Atomic Habits changed your life. James Clear’s book sold 15 million copies for a reason—it works.
So when Clear launched Atoms, the official Atomic Habits app, you were excited. Finally, a tool built around the exact system you already know and trust.
Then you saw the price: $17.99/month or $120/year. For tracking just 3 habits. Three.
And you thought: “Wait, I can buy the actual book for $10. Why would I pay $120/year for an app that limits me to 3 habits?”
You’re not alone. Users complain that limiting users to only three habits is frankly a non-starter, and the price for a subscription is way too high.
What if you could apply Atomic Habits principles without the expensive subscription or arbitrary habit limits?
Meet Build Momentum—designed for Atomic Habits fans who want progressive habit formation, multiple habit types, and all the motivation you need—without paying more than a streaming service.
At-a-Glance: Atoms vs Build Momentum
| Atoms by James Clear | Build Momentum | |
|---|---|---|
| Book inspiration | Official Atomic Habits app | Inspired by multiple methodologies |
| Habit limit | 3 habits (Pro) / 1 habit (Free) | 3 free, 15 Pro, unlimited Ultimate |
| Pricing | $17.99/month or $120/year | $4-10/month (Free: 3 habits) |
| Platform | iOS, Android apps | Web (all platforms), apps coming |
| Educational content | Daily lessons from James Clear | Built-in progression system |
| Identity-based habits | Yes (core feature) | Yes (through progressive stages) |
| Habit types | Single format (I will X so I can Y) | Three types (Do More, Do Less, Yes/No) |
| Performance tracking | Binary (done or not) | Three levels + binary option |
| Progressive goals | Manual adjustment | Built-in stages that increase |
| Streak recovery | “Don’t miss twice” buffer | Weeds system (visual but forgiving) |
| Gamification | Minimal (streaks, milestones) | Rich (garden, coins, contracts) |
| Time perspectives | Daily + calendar view | Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly |
| Accountability partners | Yes (invite friends) | No |
| Value proposition | James Clear’s official app | More habits for less money |
What Atoms Does Well (And Why James Clear Is Brilliant)
Let’s start with respect: James Clear knows habit formation. Atomic Habits is the best-selling habit book for a reason.
Atoms reflects that expertise:
✅ Identity-based approach – Link habits to who you want to become
✅ Structured format – “I will [habit] at [time] in [location] so I can [become identity]”
✅ Daily lessons – Insights from James Clear delivered in-app
✅ “Don’t miss twice” philosophy – One missed day gets a buffer, preventing complete streak loss
✅ Clean, simple interface – Beautiful design, intuitive experience
✅ 28-day free trial – Try before committing (no credit card required)
✅ Accountability partners – Invite friends to track together
✅ Proven methodology – Based on the book that helped millions
If money and habit limits weren’t issues, Atoms would be nearly perfect.
But they are issues.
The 5 Problems with Atoms (That Fans Don’t Want to Admit)
1. The Price Is Unjustifiable
$17.99/month or $120/year to track 3 habits.
Let’s put that in perspective:
- Atomic Habits book: $10 (one-time, lifetime access)
- Apple Music: $10.99/month (unlimited music, used daily)
- Netflix: $15.49/month (unlimited shows, used hours per day)
- Atoms: $17.99/month (track 3 habits, used 5 minutes per day)
As one reviewer notes: Those streaming apps manage to make a profit, even though the cost that they must pay to content providers is immense and maintaining those platforms is incredibly complex and expensive.
The value proposition doesn’t add up.
You’re paying $120/year for:
- Habit tracking (available free elsewhere)
- Daily lessons (content you already know from the book)
- Reminders (standard feature in free apps)
- Limited to 3 habits
The book can be found on Amazon for $9.50 which is a fraction of the cost when compared to the $17.99 a month or $120 annual subscription.
2. The 3-Habit Limit Is Frustrating
Atoms limits you to 3 habits (Pro) or 1 habit (Free).
The reasoning: James Clear teaches focusing on fewer habits for better success.
The problem: Many users have been employing James Clear’s systems for years and want to be able to track more habits.
Real life doesn’t fit into 3 habits:
- Morning routine (meditation, exercise, journaling)
- Health habits (water, healthy eating, sleep schedule)
- Professional habits (deep work, learning, writing)
- Social habits (call family, reach out to friends)
- Creative habits (music practice, art, reading)
That’s already 12 habits. Atoms makes you choose only 3.
Why would anyone use a free app that only lets you track one habit? And why would anyone pay $120 for an app that only lets you track 3?
