Loop Habit Tracker is legendary in the Android community. Millions of downloads. 4.6-star rating. Completely free. Open source. No ads. No subscriptions. Privacy-first.
For what it does, Loop is nearly perfect.
But here’s what Loop won’t tell you: It’s Android-only. The design hasn’t changed much in years. It tracks completion, but not quality or improvement. And if you switch from Android to iPhone, or want to track on your computer at work, you’re out of luck.
What if you could keep Loop’s simplicity and add beautiful design, cross-platform access, progressive growth tracking, and visual motivation?
Meet Build Momentum—the habit tracker for people who love Loop’s philosophy but want a modern, multi-platform experience with gamification that actually motivates.
At-a-Glance: Loop vs Build Momentum
| Loop Habit Tracker | Build Momentum | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Android only | Web (all devices), native apps coming |
| Design | Simple, minimal, dated | Modern, beautiful, engaging |
| Cost | Free (open source) | Free (3 habits) or $4-10/month |
| Tracking style | Checkmark done/skipped | Three performance levels + binary |
| Habit types | Positive habits only (yes/no) | Do More, Do Less, Yes/No (three types) |
| Growth tracking | Static goals forever | Progressive stages that increase |
| Performance levels | Binary (did it or didn’t) | Minimum, target, stretch + binary option |
| Visual motivation | Charts and graphs | Living garden with flowers/weeds |
| Gamification | None | Garden, coins, contracts |
| Multi-timeframe view | Calendar + statistics | Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly |
| Habit score | Advanced formula (habit strength) | Color-coded performance levels |
| Cross-device sync | Android only (no cloud) | Automatic (works everywhere) |
| Privacy | Excellent (local storage) | Strong (cloud with encryption) |
| Updates | Community-driven, slower | Regular, fast iteration |
| iOS support | No | Yes (responsive web, native coming) |
| Desktop use | No | Yes (any browser) |
What Loop Does Brilliantly (And Why We Built on It)
Let’s start with respect. Loop Habit Tracker is exceptional at what it does:
✅ Completely free – No ads, no purchases, no subscriptions
✅ Open source – Transparent code, community-driven
✅ Privacy-first – All data stored locally on device
✅ Clean interface – Simple, functional, no bloat
✅ Flexible schedules – Daily, 3x per week, every other day, etc.
✅ Habit strength formula – Advanced calculation that doesn’t reset streaks completely
✅ Data ownership – Export to CSV or SQLite anytime
✅ Lightweight – Works on older Android phones
Loop represents the best of open-source software: focused, private, user-respecting.
The problem isn’t what Loop does—it’s what it can’t do.
The 7 Limitations of Loop (That Users Don’t Want to Admit)
1. Android Only—No Cross-Platform Support
Loop is fantastic… if you only use Android, and only on your phone.
What you can’t do:
- ❌ Track habits on iPhone
- ❌ Check habits on your work computer
- ❌ Use on iPad or tablet
- ❌ Switch devices (Android → iPhone)
- ❌ Access from any non-Android device
In 2025, most people use multiple devices. You’re at your desk working on a PC. You’re on your iPad reading. You switch phones. Loop doesn’t follow you.
No cloud sync means no device flexibility.
2. The Design Hasn’t Evolved
Loop’s minimal interface was cutting-edge in 2016. In 2025? It hasn’t changed much in years and the UI is considerably outdated.
It’s functional, yes. But it looks and feels dated:
- Simple lists and checkboxes
- Basic color scheme
- No modern visual elements
- Minimal animations
- Spreadsheet-like appearance
It can feel a bit lifeless—more like a spreadsheet than a system that adapts to you.
If you’re going to check an app daily, shouldn’t it be something you actually want to open?
3. Only Tracks Positive Habits
Loop has a fundamental limitation: Loop currently only supports tracking positive habits.
Want to track “did NOT smoke today”? Loop’s FAQ suggests rephrasing: Instead of “Did you smoke today?” use “Did you have a smoke-free day today?”
This workaround is awkward and mentally confusing. You’re tracking the absence of something, not the presence.
