Joon App Alternatives: 6 Options Compared
July 24, 2026
Joon is a genuinely good app. Kids raise a virtual pet by finishing "quests," and it's recommended by child psychologists and occupational therapists. If it's working for your family, there's no reason to switch.
But two things send parents looking for an alternative: the price (around $12.99/month or $89.99/year, with a limited free tier), and the heavy gaming style, which some kids love and others get lost in. If that's you, here are the options.
The right question isn't "what's the best app?" It's "what's the best app for this child?"
The alternatives
Tick Kids — for simple and paid-once
Simple, uncluttered tasks, points and rewards you set, up to 3 kids, one payment of ~$19.99 for a year instead of a subscription. Less game, more routine. Good if the pet-and-quest layer feels like too much for your child. Free tier to try.
Brili — for the ADHD scaffolding without the pet
Visual, timed routines built on ADHD research. If it was Joon's clinical approach you wanted (not the game), Brili is the closer match.
S'moresUp — for more features
More of everything: chores, rewards, a family feed, an AI helper. A subscription (~$7.99/month), and a lot to set up.
Habitica — for an older kid who likes real games
A full role-playing game. Better for teens than young children, and its free tier is genuinely complete.
Goblin Tools — as an add-on, not a replacement
Its Magic ToDo breaks a big task into steps — perfect for a child who can't start. One-time ~$3.99. Pair it with any chore app.
A paper chart — for the youngest
If your child is under five and you're building a first habit, you may not need an app yet. Start with the Chores by Age Finder and a fridge chart.
So which one?
If you loved Joon but not the price, look at Tick Kids. If you loved the clinical structure but not the game, look at Brili. If you wanted even more features, look at S'moresUp. The full comparison lays them side by side.
Want the simplest, lowest-cost switch? Try Tick Kids free before you pay for anything.