One year ago, I launched Sober Tracker.
I didn't have a big marketing budget. I didn't have a team of developers. I didn't even really have a "business plan."
I just had a problem.
I wanted a simple way to track my own sobriety. I wanted to see the days stack up, to watch the money I saved grow, and to feel that quiet sense of progress—without the noise.
I tried other apps. Many were great, but they felt... cluttered. Too many social features. Too many notifications. Too many accounts to create and passwords to remember. I just wanted something that was mine. Private. Simple. Focused.
So, I built Sober Tracker.
The Reality Check
When I released the first version, I honestly thought maybe 10 people would download it. Maybe 50 if I was lucky.
Today, I’m humbled to share that over 6,000 of you have downloaded Sober Tracker across iOS and Android.
That’s 6,000 people making a choice. 6,000 unique journeys. 6,000 people waking up and deciding, "Today, I choose clear-headedness."
In the last month alone, downloads have doubled. It seems like the "New Year, New Me" energy is real, but what inspires me most isn't the number—it's the persistence. It's seeing people stick with it, day after day.
What I Built (And Why It Matters)
In a world that fights for your attention, I wanted Sober Tracker to be a tool that respects your peace.
- **No Social Bloat:**Sobriety is personal. You don't need a newsfeed of strangers to validate your journey unless you want one (and there are other great apps for that). Sober Tracker is for you.
- No Complexity: A clean timer. A progress tracker. A "money saved" calculator. The essentials, polished to perfection.
- No Accounts: Your data stays on your device. You don't need to log in to prove you're sober. You just are.
Actually, I built it for myself. I use it every day. When I open the app and see my own streak, it reminds me of why I started. And knowing that thousands of you are seeing your own streaks grow at the same time? That’s powerful.
What Worked
Looking back at this first year, a few things stand out:
- Solving a Real Problem: I didn't try to invent a need. I just filled a gap I felt myself. It turns out, thousands of you felt it too.
- Focusing on Search: Most of you found the app just by searching for a solution. That tells me you were looking for help. You were ready. I'm just glad Sober Tracker could be there when you were.
- Simplicity Wins: In a complex world, simplicity is a superpower. You don't need gamification to stay sober; you need clarity.
What I'd Do Differently
It hasn't been perfect. I wish I had connected with you all sooner. I wish I had shared more updates, celebrated more milestones, and maybe translated the app into more languages earlier (shoutout to our growing community in China!).
But that’s the beauty of this journey. Just like sobriety, building this app is one day at a time. We learn. We adapt. We grow.
To The Next Year
As we look ahead to 2026, my promise to you remains the same:
Sober Tracker will always be simple, private, and focused on your success.
I’ll be working on more helpful content, maybe some new quiet features that help without distracting, and definitely more ways to support your journey.
Thank you. Thank you for downloading, for reviewing (4.6 stars! Wow!), and most importantly, thank you for trusting this little tool with such a big part of your life.
Here’s to the next day. And the next.
Stay strong.
