Best accountability apps for 2027
Updated October 2026
The best accountability apps put something real on the line: money, a person, or both. Forfeit, Beeminder, stickK, Boss as a Service and Focusmate are the five worth trying.
Forfeit
We make Forfeit, so we're biased. The facts below are the same ones we use everywhere.
You set a task, a deadline and an amount. Send proof before the deadline, or you pay. AI, a real person, or your phone's data (Apple Health, GPS, Screen Time) checks your proof. It also blocks apps on iPhone and Mac, and an AI coach messages you 24/7. Missed for a good reason? A person reviews your appeal within 12 hours.
- Best for
- Daily habits you can prove, like the gym, waking up or screen time.
- Price
- $10.99/month
- If you miss
- You pay the amount you set
Beeminder
You track a number on a graph, often synced from other apps. Fall behind and you pay. Each time you slip, the amount goes up.
- Best for
- Number goals, like words, kilos or minutes.
- Price
- Free for 3 goals, paid plans from $8/month
- If you miss
- You pay $5 the first time, more each time after
stickK
You make a commitment contract and pick a friend as your referee. If you miss, your money goes to a friend or a charity. stickK found that 78% of people who put money down and had a referee reached their goal, against 35% who put no money down (source: Wikipedia).
- Best for
- Free commitment contracts, with a friend as referee.
- Price
- Free
- If you miss
- Your money goes to a friend or a charity
Boss as a Service
A real person checks in with you every day, Monday to Saturday. You send proof, like a photo, a screenshot or a link: pics or it didn't happen. You don't lose money if you miss. Your boss follows up until it's sorted. You can link it to Beeminder to add a money penalty, and there's a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Best for
- People who work best answering to a real person.
- Price
- Starter $25/month ($200/year), Super $100/month, Virtuoso $200/month
- If you miss
- No money lost. Your boss follows up until it's sorted
Focusmate
You book a live video session and work alongside a stranger. Nobody checks your proof and no money is at stake. The accountability is showing up. It runs in your browser.
- Best for
- Getting focused work done with someone watching.
- Price
- Free for 3 sessions a week. Plus is $8/month billed yearly, or $12/month billed monthly
- If you miss
- Nothing. The accountability is showing up
All five, side by side
| Forfeit | Beeminder | stickK | Boss as a Service | Focusmate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $10.99/month | Free for 3 goals, then from $8/month | Free | From $25/month | Free for 3 sessions a week, then from $8/month |
| If you miss | You pay the amount you set | You pay $5 the first time, more each time after | Your money goes to a friend or a charity | No money lost. Your boss follows up until it's sorted | Nothing. The accountability is showing up |
| Who checks your proof | AI, a real person, or your phone's data | Your own data, often synced from other apps | A friend you pick | A real person | No proof check |
| Works on | iPhone, Android, Mac, web | iPhone, Android, web | Web and phone | Text, WhatsApp, email or Telegram | Browser |
Questions
Is there an app that charges you money if you don't work out?
Yes. Forfeit charges you the amount you set if you miss a workout. Apple Health, GPS or a photo from the gym proves you went.
What's a cheaper alternative to Boss as a Service?
Forfeit is $10.99/month and checks your proof with AI, a real person, or your phone's data. Boss as a Service starts at $25/month.
Which accountability app is free?
stickK is free. Beeminder is free for 3 goals, and Focusmate is free for 3 sessions a week.
Does putting money on a goal actually work?
stickK found that 78% of people who put money down and had a referee reached their goal, against 35% who put no money down (source: Wikipedia).
Complete your habits, or lose money.
Set your first goal in under a minute.
Written by the Forfeit team. We've tried to be fair. Checked October 2026, and prices change. Spot a mistake? support@forfeit.app
All product names are trademarks of their owners. Forfeit isn't affiliated with or endorsed by them.