Goal setting is one of the most powerful tools we have to create meaningful change in our lives and businesses. But, as many of us have discovered, setting goals is only part of the equation. The real challenge lies in tracking and achieving those goals. This is where goal tracking software comes in.
Goal tracking software helps individuals and businesses stay organized, motivated, and aligned. Whether you're managing your personal fitness journey, planning your career milestones, or leading a team toward ambitious business objectives, the right software can make all the difference. These tools simplify the process of breaking down big goals into manageable steps, tracking progress, and staying accountable.
Based on my experience using Lark for goal management, along with my hands-on exploration of other related tools, I’ll share why goal tracking software is essential, how it works, and which tools truly stand out in 2025. From personal productivity to business success, we'll help you find the perfect solution to take your goals from vision to reality.
What is goal tracking software and why you need it
Simply put, goal tracking software is a tool designed to help you set, monitor, and achieve your goals. It provides a structured framework that keeps you focused and accountable, whether you're working on personal objectives or managing team-wide initiatives.
How does goal tracking software work?
At its core, goal tracking software allows you to:
Set clear objectives: Define what you want to achieve and when.
Break down goals into actionable steps: Create smaller tasks or milestones that lead to the end goal.
Track progress visually: Use dashboards, progress bars, or charts to see how far you've come.
Stay accountable: Set reminders, deadlines, and notifications to keep yourself or your team on track.
Why do you need goal tracking software?
Without a structured system, it’s easy to lose sight of your goals amidst daily distractions. A good goal tracking tool can help you:
Increase productivity: Focus on what truly matters and avoid wasting time on unimportant tasks.
Visualize your progress: Seeing your progress in real time can be incredibly motivating.
Collaborate effectively: For teams, these tools align everyone toward shared objectives.
Customize your approach: Tailor the software to your unique needs, whether you're tracking personal habits or managing business OKRs (Objectives and Key Results).
Integrate with other tools: Sync with calendars, project management apps, and communication platforms to streamline your workflow.
Addressing common challenges
One of the most overlooked aspects of goal tracking is the psychological side of achieving success. Many of us struggle with procrastination, fear of failure, or simply losing motivation over time. The best goal tracking software doesn't just provide tools; it also leverages psychology-driven features like:
Immediate feedback loops: Progress bars, badges, or streak trackers to keep you engaged.
Public accountability: Sharing goals with your team or friends to stay committed.
Breaking down intimidating goals: Transforming big, overwhelming objectives into manageable daily tasks.
Top 10 goal tracking software at a glance
Top 10 goal tracking software for 2025
To help you make an informed decision, we've curated a list of the top tools for 2025. Each tool is designed for a specific use case, so you can find the one that fits your needs.
1. Habitica: Gamify your goals to stay motivated
Habitica turns your goal tracking into a role-playing game (RPG), making the process engaging and even fun. With its reward-and-punishment mechanics, users earn points or prizes for completing tasks and face penalties for missed deadlines, transforming mundane tasks into an adventure.
Image source: habitica.com
Features and strengths
Gamification: Stay motivated with in-app rewards like upgrading characters or unlocking achievements.
Community-driven: Connect with friends or groups to join challenges and stay accountable.
Habit-building focus: Perfect for consistent personal improvements like exercise, studying, or forming daily routines.
Best for
Individuals who enjoy gamification and want a fun way to stay on track with personal habits and simpler goals.
Free version available
Yes, with in-app purchases for additional features and rewards.
2. Strides: Track habits with simplicity and flexibility
Strides offers a clean, intuitive interface for monitoring habits, milestones, and long-term goals. Whether you’re looking to improve finances, stick to an exercise plan, or accomplish professional objectives, Strides is highly adaptable.
Image source: stridesapp.com
Features and strengths
Customizable templates: Pre-designed goal types make it easy to get started.
Progress visualization: Use dashboards and charts to monitor achievements at a glance.
Versatility: Tracks everything from daily habits to major milestones.
Best for
Individuals who want a straightforward yet powerful tool for managing personal habits or professional objectives.
Free version available
Yes, with premium features available in a paid plan.
3. Lark: Unify goal tracking with teamwork and communication
Drawing from my extensive use of Lark, I can confidently say it’s a standout option for businesses. As an all-in-one collaboration platform, Lark integrates dynamic goal tracking with robust communication tools, making it perfect for teams and organizations.
Features and strengths
Lark OKR: Lark provides professional OKR functionality, enabling you to track personal work goals while aligning seamlessly with your manager or team objectives.
Alt: Product interface of Lark OKRLark Base: A powerful spreadsheet tool combining automation workflows, databases, and dashboards for flexible, real-time goal tracking.
