Cohorty vs Done: Quiet Accountability vs Streak Tracking
Compare two minimalist approaches to habit building. Done offers beautiful solo tracking with streaks. Cohorty adds social accountability without chat. Which fits your needs?
Cohorty vs Done: Quiet Accountability vs Streak Tracking
You want a simple habit tracker that doesn't overwhelm you with features. Two minimalist options emerge:
Done is a beautifully designed iOS app focused on streaks and flexible scheduling. Track your habits solo with clean visual design, widgets, and customizable reminders. It's personal, private, and polished.
Cohorty is a web-based platform that adds one key element: quiet social accountability. Get matched with 5-15 people building the same habit. See their progress; they see yours. No chat. No pressure. Just presence.
Both embrace simplicity. Both work. But they serve fundamentally different needs—solo tracking with beautiful design vs social accountability without overwhelm.
We used both platforms for 30 days, tracking identical habits, to understand which approach works better for different personalities and situations.
Here's what you'll discover:
- How Done and Cohorty differ in philosophy and approach
- Feature-by-feature comparison (what you get with each)
- Which personality types fit each platform
- Cost breakdown: free vs paid options
- When to choose solo tracking vs quiet accountability
Let's break down both options.
The Core Difference: Solo Beautiful vs Quiet Social
Done: The Streak-Focused Solo Experience
Philosophy: Your habits are personal. Track them beautifully, see your progress visually, stay motivated by streaks. No social features. No distractions. Just you and your habits.
The experience: Open Done, see a clean list of your habits with color-coded streaks. Tap to mark complete. Watch your chain grow. Get satisfaction from unbroken streaks stretching across weeks.
Best for: People motivated by personal achievement, those who find social features distracting, iOS users who value beautiful design, and anyone building habits that feel private.
Cohorty: The Quiet Accountability Model
Philosophy: Habits are easier with social presence. Not chatty groups—just knowing others are working on the same goal. See their progress, they see yours, nobody has to talk.
The experience: Join a challenge, get matched with 5-15 people starting the same habit around the same time. Check in when you complete your habit. See simple indicators (hearts or checks) showing who else checked in. Feel the subtle motivation of not wanting to be the only one who missed.
Best for: People motivated by community, those who've failed at solo tracking, anyone building habits where shared experience helps, and users who want accountability without social pressure.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Setup & Onboarding
Done:
- Time: 2 minutes
- Process: Download app, add habits, set schedules, customize reminders
- Complexity: Simple but more options than minimal apps
- Platform: iOS only
Cohorty:
- Time: 1 minute
- Process: Browse challenges, join one, automatically matched with cohort
- Complexity: Dead simple
- Platform: Web (works on any device)
Winner: Cohorty (faster setup, no app download required)
Daily Check-In Experience
Done:
- How: Open app, tap habit to mark complete
- Time: 10 seconds
- Visual feedback: Streak counter increments, satisfying animation
- Motivation: Personal achievement, don't break the chain
Cohorty:
- How: Open web app, tap check-in button
- Time: 10 seconds
- Visual feedback: Your check appears, you see others' checks
- Motivation: Social presence, don't let the cohort down
Winner: Tie (both are fast; motivation style differs)
Scheduling Flexibility
Done:
- Daily habits: Yes
- Weekly frequency: Yes ("3 times per week")
- Custom intervals: Yes ("every 3 days")
- Complex scheduling: Excellent
Cohorty:
- Daily habits: Yes (primary focus)
- Weekly frequency: Limited
- Custom intervals: No
- Complex scheduling: Basic
Winner: Done (much more flexible scheduling)
Streak & Progress Tracking
Done:
- Streak visualization: Excellent (color-coded chains)
- Calendar view: Beautiful
- Statistics: Basic but clear
- Export data: Yes
Cohorty:
- Streak visualization: Simple check marks
- Calendar view: Basic
- Statistics: Minimal
- Export data: No
Winner: Done (superior visual tracking)
Social & Accountability Features
Done:
- Community: None
- Accountability: Self-accountability only
- Social visibility: Private by default
