ClearDaysCOMPARISON
The best apps to drink less, compared honestly.
Some apps count sober days, some teach a programme, some help you cut back. Here’s what each one is good for, what it costs and what happens when you have a drink.
Updated September 27, 2026
- Apps compared
- 11, available in the US or UK App Store
- Checked on
- 27 September 2026
- Disclosure
- We make ClearDays, so we’re not neutral. We list what each app does well.
- Prices
- As listed in the App Store; they change and vary by country
How we compared them
We looked at each app’s App Store listing, website and pricing on 27 September 2026, and noted four things: whether it’s built for quitting or for cutting back, what it costs, whether you need an account, and what happens to your progress after a drink. Ratings are the App Store average and number of ratings in the store named. “Not confirmed” means we couldn’t verify it from public information.
First decide: quit, cut back, or take a break
If you want to stop completely, a sobriety counter such as I Am Sober, Nomo or Sober Time gives you a clear number to protect and, in some, a community.
If you want to drink less, look for an app that counts planned drinks as a success rather than a failure: ClearDays, Sunnyside, DrinkControl, MyDrinkaware and the NHS Drink Free Days app all work this way.
If you want a month off, Try Dry is the official Dry January app from Alcohol Change UK, and it’s free.
If you want to learn the psychology behind drinking, Reframe offers the most structured programme, at a subscription price.
What happens after a slip
This matters more than most feature lists. In a counter app, a drink usually resets the number to zero. Some people find that motivating; others find it makes one drink feel like losing everything. In ClearDays a drink never resets your progress: your clear days still count, and planned drinks count as on plan.
Privacy and accounts
Your drinking history is personal. Some apps need an email and password (Try Dry and Sunnyside, for example); others work without an account. ClearDays keeps your drinking data, journal and coach conversations on your device and needs no account.
ClearDays: our own app
ClearDays is built for adults who want to drink less without making it a big announcement. Each morning it asks one question, “How was yesterday?”, which you answer in one tap. You can plan tonight before the tricky moment, set a weekly plan in which planned drinks count, and see the money you’ve kept. Daily check-ins, planning and history are free. Optional Clarity adds private on-device coaching, pattern insights and longer trends. It’s available in English, Dutch, German, French and Spanish, on iPhone and iPad only.
If you’re thinking about medication
Some people cut down with help from medication prescribed by a doctor, and there are telehealth services for this in the US. Apps don’t replace medical advice: if you drink heavily or feel unwell when you stop, talk to a doctor first.
| App | Best for | Approach | Price | Account | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearDays | Cutting back privately, one day at a time | Cut back or take a break. A drink never resets your progress. | Free; optional Clarity subscription | Not needed | New app, few ratings yet |
| Reframe | A structured, science-based course | Cut back or quit, 160-day programme | Subscription after a 7-day trial (e.g. $79.99/year) | Not confirmed | 4.7 (44,750, US) |
| I Am Sober | Counting sober days | Abstinence; the counter restarts after a drink, history is kept | Free; Sober Plus from $9.99/month | Optional | 4.9 (187,696, US) |
| Try Dry | Dry January, from the charity that runs it | Dry days and planned drinking | Free | Yes | 4.8 (2,911, US) |
| Sunnyside | Moderation with a weekly plan and texts | Mindful drinking | $99.99/year membership; 15-day trial | Yes | 4.8 (2,312, US) |
| NHS Drink Free Days | A simple weekly pledge (UK) | Drink-free days | Free | Not confirmed | 4.6 (23,234, UK) |
| MyDrinkaware | Units and calories (UK) | Moderation | Free | Not confirmed | 4.3 (7,053, UK) |
| Drink Less (UCL) | Research-based cutting down (UK) | Moderation | Free | Not confirmed | 4.6 (3,279, UK) |
| DrinkControl | A detailed drink and spending log | Moderation, standard units | Free; Premium $11.99/year | Not confirmed | 4.8 (4,309, US) |
| Nomo | Several sobriety clocks at once | Abstinence | Free, donations | Not confirmed | 4.8 (16,482, US) |
| Sober Time | A sobriety counter with a community | Abstinence | Free with ads; Premium $29.99/year | Not confirmed | 4.9 (42,278, US) |
Questions and answers
What is the best free app to drink less?
Try Dry (for Dry January), NHS Drink Free Days, MyDrinkaware and Drink Less by UCL are free. ClearDays and I Am Sober are free to use, with optional paid extras.
Is there an app that doesn’t reset my streak after one drink?
Yes. ClearDays never resets your progress after a drink. Moderation apps such as Sunnyside and DrinkControl also focus on totals rather than streaks.
Which app is best for Dry January?
Try Dry is the official app of the Dry January campaign. ClearDays also works well for Dry January, especially if you want to keep going with a weekly plan afterwards. See our Dry January 2027 guide.
Do these apps work outside the US and UK?
Most are available worldwide in English. ClearDays is also fully translated into Dutch, German, French and Spanish.
