Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Productive vs Strides

Productive 4.6★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner Strides
Strides 4.8★ · Free + IAP 90

Strides is the clear winner due to its consistent positive user experience, stable pricing, and dedicated developer support, while Productive is plagued by recent, significant price increases and customer service issues.

Full reviews: Productive · Strides

Strides consistently receives praise for its effective habit and goal tracking, flexible features, and responsive developer, with many users reporting long-term success. Productive, despite some users finding its UI appealing, faces overwhelming criticism for drastically increasing subscription prices and failing to deliver corresponding value or support.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: StridesR2R3R6R8
Productive Productive users appreciate its ability to set daily and flexible weekly goals, its simple and creative UI, and its celebration screens for streaks R2. However, some find the interface unintuitive and note limitations in customization, such as not being able to set routines for every other day or add custom measurements for goals R3R6R8.
Strides Strides is praised for its flexibility in tracking various types of goals, including long-term and complex projects with subtasks and Gantt charts R52R60R62. Users value its ability to track progress, offer statistics, and provide options like 'skip/pause' for habits R52. Many find it easy to use and set up, with pre-built templates .
Ease of Use and Interface edge: StridesR3R11R19R20
Productive Productive's UI is described as simple and creative by some users R11. However, others find the interface unintuitive and dislike the forced selection of predefined habits R3R20. A significant complaint is the lack of a light mode, with the dark interface being described as 'depressing and unmotivating' R19.
Strides Strides is consistently lauded for its easy-to-use and clean interface . Users find it simple to set up and navigate, making it effective for tracking goals and habits .
Reliability and Performance edge: StridesR10R21R22R37
Productive Productive has significant reliability issues, with users reporting bugs, a non-functional timer, and changes not showing up without restarting the app R10R21. Some users also experienced streaks breaking without reason and significant lag R22. There are also reports of login issues and inability to access data R37.
Strides Strides is generally considered solid and reliable, with many users reporting consistent daily use over many years, even a decade R66. Some users experienced issues with the app not opening after updates or streaks not transferring to new devices .
Price and Value edge: StridesR1R4R7R9
Productive Productive faces overwhelming negative feedback regarding its pricing. Users report massive and sudden price increases, from $15-35/year to $60-99/year, and even up to $300/year, with some lifetime purchases no longer honored R1R4R7R9. Many feel the app is not worth the increased cost, especially given the lack of new features or bug fixes R7R10R20R22.
Strides Strides users generally perceive it as good value, with many purchasing the lifetime version . While there are in-app purchases and a limit of 3 goals for the free version, users find the paid version worthwhile R56R57R63. Some note that the pricing policy might be why it's not as popular as other apps, but overall, the value is appreciated .
Customer Support edge: StridesR14R42R78R86
Productive Productive users report poor customer support, with emails going unanswered and issues with accessing data not being resolved R42. There are also concerns about being auto-charged despite canceling trials or subscriptions R14.
Strides Strides receives positive feedback for its engaged developer and responsive support team, with users reporting quick and successful resolution of issues R78R86.
Pick Productive if

You prioritize a simple, creative UI and specific goal-setting features for daily and flexible weekly habits, and are willing to overlook recent price increases and reported bugs R2.

Pick Strides if

You need a robust, flexible app for tracking a wide variety of goals, including long-term projects with subtasks, and value a stable, well-supported experience with a responsive developer R52R60R78. You are also looking for an app with a clear and consistent pricing model .

Evidence note: The evidence for Productive is heavily skewed towards negative recent reviews, primarily focusing on price increases and lack of updates. While some older positive reviews exist, the current sentiment is overwhelmingly critical. Strides has a much more consistent positive review base, with many long-term users.