- Sharing: Can share screenshots manually
Cohorty:
- Community: Auto-matched cohorts (5-15 people)
- Accountability: Built-in social presence
- Social visibility: Cohort sees your check-ins
- Sharing: Automatic within cohort
Winner: Cohorty (Done has no social features by design)
Reminders & Notifications
Done:
- Notification quality: Excellent
- Location-based: Yes (iOS feature)
- Time-based: Yes (customizable)
- Notification style: Polished Apple notifications
Cohorty:
- Notification quality: Basic
- Location-based: No
- Time-based: Yes (simple email/push)
- Notification style: Minimal
Winner: Done (sophisticated reminder system)
Design & User Experience
Done:
- Design language: Beautiful Apple design
- Animations: Smooth and satisfying
- Customization: Themes, colors, icons
- Overall polish: Exceptional
Cohorty:
- Design language: Clean web design
- Animations: Minimal
- Customization: Limited
- Overall polish: Good but not exceptional
Winner: Done (significantly more polished)
Cost
Done:
- Free tier: Very limited
- Pro: $1.99/month or $9.99/year
- One-time option: No
- Cost to use fully: $10-24/year
Cohorty:
- Free tier: Complete (no limitations)
- Premium: Doesn't exist
- One-time option: N/A
- Cost to use fully: $0
Winner: Cohorty (completely free vs paid subscription)
Platform Availability
Done:
- iOS: Yes (primary platform)
- Android: No
- Web: No
- iPad: Yes (iOS)
Cohorty:
- iOS: Via web browser
- Android: Via web browser
- Web: Yes (primary platform)
- iPad: Via web browser
Winner: Cohorty (accessible anywhere; Done is iOS-only)
Comparison Table: At a Glance
| Feature | Done | Cohorty |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10-24/year | Free |
| Platform | iOS only | Any device (web) |
| Setup time | 2 min | 1 min |
| Social features | None | Cohort-based |
| Streak tracking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Flexible scheduling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Design polish | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Reminders | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Accountability | Self only | Social presence |
| Privacy | Complete | Cohort visible |
Who Should Choose Done?
Best for These Scenarios:
1. iOS Users Who Value Design
Done is one of the most beautiful habit trackers on iOS. If aesthetics matter and you're in the Apple ecosystem, Done delivers exceptional user experience.
2. People with Complex Scheduling Needs
Not all habits are daily. Done excels at "3 times per week," "every other day," or "twice monthly" schedules. The Never Miss Twice rule works better with flexible scheduling.
3. Private Habit Builders
Some habits feel personal—meditation, therapy exercises, relationship work. Done keeps everything private with no social visibility.
4. Streak-Motivated Individuals
If seeing an unbroken 47-day streak motivates you, Done's visualization is excellent. The "don't break the chain" method works powerfully for streak-driven people.
5. Solo Performers
Not everyone wants social features. Some people do their best work alone. If accountability feels like pressure, Done's solo approach is ideal.
Done Works Best For:
- Building private habits you don't want to share
- Habits with non-daily frequencies
- iOS users who can afford $10-24/year
- People motivated by personal achievement
- Those who find social features distracting
Who Should Choose Cohorty?
Best for These Scenarios:
1. People Who've Failed at Solo Tracking
If you've downloaded habit apps, used them for a week, then deleted them, you might need accountability. Social accountability increases success rates dramatically.
2. Budget-Conscious Users
Cohorty is completely free. No trial period. No premium tier. If spending $10-24/year on habit tracking isn't feasible or desirable, Cohorty delivers accountability at zero cost.
3. Cross-Platform Users
Done requires iOS. Cohorty works in any browser on any device—iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux. Start on your phone, check in from your laptop.
4. Community-Oriented People
If you're motivated by being part of something larger, Cohorty's cohort model fits naturally. Quiet accountability provides community without overwhelming social demands.
5. Introverts Needing Gentle Accountability
Traditional accountability—commenting, encouraging, discussing—can be exhausting. Cohorty offers presence without conversation, perfect for introverts who want support without social pressure.
