Beeminder alternatives in 2027

Why people look for a Beeminder alternative

• The pledge rises each time you derail ($5, then $10, then $30), which some people find stressful rather than motivating.
• It only automates goals a machine can measure, such as steps, weight or words.
• It tracks the number and charges you; it doesn't plan the week or coach you through it.

The alternatives side by side

1. Pledger: best for following through on a goal you keep restarting

You tell Pledger a goal and a date. It builds this week's plan with a day on each task, checks in with you, and runs a weekly review that shows what slipped and why. The coach remembers your goals, your journal and your past reviews, so it can say "this is the third week you moved this task". You can add circles (people you choose see your week), photo proof, and optional money stakes on the web.

• Price: Free; Pro $9.99/mo or $79.99/yr.
• Pick it if you've restarted the same goal more than twice and want the plan, the coach and the accountability in one place.
• Skip it if you want a human coach every day, or you only need charts for a number.
• Honest drawback: The iPhone and Android apps are coming soon; today it runs in your browser.

2. stickK: best for one yes/no goal with a human referee

stickK, built on behavioural economics from Yale, lets you sign a contract with a stake (even an "anti-charity" you'd hate to fund) and name a referee whose decision is final. It is free to use and has been running since 2008.

• Price: Free; you pay only if you fail.
• Pick it if you have one clear goal with a yes or no answer and you want a person and a stake.
• Skip it if you want planning or coaching; stickK does neither.
• Honest drawback: It is a contract, not a system: no weekly plan, no coach, no review.

Pledger vs stickK

3. Forfeit: best for tasks you can prove (gym, chores, focus sessions)

Forfeit charges you per missed task and asks for proof: photo checks, GPS, Apple Health and Screen Time. Penalties are immediate, so there is little room to bargain with yourself. It is well rated on iPhone (4.8 out of 5 from 368 ratings).

• Price: $7.99/mo or $59.99/yr.
• Pick it if you struggle to start specific, provable tasks and an immediate penalty works on you.
• Skip it if you want a plan or a weekly review; those are not what it's for.
• Honest drawback: The AI coach is a separate $12.99-a-month subscription, and there is no free plan.

Pledger vs Forfeit

4. Strides: best for charts and streaks for numeric targets

Strides tracks four kinds of target with clean charts, streaks and a pace line, plus Apple Watch and Apple Health support. It has 4.8 out of 5 from about 19,000 iPhone ratings.

• Price: Free; from $4.99/mo.
• Pick it if you want to watch a number move and manage yourself.
• Skip it if you need someone or something to hold you to it.
• Honest drawback: It measures but doesn't plan or coach, and it is iPhone-first.

Pledger vs Strides

5. Griply: best for a goal-first planner with time blocking

Griply organises life areas, goals, subgoals, tasks and habits, with time blocking and Google and Outlook calendar sync. There is a lifetime option at $149.99.

• Price: Free; $5.99/mo or $49.99/yr.
• Pick it if you want a full task manager and you already hold yourself to a plan.
• Skip it if your problem is following through, not organising.
• Honest drawback: It organises the goal but doesn't check whether you did it, and it has no coach.

Pledger vs Griply

Beeminder alternatives: common questions