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.
Whether you're an individual looking to build better habits or a business leader striving for team alignment, goal tracking software is an investment in your success.
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.
Best for personal use
1. Habitica
If you love gamification, Habitica turns your goal tracking into a role-playing game. Every task you complete earns you rewards, while missed deadlines come with penalties. This approach makes it ideal for building habits and staying motivated.
Image source: habitica.com
2. Strides
Strides offers a clean, intuitive interface for tracking habits, milestones, and long-term goals. With customizable templates and progress reports, it’s perfect for individuals who want a simple yet powerful tool.
Image source: stridesapp.com
Best for businesses
3. Lark
Based on my experience, if you're planning your personal work or study schedule, or searching for goal tracking software for your team or business, my top recommendation is Lark. Lark stands out as an all-in-one platform that not only integrates goal tracking with team communication and collaboration but also offers a range of powerful tools to meet diverse needs.
Lark OKR: Lark provides professional OKR functionality, enabling you to track personal work goals while aligning seamlessly with your manager or team objectives.
Lark Base: For more advanced and flexible goal management, Lark Base is a game-changer. Combining the power of databases, automated workflows, and visual dashboards, Lark Base allows you to manage and track team goals with agility and precision, adapting to changing needs in real time.
Team collaboration: What’s even more impressive is that Lark goes beyond goal tracking to deliver a truly unified work experience. As an all-in-one collaboration tool, it offers robust instant messaging, cloud-based document sharing, and video conferencing. This means you can handle everything—from goal setting to communication and document collaboration—within a single platform, eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools and boosting productivity.
Free version: Lark also 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.
4. Asana
Asana is a powerhouse for project and goal management. Its visual workflows and task dependencies make it easy to break down complex goals into actionable steps. Ideal for teams that need to stay aligned and productive.
Image source: asana.com
5. Monday.com
Known for its colorful and customizable dashboards, Monday.com is perfect for businesses looking to track goals visually. Its automation features and integrations with other tools make it a favorite among teams.
Image source: monday.com
For OKRs and performance tracking
6. Lattice
Lattice specializes in employee goal alignment and performance tracking. It’s a great choice for businesses that use the OKR framework, as it provides tools for setting objectives, tracking progress, and conducting performance reviews.
Image source: Lattice.com
7. Perdoo
Perdoo offers a comprehensive platform for managing OKRs, KPIs, and strategic goals. Its real-time tracking and alignment features make it a go-to for businesses focused on measurable results.
Image source: Perdoo.com
Free tools
8. Trello
Trello’s simplicity and flexibility make it a popular choice for individuals and small teams. With its drag-and-drop boards, you can easily organize tasks and goals. While the free version is robust, paid plans offer additional features like automation.
Image source: Trello.com
9. Todoist
Todoist is a task management app with powerful goal tracking capabilities. Its free version is great for personal use, while premium plans unlock advanced features like reminders and productivity reports.
Image source: projectmanagers.net
Unique picks
10. Goalscape
Goalscape takes a unique approach to goal tracking with its circular, visual interface. This tool is ideal for those who want to see how their goals are interconnected and prioritize effectively.
Image source: Goalscape.com
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.
Take Lark, for instance. Lark offers a free version, and its free plan unlocks advanced features like automated workflows, multi-dimensional spreadsheets (Lark Base), 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.
👉 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.
Ultimately, it's worth exploring both free and paid options to see which aligns best with your goals and budget. For example, Lark offers a robust free version with essential features for goal tracking and collaboration, while also providing advanced paid functionalities like automated workflows and databases for those who need more comprehensive tools. Many paid tools also offer free trials, so you can test their features before committing.
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!
