Fabulous is beautiful. It’s also $100/year.

For a routine app.

Here are alternatives that won’t drain your wallet.

What Fabulous Does

Fabulous is a “habit coaching” app focused on building routines.

The approach:

  • Start with ONE habit
  • “Journeys” gradually add more
  • Science-based methodology
  • Beautiful design
  • Daily coaching content

The cost: $100/year (after free trial)

Why People Love Fabulous

  • Guided approach — Tells you exactly what to do
  • Doesn’t overwhelm — Adds habits slowly
  • Great design — Genuinely beautiful
  • Science-backed — Research-based methodology
  • Coaching content — Explains WHY you’re doing things

Why People Leave Fabulous

  • Expensive — $100/year is steep
  • Slow progression — Sometimes frustratingly slow
  • Content heavy — Lots of reading/watching before doing
  • Locked features — Free version is basically a demo
  • Subscription model — Can’t buy outright

The Alternatives

Free: SimpleStreaks + MeditationApp + Affirmations

Cost: $0

Why buy a routine app when you can build one?

The stack:

What you lose:

  • Guided journey
  • Coaching content
  • Fabulous’s specific methodology

What you keep:

  • Actually building routines
  • $100/year

Cheap: Routinery ($40/year)

Cost: $40/year

Guides you through routines step-by-step with timers.

How it works:

  • Build your morning/evening routine
  • App shows each step with countdown
  • Transition notifications
  • Keeps you on track

Best for: People who need timed guidance through routines.

Free: Finch

Cost: Free

Self-care app with routine building.

How it works:

  • Build routines and habits
  • Care for a virtual bird
  • Gentle, supportive approach
  • Focus on self-compassion

Best for: People who want gentle accountability, not aggressive tracking.

Cheap: Productive ($30/year)

Cost: $30/year (or one-time $65)

Flexible habit scheduling with good design.

How it works:

  • Schedule habits for any time
  • Reminders and tracking
  • Statistics and streaks
  • Clean interface

Best for: People who want Fabulous-quality design without the coaching.

Feature Comparison

FeatureFabulousSimpleStreaksRoutineryFinchProductive
Price/year$100Free$40Free$30
Guided journeys✅❌❌❌❌
Coaching content✅❌❌Limited❌
Timed routines❌❌✅❌❌
Habit tracking✅✅❌✅✅
Gamification❌Streaks❌Pet care❌
Design quality⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Who Should Pay for Fabulous?

Pay for Fabulous if:

  • You’ve tried free apps and failed
  • You need hand-holding through routine building
  • You value guided journeys
  • $100/year is easily affordable
  • You respond well to coaching/education

Don’t pay for Fabulous if:

  • You know how to build routines
  • You just need tracking
  • Budget is a concern
  • You’ve had success with simpler apps
  • You skip the coaching content anyway

Building a Fabulous-Style Routine for Free

Week 1-2: ONE habit

  • Pick your most important morning habit
  • Just do that one thing consistently
  • Track with SimpleStreaks

Week 3-4: Add another

  • Once habit #1 is easy, add #2
  • Stack it immediately after #1

Week 5-6: Add a third

  • Keep building the chain
  • Each habit triggers the next

Week 7+: Refine

  • Adjust timing
  • Remove what doesn’t work
  • Add what’s missing

This is basically what Fabulous does. You just don’t have an app telling you.

The Coaching Content Question

The main thing free apps lack: Fabulous’s coaching content.

What you’re missing:

  • Explanations of habit science
  • Motivational content
  • Guided meditation/breathing
  • The “journey” narrative

Where to get it free:

  • YouTube: “habit science” videos
  • Books: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
  • Podcasts: Huberman Lab
  • Free apps: Insight Timer has educational content

The information is available. You’re paying Fabulous to package it nicely.

My Recommendation

Start with: SimpleStreaks (free)

Track your morning routine. Add habits one at a time. See if that works.

If you need timed guidance: Routinery ($40/year)

Walks you through routines step by step. Good value.

If you need gentle motivation: Finch (free)

Less aggressive than other trackers. Self-compassion focused.

If you really want Fabulous: Try the free trial first

Make sure you actually use the coaching content. If you skip it, you’re overpaying.

FAQ

Is Fabulous worth $100/year? For some people, yes. If you use the coaching and journeys, it’s valuable. If you just track habits, it’s overpriced.

What’s the best free Fabulous alternative? SimpleStreaks for tracking. Finch for gentle approach. Stack multiple free apps.

Can I cancel Fabulous after building my routine? Yes, but your journey progress and some features will be lost.

Why is Fabulous so expensive? They position as “coaching,” not just an app. You’re paying for content + methodology.

Related reads:

— Dolce