Frequently asked

What are the common complaints about Productive's pricing?
Productive users frequently complain about massive and sudden price increases, with annual subscriptions jumping from $15-35 to $60-99, and some even reporting prices up to $300 per year R4R7R9. Many users who purchased 'lifetime' access are now being told they need to repurchase plans R1R37.
Does Strides offer a free version, and what are its limitations?
Yes, Strides offers a free version, but it is limited to tracking only three goals R56R57R63R73. Many users find the free version useful for basic tracking but opt for the paid version to track more habits.
Which app is better for long-term goal tracking?
Strides is highly recommended for long-term goal tracking, with users praising its ability to manage complex tasks, subtasks, and even Gantt charts, and many reporting using it successfully for years or even a decade R52R60R62R66.
Are there issues with Productive's customer support?
Yes, Productive users have reported poor customer support, including unanswered emails, issues with accessing data, and concerns about being auto-charged without clear communication R14R42.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 100 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Productive 4/5 · US Exactly what I was looking for: I wanted an app that would let me set daily goals, but also goals that could be 3x per week at my discretion which day or on set days. I didn't think there would be an app that would perfectly meet my needs, but this one does. Perfect and worth the 3.99 for the paid app that lets you have more than five reminders. Update after lots of use: The only reason I dropped
  2. [R3] Productive 3/5 · US New annoying feature: I redownloaded this app lately so that I can create my create my own custom app. But the app now forces you to define your goal so that it can force you to pick a habit from a list of predefined ones which is annoying. Not everyone cares about existing habits in the app. Other than that it is a pretty good app
  3. [R6] Productive 3/5 · US Needs improvement: While I enjoy this app, there are some updates that have long been needed that haven’t happened. For instance, not being able to set a routine at a regular regular interval (every other day). After years, they have not added this feature and it’s making it hard to continue to use this app. For the price I would have expected better updates. Won’t be renewing next year.
  4. [R8] Productive 5/5 · US idea suggestion: i absolutely love this app. i’ve even using it and things i always wanted to be habits are now habits. one suggestion, and it’s really not a big deal, is to allow the user to add their own measurements. for example for a reading goal, the user could enter chapters scenes etc. many of the habits i have or want to have don’t fit well with the pre-determined list of measurements
  5. [R11] Productive 4/5 · US Great app, wish they didn’t upsell plans so much: I really enjoy using this app for its simplicity and creative UI. It’s exactly what I need. However, one part I find annoying is that everytime I open the app, they show me the screen asking me to upgrade to their paid plan. I’m on the free one and I wish I had more habits to track for free, but that’s okay. At least don’t show me this paid plan ev
  6. [R19] Productive 4/5 · US Light Mode PLEASE!: I love the functionality of this app but it is such an eyesore! Please at the very least have an option for a light mode - the black is so depressing and unmotivating 😞
  7. [R20] Productive 2/5 · US Okay, but not worth subscription increase: The app itself is okay. I found the interface a little unintuitive but workable. However, I got a notification that the subscription would be increasing to $59.99/year. I can’t remember if the original cost was $15.99/year or $29.99/year, but either way: it’s an increase of at least 100% for the same app. I also don’t recall ever receiving any kind of “we
  8. [R10] Productive 1/5 · US Has bugs. Too expensive.: They just more than doubled their yearly subscription and have not been fixing bugs or introducing new features. App looks the same after two years. Timer doesn’t work half the time. You have to quit and restart for your changes to show. Finally cut the cord and found a new app. So much happier.
  9. [R21] Productive 4/5 · US Great App but Expensive: I have used this app premium version for two months now. It has been amazing. It is exactly what I need. A habit tracker where I can actually analyze the data to see which habits I still need to work on. I gave it 4 stars because I’ve been having issues with its timer feature. If I turn on the timer and move to another app, the timer stops working. If I play music or a v
