Habit Tracker // init.Habits vs Cat Lock
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Habit Tracker // init.Habits
Track daily habits with a unique command-line interface. Offers multiple tracking modes, routine grouping, streak protection, and a focus timer. Customize themes and sync data with iCloud and Apple Health.
- Multiple tracking modes (checkbox, counter, number, health, time)
- Routine grouping (morning, workout, evening)
- Streak protection with shields
- Focus timer with Pomodoro and Live Activity
- 23+ themes and custom theme editor
- iCloud and Apple Health sync
- Widgets (checklist, heatmap, matrix)
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a habit tracker for developers and minimalists, built for iPhone and styled like the command line you live in. // quiet. opinionated. monospaced. $ cat features.txt [*] five tracking modes — checkbox, counter, number, health, time [*] routines — group habits into morning, workout, evening, anything [*] streaks with shields — protect a 75 hard run, or any streak, from one bad day [*] a github-style contribution graph — your whole history, filling in pixel by pixel [*] smart reminders — per habit or one for a whole routine; useful pings, not ten-a-day spam [*] focus timer with pomodoro — Live Activity on the lock screen, Dynamic Island when running [*] Apple Watch app — check habits off on your wrist, run a timer, 25 complications for your watch face [*] Siri and Shortcuts — check off a habit or a whole routine by voice, start a timer, ask what is left today; 16 actions for your own automations [*] Spotlight — your habits and routines in iPhone search, by their own name or by the routine they belong to [*] in your browser too — the whole tracker at app.inithabits.com, nothing to install [*] cloud sync — iPhone, watch and browser updating each other in real time; sign in with Apple, Google or email [*] achievements, xp and levels — progress that adds up, without the noise [*] vacation mode — freeze your streaks while you are away, come back to them intact [*] 23 themes + a custom theme editor — tokyo night, dracula, catppuccin, and more [*] iCloud sync — your data, your iCloud, your control [*] Apple Health auto-sync — steps, sleep, water, mindful minutes, medication doses [*] nine widgets — checklist, heatmap, contribution grid, ring, quick icons, next up, week view, mood [*] backup and export — an iCloud backup, or a json file that is yours to keep [*] fifteen languages — english, dutch, german, spanish, french, italian, portuguese, russian, ukrainian, polish, turkish, czech, japanese, chinese, korean [*] local-first — works fully offline, no sign-up or account needed [*] privacy — passcode, biometric lock, app-switcher blur, lock-screen redaction [*] no ads, no AI, no dark patterns $ cat philosophy.txt // built solo over hundreds of testing hours. // no analytics that track who you are. // no algorithm trying to maximise your screen time. // shipping new features frequently. $ cat pro.txt // the core experience is free: 10 habits, 2 routines, three manual tracking modes, // eight built-in themes, the checklist widget, the watch app with three complications, // cloud sync across iPhone, watch and browser, and local storage. // pro raises limits and unlocks: timer + healthkit modes, all 23 themes, // custom theme editor, seven extra fonts, iCloud sync, the other eight widgets, // 22 more complications, passcode + biometric lock, Live Activity timer. // pro is monthly, annual (with 7-day trial), or lifetime — one-time, no expiration. > thank you for supporting a solo dev.
Cat Lock
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Cat Lock blocks your most distracting apps after you've used them too long. When time's up, your cat takes over the screen — and won't leave until you take a real break. HOW IT WORKS • Choose which apps to block — Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit, Discord, even games and shopping apps • Set your usage limit — 5 minutes to 2 hours • Use your apps normally until your time is up • When time's up, your cat takes over the screen • Watch a real cat video for 5 minutes • Apps unlock. Clock resets. Repeat. NOT ANOTHER BORING BLOCKER Most screen time apps either lock your apps all day or add an annoying delay to every single open. Cat Lock lets you actually use your apps — with real breaks built in. Instead of guilt, you get a cat. Usage-based, not punishment-based. WHAT MAKES CAT LOCK DIFFERENT • Usage-based blocking — time only counts while you're actually in the app • Real cat videos during every break — a different cat every time • New cats added all the time — the break never gets old • See your progress at a glance — track distractions blocked, streaks, and time reclaimed. • Per-app or combined limits — track each app separately or share one pool • Blocks apps AND websites — no Safari bypass • Works silently in the background — no willpower required THE CAT LOCK EXPERIENCE Your cat notices patterns. It counts every attempt your most tempting app makes. It shows you what you got back — not minutes, but movies, walks, and books. No screen time app has done it like this. And when you win the day, it tells you: "The apps tried. You won." PERFECT FOR • Doomscrollers who can't stop once they start • Anyone who opens an app for five minutes and looks up an hour later • Anyone whose willpower needs a gatekeeper • Cat people. Obviously. "Less doomscrolling. More life." Cat Lock requires a subscription to access all features. Terms of Service: https://www.catlock.io/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.catlock.io/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
Habit Tracker // init.Habits and Cat Lock are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Habit Tracker // init.Habits sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Cat Lock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Habit Tracker // init.Habits ships an update every 3 days, Cat Lock every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Habit Tracker // init.Habits | Cat Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (30 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 30 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 113 MB | 168 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vladyslav Glogus | ChelsKat LLC |
In-app purchases
Habit Tracker // init.Habits
- pro monthly$4.991 Month
- pro annual7 Days trial$34.991 Year
- pro lifetime$49.99
Cat Lock
- Weekly$2.997 Days
- Cat Lock Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
Questions
Is Habit Tracker // init.Habits free?
Is Cat Lock free?
Do Habit Tracker // init.Habits or Cat Lock have ads?
Which is updated more often, Habit Tracker // init.Habits or Cat Lock?
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