TickFree with limits
Good for starting, but may limit habits, themes, backup, or widgets.
No monthly plan
Android routine apps without subscriptions for checking off the day.
You do not need to pay every month just to track meds, supplements, or light habits. There are free, open-source, and one-time-purchase options. The difference is what each one delivers.
Updated July 4, 2026
Criteria
No subscription can mean different things.
Subscription fatigue is real: another yearly bill feels heavy when the task is only to check off what you did. Before comparing price, check whether the model fits your tolerance for ads, accounts, cloud sync, gamification, and free-plan limits.
Free with ads
Reduces the cost to start, but can add noise. Check whether there is a fair way to remove ads.
One-time purchase
Best when you want to pay once for extras without turning your routine into a monthly bill.
Open source
Great when transparency matters and you do not need medication-specific features.
Google account
Google apps are useful, but they are usually not specialized care trackers.
Premium subscription
Can be worth it for coaching, guided therapy, or clinical management, but may be too much for a simple daily checklist.
Practical list
5 no-monthly-plan paths for routine tracking on Android.
| Option | Model | Best for | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tick | Free with ads; Tick Pro is a one-time purchase. | Meds, supplements, self-care, and light habits with a today list, widget, and history. | Not open source and no clinical caregiver or interaction features. |
| Loop Habit Tracker | Free, open source, and ad-free. | Long-term habits, charts, widgets, and strong privacy. | Not specific to medication, doses, or dose history. |
| HabitNow | Free plan; one-time premium upgrade. | Habits, tasks, routines, and calendar in a more general Android app. | The focus is productivity and habits, not medication. |
| Google Calendar/Tasks | Free with a Google account. | Recurring tasks, basic reminders, and calendar-integrated routines. | No dose history, care-item widget, or health-specific language. |
| Habitica | Freemium with in-app purchases. | People who like gamification, avatars, rewards, and RPG-style tasks. | If you are tired of streaks and scores, this may be the opposite of what you want. |
Tick Pro makes sense if...
- You already use the app and want to remove ads.
- You want themes, colors, styled widgets, and the progress screen.
- You need multiple times per item.
- You prefer paying once instead of subscribing.
Do not pay for a routine app if...
- You have not used it for a few days and do not know whether it fits.
- The free plan already solves the routine without friction.
- The app requires features you do not need to justify a subscription.
- You only want a simple recurring alarm.
Anti-subscription
The best model is the one that does not trap your routine.
For simple daily care, a one-time purchase works best when it unlocks comfort without locking away the essentials. In Tick, your items and history stay on the device; Pro removes ads and unlocks extras without a monthly plan.
Free essentials
Widget on free
Pro for polish
FAQ
Quick questions
Is Tick a subscription?
No. Tick is free to start. Tick Pro is an optional one-time purchase that removes ads and unlocks extras.
Which habit app is completely free?
Loop Habit Tracker is one of the strongest Android options when you want a free, open-source, ad-free app.
Is a one-time payment worth it?
It is worth it when you have already used the app, it fits your routine, and the extras reduce real friction. To test, start with the free plan.
Why not use Fabulous or coaching apps?
They can be good if you want guidance and a structured journey. For remembering and checking off simple items, they are often more than needed.
If you are still choosing an app for medication, start with the ranking of best Android medication reminder apps. If supplements already cost enough, see also apps for vitamins and supplements.
Sources consulted: Loop on Google Play, HabitNow policy, Google Calendar Help, Habitica on Google Play, Fabulous on Google Play, and public Tick pages.
Try it free. Pay once if it stays.
Use Tick free with ads. If it becomes part of your routine, Pro removes ads and unlocks extras with a one-time purchase.