The Carrot app, once a beloved tool for promoting healthy lifestyles, has left many users wondering about its fate. If you’ve asked, “Did the Carrot app go out of business?”—the answer is yes. This blog unpacks how the app gained popularity, what it offered, and why it ultimately shut down.
History of Carrot Rewards
Carrot Rewards was launched in Canada in 2015 as a government-supported initiative. Its mission was simple yet innovative: to encourage people to make healthier choices through rewards. The app partnered with loyalty programs such as Aeroplan, Scene, and Petro-Points to give users points for completing health-related tasks.
The app promoted walking, learning about wellness topics, and prioritizing health. It gamified lifestyle improvements in a fun and motivating way. At its peak, Carrot Rewards had more than 1 million active users across Canada.
Did the Carrot App Go Out of Business?
The Carrot app, officially known as Carrot Rewards, did go out of business in 2019 after struggling with financial challenges. Launched in 2015 as a government-supported wellness app in Canada, it rewarded users with loyalty points for making healthier lifestyle choices, such as walking more or completing health quizzes. Despite its popularity and over a million active users, the app relied heavily on government funding and private partnerships, which eventually dried up. Without the necessary financial support, Carrot Rewards shut down, leaving users without access to their accumulated points.
What Was Carrot Rewards?
Carrot Rewards was more than just a fitness app—it combined step tracking, health education, and loyalty rewards into one engaging platform. Its appeal came from turning everyday activities into opportunities for real rewards.
For example, walking 10,000 steps in a day could earn Scene points redeemable at the movies. Users also earned rewards for completing quizzes or reading articles on health topics. This simple, practical approach made wellness feel achievable.
Why Did the Carrot App Shut Down?
The key reason behind Carrot Rewards’ closure was financial difficulty. Running a rewards-based system required heavy funding, and the app relied on government grants and private partnerships to survive.
In 2019, the Canadian government shifted its priorities, withdrawing crucial support. Without funding, Carrot Rewards could not continue operations.
Competition also made things harder. Many free fitness apps offered step tracking without needing expensive reward systems, making it difficult for Carrot Rewards to keep users engaged.
Why Did Carrot Rewards Fail?
Despite its clever concept, Carrot Rewards struggled with sustainability. Real-world rewards like gift cards and airline miles are expensive to fund, and sponsorships dwindled over time. Without steady revenue, the business model became unsustainable, leading to its shutdown.
What Happened After the Shutdown?
When the app closed, users lost access to their accumulated points, raising questions about the security of digital assets on platforms that shut down. The closure also disrupted Canadian public health programs that had partnered with Carrot Rewards to promote wellness.
Although it ended abruptly, the app proved that technology can successfully nudge people toward healthier choices, inspiring similar initiatives in the future.
Is Carrot Weather the Same as Carrot Rewards?
No. While both share the name “Carrot,” they are completely different apps.
- Carrot Weather: It is an AI-driven weather app known for its witty personality and humorous forecasts.
- Carrot Rewards: A health and wellness rewards platform, now defunct.
The two apps are unrelated, though the shared name has caused confusion.
Conclusion
To answer the question, “Did the Carrot app go out of business?”—Yes, Carrot Rewards shut down in 2019 after facing financial difficulties and losing key funding support. Despite its popularity, the app could not sustain its rewards-based model. Its closure left a gap in health-focused tech solutions, though its legacy inspired new approaches to wellness apps.
Meanwhile, Carrot Weather remains active and popular, continuing to entertain users with its quirky forecasts.
Carrot Rewards may be gone, but it remains a reminder of how innovation must be matched with sustainability in order to last.
