Getting started
What do I need to use Ottr?+
Just a smartphone (iOS or Android) and a partner to share a burrow with. That's it. No hardware is required to get started — NFC is optional.
How do I invite my partner?+
After creating your account, tap the burrow invite button to generate a unique invite link or code. Share it with your partner and they'll join your burrow automatically.
Can I use Ottr by myself?+
Ottr is designed for two people in a shared burrow. The Pond, nudges, and treats are all built around that dynamic. Solo use is technically possible but you'll miss most of what makes it fun.
Can Ottr be used by a shared household with more than two people?+
Ottr is built for couples, but it works for any shared household. If you have more than two people under one roof, you can still use Ottr — just invite additional members to your burrow. The Pond and ripples track everyone's contributions, so no one's effort goes unnoticed.
Can households with children use Ottr?+
Absolutely. Plenty of families use Ottr to keep on top of the extra load that comes with kids. Chores, tasks, and treats are all customisable, so you can set things up to reflect how your household actually runs. Ottr is designed for the two adults in the household rather than being a chore chart for kids, but there's nothing stopping you from adapting it to your situation.
Chore tracking & NFC
How does chore tracking work?+
You can log a chore in two ways: manually (tap a chore in the app and mark it done) or via NFC (tap your phone on a pre-programmed NFC tag placed near the chore location). Both methods log the chore, award ripples, and update the Pond.
What is NFC logging?+
NFC (Near Field Communication) lets you log chores by simply tapping your phone on a small sticker or tag placed near where the chore happens — next to the dishwasher, on the vacuum, above the bin. No app navigation needed. Cheap NFC tags (<$10 for a pack of 10) are available on Amazon. Any NTAG213/215/216 tag works.
Do I need NFC tags to use the app?+
No. NFC is a convenience feature, not a requirement. Every chore can be logged manually from within the app. NFC just makes it faster.
What data is recorded when I log a chore?+
We record which chore was completed, who completed it, and when. That's it. This data is used for your ripples, the Pond, and to power the nudge system.
Ripples & The Pond
How are ripples calculated?+
Each chore completion earns ripples. The exact value is the same for all chores right now — we keep it simple so no one argues about whether vacuuming is worth more than doing dishes.
How does the Pond work?+
The Pond shows a running ripples total for you and your partner across three time windows: this week, this month, and all time. It resets weekly and monthly automatically.
Nudges
What is a nudge?+
A nudge is a single, gentle notification that lets you know it might be time for a chore — for example, "The bins haven't been taken out in a while". You each get one nudge per chore cycle; we don't spam you.
How does Ottr know when to nudge me?+
We learn from your history. If you typically vacuum every 5 days and it's been 7, that's nudge territory. You don't set frequencies — Ottr figures it out from your actual behaviour over time. The longer you use the app, the smarter the nudges get.
Can I turn nudges off?+
Yes. You can disable notifications entirely in your device settings, or mute nudges for specific chores inside the app.
Treats
How do treats work?+
You and your partner each create treats that the other person can snag by spending ripples. Think of it as a wish list for favours — a lie-in, picking the movie, a back rub. Earn enough ripples doing chores, snag them for something you actually want.
Are there any limits on treats?+
No. You can create as many custom treats as you like on both the free and paid plan.
What is the treat privacy filter?+
Available on Ottr Plus, the privacy filter lets you mark certain treats as private — only you can see them until you're ready to reveal them. Useful if you want to set up a surprise without your partner seeing it in the list.
Ottr Plus
What's the difference between Free and Ottr Plus?+
The free plan gives you everything you need: chore tracking, ripples, The Pond, nudges, and unlimited custom treats.
Ottr Plus ($4.99/month) adds:
- Managed & encrypted cloud storage — your burrow data is backed up and encrypted at rest.
- Integrations support — connect Ottr to other apps and smart home tools.
- Smarter notifications — more context-aware nudges and activity summaries.
- Reward privacy filter — hide rewards until you want them seen.
How do I cancel Ottr Plus?+
You can cancel at any time from the subscription settings inside the app. You'll keep Plus features until the end of your current billing period. No cancellation fees.
Your account & data
How do I delete my account?+
Go to Settings → Account → Delete account. This permanently removes your profile and all associated data. If you're in a Burrow, deleting your account will remove your data but your partner's account will remain. You can also email support@kadima-tech.com and we'll handle it manually.
Is my data secure?+
All data is transmitted over TLS. Ottr Plus subscribers have their burrow data stored in managed encrypted cloud storage. We use Google Cloud infrastructure hosted in the EU.
Can I export my data?+
Yes. You have the right to a copy of your data under GDPR. Email support@kadima-tech.com and we'll send you a machine-readable export within 30 days.