Lark Task: Create shared goals and foster accountability across teams, making it easy to track progress and align objectives.
Integrated communication: Chat, video calls, and file sharing are built directly into the platform. One tool handles it all.
Best for
Businesses looking for an all-in-one solution to manage team goals, promote collaboration, and streamline workflows.
Free version available
Yes, Lark offers a free version, which is more than capable of helping you achieve your goals before you decide to upgrade to a paid plan. Whether you're an individual or part of a team, Lark provides the tools you need to stay organized, aligned, and efficient. Paid plans add more advanced features and flexibility.
4. Asana: Powerful project management with visual workflows
Asana has earned its place as a favorite for project and goal tracking. Its visual workflows make it easy to split complex goals into smaller, actionable tasks, ensuring clarity and progress throughout any project lifecycle.
Image source: asana.com
Features and strengths
Task dependencies: Organize projects by identifying which tasks must be completed first.
Custom fields: Tailor your goal dashboards to suit your business/work needs.
Integration-friendly: Works seamlessly with Google Drive, Slack, and other major platforms to sync workflows.
Best for
Mid-size to large teams managing complex projects requiring goal alignment and task coordination.
Free version available
Yes, with premium plans offering additional reporting and timeline features.
5. Monday.com: Highly visual dashboards for customizable goal tracking
Known for its appealing design and powerful customization options, Monday.com provides a visual, user-friendly experience for tracking goals. It’s perfect for teams who need clarity and simplicity in complex goal management.
Image source: monday.com
Features and strengths
Custom workflows: Easily adaptable for various industries like sales, operations, or marketing.
Automation tools: Reduce repetitive tasks with triggers for progress updates or task assignments.
Clear visual dashboards: Color-coded and intuitive layouts provide clarity on progress and ownership.
Best for
Businesses managing diverse goals, ensuring alignment across multiple departments, or handling large-scale projects.
Free version available
Yes, with premium tiers offering more robust automation and integration options.
6. Lattice: Align goals within performance management
Lattice combines OKR goal tracking with employee performance management, offering tools designed to align individual contributions with overall business strategy. It’s perfect for fostering accountability and transparency at scale.
Image source: Lattice.com
Features and strengths
Integrated OKR tracking: Tie individual objectives to company-wide goals for a unified vision.
Performance insights: Use OKRs in performance reviews to provide actionable feedback.
Continuous feedback loops: Encourages a culture of growth through frequent check-ins.
Best for
Companies focused on aligning team and individual efforts with business objectives while driving employee development.
Free version available
No, it requires a subscription for access to its full suite of features.
7. Perdoo: Practical tracking for measurable outcomes
Perdoo specializes in measurable goal tracking, offering a platform that brings OKRs, KPIs, and strategic goals together. Its simplicity and focus make it ideal for businesses seeking results-driven tracking.
Image source: Perdoo.com
Features and strengths
Comprehensive goal management: Easily manage OKRs, KPIs, and overarching strategies on one platform.
Real-time tracking: Keep stakeholders informed with real-time updates on goals and progress.
Strong visualization tools: Makes it easy to see how different goals interconnect and contribute to larger priorities.
Best for
Businesses looking for a focused and intuitive platform to track measurable results and align strategies.
Free version available
Yes, with additional features available through paid plans.
8. Trello: Simple but effective boards for small teams
As one of the best free options, Trello simplifies goal and task management with its drag-and-drop interface. It’s versatile enough for both personal use and team collaboration.
Image source: Trello.com
Features and strengths
Highly flexible boards: Organize tasks into lists and cards customizable to your workflow.
Ease of use: Minimal learning curve for new users.
Free automation tools: Paid plans unlock advanced automation, but the free version is powerful on its own.
Best for
Small teams or individuals who want a lightweight tool for task and goal organization.
Free version available
Yes, with generous features.
9. Todoist: Straightforward task manager with goal tracking
Todoist combines simplicity with an array of tracking tools, making it a great fit for keeping personal and smaller project goals on track.
Image source: projectmanagers.net
Features and strengths
Task scheduling: Plan daily, weekly, or long-term goals with structured task lists.
Clear reporting: See where your time is going with productivity reports.
User-friendly design: Keeps even complex workflows easy to understand.
Best for
Individuals focused on personal productivity or small projects needing simple task management.
Free version available
Yes, with premium options unlocking reminders and advanced reports.
10. Goalscape: Visualize goals in a unique circular format
Goalscape takes an innovative approach by displaying goals in a circular, interconnected layout. It’s great for seeing how smaller tasks contribute to bigger objectives.
