with one another. The Habitica App has a 4.0-star rating from 1.9K+ reviews in the Apple Store and a 4.7-star rating from 36.9K+ reviews in the Google Play Store.
Why You Can Trust My Review
I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) specializing in self-esteem, stress management, and life transitions. I have been practicing for six years and I’m based in New Jersey. I have been writing for Choosing Therapy since 2020 and in the fall of 2022, I began reviewing online therapy, online psychiatry, and mental health apps.
Habitica has so much to explore, that even as I completed this review there were some features I had yet to experience. Due to how many layers and capabilities the app offers, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when using Habitica at first – it feels like there is so much to learn and maintain on a regular basis. I feel Habitica’s gamification elements make it a helpful tool for people with ADHD or those who have symptoms of executive dysfunction as the app adds fun and structure to their daily routines, goals, and productivity.
Based on our quantitative multi-point scoring criteria, Habitica earned 4 out of 5 stars during our most recent review.
Review our scoring criteria for mental health apps here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Do You Have Trouble Concentrating or Sitting Still?
You might have ADHD and the Inflow App could help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Common symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, procrastination, and impulsivity. Get help – try the Inflow App for free.
Key Takeaways
Habitica is a fun productivity app with in-depth gamification which encourages users to build habits and achieve goals.
There are many customization features both within the app as well as in a browser like, app extensions and integrations with other apps.
Gamification with Habitica turns tasks and habits into a fun and engaging experience, which adds enjoyment and motivation to the process by earning rewards and leveling up.
There is a supportive community that encourages and celebrates accountability with one another.
You can create your own tasks, habits, and dailies with rewards that fit the your needs.
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What Is the Habitica App?
Habitica is a productivity and task management app that uses gamification to create habits and set goals. Habitica offers tons of customizations and community engagement to meet your unique needs and experience. There is a free version and premium version available, with subscriptions costing $4.99 -$47.99, depending on which subscription you choose.
Habitica’s dashboard homepage has habits, “dailies”, to do’s, and rewards. All of these features are available in the free version which means you will not need to sign up for premium to use them.
Habits, such as improving bedtime routine or drinking more water, can be customized or imported from challenges that you can enroll in. “Dailies” are more like everyday tasks like, working out, brushing your teeth, and making your bed. Much like habits, you can add “dailies” from the challenges you can sign-up for. Your to-do list acts just like a regular task list, which helps you stay focused on deadlines and ongoing projects. The rewards section shows which rewards you have earned by completing habits, dailies, and to-do’s.
Habitica specializes in gamification where you can gain experience points (XP) and turns tasks and habits into a fun and engaging experience. This can be helpful for your mental health because it adds enjoyment and motivation to your day through earning rewards and leveling up. You will feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete things in the app and this will boost your confidence and reduce task-related stress.
The social and community aspect of Habitica, like joining groups and challenges, helps to provide support and a sense of belonging, which can also be beneficial for mental wellbeing. You can even build new groups through the use of quests and guilds in the app. Habitica’s gamification elements make daily tasks and habits fun while adding structure to your routines, goals, and productivity.
How Much Does Habitica App Cost?
Habitica costs with subscriptions costing $4.99 -$47.99, depending on which subscription you choose, and there is a large portion of the app available for free.
Habitica Premium App Subscription
Habitica offers four premium subscriptions to choose from, with each plan offering gems or mystic hourglasses. Gems and hourglasses are in-game items that you can use for gold, to unlock mystery items, and track your to-do history and other tasks. Premium subscriptions also offer additional exclusive and mystery items that are not available in the free version.
Habitica’s four subscriptions are:
- Monthly: $4.99 and includes 25 gems
- 3 Months: $14.99 and includes 30 gems and one mystic hourglass
- 6 Months: $29.99 and includes 35 gems and two mystic hourglasses
- Annual: $47.99 and includes 45 gems and four mystic hourglasses.
Habitica for Groups
Habitica for Groups cost $9 monthly plus $3 per member. Groups will have access to a private task board and chat area that no one but your private group can access.
Do You Have Trouble Concentrating or Sitting Still?
You might have ADHD and the Inflow App could help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Common symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, procrastination, and impulsivity. Get help – try the Inflow App for free.
How to Get Started The Habitica App
Getting started with the Habitica App is as easy as signing up on the website or downloading the Habitica App from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You will simply input your email, choose a display name and username, then follow the tutorial to learn your way around.
After the tutorial, you will then have the option to become a subscriber and choose the monthly, three month, six month, or annual subscription. You can also choose to just use the free version of the app, which does offer quite a bit. For more help getting started, you can check out the Habitica wikipage, which is perfect for new and experienced users to reference.
Habitica App Key Features
The Habitica app’s key features include gamification, social accountability and robust customization options. Most of these features are included in the free version, however there are some exclusive perks and incentives available to those who chose to sign up for the premium subscription.
