If you’re someone who likes to stay organized, a period tracker app might not be something you’ve considered yet. Keeping track of your cycle not only makes sure you aren’t caught without your favorite feminine hygiene products at the right time, but it can also be a valuable insight into your overall health. Irregular periods, heavy bleeding, or an abnormal amount of pain can sometimes be indicators of underlying health problems, and a period tracker will make it easier to catch and track these signs. The best period tracker apps can be a useful tool to help you stay informed about your cycle and your health.
When it comes to that time of the month, it’s not exactly a walk in the park for a large percentage of women. Most women feel a significant level of discomfort during their period. According to a recent survey of 2,000 women, 61 percent of those who’ve experienced menstruation say the discomfort disrupts their life in more ways than one.
Sixty-two percent have even taken time off of work during their period, averaging about five workdays a year. A period tracker app can help you anticipate and prepare for your cycle according to your needs, whether that’s stocking up on feminine hygiene products or your favorite ice cream.
To help you stay on top of your cycle, StudyFinds found some of the best period tracker apps across the web. On our list you’ll find five of the most recommended apps to monitor your personal health and fertility. If you already use a period tracker and you don’t see it on our list, let us know which one works for you in the comments below!
The List: Best Period Tracker Apps, According to Health Experts
1. Flo
Flo is one of the most popular period tracker apps on the market, available on both the Android and Apple app stores. “If you don’t use the Flo app already, you probably know someone who does—it’s just that popular,” writes Women’s Health. “Literally millions of users log in daily to record ovulation and period symptoms, turning their data into super useful graphs that show exactly what your body is doing and when. (These also come in handy at your doctor appointments, whether you think something’s up with your reproductive cycle or not.)”
Flo also serves as an excellent tool to help women who are trying to conceive or to track the growth of your baby if you’re already pregnant. “Folks who are trying to get pregnant can also utilize the app’s ovulation calculator, which shows you when you’ll be most fertile, and those who are already expecting can use the pregnancy mode to calculate an estimated due date, set a countdown to the big day, and see imagery of the baby’s growth each week,” explains Shape.
Turn your notifications on and use Flo to build healthier habits or ask questions in the anonymous community of other users. “Reminders in Flo keep you alert for menstruation. You can also be alerted about lifestyle activities like drinking water, sleeping, and checking your temperature or weight,” says Android Police. “An anonymous community exists where you can discuss topics ranging from romance, STIs, contraception, and even small talk with millions of other people.”
2. Clue
Clue has a modern, clean interface that’s easy to use and extensive options for tracking. “Clue is basic where it needs to be and pleasantly complex where other apps aren’t—it’s easy to use and allows you to document more period-related occurrences than most with more than 100 experience-tracking options,” explains Prevention. “You can also use it to log your birth control, plan pregnancy, and access articles written by experts in the field. The app is free, but you can also sign up for Clue Plus for bonus premium perks.”
The app teaches you over time to recognize patterns in your body that tell you your menstrual cycle is coming, and how to manage symptoms. “This app is beloved by gynos and users alike because it trains you to identify the signals your body is giving you that your period is on its way,” says Byrdie. “It tracks pretty much anything and everything that happens during your cycle, from breakouts and migraines to the heaviness of your flow.”
“By far one of the most popular period tracking apps, Clue boasts an extensive encyclopedia of health articles and lets you track everything from how your hair is doing to how much sleep you’re getting during your cycle,” writes Good Housekeeping. “Though Clue was one of the apps cited in the Norwegian Consumer Council report, the company currently states on its web site: ‘We will never sell your data or use it to show you personalized ads.'”
3. Cycles
If you’re in long-term relationship, your period can affect your partner as well. Cycles is an app that will allow you to share details of your cycle with your partner. “Cycles’ ultra-customizable app may be just what you’re looking for,” says ONDR. “With Cycles, you can share the details of your cycle, including your ovulation and period days, with your partner. This way, they give you emotional support when you need it most and be more involved in pregnancy planning or prevention.”
Cycles doesn’t allow you to pick what information you provide, but you don’t have to worry about any of your info remaining online once you delete your account. “The main reason Cycle fell short of our top pick was because its privacy policy isn’t as flexible—it doesn’t let you pick and choose the information you provide,” explains Neswell. “But the app does delete your information once you’ve deleted your account. It also allows you to use it without an account, which means your health information gets stored on your phone, rather than on its servers.”
“Cycles is one of the few period and fertility-tracking apps that allows you to get your partner in on the action,” writes Shape. “You can share your account with them so they, too, know what to expect, from mood swings to fertile windows. You can also set customized reminders for birth control and get predictions on when to expect your cycles, symptoms, and potential body changes.”
4. Ovia
Ovia is more of a fertility focused app, geared more toward women hoping to conceive. According to Guiding Tech, “Yes, you can track periods on the app, but the major focus is on pregnancy tracking. On the basis of the details provided, the app shows your fertility score, fertile window, and a detailed fertility chart. Additionally, there’s an option to manage menopause, which is missing among the listed apps.”
Track your cycle and figure out when you are most fertile, then easily switch over to a pregnancy tracker once you know you’re pregnant. “If you’re looking to have a baby or just thinking about it, Ovia is a great (and free) app because it allows you to keep tabs on your period until you’re ready to start trying,” writes Brydie. “Plus, it also lets you seamlessly switch over to fertility tracking by keeping all of your info in one app. And, if you do conceive, Ovia Health also has a pregnancy app to track your baby’s growth.”
“If you’re really hoping to not get your period (a.k.a. you’re looking to get pregnant), the Ovia app might be your best bet,” writes Women’s Health. “It’s technically a fertility tracker, so it really excels in helping you chart your basal body temperature, cervical position, and cervical mucus. It allows you to chart your period too, and gives you predictions about your menstruation or fertility based on the data you input.”
5. Glow
Glow is a period tracker, fertility app, and couple’s app all in one. Track your cycle, share info with your partner, and keep track of your health if you’re looking to start a family. “Glow is brought to you, oddly enough, by the co-founder of PayPal, Max Levchin. The app also engages men to take charge of their fertility, with new support just for them,” writes Parents. “Like the gals, men log data about their health, which is intended to reveal potential stumbling blocks to conceiving. A super cool feature is that a man’s data can be linked to his partner’s, to produce a full picture of your fertility as a couple.”
Glow also has a community function where you can connect with other users to ask questions or compare experiences. “Glow’s powerful algorithms analyze this information to provide personalized insights, tips, and predictions based on individual patterns and trends,” says Airdroid. “The app also includes reminders for birth control pills and menstrual products, a community forum to connect with other users, and access to expert articles on reproductive health and wellness.”
“Glow is more than just a period tracker app as it aims at building a collaborative community of women who are on a similar journey,” Mobile App Daily. “Whether you are trying to conceive, track your cycles, or simply wish to understand your body better, the Glow app can support you in each and every way possible.”
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Sources:
- Women’s Health
- Shape
- Android Police
- Prevention
- Byrdie
- Good Housekeeping
- ONDR
- Neswell
- Guiding Tech
- Parents
- Airdroid
- Mobile App Daily
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.