Finch Self-Care App Review: Full Breakdown
Work Wellness

Finch Self-Care App Review: Full Breakdown

|Jun 12, 2025
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If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by traditional self-care apps or struggled to stick to healthy routines, this Finch app review is for you.  In a sea of wellness apps that often feel cold, overwhelming, or overly clinical, Finch stands out for one reason: it makes taking care of yourself feel emotionally rewarding. You don’t just check off tasks—you raise a virtual pet bird by showing up for your own well-being.

In this detailed Finch self-care app review, I’ll walk through how it works, what it gets right (and wrong), and whether it’s really worth the hype.

What Is The Finch App?

At its core, Finch is a self-care app with a gamified twist. Finch is a self-care app that’s part mood tracker, part daily planner, part journaling tool—and all wrapped in the form of a ridiculously adorable pet bird. 

So, how does it actually work?

At first glance, you’re greeted by a tiny bird with big eyes and a name you get to choose—mine’s Kiwi. But once you dig in, you’ll see it’s really a self-care companion that helps you reflect, breathe, journal, and check in with yourself, without the pressure.

Using Finch is simple and intuitive once you get into the rhythm. Each day, you open the app and your Finch greets you with a little message—sometimes silly, sometimes thoughtful. From there, you can complete small self-care actions called “journeys.” These range from quick breathing exercises and guided reflections to journaling prompts or mental health check-ins. Each action helps your Finch grow and earns you in-game currency to buy accessories or furniture for their world.

While there are many apps focused on mindfulness and productivity, such as the Headspace app and the BetterMe app, Finch takes a more emotional and gamified approach, which makes it easier for users to stick with daily habits.

Finch never overwhelms you with a to-do list. You can choose from pre-made goals or create your own—mine includes “drink a glass of water” and “write three lines in my journal.” If I skip a day, nothing bad happens. But when I do show up, even for five minutes, my Finch perks up and the app gives me a gentle boost I didn’t realize I needed.

There’s also a “daily check-in” area, where you rate your energy and mood, track your emotions, and even take quizzes about anxiety or body image. Over time, these entries build into a profile that reveals patterns in your mental health. And because you’re doing it for your little bird as much as for yourself, it feels lighter and more consistent than traditional journaling apps I’ve tried before.

“daily check-in” area

Key Features Of Finch

Finch isn’t just about fluff—it’s packed with tools that can help you build better routines and understand your emotional patterns. Here are the core features that stood out to me:

1. Goal Tracker

You can set personal goals (e.g., “drink water” or “write in my journal”) and check them off daily. It’s satisfying, and the app celebrates every win, no matter how small.

2. Bullet Journaling

I’ve tried bullet journaling in paper notebooks before, but Finch makes it super approachable with prompts and tags. It’s a great way to clear mental clutter and reflect.

Finch encourages users to reflect and journal in ways that support both mental and emotional well-being, helping you stay grounded through small, daily actions.

3. Mood Tracker

This might be one of the most insightful features. Over time, I could see clear trends in my moods and what triggered them—something I hadn’t noticed before.

4. Breathing & Sleep Tools

The guided breathing exercises have saved me on more than one anxious morning. There’s also a sleep routine section that helps you wind down with soundscapes and intentions for the next day.

5. Quizzes

Want to track how your anxiety or self-esteem is evolving? Finch includes simple mental health check-ins and personality-style quizzes that provide real, digestible insights.

6. Motivational Quotes & Vibes

This part honestly surprised me. The app’s gentle quotes and the ability to send “vibes” to friends (or receive them) create a sense of community without needing to chat.

7. Insights Dashboard

By pulling data from your journaling, goals, and moods, Finch builds a neat dashboard that gives you an overview of your progress. It’s encouraging without being overwhelming.