Gamification
Habitica uses gaming elements to make productivity more fun. Users can level up their avatars, unlock new features, earn rewards, and join communities and virtual quests. Users earn experience points by completing their assigned tasks and maintaining their habits. Most of the gamification features are available in the free version, however some items and quests are available exclusively to subscribers of the premium version.
Social Accountability
Social accountability is another great feature of using the Habitica app. You can join groups, participate in challenges, and connect with like-minded individuals through guilds. The app provides chat and messaging features for direct communication and the option to create accountability partnerships or buddies.
Social features like this creates a sense of motivation and support, making the habit-building and productivity journey more enjoyable and rewarding. There are a few outside communities related to Habitica, such as private Discord servers, Reddit pages, and the resources that have been shared on the Wiki page.
Customization
Aside from customization of your avatar, you can also create your own tasks, habits, and dailies with rewards that fit your needs. These rewards may be free or play time for leisure and relaxation, a small treat, or some other thing you would much rather be doing.
You can customize their settings to their preferences and priorities. Customization is taken a step further by allowing app integration and alternate interfaces, such as: emailing your to-do lists, Zapier, Trello, etc. or using browser extensions.
Who Is the Habitica App Right For?
Habitica is great for those looking to stay organized and motivated to complete their tasks, like college students, professionals and entrepreneurs, and those looking to establish routines and meet their goals.
College Students
Habitica can help college students stay organized, manage their time, and develop good study habits. Students will be able to create tasks for assignments, set study goals, and track their overall progress. The gamification aspect of Habitica can turn mundane, yet important, tasks into feeling more rewarding.
Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Similar to college students, professionals and entrepreneurs can benefit from using Habitica for to-do lists and deadlines they need to meet. Project management is essential for professionals and Habitica can help to boost productivity, prioritize important tasks, and help establish a better work-life balance. Habitica allows users to break down large tasks into smaller tasks and gamification provides a sense of accomplishment.
Individuals Wanting to Establish Routines & Meet Goals
Whether you are looking to establish routines for self-care, working out, or self-development such as learning a new skill, meditation, or journaling, Habitica allows the ability to monitor and track progress which motivates users to continue to reinforce these habits.
Do You Have Trouble Concentrating or Sitting Still?
You might have ADHD and the Inflow App could help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Common symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, procrastination, and impulsivity. Get help – try the Inflow App for free.
Who May Want an Alternative to Habitica App?
Habitica is great for establishing habits and completing task, but those looking for something simple, people cutting down on excessive screen time or gaming, and those with limited internet access will want an alternative.
Looking For Something Simple
Habitica offers a lot of features to users which may be overwhelming to some people. While users are not required to use all of Habitica’s features, a more simple and straightforward productivity app may be better. A great alternative, is an app like the Joon app. Joon is an app geared towards kids and teens, but offers a fun way for anyone to build habits and complete tasks.
To learn all about what this app can offer you and your family, you can read our in-depth review of the Joon app.
Those Cutting Down Screen Time or A Gaming Addiction
The biggest attraction to Habitica is the gamification aspect, however, those who struggle with gaming addiction or excessive screen time will want to use caution with Habitica. Habitica’s intended purpose is to help individuals develop healthier habits and boost productivity. It may be helpful to try a more robust task management app to reduce risk.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider speaking to a licensed professional from an online therapist directory or reviewing the Best Online Therapy Buyer’s Guide to connect with a therapist for virtual appointments.
Limited Internet Access
Habitica is available on mobile and desktop, but relies heavily on internet access to properly function. Individuals with limited access to the internet would benefit from productivity apps that can be used offline, such as the phone’s native reminders or tasks features. Traditional methods of using a paper planner or sticky notes may also be the most reliable for those with limited access.
Habitica App Reviews by Users
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.0 out of 5 stars | 1.9K+ reviews
Positive reviews from the Apple App Store include users stating that the gaming aspect was what they needed to meet goals and build habits. Many users were impressed with the game’s features and accessibility.
Negative reviews from the Apple App Store include not being happy about the gems in the game that cost real-world money. Other users gave a low star rating due to bugs and crashes, delays, and feeling that they lose interest in the app quickly.
Reviews from Google Play Store | 4.8 out of 5 stars | 47K+ reviews
Positive reviews from the Google Play Store include users stating that the gamification made chores and tasks super easy. Users also really enjoyed the home screen widgets and felt the app was not only super fun but also very helpful for habit-building.
Negative reviews from the Google Play Store include reports of some delays and bugs in the app, but these seem to be resolved with updates. Other users were frustrated that the app prompted them to leave a review within just minutes of downloading it.
Reviews from Trustpilot | 2.8 out of 4 stars | 15 reviews
Positive reviews from Trustpilot include users feeling that their ADHD symptoms were better managed with Habitica, and that they were able to more effectively get their tasks completed.
Negative reviews from Trustpilot include complaints about the community forum getting shut down, though this occurred in 2023. Other complaints also included the moderators on the forum, with reviews on Trustpilot being from 2023.
