GLIN vs stickK: Which Accountability App Is Right for You?
stickK is a commitment-contract platform from Yale behavioral economists: you set a goal, pick a referee, and can put money on the line that goes to a charity or anti-charity if you fail. GLIN is for doing a time-boxed challenge alongside one friend, with personal stakes instead of cash. Choose stickK for financial stakes.
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GLIN vs stickK at a glance
| Feature | GLIN | stickK |
|---|---|---|
| Core idea | Do a challenge with one friend who sees every log | Commitment contract between present you and future you |
| Stakes | Personal stake you agree on with your friend; GLIN holds no money | Optional cash stakes sent to a friend, charity or anti-charity if you fail |
| Accountability person | A partner doing the same challenge with you | A referee who verifies your reports, plus optional supporters |
| Tracking | Log actions for points, daily or weekly targets, live partner notifications | Report success or failure daily, weekly or at the end |
| Ready-made challenges | 8 built-in templates, like 75 Hard and Dry 30 | Any goal you define |
| Price | Free to download | Free to use; you only pay stakes you choose to set |
| Platforms | iPhone and Android | Web and mobile apps |
Choose GLIN if
- You want to do the same challenge as a friend and see each other’s progress live.
- You are doing a structured sprint like 75 Hard, Dry January or Deep Work 30.
- You prefer personal stakes, like buying dinner, over handing over a credit card.
Choose stickK if
- Losing real money is what motivates you most.
- You want a referee to verify your goal, without them doing it with you.
- Your goal is long-term or open-ended rather than a fixed sprint.
What stickK does well
stickK was created by behavioral economists at Yale and is built around a commitment contract: you define a goal and a timeline, invite a referee to verify your reports, and optionally put money on the line. If you fail, the money goes to a friend, a charity or, most famously, an anti-charity: an organization you oppose. It’s a simple, well-tested way to raise the cost of quitting.
Where GLIN is different
GLIN starts from a different idea: most people quit hard challenges because they’re doing them alone. So instead of a referee who checks your work, GLIN gives you a partner who is doing the challenge with you. Every time either of you logs an action, the other gets a notification like “+1 pts”. You see each other’s points and streaks, and you can send a boost when your partner is flagging.
Stakes in GLIN are personal rather than financial. The app asks one question, “What happens if you quit?”, and you each answer it: buy the other dinner, get a tattoo, donate to a charity you hate. If you try to end the challenge early, GLIN shows you your stake first, but it never collects money.
GLIN also comes with ready-made templates for popular sprints like 75 Hard, Dry 30 and The 100, so you can start in one tap.
Pricing
stickK is free to use; the only money involved is any stake you choose to set. GLIN is free to download and never holds your money.
The bottom line
stickK is the better pick if financial stakes are what keep you honest, and it has years of behavioral-economics credibility behind it. GLIN is the better pick if you want a friend in the challenge with you, live progress, and built-in templates for popular sprints.
Details about stickK come from its own website or store listingas of the date above. Spotted something out of date? Email glinchallengeapp@gmail.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is GLIN a good alternative to stickK?
Yes, if you want to do a challenge with a friend rather than sign a contract with yourself. GLIN focuses on a shared challenge, live partner notifications and personal stakes, while stickK focuses on money-backed commitment contracts.
Does GLIN take money if I fail?
No. GLIN never holds your money. Your stake is something you choose, like buying your partner dinner.
Can I use both?
Yes. Some people put a stickK contract on the outcome and use GLIN for the daily accountability with a friend.
Try GLIN with a friend
Free to download. Invite a friend and start today.
Scan with your phone to download GLIN.