3. No Progressive Growth System
Atoms lets you create a habit and track completion. Done or not done.
But what about growth?
You start meditating 5 minutes daily. Over months, you want to build to 30 minutes. Atoms doesn’t have a built-in system for this progression.
You have to:
- Manually edit your habit
- Remember what stage you’re at
- Track your own progression separately
No concept of stages, levels, or systematic growth.
4. Limited Habit Format
Atoms uses James Clear’s specific structure:
- “I will [action] at [time] in [location] so I can [become identity]”
This works brilliantly for many habits. But it’s rigid.
Want to track:
- “Do LESS social media”? (Awkward to phrase positively)
- “Exercise 30 minutes” with quality levels? (Not just done/not done)
- Simple binary “Did I follow my diet?” (Without the full structure)
Atoms forces everything into one format.
5. Daily Lessons You’ve Already Read
Atoms includes “Mindset” content and daily lessons from James Clear.
The problem: Some users have noted that these lessons cover familiar ground already explored in the book.
If you’ve read Atomic Habits (which you have, or you wouldn’t be considering Atoms), the content is largely redundant.
You’re paying $120/year for content you already own in book form ($10).
How Build Momentum Applies Atomic Habits Principles Better
1. Identity-Based Habits Through Progressive Stages
Atoms: Link each habit to identity (“so I can become…”)
Build Momentum: Show identity transformation through progressive growth
James Clear teaches: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
Build Momentum embodies this through progressive stages:
Example: Becoming a Writer
Stage 1 (Beginner Writer):
- Daily: Minimum 100 words | Target 250 words | Stretch 500 words
- Weekly: Minimum 700 words | Target 1,750 words | Stretch 3,500 words
Stage 2 (Developing Writer):
- Daily: Minimum 250 words | Target 500 words | Stretch 1,000 words
- Weekly: Minimum 1,750 words | Target 3,500 words | Stretch 7,000 words
Stage 3 (Established Writer):
- Daily: Minimum 500 words | Target 1,000 words | Stretch 2,000 words
- Weekly: Minimum 3,500 words | Target 7,000 words | Stretch 14,000 words
You’re not just “voting” for your new identity. You’re watching yourself become that person through measurable progression.
2. “Make It Obvious” Through Visual Garden
Atomic Habits Principle: Make cues visible
Build Momentum: Your garden makes your progress unavoidably obvious
Atoms shows streaks and calendar views.
Build Momentum shows a living, breathing garden:
- Track consistently → Garden blooms with flowers, trees, decorations
- Miss weekly minimums → Weeds appear (obvious visual cue)
- Multiple misses → Garden becomes overgrown (impossible to ignore)
- Each year → New garden (long-term visual history)
Your discipline (or lack thereof) is obvious every time you open the app.
3. “Make It Attractive” Through Gamification
Atomic Habits Principle: Bundle habits with something enjoyable
Build Momentum: Make tracking itself rewarding
Atoms uses minimal gamification (streaks, milestones).
Build Momentum makes it genuinely fun:
The Coin Economy:
- Earn integrity coins through consistent tracking
- Spend coins to remove weeds
- Buy decorations for your garden
- Create contracts where you bet coins on goals
Optional Contracts:
- Choose a legendary mentor (20+ to pick from)
- Bet coins on achieving a specific target
- Win: 1.3x coins back
- Fall short: Partial return based on effort
Tracking becomes attractive because there’s always something to work toward beyond just “don’t break the chain.”
4. “Make It Easy” Through Three Habit Types
Atomic Habits Principle: Reduce friction
Build Momentum: Track exactly what you mean, no mental gymnastics
Atoms: One format (I will X at Y in Z so I can become…)
Build Momentum: Three types that match your actual needs
Do More Habits:
- Increase positive behaviors (exercise, reading, meditation)
- Track quantity and improvement
- Example: “Exercise 30 minutes daily”
Do Less Habits:
- Decrease negative behaviors (smoking, junk food, screen time)
- Directly measure reduction
- Example: “Less than 1 hour social media daily”
Yes/No Habits:
- Binary tracking (like Atoms, but simpler)
- Just: Did you do it? Yes or No
- Example: “Did I follow my diet today?”
No forcing “do less” into “do more” framing. No overcomplicated structure when you just need binary tracking.
It’s easier because it matches how you actually think.
