What's the Best Period Tracker Apps?
You know it's coming every month, yet somehow your period can still surprise you. Whether you're trying to track ovulation for pregnancy (or to avoid it) or simply want to get more in tune with your body, there are plenty of reasons to keep tabs on your monthly cycle. At the very least, it's a good way to make sure you're stocked up on period products—and maybe some snacks because those cravings are real.
And in today's tech-driven world, period tracker apps have become essential tools for many women, providing information on their menstrual cycles, fertility, and overall health. With so many alternatives available, picking the proper app might be difficult. This article will look at some of the best period tracker apps, highlighting their features, pricing, and what differentiates them, to help you choose the best fit for you or your child's needs.
Using one of the best period tracker apps can help you stay on top of things and even catch any potential health issues before they become a problem.
Depending on what features you need or what stage of life you're in, there are plenty of period tracker apps out there just waiting to be downloaded.
What are the benefits of using a period tracker app?
If your periods are pretty regular, period tracker apps can be super handy in predicting when your next cycle is coming. They can also give you a heads-up on ovulation and those fertile windows, which is great if you're trying to conceive—or not!
But what if your periods are all over the place? Tracking your period and any spotting can help you and your healthcare provider spot patterns, if there are any. You might be surprised to find that your cycle has some predictability after all. Or, if it's all over the map, that data from the app can guide your provider on what steps to take next—whether that means tests or treatments.
Another great perk of these apps is that most of them allow you to log your premenstrual symptoms. This info can be a goldmine for your doctor, offering insights that could help with diagnosis or deciding on the best treatment plan.
I was curious which trackers were best myself and wanted to be able to recommend some to all of you! Here are a few of my favorite period trackers so far π. Click the title of the app to watch a screenshot video review of each! This will help you select which app suits you or your newly menstruating child. βΊοΈ
1. Clue Period Tracker & Calendar
Features:
- Tracks period and menstrual cycle
- Fertility and ovulation tracking
- Pregnancy and perimenopause tracking
Recommendation: Clue stands out for its scientific approach and inclusivity. It's suitable for those who need detailed tracking for various stages of reproductive health, from menstruation to pregnancy and perimenopause. While it's packed with features, keep in mind that it includes some more mature topics, such as menopause and fertility tracking. If you're selecting this app for a newly menstruating child, it might have extra features and information that aren’t entirely relevant for them right now. However, it's a great choice for those looking to understand the full scope of menstrual health.
Cost: Free, with a premium option at $39.99 per year
2. My Cycle
Features:
- Text alerts/reminders
- Tracks most likely to conceive days
- Monitors your cycle
- Ability to track other health information
Recommendation: My Cycle is a simple, user-friendly period tracker, making it a great option for a newly menstruating child. Its straightforward interface is easy to navigate and doesn't include a lot of extra features, which can be ideal for someone just starting to track their cycle. However, if you're looking to track more detailed symptoms or share information with a doctor, you might want to consider a more sophisticated app with advanced tracking features.
Cost: Free
3. Period Tracker
Features:
- Forecasting your cycles and menstruation periods
- Tracking your menses dates
- Customizing individual menses duration, the length of cycle for irregular menses
- Including specific moods and symptoms
- Tracking your intimate life
- Notifications for fertility periods and menses
Recommendation: The Period Tracker app offers a variety of features that can be helpful for tracking cycles, but it's important to note that some of the content might not be immediately relevant to a younger person who is just starting out. While it's a solid app overall, there may be a few topics that are more suitable for later stages of life, so keep that in mind when choosing it for a newly menstruating child.
Cost: Period Tracker is a great choice for users seeking a simple and user-friendly app to monitor their menstrual cycle, fertility, and overall reproductive health. Its intuitive design and straightforward features make it accessible for beginners and those who prefer a no-frills approach to period tracking.
4. Flo
Features:
- Period and ovulation predictions
- Pregnancy calculator and reminders
- Graphs and educational information
Recommendation: Flo is a highly popular and feature-rich app, making it a great tool for tracking menstrual cycles, fertility, and overall reproductive health. However, it does include adult elements, such as content related to sexual activity and understanding how cycles affect sex life. Because of this, Flo may be better suited for someone who is sexually active or perhaps in college. If you're considering this app for a younger person, it's worth reviewing the content to ensure it aligns with their current needs.
Cost: Free, with a premium option at $59.99 per year
5. Spot On
Features:
- Period, fertility, and menstrual cycle tracking
- Birth control management
- Support and resources
Recommendation: Spot On is a well-rounded app that covers more than just period tracking, making it a solid choice for someone in college or a young adult. Its detailed features can help users track their menstrual cycle, contraception, and overall reproductive health. While it’s a great option for more mature users, you may want to consider other apps for younger individuals who don’t need the extra features just yet.
