The Science of WayBetter
WayBetter is built on decades of behavioral science research, showing that small, consistent actions—combined with the right mix of motivation, accountability, and support—can lead to meaningful, lasting change. Our approach integrates evidence-based behavior change techniques including goal-setting, gamification, financial incentives, and social support. Every feature in the app is designed to make it easier, and more enjoyable, to build and follow through on healthy habits. Our methods have been tested in peer-reviewed studies, and we’re committed to continually learning and improving through ongoing research.
Our Secret to Motivation:
Invest in Yourself
One of the most powerful tools we use is what behavioral scientists call a deposit contract, where people commit money up front and earn it back by following through on their goals. This method has been shown in numerous peer-reviewed studies to significantly improve the chance of success in behavior change. WayBetter brings this concept to life by turning a financial commitment into an investment in yourself as part of a fun, social, and supportive experience.
Our Research
We partner with universities around the world to advance the science of behavior change and evaluate the effectiveness of our products. Scientists leverage our data to explore and answer fundamental questions about behavior change predictors and techniques. We also conduct applied research, such as randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and user interviews and surveys focused on key engagement and behavior change outcomes. Together, these efforts ensure that WayBetter is both grounded in evidence and continuously evolving to better support our members.
Grants, Presentations, and Publications
In 2019, we received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health to develop and conduct a clinical trial of our smoking cessation app. Preliminary results were published in 2022. We presented the main outcomes of the trial at the 2025 Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) conference, winning the SBM Digital Health Tech Madness award. We're now focused on scaling this innovative, evidence-based approach and making it accessible to anyone who wants to quit smoking.
In 2023, Dr. Marc Mitchell from Western University received a Partnership Development grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada. His team is studying patterns and predictors of engagement among WayBetter app users, with a goal of informing development of new features to improve engagement and effectiveness. Preliminary results were presented at the 2025 Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) conference.

WayBetter's

Publications

Select a title below for a summary of the results and a link to the paper.

Put your money where your feet are: The real-world effects of StepBet gamified deposit contracts for physical activity (2023, Internet Interventions)

de Buisonjé, D. R., Brosig, F., Breeman, L. D., Bloom, E. L., Reijnders, T., Janssen, V. R., Kraaijenhagen, R. A., Kemps, H. M. C., & Evers, A. W. M. (2023). Put your money where your feet are: The real-world effects of StepBet gamified deposit contracts for physical activity. Internet Interventions, 31, 100610.

From the abstract: In a real-world setting, and among a large and diverse sample, participating in a gamified deposit contract challenge was associated with a large increase in step counts. A majority of challenges were successful and succeeding in a challenge was associated with a large and clinically relevant increase in step counts.

Pilot trial of QuitBet: A digital social game that pays you to stop smoking (2022, Exp Clin Psychopharmacol)

Bloom, E. L., Japuntich, S. J., Pierro, A., Dallery, J., Leahey, T. M., & Rosen, J. (2022). Pilot trial of QuitBet: A digital social game that pays you to stop smoking. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 30(5), 642–652.

From the abstract: Among the 50 players, 34% were winners. Thirty-seven participants (74%) responded to a post-QuitBet survey, of whom 95% said they would be interested in playing another QuitBet and would recommend QuitBet to others. Overall, feedback was positive with some suggestions for improvement. In conclusion, a digital social game for smoking cessation with a deposit contract was feasible and acceptable. Next steps include conducting a randomized trial to establish efficacy and a sustainable business model.

You can win by losing! Using self-betting as a commitment device: Evidence from a weight loss program (2020, Ruhr Economic Papers)

Hirt-Schierbaum, L., & Ivets, M. (2020). You can win by losing! Using self-betting as a commitment device: Evidence from a weight loss program (Ruhr Economic Papers No. 881). RWI – Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung.

From the abstract: Our empirical results suggest that financial incentives incorporated into the self-bet mechanism encourage commitment and weight loss. More specifically, by placing higher wagers on themselves and participating in games with larger pots, agents can increase their chances of successful commitment and lose more weight.

DietBet: A Web-Based Program that Uses Social Gaming and Financial Incentives to Promote Weight Loss (2014, JMIR Serious Games)

Leahey, T., & Rosen, J. (2014). DietBet: A web-based program that uses social gaming and financial incentives to promote weight loss. JMIR Serious Games, 2(1), e2.

From the abstract: DietBet, a social gaming website, reached nearly 40,000 individuals in just 7 months and produced excellent 4-week weight loss results.

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