5. “Make It Satisfying” Through Quality Tracking
Atomic Habits Principle: Immediate rewards
Build Momentum: See exactly how well you did
Atoms: Binary (done or not)
Build Momentum: Three performance levels
Atoms approach:
- Meditated today? ✓ Yes or ✗ No
- Did 5 minutes when goal was 20? = Not done
Build Momentum approach:
- Meditated 5 minutes? = 🟠 Minimum achieved (you did something!)
- Meditated 20 minutes? = 🟢 Target hit (your main goal!)
- Meditated 30 minutes? = 🔵 Stretch crushed (bonus!)
The 5-minute session isn’t a failure—it’s minimum progress. That feels satisfying even on tough days.
You’re tracking quality, not just quantity.
6. “Don’t Miss Twice” Built Into the System
Atoms: One-day buffer, then streak resets
Build Momentum: Weeds system with weekly perspective
Both apps implement James Clear’s “don’t miss twice” wisdom, but differently:
Atoms approach:
- Miss one day → Buffer (streak continues)
- Miss two days → Streak resets to 0
Build Momentum approach:
- Miss daily minimum → Bad day (but weekly view shows context)
- Miss weekly minimum → One weed appears
- Miss multiple weeks → Multiple weeds (visual but recoverable)
- One bad day ≠ ruined week (multiple time perspectives)
Your weekly, monthly, and quarterly views show that one bad day is just one bad day—not a catastrophe.
Cost Comparison: Real Math
Atoms Pricing:
Free: 1 habit
Pro: 3 habits – $17.99/month or $120/year
Annual cost for 3 habits: $120
Build Momentum Pricing:
Free: 3 habits forever
Pro: 15 habits – $6/month or $47/year
Ultimate: Unlimited habits – $10/month or $77/year
What you get:
| Feature | Atoms Pro ($120/yr) | Build Momentum Pro ($47/yr) | Build Momentum Ultimate ($77/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habits | 3 | 15 | Unlimited |
| Cost per habit | $40/year per habit | $3.1/year per habit | $0 (unlimited) |
| Progressive stages | No | Yes | Yes |
| Three habit types | No | Yes | Yes |
| Quality tracking | No | Yes | Yes |
| Visual gamification | Minimal | Full garden + coins | Full garden + coins |
| Multi-timeframe view | Limited | Yes | Yes |
The math is clear:
- Atoms: $40/year per habit (max 3)
- Build Momentum Pro: $3.1/year per habit (up to 15)
- Build Momentum Ultimate: Unlimited habits for $77/year
If you track more than 3 habits (and you probably do), Build Momentum is significantly cheaper.
Real Atomic Habits Fans Making the Switch
Sarah: The 3-Habit Wall
“I love James Clear and bought Atoms immediately. The app is beautiful and the structure is great.
But I track way more than 3 habits:
- Morning: meditation, exercise, journaling
- Work: deep work blocks, learning
- Health: water intake, sleep schedule
- Social: call family, meaningful conversations
That’s 8 habits minimum. Atoms makes me choose only 3. Build Momentum lets me track all of them for less money.”
Marcus: Price vs Value
“I paid $10 for Atomic Habits. Best investment ever.
Atoms wants $120/year for an app that essentially reminds me to do what the book already taught me? And limits me to 3 habits?
Build Momentum gives me unlimited habits, progressive stages, and visual motivation for $77/year. The value proposition makes way more sense.”
Jennifer: Progressive Growth Changed Everything
“Atoms tracked whether I meditated. Yes or no.
Build Momentum tracks how well I’m meditating and how I’m improving:
- Stage 1: Started at 5 minutes
- Stage 2: Built to 15 minutes
- Stage 3: Now doing 30 minutes daily
I’m not just maintaining a habit. I’m watching myself become a meditator. That’s the identity transformation James Clear talks about.”
David: Still Love the Book, Not the App
“Atomic Habits is a 10/10 book. I recommend it to everyone.
Atoms is a 6/10 app. Too expensive, too limited, redundant content.
Build Momentum applies the same principles (1% better every day, identity-based habits, make it obvious/attractive/easy/satisfying) without the price tag or habit limits.”
Common Questions
Isn’t Atoms “official” so it’s better?
Being “official” doesn’t mean better—it means it’s James Clear’s brand.
What matters:
- Does it help you build habits? (Both do)
- Is the price reasonable? (Build Momentum: yes, Atoms: questionable)
- Can you track all your habits? (Build Momentum: yes, Atoms: only 3)
- Does it help you grow progressively? (Build Momentum: yes, Atoms: limited)
The book is official too, and it’s $10. The app shouldn’t cost 12x the book annually.