All of these make up the heart of this Finch self-care app review, proving that even simple actions can add up to big progress when done consistently—and with a little feathered friend cheering you on.

finch app review

Real Experiences: The Good And The Frustrating

I started using Finch during a time when burnout had become the background noise of my life. I wasn’t sleeping well, my focus was shot, and even basic self-care like eating on time felt like climbing a mountain. I didn’t expect much from a “self-care pet” app—but after a week with Finch, I was surprised by how grounded it made me feel.

1. The Good

There’s something quietly powerful about being greeted each morning by a little digital bird who seems genuinely excited you showed up. When Kiwi asked me, “What’s something you’re proud of today?”—it made me pause. Not in a heavy, analytical way, but like a friend checking in. That’s where Finch wins—it doesn’t try to “fix” you. It just meets you where you are.

I’m not alone in feeling that way. 

“I have ADHD, OCD, and an anxiety disorder… Finch helps me not just with tasks but makes me feel like I’m being cared for by my pet.” 
- Finch app review from the App Store Review

Another said:

“With Finch, I feel like I’m being cared for by my Finch, and in return I care more for myself.”

- Finch app review from the App Store Review

That quote stuck with me because I felt the same way. On tough days, it was less about ticking off goals and more about the emotional support that Finch subtly provides.

Others praised how Finch has helped them establish a daily routine for the first time ever. One Android user wrote:

“It’s helped me feel better most days. I’ve never been able to stick to routines until now.”

- Finch app review from the CH Play Review

Reading through reviews, you’ll see the same themes pop up: motivation, emotional support, and gentle accountability. Many neurodivergent users, especially those with ADHD or PTSD, found Finch easier to stick with than traditional wellness apps.

That said, even those with critiques generally still recommend the app. One user on the CH Play summed it up perfectly:

“This app is adorable and contagiously helpful. It’s the only self-care app that’s actually helped me.”

- Finch self-care app review from the CH Play Review

For professionals managing burnout or work-related stress, Finch offers bite-sized mindfulness that supports mental wellbeing in the workplace without feeling overwhelming or overly structured.

For me, Finch isn’t just another app on my phone. It’s become a small, quiet reminder each day that I matter—and that even the tiniest progress is worth celebrating. And that’s a feeling you can’t really put a price on.

finch self-care app review

2. The Frustrating

Of course, it’s not perfect. This wouldn’t be an honest Finch app review without mentioning a few frustrations.

One of the first issues I ran into was the app’s layout. It’s not hard, but it’s... dense. A lot is going on, especially if you're new. Between journeys, goals, journal tags, and energy points, it can take a bit to figure out how everything ties together. Several users mentioned similar Finch app review complaints on the Play Store, citing the clunky UI and learning curve as barriers to early engagement. One Finch app review from CH Play Review put it bluntly:

“It takes time to get used to the layout, but it’s not a dealbreaker.” 

- Finch self-care app review from the CH Play Review

The other thing that rubbed me the wrong way was how the app sometimes locks you into doing tasks all at once. For example, if I set a goal to drink five glasses of water, I couldn’t check them off one at a time throughout the day—it was either all or nothing. That made some goals feel less flexible than they should be, especially on slower days.

The Finch app cost also brings up mixed feelings. While the free version is incredibly generous, the premium Finch Plus version has one major downside: Android users are charged up to $69.99/year, while iOS users only pay $14.99/year. 

Multiple reviews list this as a top Finch app review complaint, and I agree—it’s one of the few things that made me hesitate to upgrade. That’s a massive gap, and it left a bad taste. One CH Play reviewer wrote:

“Why are Android users charged so much more? That’s extremely unfair.”

- Finch self-care app review from the CH Play Review

I also ran into a few moments where the app’s wording felt... off. I later read that it was originally developed in another language, and some phrases definitely feel awkward, especially when using the social features with friends. It’s not constant, but enough to be noticeable.

And yet—despite these hiccups—I’ve stuck with Finch. Because even when it’s a little clunky or frustrating, it works. It makes self-care feel doable. I’ve checked in more consistently, journaled more honestly, and even slept better just by setting small intentions in the evening.

The app isn’t perfect. But it’s warm. And when it comes to mental health tools, warmth goes a long way.

