What it does
Grit is a comprehensive habit and goal tracker for iOS. It helps users build positive routines, break negative ones, and monitor their progress over time. The app focuses on deep customization, allowing users to define specific goals, schedules, and even link habits to Apple Health data for automatic tracking.
Where it shines
Grit stands out with its thoughtful onboarding and powerful customization features. The onboarding quiz (00:26) effectively personalizes the initial experience, making the user feel understood. A particularly clever moment is the "Hold to agree" commitment contract (01:24), which uses interaction design to foster a stronger psychological buy-in. Once in the app, the habit creation flow (01:57) is exceptionally detailed, allowing for precise control over goals, notifications, and data syncing.
UX highlights
- Deep Habit Customization: Users can tailor every aspect of a habit, from its icon and color to its goal type (e.g., minutes, count), repeat schedule, and notification sound (02:00 - 04:08).
- Apple Health Integration: The ability to link a habit's goal directly to a HealthKit metric (like Steps or even Wheelchair Pushes at 03:17) automates tracking and reduces user friction.
- Multiple Habit Types: The app distinguishes between good habits, bad habits, and one-time to-do tasks, each with slightly different UIs and tracking logic.
- Granular Statistics: The stats screen provides a detailed overview with a calendar view, streak records, success rate, and historical graphs for selected habits (08:52).
- Thoughtful Settings: The app offers a wide array of settings, including custom app icons (09:45), themes, and sorting logic for the main habit list (09:50).
- Multiple Interaction Methods: Habits can be marked complete with a simple tap, but a long-press reveals a rich context menu with options like adding notes, viewing history, or duplicating the habit (06:01).
Monetization & growth
The app presents a soft paywall at the end of the onboarding flow (01:31). It offers three plans: Yearly (with a 7-day free trial), Monthly, and a Lifetime purchase. The paywall uses social proof, such as a 5-star rating and user testimonials, to build trust. The yearly plan is highlighted as "Most popular" and shows a significant discount by comparing the monthly cost to the standard monthly plan, a common and effective pricing strategy.
Who it’s for
Grit is for anyone serious about personal development and self-improvement. It seems particularly well-suited for users who appreciate data and detailed tracking, as well as those who might be managing conditions like ADHD, as suggested by a testimonial. The deep customization caters to individuals who want to build a highly specific and personalized routine, rather than following a generic plan.
Notes & opportunities
The onboarding flow is long, which might lead to some drop-off. While the personalization is a strength, its length could be a point of friction for users eager to get to the main app. The main dashboard, once populated, is clean and effective. However, the distinction between a completed bad habit (a checkmark) and a failed one (an X) is a subtle but powerful visual cue that reinforces the user's progress in breaking unwanted patterns.