Image source: goalscape.com
Features and strengths
Holistic view: Provides a complete picture of your goals and their relationships.
Prioritization support: Helps you focus on what matters most.
Flexible for long-term planning: Ideal for career growth, strategic planning, or complex personal projects.
Best for
Individuals or teams needing a unique visual approach to organize interconnected goals.
Free version available
No, it is subscription-based. Only free trail.
Comparing free vs. paid goal tracking software
When it comes to choosing the right goal tracking software, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to go with a free or paid option. While free tools can be incredibly useful, especially for individuals or small teams, paid tools often provide the advanced features that larger teams or businesses need to thrive. Let’s break down the differences to help you decide which option is best for your needs.
Free goal tracking software: The basics at no cost
Free tools are a great starting point, especially if you're new to goal tracking or working on a tight budget. These tools typically offer essential features, such as task creation, basic progress tracking, and simple reminders. For individuals or small teams, these features may be enough to stay organized and on track.
For example, Lark Base is a fantastic free option for creating visual boards to organize your tasks and goals. Its drag-and-drop interface is easy to use and highly customizable, making it perfect for personal projects or small teams. Similarly, Todoist offers a robust free version for task management and goal tracking, with features like reminders and productivity reports available in its premium version.
However, free tools often have limitations. You might find that they lack advanced analytics, integration with other apps, or collaboration features that are essential for larger teams or more complex projects. Additionally, free versions may come with storage limits or restrictions on the number of users.
Paid goal tracking software: Unlocking advanced features
Paid tools take goal tracking to the next level by offering features that go beyond the basics. These tools are designed to help teams collaborate effectively, manage complex projects, and gain deeper insights into their progress. For example:
Advanced analytics and reporting: Paid tools like Asana or Monday.com provide detailed reports and dashboards that help teams monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions.
Integrations: Many paid tools integrate seamlessly with other software, such as Google Calendar, Slack, or CRM platforms, creating a more efficient workflow.
Customization and scalability: Paid plans often allow for more customization, such as creating custom templates or workflows, and they can scale to accommodate larger teams or organizations.
👉 Learn more about Lark‘s free and paid plans
Which one is right for you?
The choice between free and paid tools depends on your specific needs:
If you're an individual or a small team with straightforward goals, Lark’s free plan or free tools like Trello or Todoist may be all you need.
If you're managing a large team or complex projects, investing in a paid tool like Lark, Asana, or Monday.com can save time, improve collaboration, and provide the insights necessary for success.
Take Lark, for instance. Lark offers a free version, and it's free plan unlocks advanced features like automated workflows and enhanced collaboration tools. These features are particularly useful for businesses that need to manage dynamic goals and align team efforts seamlessly. However, the free plan may come with capacity or usage limits, in which case upgrading to a paid version can provide additional flexibility and scalability.
FAQs about goal tracking software
If you’re still unsure about goal tracking software, here are answers to some of the most common questions:
What is the best free goal tracking software?
The best free tool depends on your needs. For personal use, Todoist is a great option for task and goal management. For teams, Trello offers an intuitive interface for organizing goals visually. We also recommend trying out free tools with robust basic features like Lark before deciding whether to pay for its advanced functionalities.
How does goal tracking software improve productivity?
Goal tracking software helps you stay focused on your priorities, break down large goals into manageable tasks, and monitor progress in real-time. By providing structure and accountability, it reduces procrastination and improves efficiency.
Can I use goal tracking software for team collaboration?
Absolutely! Tools like Lark, Asana, and Monday.com are designed specifically for team collaboration. They allow teams to share goals, track progress, and communicate effectively in one platform.
What is the difference between goal tracking and habit tracking?
Goal tracking focuses on achieving specific objectives, such as completing a project or reaching a sales target. Habit tracking, on the other hand, is about building consistent behaviors over time, like exercising daily or drinking more water. Tools like Habitica specialize in habit tracking, while others like Lark or Asana are better suited for broader goal management.
Are there tools specifically for OKRs?
Yes, tools like Lark OKR, Lattice and Perdoo are designed for managing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). They provide features for setting measurable objectives, tracking progress, and aligning team efforts with organizational goals.
Conclusion
Goal tracking software is more than just a tool—it’s a partner in your journey toward success. Whether you’re striving for personal growth, leading a team, or managing a business, the right software can help you stay focused, motivated, and organized.
From free tools like Trello and Todoist to all-in-one platforms like Lark and Asana, there’s a solution for every need and budget. The key is to define your goals, identify the features that matter most, and test the tools to find the perfect fit.
So, why wait? Start exploring the tools mentioned in this guide and take the first step toward achieving your goals today. Success is just a few clicks away!
