What actually makes people show up
Forfeit is free to download but sells subscriptions and keeps the money you lose. Free alternatives compared: StickK, Beeminder, RankUp, SendProof, PROVE IT and Proofs, with the research on why most people refuse money-at-stake contracts. Prices checked 21 October 2026.
October 21, 2026 · 7 min read
Why people leave Habitica (bugs, the 2023 guild shutdown, punishment and paywalls) and the alternative that fixes each reason: RankUp, Finch, LifeUp, Do It Now, Habitify, Streaks, Daily Pact and Forest. Prices checked 21 October 2026.
October 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Six habits that keep people going to the gym, each backed by a named study (Lally 2010, Milne 2002, Kaushal and Rhodes 2015, Schumacher 2019) and 643 real workouts from RankUp: fix the time, go four times a week, survive the missed day, and let someone notice.
October 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Eleven apps you can use with friends (RankUp, Habitica, Daily Pact, Habit Huddle, Squad, BuddyUp, HabitShare, Proofs, Strava, YPT, Forest) compared by what friends see and what happens when you skip, with real data on how often friends notice. Prices checked 21 October 2026.
October 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Focusmate, StudyStream, YPT, Forest, Flora, Opal, Discord study servers and RankUp compared by the problem they solve: starting, your phone, or falling off by week five. Prices checked 21 October 2026, with the research behind studying with others.
October 21, 2026 · 8 min read
Forfeit, Focusmate, StickK, Beeminder, Habitica, Proofs, HabitShare, Forest and RankUp compared by what makes you follow through: money, a live partner, a game, or friends who see proof. Prices checked 21 October 2026, by the founder of RankUp.
October 21, 2026 · 9 min read
An honest comparison of gamified fitness and habit apps (Habitica, Strava, Finch, Duolingo-style streaks) and where each one actually breaks down. Written by the founder of RankUp, which is one of them.
August 26, 2026 · 8 min read
The "21 days to build a habit" rule is a misquote. Data from 154 accounts on a discipline app: 73% of people who ever start do it within 24 hours of signing up, 38% within the first hour, and 37% of everyone who completes one session never completes a second.
August 26, 2026 · 7 min read
RankUp is a proof-backed, ranked discipline app. See how it works.