Technology is increasingly helpful with a variety of daily tasks: grocery shopping, getting gas, cooking, working, exercising and more. Now, it can even help those who want to quit smoking.
Quitting smoking apps are a tool that can help those who are ready to stop smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products. To help those interested in quitting, an overview of popular apps, their features and their uses are covered.
Are Quit Smoking Apps Helpful or Not?
For those who have access to smartphones and are looking for a convenient way to ditch cigarettes, stop smoking apps can be a good option. Today, there is a variety of apps available for iOS and Android users. This article summarizes some of the most popular apps and their different features so potential users can decide which one works best for them.
Smoke Free App
This highly rated stop smoking app is convenient for many smartphone users. It tracks how much money one saves and how long they have been smoke free. It also shows users how their health has improved and gives reward badges for staying smoke free.
Cost:
- Free, with in-app purchases offered
Rating:
- 4.7/5 on Google Play
- 4.8/5 on the Apple Store
Key features:
- Science-based app
- Available in multiple languages
- Available on iOS and Android
- Tracks money saved from quitting smoking
- Shows how long users have been smoke free
- Shows the number of cigarettes they have not smoked
- Shows how their health is improving
- Lets users earn badges for progress
- Lets people share their successes with friends
Any requirements:
- Users must be at least 17 years old to download the app.
What users are saying
The way the app is designed is really clever. If you’re actually committed to quitting, it’s a great companion. It is great for helping stay focused and letting me track all of your accomplishments along the way. I love being able to watch my health improve.
This app has been great! So much information, I can track my cravings to see a pattern and that helps me start to recognize when I crave a cigarette the most and start to plan other things to do when I know it will be coming or a rough time! This app also tracks the changes in your body that improve hour to hour or minute to minute now that I have quit.
QuitNow!
This bright and vibrant quit smoking app is convenient for many users. It lets users see their achievements from quitting smoking and connect with others who are also trying to quit. This app also follows guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Cost:
- Free, with in-app purchases offered
- Also offers a Pro version
Rating:
- 4.6/5 on Google Play
- 4.6/5 on the Apple Store
Key features:
- Available in multiple languages
- Available on iOS and Android
- Gives 70 goals users can choose to meet to show their progress from quitting smoking
- QuitNow! bot can answer users’ questions that are not answered elsewhere in the app
- Ex-smoker community chat allows people to connect with and gain support from others who are also trying to quit
- List of WHO-based indicators shows users how their body is improving. The indicators are updated in the app following when the WHO updates them.
Any requirements:
- Users must be at least 17 years old to download the app.
What users are saying
Motivates me to keep going and thanks to the community, [it’s] really good to talk to somebody who is fighting the same demon as you.
I’ve been telling my wife that I want to quit smoking for a year now, it’s about time I put my foot down and give it up again. This app seemed worth the small cost so I bought it. Lots of people seem to complain about the message room, personally I don’t plan on using it so I could care less what people are saying in there. The achievements [and] timer are enough to hold myself accountable as I’m only 20 min into it and not wanting to reset the timer.
Quit Tracker: Stop Smoking
This Android smoke free app offers tracking and motivational features for users who wish to quit smoking.
Cost:
- Free, with in-app purchases at $2.99 per item.
Rating:
- 4.7/5 on Google Play
Key features:
- Tracks how much money users save
- Tracks how much lifespan they have gained
- Users can obtain rewards from quitting
- Offers a quitting-smoking timeline to view progress
What users are saying
It is really, really helpful. I feel so empowered by just using it. This app makes me feel [safer]. I feel like I’m accomplishing a task which is pretty true ‘cuz I’m gonna be much healthier than I was when I was smoking.
I’ve just started but this app is pretty impressive. I see a lot of complaints about ads, but as a free user customer I truly understand the need of a little earning for the amount of effort they put in their accurate app. I can’t really think of something addable to the app.
Quit Smoking—My Last Cigarette
This quit smoking app for Apple’s iOS users offers a variety of visuals features and “readouts” to motivate people to stay off cigarettes.
Cost:
- Free
Rating:
- 4.5/5 on the Apple Store
Key features:
- Available in multiple languages
- Based on medical knowledge and statistics
- 10 “readouts” inform and motivate users
- Offers daily motivational quotes
- Offers a daily medical fact
- Shows a daily picture or diagram
- Shows the amount of money users have saved
- After entering personal details, one can see their expected lifespan increase and health functions from quitting smoking
Any requirements:
- Age rating is 12+
What users are saying
I have been smoking for 30 years and have now not smoked for 30 days. I don’t think the app is the magic bullet that made it happen but it has certainly helped. There is a lot of positive support but the negative reminders are most effective. The daily pictures can scare the hell out of you.
I was a smoker for 20+ years. I’ve “quit” on numerous occasions, but this app is what has helped me QUIT for good. Just opening the app and seeing the active counter of how many cigarettes I haven’t smoked and the counter of days down to the hour that I’ve been a nonsmoker; is a huge motivation and nudges you to stay quit even if [willpower] is slipping. Waiting for all of the meters to ‘go green’ is also a big motivator to stay quit.
Quitter’s Circle
This Android and iOS smoke free app was created by the American Lung Association and the Pfizer pharmaceutical company, which are key players in the medical industry. Personalized quit plans, funds tracking and related articles help users stay engaged and informed. However, it is only available on Apple watch for users under that system and is geared toward those living in the United States.
Cost:
- Free
Rating:
- 3.0/5 on Google Play
- 3.8/5 on the Apple Store
Key features:
- Available on iOS and Android
- Tips and articles are offered in the app to help users stay informed and motivated
- Possibility to create a personalized quit plan to track the progress and goals
- A circle of supporters is offered to motivate and encourage people in their quitting journey
- Users can set up a quit fund to put their money saved from not smoking toward other activities and purchases
Any requirements:
- Users must be at least 17 years old to download the app
What users are saying
I’ve found the app to be good to have. With the daily check in it gives yourself accountability. However, I do wish it was a tad more interactive. And it has continually had my smoke free days off by 5 days I believe it is. That is something that definitely needs work.
The concept is great and as I was preparing to quit it worked fine. Now that I have been [smoke free] for several weeks[,] I’ve noticed the app has been stuck on 8 days [smoke free] and shows I saved only $16. Every day I don’t smoke is cause for celebration and I find it very disheartening to see the tracking. I have to keep my own tracking so it almost feels pointless to continue to use the app.
What Quitting Smoking App Should One Use?
For those looking to quit smoking, there are a variety of stop smoking apps available if one has access to smartphones on iOS and Android systems. Potential app users’ budgets and personal goals can determine which app they chose. Fortunately, many of the apps are free so users can possibly download and try out different ones. Previous users’ reviews can also offer a guide as to which quitting smoking app one should choose to help improve their health.
