The Problem (Pain Level: 8/10)
“I’ll start exercising tomorrow”, “I’ll definitely go to bed early tonight” - Do you make these promises every day and break them just as often?
Problems with existing habit tracking apps:
- Simple checklists: Just check and done, no real accountability
- Self-deception allowed: You can check even if you didn’t actually do it
- Lack of motivation: No consequences when streaks break
- Vulnerable to single failures: “Already failed, might as well give up” mentality
A developer on Reddit r/SideProject shared: “I built an iOS app for myself because I kept lying to myself.”
Target Market
- Primary: Global market
- Segment: Individuals seeking habit formation, self-improvement enthusiasts, goal-oriented professionals
- Estimated TAM: $14.9B (2026 estimate), 14% CAGR
The habit tracking app market is projected to grow from $1.7B in 2024 to $5.5B by 2033. Corporate wellness program adoption has increased by 42%, opening B2B opportunities.
What is HabitTruth?
HabitTruth is a habit app that prevents self-deception and creates genuine accountability.
Key Differentiators
- Evidence-based completion: Photo, location, or time proof required
- Social accountability: Failure notifications sent to accountability partners
- Financial stakes: Optional automatic donation on failure
- Recovery mechanism: Built-in system to bounce back from failures
Competitive Analysis
| Competitor | Price | Key Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| HabitKit | $4.99/mo | Simple tracking, no accountability mechanism |
| Streaks | $4.99 one-time | Lack of motivation, reset on failure |
| Habitica | Freemium | Focused on gamification, no real accountability |
| Beeminder | $0-$40+/mo | Complex setup, only financial stakes |
Market Status: RED_OCEAN - Competitive but validated market with HabitKit achieving $15k→$31k/mo MRR
Differentiation Opportunity: Existing apps focus on “tracking”, HabitTruth focuses on “accountability”
MVP Development
Tech Stack
- Frontend: Swift, SwiftUI
- Backend: CloudKit (Apple ecosystem)
- Database: Core Data + CloudKit
- Additional: HealthKit, PhotoKit, CoreLocation
MVP Features (16-24 weeks)
- Habit creation and tracking
- Evidence-based completion (photo attachment)
- Streaks and statistics
- Notification system
- Basic accountability partner feature
Tech Stack Fit: 10/10
If you have iOS native development experience, this is the optimal project.
Revenue Model
- Model: Subscription
- Price Range: $4.99-$9.99/month
- Projected MRR:
- 6 months: $500-$2,000
- 12 months: $5,000-$15,000
Monetization Strategy
- Free: 3 basic habits, simple tracking
- Pro ($4.99/mo): Unlimited habits, evidence-based completion, statistics
- Premium ($9.99/mo): Accountability partners, financial stakes, advanced analytics
Risk Analysis
| Risk | Level | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | LOW | Leverage iOS development expertise |
| Market | MEDIUM | Niche positioning (accountability-focused) |
| Execution | MEDIUM | Build in public for community |
Who Should Build This
- Developers with iOS/Swift experience
- Those interested in productivity tools
- Anyone wanting to experience subscription SaaS
- Those targeting the global market
Success Story Reference
Sebastian Röhl’s HabitKit launched in 2022 and achieved $15k/mo MRR in 2024, growing to $31k/mo in 2025. Build in public and ASO optimization were key strategies.
If you’re building this idea or have thoughts to share, drop a comment below!