The best Period Tracking apps

This week on socials I posed this question, How many of you track your periods? The answer was an overwhelming yes, and most voted for the purpose of general knowledge, some for fertility.

I asked whether you preferred to track your cycles on paper, or in an app. The consensus was an app. Potential concerns with cycle tracking apps (related to ALL apps mind you) is privacy, and data safety.

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So as promised, I am reviewing the most popular cycle tracking apps.

(*please note this is not sponsored and I have no association with any of the following apps.)

1. Flo Period Tracker & Calendar

   https://flo.health/

   PROS-

   • Both a free and paid version

   • Different modes available - Pregnancy mode for baby development

   • Handy calculator features

   • Can graph your data and export

   CONS-

   • Privacy is questionable see here. My privacy rating - One star

   • Paid version has more features

   • I have personally used this one, and found it a bit ‘clunky’

   2. Euki

   1. https://eukiapp.com/

      PROS-

      • 100% secure - designed with privacy in mind, and requires a pin to open app. My privacy rating - 5 stars. See here for more info.

      • Free - ALL features

      • Available on IOS and Android

      • Easy to log symptoms

      • Gender inclusive ++

      • Available in English and Spanish

      CONS-

      • US based, hence some information may be irrelevant to AU users

      • At this point in time, data is not able to be exported or graphed

      • Not purely a cycle tracker, more of a sexual health education app

      • Links inside the app to external resources and services are NOT subject to Euki’s privacy

      3. Fertility friend -

      https://www.fertilityfriend.com/

      PROS-

      • Temperature tracking graph feature

      • Able to note cervical mucus changes (for fertility and/or contraception)

      • Most detailed and individualised symptom changes

      • Privacy aware - website states no data is sold - see privacy policy here. My privacy rating - 3 stars

      • Free on web, IOS and Android. Paid premium features available.

      CONS-

      • US based - some information may be irrelevant to AU users

      4. Bellabeat Period Diary

      https://apps.apple.com/us/app/period-diary-ovulation-tracker/id436762566

      PROS-

      • Data can be easily exported and shared with your health professional (Big thumbs up from me!)

      • Pairs with Ivy Health Tracker - tracks menstrual cycle data, lifestyle habits, and biometric readings.

      • Data allegedly has a private encryption, see article by Femtech here

      CONS-

      • Links inside the app are not subject to their privacy policy. Read their privacy policy here.

      • Cannot source a privacy review from an independant source, hence my privacy rating - 3 stars

      5. Eve by Glow

      https://glowing.com/apps#eve

      PROS-

      • Period tracking AND sexual health app

      CONS-

      • Privacy is questionable. My privacy rating - One star.

      6. Ovia

      https://www.oviahealth.com/apps/

      PROS -

      • Free and paid version

      • Most extensive symptom list

      CONS-

      • More specifIcally a fertility tracker (may be a ‘pro’ depending on your goals!)

      • Tracking is complex - not user friendly

   2. See privacy policy here . My privacy rating - one star.

      7. Clue Period & Cycle Tracker

https://helloclue.com/

PROS -

• Voted best fertility app by Healthline 2022

• It’s free - but can upgrade to Clue Plus (different modes to suit where you’re at)

• EU based - CEOs state your data will NOT be sold* See below for more

• Bonus sexual health information

CONS -

- Requires latest version of IOS to download (version 15+)

- Privacy is questionable, though rated better than Flo and other popular apps. See here for more.

My privacy rating - 2 stars.

8. Period Diary Pro - also by Bellabeat

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/period-diary-pro/id432285067

PROS-

• Free version

• User friendly - no frills

• Has been around a long time (I used this 10 yrs ago)

• App is called “P.D.” on home screen for anyone wanting to be discreet

• Password protection available

• Option of international forum

• Data can be exported (emailed)

CONS-

• Very basic features

• Data may be shared with third parties, see here CHECK

• Company privacy policy here

9. Glow (see also Eve)

PROS-

• Original option before Eve by Glow, Glow is a period tracker.

• Can track 40 different symptoms

• Feature to summarize and export data and share with you healthcare provider.

CONS-

• Privacy is questionable - My privacy rating - 1 star

My picks overall, taking both functionality, features and privacy into consideration-

1. Fertility friend

2. Euki

3. Clue

4. Period Diary Pro / Bellabeat

Did you find this useful, or have your own review to share? I would love to hear from you!

References

1. https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/privacynotincluded/

2. https://www.femtechworld.co.uk/news/bellabeat-becomes-first-womens-health-tracking-app-to-implement-private-key-encryption/