Build Momentum has three distinct habit types:
- Do More: Increase positive behaviors (exercise, reading, meditation)
- Do Less: Decrease negative behaviors (smoking, junk food, screen time)
- Yes/No: Binary tracking (Did I follow my diet? Did I floss my teeth? Yes or No)
No mental gymnastics. Track what you actually want to track.
4. No Progressive Growth System
Loop tracks completion. That’s it.
You set “meditate 5 minutes daily” and that stays the same forever. There’s no built-in way to grow your habit from 5 minutes to 30 minutes over months.
Want to increase your goals? You have to:
- Manually edit the habit settings
- Remember what stage you’re at
- Track your own progression separately
Build Momentum has progressive stages built-in:
Example: Building a Meditation Habit
Stage 1 (First Month):
- Daily: Minimum 5 min | Target 10 min | Stretch 15 min
- Weekly: Minimum 30 min | Target 60 min | Stretch 90 min
Stage 2 (Months 2-3):
- Daily: Minimum 10 min | Target 15 min | Stretch 20 min
- Weekly: Minimum 60 min | Target 90 min | Stretch 120 min
Stage 3 (Months 4+):
- Daily: Minimum 15 min | Target 20 min | Stretch 30 min
- Weekly: Minimum 90 min | Target 120 min | Stretch 180 min
You plan your growth from the beginning. The system guides your progression.
5. Binary Tracking Only (No Quality Measurement)
Loop is pass/fail: ✓ done or ✗ skipped.
But what if you meditated 5 minutes instead of your 20-minute goal? Loop treats that the same as not meditating at all. Skipped.
That’s demotivating. You DID something, but the app says you failed.
Build Momentum tracks quality:
🟠 Minimum (Orange): 5 minutes (you did something!)
🟢 Target (Green): 20 minutes (your main goal)
🔵 Stretch (Blue): 30 minutes (bonus achievement!)
The 5-minute meditation isn’t a failure—it’s minimum progress. You see yourself improving over time, not just completing or failing.
6. No Visual Gamification
Loop has charts and statistics. That’s useful for data analysis.
But there’s zero gamification. No rewards. No visual motivation beyond graphs.
For many people, seeing their data in a line chart isn’t motivating enough. They need something more visceral and visual.
Build Momentum adds a living garden:
- Track consistently → Garden blooms with flowers, trees, decorations
- Miss weekly minimums → Weeds appear
- Multiple misses → Garden gets overgrown
- Each year → New garden (visual timeline)
Plus a coin economy:
- Earn coins through consistent tracking
- Remove weeds with coins
- Buy garden decorations
- Create contracts where you bet coins on goals
Your progress becomes a living, breathing thing—not just numbers on a graph.
7. No Community or Social Features
Loop is purely solo. No social features. No community. No sharing.
That’s by design (privacy-first), but it means:
- No accountability partners
- No shared challenges
- No motivation from others
- Purely self-driven
For some people, that’s perfect. For others, community accountability is crucial.
How Build Momentum Builds on Loop’s Foundation
1. Cross-Platform by Design
Loop: Android phone only
Build Momentum: Anywhere with a web browser
- ✅ Android phone
- ✅ iPhone / iPad
- ✅ Windows PC
- ✅ Mac computer
- ✅ Linux desktop
- ✅ Any tablet
- ✅ Chromebook
Check your habits at your desk. Log from your phone. Review on your tablet. It all syncs automatically.
Native apps coming soon for even better mobile experience.
2. Modern, Beautiful Interface
Loop: Functional but dated spreadsheet feel
Build Momentum: Modern design you actually want to open
- Beautiful visual garden
- 25+ color palettes to match your style
- Smooth animations and transitions
- Light and dark modes
- Warm, inviting experience
We kept Loop’s core principle (simple and clean) but added the beauty that makes you want to check in daily.
3. Three Distinct Habit Types
Loop: Positive habits only (workarounds required)
Build Momentum: Purpose-built for three types
Do More Habits:
- Track increases (exercise time, pages read, meditation minutes)
- Measures quantity and improvement
- Example: “Exercise 30 minutes daily”
Do Less Habits:
- Track decreases (cigarettes, junk food, gaming minutes, binge watching minutes)
- Directly measures what you’re reducing
- Example: “Less than 1 hour social media daily”
Yes/No Habits (Binary):
- Simple binary tracking (just like Loop!)