A Quick Glance

Here’s a quick breakdown of the good and the not-so-great:

Pros

Cons

No ads—ever

The Finch app cost is much higher for Android users

Customizable pet and house

The app interface takes time to learn

Great for ADHD, anxiety, and PTSD

No control over the gamification level

The free tier is very generous

Not ideal for those with irregular routines

Encouraging tone and community

Premium pricing may feel steep to some

Built-in journaling and reflection tools

Some awkward or inconsistent dialogue

Who Should Use The Finch App?

This Finch self-care app review is a clear yes for:

  • People with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression, or burnout.
  • Adults who want a gamified, low-pressure way to track self-care.
  • Teens and young adults are new to habit-building apps.
  • Anyone who finds “serious” self-care apps too clinical or cold.

But it might not be ideal for:

  • People who dislike gamification.
  • Users with unpredictable schedules (limited customization for time-based reminders).
  • Those seeking purely functional task managers without fluff.

For those who don’t feel a match with Finch, you can also want to check our Liven app review so find out which self-care app suit you the most.

self-care apps too clinical

Finch Free vs. Finch Plus: Breaking Down The Cost

This Finch self-care app review wouldn’t be complete without talking about one of the most-used questions online: Is the Finch app free? The answer is yes, mostly. I used the free version for weeks before even considering Plus. And honestly, most of what you need is already included without paying. You’ll get:

  • Full journaling
  • Mood and goal tracking
  • Basic pet customization
  • All major self-care exercises

However, there’s also a paid version, Finch Plus, which unlocks premium tools like:

  • Extra goal types and personalized journeys
  • Expanded personality development for your Finch
  • More quizzes and deeper insights

If you’re using the app daily, Plus might be worth it—just be sure you’re aware of the pricing difference depending on your device. But here’s the catch—and it’s one of the top Finch app review complaints—the Finch app cost varies drastically by platform. Despite this, many users still say it’s worth it for the mental clarity and emotional support it offers. The experience feels intentionally designed to uplift, not sell.

FAQs

1. Is the Finch app free?

Yes, the base version offers journaling, mood tracking, and most self-care tools. Finch Plus adds some premium content, but it isn’t necessary for a great experience.

2. Can Finch help with ADHD or anxiety?

Based on user reviews and my own experience, yes. It’s especially good at creating gentle motivation and structure.

3. Is my data safe on Finch?

Yes, Finch keeps all your info private and doesn’t include ads or data tracking.

4. Is Finch a good app?

Yes, Finch is widely considered a great app for building healthy habits, especially for users with ADHD, anxiety, or those new to self-care. It’s not perfect—some users find the layout a bit dense and the premium pricing uneven across platforms—but overall, it’s thoughtful, helpful, and built with genuine care.

5. What’s the Finch app cost?

The Finch app costs for iOS is $14.99/year for Plus, while Android users currently pay $69.99/year, one of the top Finch app review complaints from the community.

Final Verdict: Is Finch Worth Downloading?

So, is the Finch app worth it? For me—and for thousands of users across both platforms—the answer is yes.

This Finch self-care app review wouldn’t be complete without saying that the emotional value alone makes it stand out. If you’ve ever struggled to build habits or stick to routines, Finch offers a gentle, charming way to reconnect with your daily life. And yes, your Finch will cheer you on the whole way.

This isn’t a perfect app, though. The pricing structure needs fixing, the UI could be cleaner, and the task flexibility leaves room for improvement. But despite those issues, Finch succeeds at what most self-care apps fail to do: it makes you want to take care of yourself.

But for me, and many users I’ve read about and spoken to, those downsides haven’t been dealbreakers. They’re just bumps in an otherwise thoughtful, encouraging experience. Finch helps you build habits, reflect on your emotions, and get through tough days with a little more clarity—and maybe even a smile. 

If you’re exploring other mental wellness tools, you might also want to check out our thoughts on apps like the Brainway app review, which focus more on neurofeedback and deep work patterns.

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