What about the daily lessons from James Clear?
If you’ve read Atomic Habits, you’ve already seen this content. Some users have noted that these lessons cover familiar ground already explored in the book.
You’re paying $120/year for content you already own in book form.
Alternative: Buy the book ($10), highlight key passages, set phone reminders with your own notes. Same effect, $110/year cheaper.
Can Build Momentum track habits the Atomic Habits way?
Absolutely. Build Momentum is designed around the same core principles:
1% Better Every Day → Progressive stages that increase gradually
Identity-Based → Watch yourself become the person through measurable growth
Four Laws → Make it obvious (garden), attractive (gamification), easy (three types), satisfying (quality tracking)
You get the methodology without the subscription or limits.
What if I want exactly James Clear’s format?
If the specific structure (“I will X at Y in Z so I can become…”) is essential to you, Atoms is the only app built exactly that way.
But ask yourself: Is the format what made Atomic Habits work, or was it the underlying principles?
Build Momentum applies the principles in a more flexible, affordable way.
Does Build Momentum have accountability partners like Atoms?
No. Atoms has this as a current advantage.
If social accountability is critical for you right now, Atoms has that feature.
Why should I pay for Build Momentum when Atoms taught me habits should be free?
James Clear teaches habits should be easy to start—not that tools should be free.
Comparison:
- Atoms: $120/year for 3 habits
- Build Momentum: $47/year for 15 habits or $77/year for unlimited
Both cost money. Build Momentum just gives you more value per dollar.
Can I use both?
Some people do! Use Atoms for your top 3 “identity” habits and Build Momentum for everything else. But that’s paying for two apps when one (Build Momentum) could handle everything.
The Bottom Line
Atomic Habits is a brilliant book that deserves its 15 million sales. James Clear understands habit formation better than almost anyone.
Atoms is a beautiful app that faithfully applies the book’s principles. If money and habit limits weren’t issues, it would be great.
But money and limits ARE issues.
Build Momentum takes the same core principles (1% better, identity-based, four laws) and applies them in a more affordable, flexible, and growth-oriented way:
- ✅ Track 3+ habits (not limited to 3)
- ✅ Pay less ($47-77/year vs $120/year)
- ✅ Progressive stages (watch yourself transform)
- ✅ Three habit types (Do More, Do Less, Yes/No)
- ✅ Quality tracking (minimum, target, stretch)
- ✅ Visual motivation (garden, coins, contracts)
- ✅ Multi-timeframe perspective (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly)
The question is simple: Do you want the official James Clear branding, or do you want more features for less money?
Try Build Momentum Free for 7 Days
Apply Atomic Habits principles without the expensive subscription or habit limits.
- ✅ No credit card required to start
- ✅ Track 3 habits free forever (more than Atoms free tier)
- ✅ Progressive stages built-in
- ✅ Three habit types (Do More, Do Less, Yes/No)
- ✅ Quality tracking (minimum, target, stretch levels)
- ✅ Beautiful garden visualization
- ✅ Cancel anytime—no lock-in
For Atomic Habits Fans
We respect James Clear immensely. His book helped millions of people (probably including you).
Our offer: Apply the same principles in a more affordable, flexible tool.
Keep:
- The book (best $10 you ever spent)
- The principles (1% better, identity-based)
- The four laws (obvious, attractive, easy, satisfying)
Add:
- Progressive stages (systematic growth)
- Multiple habit types (Do More, Do Less, binary)
- Visual motivation (garden metaphor)
- Reasonable pricing ($47-77/year for unlimited habits)
You don’t need the official app to apply Atomic Habits principles. You just need a tool that helps you improve 1% every day.
What Users Are Saying
“Love Atomic Habits. Love the principles. Can’t justify $120/year for 3 habits when Build Momentum gives me unlimited for $77.” — Alex T.
“Atoms is beautiful but limited. Build Momentum applies the same principles with way more flexibility.” — Sarah K.
“I track 12 habits. Atoms makes me choose 3. Build Momentum lets me track them all. Easy choice.” — Marcus R.
“The progressive stages in Build Momentum show me becoming the person I want to be. That’s what James Clear’s identity-based habits are all about.” — Jennifer M.
Ready to Apply Atomic Habits Principles Affordably?
If you love James Clear’s methodology but can’t justify the price or habit limits of Atoms, Build Momentum might be what you’re looking for.
Start your free 7-day trial.
Apply the same principles. Track unlimited habits. Pay less money.
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