- Did you do it? Yes or No
- Example: “Did I stick to my diet today? No-Binge-Watching, No-Gaming”
No mental gymnastics. Track exactly what you mean.
4. Progressive Stages + Multiple Performance Levels
Loop: Static goal, binary tracking
Build Momentum: Progressive growth with quality measurement
Loop approach:
- Set “meditate 10 minutes daily”
- Either you did 10+ minutes (✓) or you didn’t (✗)
- Goal stays static unless you manually change it
Build Momentum approach:
- Start Stage 1: Minimum 5 min | Target 10 min | Stretch 15 min
- Track exactly how long you meditated
- See if you hit minimum, target, or stretch
- Progress to Stage 2 when ready: Minimum 10 min | Target 15 min | Stretch 20 min
- Continue evolving over months
You’re tracking how well you’re doing, not just whether you did it.
5. Four Time Perspectives (Not Just Daily)
Loop: Daily tracking + calendar view + overall statistics
Build Momentum: Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly—all at once
- Daily: How am I doing today?
- Weekly: Am I on track this week?
- Monthly: What’s my consistency pattern?
- Quarterly: Big-picture progress
One bad day doesn’t ruin your week. One bad week doesn’t destroy your quarter. You will be less inclined to stop immediately with what you want to achieve and become.
Loop shows you the data. Build Momentum gives you perspective.
6. Visual Gamification (Gardens + Coins)
Loop: Charts and statistics only
Build Momentum: Living garden + coin economy
The Garden: Your habits grow a beautiful virtual garden:
- Consistent tracking → Flowers bloom, trees grow
- Miss weekly minimums → Weeds appear
- Each year → New garden (visual history)
The Coins:
- Earn integrity coins by tracking consistently
- Spend coins to remove weeds
- Buy decorations for your garden like beautiful flowers and cute animals
- Create contracts where you bet coins on goals
Optional contracts for extra motivation:
- Choose a legendary mentor
- Bet coins on achieving a target
- Win: 1.3x coins back
- Fall short: Partial return based on effort
It’s the gamification Loop never had—without being childish or overwhelming.
7. Strong Privacy with Cloud Benefits
Loop: Local storage only (maximum privacy)
Build Momentum: Encrypted cloud storage (privacy + convenience)
Loop’s approach:
- ✅ Maximum privacy (data never leaves device)
- ❌ No cross-device sync
- ❌ Lose everything if you uninstall
- ❌ Android backups are manual/optional
Build Momentum’s approach:
- ✅ Strong encryption in transit and at rest
- ✅ Automatic cross-device sync
- ✅ Never lose your data
- ✅ Access from any device
We respect your privacy while providing modern convenience.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Privacy & Data Ownership
Loop:
- Local storage only
- No cloud uploads
- Open-source code (fully transparent)
- Export to CSV/SQLite
- Maximum privacy
Build Momentum:
- Encrypted cloud storage
- Export data anytime
- Privacy-focused (not open source)
- Automatic backups
- Strong security
Verdict: Loop (for pure privacy). If local-only storage is a must-have, Loop wins. Build Momentum offers strong privacy with cloud convenience.
Platform Availability
Loop:
- Android only
- No iOS
- No web version
- No desktop apps
- No cross-platform
Build Momentum:
- Web browser (all platforms)
- Android (responsive web)
- iOS (responsive web)
- Desktop (any OS)
- Native apps coming 2025
Verdict: Build Momentum. Unless you only use Android and never want to switch devices, Build Momentum’s cross-platform nature is essential in 2026.
Design & User Experience
Loop:
- Minimal, functional interface
- Outdated visual design
- Simple checkboxes and lists
- Fast and lightweight
- Spreadsheet aesthetic
Build Momentum:
- Modern, beautiful design
- Living virtual garden with weeds and flowers
- 25+ color palettes
- Smooth animations
- Warm, engaging experience
Verdict: Build Momentum. Loop is functional but feels dated. If you want something you actually enjoy opening daily, Build Momentum is far more engaging.