  10. [R22] Productive 2/5 · US Good app, but overpriced.: I used this app for a year and found it had a positive impact on my life. However, with the annual $80 renewal approaching, I reconsidered whether it was worth the cost. I discovered other apps on the App Store that offer a similar, if not better, experience for much less. While the app works about 85% of the time, it occasionally breaks streaks without reason, experienc
  11. [R37] Productive 1/5 · US Long time user: I bought the premium version years ago. Recently unable to log back back in without repurchasing a much pricier version. As a special Ed teacher I used to recommend this app to everyone. Now I’m looking for a new app but sad to lose 8 years of habit data!
  12. [R1] Productive 1/5 · US So much for lifetime: I purchased the lifetime app and am now being told I need to purchase plans.
  13. [R4] Productive 1/5 · US Huge price increase: The app developer owes an explanation for more than doubling the price of the annual subscription. What additional value will the app bring? What additional features will be added? Make it make sense. I’ve been a loyal subscriber for many years and am very likely to cancel my subscription unless I can justify the cost based on additional features.
  14. [R7] Productive 1/5 · US Okay, but not $80 okay: The app was fine when I used it but I can’t justify paying $80 a year for a check the box app. I can write my own list and check a box truth be told.
  15. [R9] Productive 3/5 · US Too expensive: The app was a 5 star before. It did everything I needed for $30 a year. But they recently changed prices to $80 per year, which is outrageous. Deleted the app. Sad to see it go, but I’m not paying that price :/
  16. [R14] Productive 1/5 · US SCAM: Though the app itself was moderately helpful, you will be auto charged despite any “free” trial. They will also auto charge you a year later, which I found out last month, despite having no active Apple subscription or a web account. The emails are bogus. I filed a complaint through Paypal to get a refund. Unless you want to give money to them annually forever, don’t use.
  17. [R42] Productive 1/5 · US Poor customer support: Great app, poor support. I’m a paid web-based user and iOS app stopped being able to access data recently and support emails go unanswered.
  18. [R78] Strides 5/5 · US Great app that keeps improving: I subscribed just after this app launched and watched the developer bootstrap from a minimum viable product to the full-featured app that it is today. He continues to improve it by listening to customers, which is awesome. It does everything I need it to do and no more. Some apps try to integrate calendars and to-do items, but I already have apps for that. I simply
  19. [R86] Strides 5/5 · US Great app, engaged developer: This app is polished. It even includes quarterly goals and is really top notch. Highly recommend.
  20. [R56] Strides 3/5 · US Good app but..: Good app but having to pay just to have more than three things is greedy
  21. [R57] Strides 2/5 · US in app purchases: there are in app purchases that basically limit everything
  22. [R63] Strides 1/5 · US The free version isn’t useful: The free version is not useful, you only can add 3 goals.
  23. [R73] Strides 5/5 · US Good job!!: This is a good app. I downloaded in mid October and I’ve been using it since! The design is simple and the free version isn’t too limited (unless you want to track a million things) but I keep my life generally simple so I’m fine. My only suggestion would be to maybe tap on the little bar on the top with the dates and see the whole month like a calendar and see all the progress in one
  24. [R52] Strides 5/5 · US Love habit tracking features like the skip/pause; and I like the Gantt feature.: Love that the habit tracking allows the choice of yes/no/skip for tracking streaks. I just got the app, I’m still learning how to use Gantt project feature, but can’t wait to use that. Having a Gantt chart for complex tasks is a real gem to find in a personal task manager.
  25. [R60] Strides 5/5 · US Great: I use this app for long term goals - I love the format. I hope they keep updating it and adding new features.
  26. [R62] Strides 4/5 · US Long term goals: This is great for tracking different kinds of long terms goals. I have to use a different app for checklist, and was unable to find a simple app that did both of them, but I like how simple this app tracks long terms goals. I wish when you didn’t meet a goal or complete something the previous day it would carry over so you have to go back to the actual day to Complete it, but othe
  27. [R66] Strides 5/5 · US I used this app for a decade: Today I flossed for the 1000th consecutive day. I’ve been tracking for 3,497 days - nearly a decade. What app have you used daily for 10 years?? It does everything you need it to do and I’m thankful for the developer’s work and commitment.

Synthesized from 100 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store