About 1% Better
Overview
1% Better is a habit tracker for iOS built around the mathematics of compounding — specifically the idea that a 1% daily improvement results in a 37.78× gain over a year. Unlike most habit apps that ask users to log multiple data points, 1% Better asks exactly one yes/no question per day and gets out of the way.
The app was built by Jugal Mistry after trying 20+ habit trackers and finding they all felt like a data-entry job. It targets people who want to see their progress visually compound over time, not just check boxes.
Key Benefits
- Each daily check-in takes under 3 seconds — one tap to answer "Were you 1% better today?"
- A live compounding graph updates in real time after every check-in, showing four layers: actual progress, the ideal 37× line, a forecast, and milestone markers.
- All data stays on-device and in the user's personal iCloud — the app has zero server-side access.
- A home screen widget shows the current multiplier and streak, and allows check-in without opening the app.
- Smart streak-protection reminders fire before a streak breaks, rather than sending generic daily notifications.
- The free tier includes one tracker with the full compounding graph, calendar history, streak tracking, and iCloud sync — no time limit.
How It Works
Each day, the app asks one question: "Were you 1% better today?" The user taps Yes or No, and the live compounding graph immediately updates to reflect the new data point. A forecast line then projects the user's current trajectory forward, acting as either motivation or a warning.
Use Cases
- Fitness-focused individuals tracking daily gym attendance who want a visual record of long-term consistency, not just streaks.
- Readers building a daily reading habit who need a low-friction check-in that won't interrupt their routine.
- Side-project founders logging daily work sessions who want to see the compounded output of consistent effort over months.
- People working on sleep hygiene who want a simple yes/no log with a full-year calendar heatmap to spot patterns.
- Users who have abandoned traditional habit apps due to complexity, and need a one-tap alternative with visible progress.
Why Choose This Product
1% Better is best suited for iOS users who want the simplest possible daily habit check-in paired with a mathematically grounded progress visualization. The free tier supports one tracker indefinitely, while premium unlocks unlimited trackers, custom icons and colors, custom decay rules, custom notifications per tracker, and CSV export — starting at $1.67 per month on the annual plan.