Habit Types & Tracking
Loop:
- Positive habits only
- Yes/no (binary) tracking
- Flexible schedules (daily, weekly, custom)
- Habit strength score
Build Momentum:
- Three habit types (Do More, Do Less, Yes/No)
- Three performance levels OR binary (your choice)
- Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly tracking
- Progressive stages
- Color-coded quality tracking
Verdict: Build Momentum. More versatile tracking for different habit types and quality measurement.
Growth & Progress
Loop:
- Static goals (manual changes)
- Habit strength formula (smart!)
- Long-term consistency tracking
- Calendar view of completion
Build Momentum:
- Progressive stages built-in
- Start small, build gradually
- Three performance levels per stage
- Multi-timeframe perspective
- Color-coded progress history
Verdict: Build Momentum. If you want to track actual improvement and habit evolution, not just completion, Build Momentum is purpose-built for growth.
Motivation & Gamification
Loop:
- None (pure data tracking)
- Charts and statistics only
- Habit strength score
- No rewards system
Build Momentum:
- Beautiful garden visualization
- Coin economy (earn and spend)
- Optional contracts
- Weed system (visual accountability)
- Color-coded achievements
Verdict: Build Momentum. Loop is purely functional. Build Momentum adds motivation through visual feedback and gamification—without being childish.
Cost & Value
Loop:
- Completely free
- No ads
- No in-app purchases
- Open source
- Amazing value
Build Momentum:
- Free: 3 habits
- Pro: 15 habits ($ 47/year)
- Ultimate: Unlimited ($77/year)
- 7-day free trial
- Subscription model
Verdict: Loop. You can’t beat free. But Build Momentum’s pricing is fair for the additional features, cross-platform access, and ongoing development.
Community & Updates
Loop:
- Community-driven development
- Slower update cycle
- GitHub-based support
- No social features
Build Momentum:
- Dedicated development team
- Regular updates
- Direct support
- Growing community
- Social features planned
Verdict: Depends. Loop’s community is more established. Build Momentum’s team can iterate faster.
Who Should Choose Which?
Stick with Loop if:
✅ You only use Android (never switching)
✅ Local-only storage is non-negotiable
✅ You want completely free (no subscriptions)
✅ Open source code is important to you
✅ Simple charts/graphs motivate you
✅ You don’t need cross-device sync
✅ Binary yes/no tracking is sufficient
✅ Dated UI doesn’t bother you
✅ You’re comfortable with minimal updates
✅ Privacy > all other features
Switch to Build Momentum if:
✅ You use multiple devices/platforms
✅ You want modern, beautiful design
✅ You track Do More, Do Less, AND binary habits
✅ Progressive growth stages appeal to you
✅ You want three performance levels (minimum, target, stretch)
✅ Visual gamification motivates you (garden, coins)
✅ You need multi-timeframe perspective (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly)
✅ Cross-platform sync is essential
✅ You’re willing to pay for premium features
✅ You want ongoing updates and improvements
✅ You’ll switch to iPhone someday (or use both)
Real Users Making the Switch
Priya: Cross-Platform Finally Available
“I loved Loop on my Android, but when I got an iPad for work, I couldn’t track there. I’d forget to log habits all day, then try to remember everything at night on my phone.
Build Momentum works on my iPad, my work PC, and my phone. Same data everywhere. I check in wherever I am, and it’s always synced.
I still love Loop’s philosophy, but I need modern cross-platform support.”
James: Quality Tracking Changed Everything
“In Loop, if I meditated 5 minutes instead of my 20-minute goal, it counted as ‘skipped.’ That’s demotivating.
Build Momentum lets me set Minimum 5 min | Target 20 min | Stretch 30 min. Now that 5-minute session counts as progress (minimum achieved), not failure.
I’m tracking my actual improvement, not just pass/fail.”
Sarah: The Garden Actually Works
“I thought the garden thing would be gimmicky. But honestly? Seeing weeds pile up when I slack off bothers me way more than a broken streak number.
The garden feels alive. It’s growing when I’m consistent, it’s getting messy when I’m not. That visual feedback hits different than Loop’s charts.”