Cohorty Works Best For:
- Building habits where community helps (fitness, learning, creativity)
- Daily habits (less flexible than Done)
- Users on any platform (web-based)
- People motivated by social presence
- Those wanting free accountability
The Hybrid Approach: Using Both
Some people use both effectively:
Strategy 1: Different Habit Types
- Use Done for private habits (therapy exercises, relationship work)
- Use Cohorty for community-oriented habits (fitness, meditation, reading)
Strategy 2: Platform-Based
- Use Done as your primary tracker (on iPhone)
- Join specific Cohorty challenges when you need extra motivation
Strategy 3: Test Then Commit
- Start with Cohorty (free, low commitment)
- If you love habit tracking but want more features, add Done
What Research Says
Solo Tracking (Done's Approach)
Research on self-monitoring shows:
- Tracking alone increases awareness and consistency
- Streak visualization creates commitment
- Works well for self-motivated individuals
- Success rate approximately 65% with solo commitment
Strengths: Complete privacy, works for self-starters
Weaknesses: No external accountability, easier to quit
Social Accountability (Cohorty's Approach)
Research on social presence shows:
- 95% success rate with accountability appointments
- Group habits succeed more than solo
- Social visibility increases consistency
- Community reinforces identity change
Strengths: Higher success rates, sustained motivation
Weaknesses: Requires minimal social comfort, less privacy
Making Your Decision
Choose Done If:
- ✅ You're on iOS (iPhone or iPad)
- ✅ You value beautiful design
- ✅ Your habits have flexible schedules
- ✅ Privacy is important
- ✅ You're self-motivated
- ✅ You can afford $10-24/year
- ✅ Streak visualization motivates you
Choose Cohorty If:
- ✅ You need accountability
- ✅ You want completely free
- ✅ You're on any platform (not just iOS)
- ✅ You've failed at solo tracking
- ✅ Community motivates you
- ✅ You want daily habit tracking
- ✅ Gentle social presence helps
Choose Both If:
- ✅ You have different types of habits (some private, some social)
- ✅ You want Done's design but need Cohorty's accountability
- ✅ You're experimenting to find what works
Real User Experiences
Done Success Story
"I'm naturally self-motivated and hate feeling like I'm performing for others. Done lets me track habits privately with a beautiful interface. The flexible scheduling is perfect—my gym habit is 4x/week, not daily. Worth every penny of the $10/year." — James, 34
Cohorty Success Story
"I've downloaded Done, Streaks, and 5 other trackers. Used each for about a week, then forgot about them. Cohorty was different because I wasn't alone. Seeing my cohort check in each morning kept me going. Finally broke through the 30-day barrier." — Maria, 28
Using Both
"Done tracks my private habits (therapy homework, relationship check-ins). Cohorty is for my public habits (morning workouts, writing). They complement each other perfectly." — Alex, 41
Alternative Options
If neither feels quite right:
- Streaks (iOS): More polished than Done but limited to 12 habits
- Loop (Android): Free open-source alternative to Done for Android
- Habitica: Gamified social tracking (compare with Cohorty)
- Accountability Partner: Traditional 1-on-1 approach
The Verdict
Done excels at: Beautiful solo tracking with flexible scheduling for iOS users willing to pay.
Cohorty excels at: Free social accountability that's gentle and cross-platform.
The "better" choice depends entirely on your situation:
- Need accountability? → Cohorty
- Value privacy and design? → Done
- On iOS with budget? → Done
- On Android or web? → Cohorty
- Complex scheduling needs? → Done
- Daily habits only? → Either works
Both are excellent minimalist options. Done is the solo artist's tool. Cohorty is the quiet community's platform.
Take Action
Ready to try quiet accountability?
Join a Cohorty Challenge — completely free, get matched automatically, start building habits with others.
Prefer solo tracking on iOS?
Download Done from the App Store — beautiful design, flexible scheduling, $1.99/month after trial.
Still deciding?
Start with Cohorty (free, no commitment). If you love habit tracking but want more polish and features, add Done later.
The best habit tracker is the one you'll actually use. Choose based on what motivates you—solo achievement or quiet community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Done worth paying for when Cohorty is free?
A: Depends on your needs. Done offers superior design, flexible scheduling, iOS integration, and privacy. Cohorty offers social accountability. If you're on iOS, self-motivated, and value design, Done's $10-24/year is reasonable. If you need accountability or use multiple platforms, Cohorty's free option makes more sense.
Q: Can Cohorty work for non-daily habits?
A: Cohorty works best for daily habits. Done is far superior for "3 times per week" or custom frequency habits. If scheduling flexibility matters, choose Done.
Q: Which has better success rates?
A: Research suggests social accountability (Cohorty) has higher success rates for most people. However, self-motivated individuals may succeed equally well with solo tracking (Done). Your personality matters more than the tool.
Q: Does Done have any social features?
A: No. Done is intentionally solo-focused. You can manually share screenshots, but there's no built-in community or accountability features.
Q: Can I use Cohorty on iOS?
A: Yes, via Safari or any iOS browser. It's a web app, so it works on any device with a browser. Done is a native iOS app with deeper system integration (widgets, Siri, etc.).