Cost: Free
6. Clover Period Tracker
Features:
- Period log and reminders
- Individual monthly calendars
- Menstrual cycle and ovulation calendar
Recommendation: Clover is a highly detailed period tracker that offers a wide range of features, including fertility tracking and options for those trying to get pregnant. Because of its more advanced features and detailed tracking, this app is probably not the best fit for a newly menstruating child. It asks for a lot of information, which can be overwhelming for a younger user. Clover is better suited for adults who want to track more comprehensive aspects of their menstrual and reproductive health.
Cost: Free, with a premium option at $39.99 per year
7. Always You Period Tracker
Features:
- Tracks menstrual cycles and predicts ovulation
- Offers personalized content (articles, videos, tips)
- Includes wellness tips to improve health habits
- Enables tracking of symptoms and bladder events
- Helps end period poverty through donation points
Recommendation: Always You is a great option for a younger girl experiencing her first period. The app provides useful information to help teens understand their menstrual cycle, along with guidance on other important topics like bladder health and conversations about birth control. While there may be some content that is a bit more advanced, it takes a gentle and educational approach to these subjects. Overall, this app seems well-suited for teens who will soon need to learn more about their reproductive health.
Cost: Free
8. Cycles
Features:
- Track your cycle in one glance with Cycle view.
- Easily log observations on your body and mood.
- Take the guesswork out of predicting your most fertile days.
- Irregular or missed period? A single tap and Cycles has got your back.
- With you wherever you go: for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
Recommendation: Cycles is a straightforward app that offers basic features for tracking menstrual cycles and ovulation. It includes useful insights for those interested in fertility or using birth control, and there are additional articles and content available with the paid version. For a younger user, the free version should be simple enough to use without overwhelming them. It’s a solid choice for those just starting out, but also offers advanced features for adults who want more detailed tracking.
Cost: Free
9. 28.co
Features:
- Follow Your Cycle
- Science-based Insights
- Exercise Videos
- Nutrition Profiles
Recommendation: The 28.co app offers some advanced features, making it a better fit for a college student or a young woman who may be dealing with specific health conditions. Its comprehensive tracking options go beyond basic period tracking, so it’s ideal for someone who needs more detailed health insights. For younger users or those new to menstruation, this app might feel too advanced.
Cost: Free
10. Health App iPhone
Features:
- Centralized health data tracking
- Medication scheduling
- Menstrual cycle tracking
- Health data sharing
Recommendation: The Health App is a versatile option for tracking menstrual cycles, with the added benefit of allowing users to export their data as a PDF to share with a doctor. This feature can be particularly helpful for parents seeking a suitable app for their newly menstruating child or for themselves. When selecting an app, keep in mind how well it meets your tracking needs and if it can provide useful insights for healthcare conversations.
Cost: Free
11. Period Tracker - 28
Features:
- easy way to track period, moods, health symptoms, weight, temperature, weather, notes, medications and pregnancy
share tips and talk to other Period Tracker users on the community forums - daily photo taking to remember each day by
- lists of past and predicted period and fertility periods
- beautiful themes and fonts to choose from
- custom symptoms and moods
Recommendation: Period Tracker - 28 is a simple and straightforward app, making it a solid choice for a newly menstruating child or young person. Its basic features are easy to use and provide just enough information without overwhelming the user. If you're looking for a no-frills option for tracking periods, this app could be a great fit for beginners.
Cost: Free
How Do Period Tracking Apps Work?
Ever wondered how those period tracking apps actually work? It’s pretty cool and straightforward! You start by entering some basic details—think about your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical fluid, heart rate, previous period dates, and even your sleep patterns. (Quick tip: Your BBT is your body’s temperature when you’re fully at rest, and a slight increase can indicate ovulation.)
Once the app has this info, it works its magic to predict when your next period will arrive and when you might be ovulating. These predictions get smarter over time as you keep entering data, helping you stay on top of your cycle and better understand your body’s natural rhythms. So, whether you’re tracking for health reasons, planning a pregnancy, or just want to avoid surprises, these apps are like your personal period assistant!
Are Period Tracking Apps Safe? What You Need to Know About Privacy and Security
So, are period tracking apps actually safe to use? The short answer is yes, but with a few important things to keep in mind. First off, most app developers are serious about your privacy—they use encryption to keep your data secure and don’t sell your information to third parties. They know that if users don’t feel safe, they’re not going to stick around, so they’ve got a lot at stake here too.
But here’s the catch: while these apps do their best to protect your data, they can’t control what happens if someone gets a hold of your phone. That’s why it’s super important to use passcodes or other security features—either in-app (like the ones offered by Flo) or on your mobile device itself. It’s an extra layer of protection that’s totally worth it.
So which is your favorite? Was there a good one I missed? Let us know...