Marcus: Both Have Their Place
“I use Loop for simple daily habits (take vitamins, drink water). It’s free and works great for binary yes/no tracking.
I use Build Momentum for habits I’m seriously working on improving (exercise, writing, meditation) where I need progressive stages and quality tracking.
Both apps serve different purposes in my life.”
Common Questions
Can I import my Loop data into Build Momentum?
Not automatically (different data structures). You’ll recreate your habits in Build Momentum (4 minutes each). The benefit? You’ll set up progressive stages that Loop can’t do.
Is Build Momentum open source like Loop?
No. Loop’s open-source model is wonderful but limits development speed. Build Momentum is closed-source with a dedicated team that can iterate quickly and provide direct support.
Why isn’t Build Momentum free like Loop?
Loop is maintained by volunteers in their spare time (amazing!). Build Momentum is a dedicated product with:
- Full-time development team
- A lot more complexity as we track habits multi-dimensionally (different time frames, different habit types, different goal thresholds)
- Cross-platform infrastructure and servers
- Ongoing improvement
The subscription funds continuous development and ensures the app keeps improving.
What if I only use Android?
Build Momentum works great on Android (responsive web). Native Android app are coming. But if you’re happy with Loop and never plan to use other devices, Loop is an excellent free choice.
Can I track both quality AND binary habits in Build Momentum?
Yes! That’s the point.
- Do More/Less habits: Use three performance levels (minimum, target, stretch)
- Yes/No habits: Simple binary tracking (just like Loop!)
You get both options in one app.
How does the progressive stages system work?
You create multiple stages for each habit:
Stage 1 (Beginner): Easy targets to build the habit
Stage 2 (Intermediate): Increased targets as you improve
Stage 3 (Advanced): Challenging targets for mastery
When you’re ready, advance to the next stage. The app tracks which stage you’re at and shows your progression over time.
Is my data private in Build Momentum?
Yes. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We don’t sell or share your data. You can export and delete anytime.
Loop’s local-only storage is more private (data never leaves device), but Build Momentum offers strong privacy with cloud convenience.
The Bottom Line
Loop Habit Tracker is a masterclass in focused, privacy-first, open-source software. For Android users who want simple, free tracking with local storage, it’s genuinely excellent.
Build Momentum takes Loop’s philosophy (simple, focused habit tracking) and adds modern cross-platform support, beautiful design, progressive growth tracking, multiple habit types, and visual gamification.
The question is: Do you want Android-only simplicity, or cross-platform growth tracking?
Try Build Momentum Free for 7 Days
See if modern design, progressive stages, and cross-platform sync work better for you.
- ✅ No credit card required to start
- ✅ Works on any device (Android, iOS, desktop)
- ✅ Three habit types (Do More, Do Less, Yes/No)
- ✅ Progressive stages + quality tracking
- ✅ Beautiful garden visualization
- ✅ Cancel anytime—no lock-in
For Loop Power Users
We respect Loop and the community around it. It’s open-source brilliance.
Our offer: Try Build Momentum while keeping Loop for different purposes:
- Loop for simple binary habits (it’s free!)
- Build Momentum for growth-oriented habits with progressive stages
See which combination works best. Many users do this successfully.
If Loop’s local-only privacy is essential, stick with it. But if you’ve been wanting cross-platform sync, modern design, and growth tracking—Build Momentum might be what you’re looking for.
What Users Are Saying
“Loved Loop for years, but switched to iPhone and lost everything. Build Momentum works on both. Problem solved.” — Alex T.
“Loop is great for binary tracking. Build Momentum is better for habits where quality matters—not just completion.” — Jennifer K.
“The garden visualization actually motivates me more than Loop’s charts. I didn’t expect that.” — Marcus R.
“I use both. Loop for daily basics (free!), Build Momentum for serious habit building (worth the money).” — Priya S.
Ready for Cross-Platform Habit Tracking?
If you’ve been wanting to track habits on multiple devices, see progressive improvement over time, or add visual motivation—Build Momentum might be your next step.
Start your free 7-day trial.
Works on Android, iOS, and any desktop. No credit card required.
Get Started Free (Works on Any Device) →
← Previous Post
Stop Building Habit Trackers in Notion. Start Building Habits.