The concept of personality types is, of course, not new. It’s fun to ascertain whether you have an egotistical personality, or a nurturing one, or something else. But, the past few years have seen a surge of people turning to popular personalty type test frameworks like love languages, attachment theory, astrology, and enneagram, among others, to inform introspection and to try and make sense of the world. So, doesn’t it make sense, then, that there are swaths of personality apps dedicated to that very pursuit?
If you find yourself trying to answer the classic Michael Scott-ism of “why are you the way that you are?“—about yourself and others—you might want to download a few of the following personality apps. Warning, though, you may find them equal parts useful and addicting.
8 personality apps to level up your knowledge of yourself and others
1. Chani
What is it? Detailed birth-chart readings and horoscopes written by astrologer Chani Nicholas and a team of professional astrologers. You’ll get real-time updates about how current astrological happenings affect you, daily meditations, and rituals. There’s also a journal function that allows you to set and track intentions with the new moon and full moon.
Why you should download it: In addition to being one of the most detailed, thorough, and helpful apps I’ve used, Chani was built with a queer-led software-development company that predominantly employs survivors of human trafficking and/or gender-based violence. Five percent of the app’s profits go to Black, Indigenous, or persons of color (BIPOC), Latinx, queer, and trans survivors of gender-based violence.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
2. The Pattern
What is it? Gives you in-depth insights into facets of your personality, explains your various emotional cycles, and is, um, eerily accurate.
Why you should download it: The daily updates are thorough and thought-provoking, plus, the app just added an astrologically influenced feature where you can input someone’s date, time, and place of birth, and it’ll break down your friendship or romantic compatibility.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
3. Good Karma
What is it? Uses the Big Five Personality Traits model to offer tips on relationships, building healthy habits, and more—but in a gameified format.
Why you should download it: The mascot that guides you is an adorable sloth in a UFO. He’s like a Tamagotchi in that if you’re negligent, he will perish; you keep the sloth alive by earning “Good Karma” points through completing tasks and games in the app.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
4. Sanctuary
What is it? Easy-to-use app that gives a detailed breakdown of your natal chart, along with daily horoscopes for your sun and rising signs, plus a daily tarot card and astrological news.
Why you should download it: In addition to the free features mentioned above, you can also purchase on-demand astrology, psychic, and tarot readings.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
5. Align27
What is it? Uses a vedic astrology interpretation of your birth chart to help you take a “timing is everything” approach to life. It also includes daily horoscopes and a breakdown of the day’s transits and how they affect you.
Why you should download it: If you have trouble managing your time or making decisions, you’ll find this app helpful. The push notifications tell you when it’s a good time to do something (or when it’s a bad time), and the in-app planner can help you map out your most productive days.
Price: $10/month or $80/year
6. Happify
What is it? A science-informed app that incorporates elements of positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness into exercises designed to help you reframe your negative thoughts and increase your happiness.
Why you should download it: Serotonin is hard to come by these days. Plus, you can see quantifiable improvements with the app’s happiness score.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
7. Lumosity
What is it? A brain-training app that tailors its games and activities to your strengths and weaknesses.
Why you should download it: So much about life is overwhelming, and this is a fun, easy, and distracting way to help you improve your memory and focus.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
8. Co-Star
What is it? An astrology app that explains your natal chart and gives you daily horoscopes for different areas of your life (like sex and love, creativity, and social). It also explains what the current astrological transits mean for you. Add your friends can see the areas where you are most and least compatible.
Why you should download it: If nothing else, the saucey push notifications will entertain you.
Price: Free with in-app purchases.
Sign Up for Our Daily Newsletter
Get all the latest in wellness, trends, food, fitness, beauty, and more delivered right to your inbox.
Got it, you've been added to our email list.