Habitica App Vs. Competitors
Cost: $4.99 -$47.99
Free Trial? There is a free version of the app available
-
Gamification can help you with habit building or productivity -
There is social accountability through groups and challenges -
Multiple features for task management, goal-setting, and habit tracking -
Available for Desktop, iOS, and Android devices
-
Can be overwhelming to get started -
Internet access is required to use the app at all -
Must be consistent with your check-ins to earn rewards
Cost: $24.99 monthly or $129.99 annually
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
-
Fun and engaging characters -
A medication-free alternative for adults with ADHD -
Good game design helps keep motivation and engagement up
-
Can be fast-paced and overwhelming for those unfamiliar with video games -
Audio is recommended for full effects -
The game must be played with a smartphone in landscape orientation
Cost: $12 monthly or $78 annually
Free Trial? Yes, 14 days
-
Real-time analysis and tracking of your habits -
Allows offline working -
Automatically blocks distractions -
Cross-platform compatibility for mobile and desktop versions
-
Requires access to a large amount of personal data and information -
The lite version has limited features -
May seem unnecessary with iPhone's Screen Time already tracking usage
Cost: $47.99 monthly or $199.99 annually
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
-
Seven-day free trial available with any subscription -
Monthly or annual subscription plans available -
Supportive community -
Library of strategies and resources
-
Does not accept insurance -
Not a replacement for medication or in-person therapy -
Issues with registering for accounts in the Google Play Store
Cost: $20 – $34 monthly
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
-
Flexible pricing options -
Allows for individual or team use -
AI booking feature automatically rearranges your schedule
-
Time-consuming to get started and learn -
User experience is not intuitive -
Task reminders were not working properly
Habitica Vs. EndeavorOTC
Habitica Vs. RescueTime
Habitica Vs. Inflow
Habitica Vs. Motion
Do You Have Trouble Concentrating or Sitting Still?
You might have ADHD and the Inflow App could help you manage your ADHD symptoms. Common symptoms of ADHD include fidgeting, procrastination, and impulsivity. Get help – try the Inflow App for free.
History & News About Habitica
Year Founded: 2013
Founders: Tyler Renelle, Siena Leslie, and Vicky Hsu
Headquartered In: Santa Monica, CA
Publicly Traded? Habitica is a private company
Habitica, formerly known as HabitRPG, was created by Tyler Renelle and Vicky Hsu in 2013. It started as an open-source project aimed at gamifying productivity and habit-building. Over time, the app evolved and underwent several updates, including a name change to Habitica in 2015. It has since grown into a thriving community with millions of users worldwide, continuing to provide a gamification app designed for improving productivity and building positive habits. Habitica also shares their design process to their current logo and reveal of Melior.
Final Verdict
Habitica has so much to explore, that even as I completed this review there were some features I had yet to experience. Due to how many layers and capabilities the app offers, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when using Habitica at first – it feels like there is so much to learn and maintain on a regular basis. To create healthy habits, you really need consistency in order to be successful and Habitica helps through turning “boring tasks” into a fun game.
While the monthly subscription to Habitica is affordable in comparison to other productivity apps, there may not be a need to pay for a subscription with how much is available for free. Overall, I feel Habitica’s gamification elements make it a helpful tool for people with ADHD or those who have symptoms of executive dysfunction as the app adds fun and structure to their daily routines, goals, and productivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Habitica App Free?
Yes, Habitica App has a free version.
How Do I Cancel My Habitica App Subscription?
To cancel a subscription made with Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, or on the website, go to the “settings” section of your account and click “subscriptions”. From there you should be able to click “cancel subscription”. To cancel a subscription made with Google Play or Apple, go to the “Subscription” screen on the mobile app and follow the instructions there. If you need more help, contact [email protected] regarding cancellations.
Does Habitica App Offer Refunds?
Yes, the Habitica App offers refunds, you mustcontact [email protected] within 30 days of your premium payment date to request a full refund. Note: if you purchased premium through Apple’s App Store, you must contact Apple Support to request a refund.
Is Habitica Available on Desktop?
Yes, Habitica is available on desktop and mobile devices, including iOS and Android. Personally, I found the desktop app to be easier to navigate and see your habits, dailies, to-dos and rewards all at once which helped with prioritizing everything.
Can I Play Habitica With Others?
You can play Habitica with others by joining or creating a party. The feature to search for a party is coming to iOS in version 3.8, but already available to desktop and Android version 4.2. Partying with other Habitica players helps you to take on Quests, boost your motivation with additional accountability and temporary enhancements known as “buffs.” There are other social features such as joining guilds and challenges.
How Often is Habitica Updated?
It appears there are regular updates to Habitica including bug fixes, event support, and seasonal items.
Where Can I Find Habitica’s Privacy Policy?
Please visit Habitica App Terms of Service and Privacy Notice for more information.
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Re-formatted sections of the article to fit the new style (Final Verdict, History & News, FAQs, User Reviews, and Who May Want an Alternative), fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity.
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D. (No change)
Primary Changes: Added summary block and star rating breakdown
Author: Lena Suarez-Angelino, LCSW
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, M.D.
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