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You know it's coming every month but somehow your period can still catch you off guard. Whether you are trying to figure out when you are ovulating for pregnancy (or to avoid it) or you simply want to get to know your body better, there are a variety of reasons you may want to track your monthly cycle. At the very least, it's helpful for ensuring you have plenty of period products on hand at home and that includes something salty and sweet, because you know, period cravings.
Your period is also one of the most important vital signs for female health, says Apurva Shah, MD, an ob-gyn at Women's Wellness Associates at Saint Vincent Hospital and the medical advisor at Mira. By keeping tabs on it using one of the best period tracker apps, you may be able to flag any potential underlying health problems.
The clue is usually any changes or abnormalities in your cycle—like irregular or heavy bleeding and severe pain, says Rashmi Kudesia, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist and clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Houston Methodist. “If something suddenly changes with your cycle or your period is late, you may not realize it right away if you’re not keeping track,” she says.
And period apps make keeping tabs super easy. Depending on what app features you are looking for, or what stage of life you find yourself in, keep scrolling for some of the best period tracker apps available and ready for you to download.
Meet the experts: Jessica Shepherd, MD, is a gynecologist and the director of minimally invasive gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is the founder of Her Viewpoint, an online women's health platform that addresses sensitive topics. She also serves as the chief medical officer for Verywell Health. Apurva Shah, MD, is an ob-gyn at Women's Wellness Associates at Saint Vincent Hospital and the medical advisor at Mira. Rashmi Kudesia, MD, is a reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM Houston who specializes in infertility care and a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Houston Methodist. She was named a 2019 Best Fertility Specialist in Fort Bend County by Living Magazine, 2019 Top Doctor by Houstonia, and 2021 Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Kelly Culwell, MD, also known as Dr. Lady Doctor, is a board-certified OB-GYN, and nationally renowned women’s health expert. Sheeva Talebian, MD, is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM in New York. Alyssa Dweck, MD, is an ob-gyn in Westchester County, New York.
How To Choose A Period Tracker App
“The three most important things about a period tracker app are accuracy of information, ease of use, and privacy concerns,” says Kelly Culwell, MD, also known as Dr. Lady Doctor, a board-certified ob-gyn, and nationally renowned women’s health expert. Dr. Culwell suggests looking for apps that come from reputable, well-known organizations such as Planned Parenthood (Spot On) or Apple, which has a good reputation for maintaining privacy of user's information.
The Benefits Of Using A Period Tracker App
For people with regular periods, period tracker apps can be used to predict the timing of their next period. They can also help predict ovulation and fertile windows for people who are trying to get pregnant. "Only two period tracker apps have been FDA-cleared as forms of birth control: Natural Cycles and Clue,” says Dr. Cullwell. “Though the birth control feature of Clue is not currently available.”
On the other hand, if you have irregular periods, "keeping track of your bleeding and spotting days can help you and your healthcare provider determine if there is a pattern,” says Dr. Culwell. “You may think your periods are irregular but may find with tracking that they do have a predictable pattern. Or if your bleeding patterns are unpredictable, the data from a tracking app can help your healthcare provider determine what tests or treatments might be needed.”
Dr. Culwell shares that most period tracker apps also let you track premenstrual symptoms, which can provide important data to your doctor to help guide diagnoses or treatment decisions.
11 Best Period Tracker Apps
1
Clue
With tracking options related to literally everything that goes on in your body during your cycle, like your period-induced breakouts or PMS headaches, this one is pretty legit. It's also Dr. Kudesia’s favorite app, and the one she actually uses herself.
“I like its clean, modern interface, the impeccable science behind it, their transparent citation of supporting data, and the multitude of options you have for what you can track,” she explains.
The Clue app is free, but if you are interested in getting even more features, you can sign up for Clue Plus. It offers enhanced period predictions and more detailed analysis about your cycle.
Pros:
- Tracks your cycle along with acne breakouts, cravings, energy, exercise levels, mood, and weight.
- Offers resources for information about contraception, fertility, love and sexuality, and more.
Cons:
- Users report too many notifications for paid features, which takes away from the overall app experience.
- Some educational information is behind the paywall.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $9.99.
2
Flo
If you don’t use the Flo app already, you probably know someone who does—it's just that popular.
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.)
Bonus: Flo also turns into a pregnancy tracker if and when you ever need it to, so it’s pretty all-in-one.
Flo has both free and paid versions. The basic features are available for free, while Flo Premium is optional. With a monthly fee, you will also receive a daily well-being plan, content, premium customer support, unlimited access to Flo Health Assistant, and video courses.
Pros:
- Turns into a pregnancy tracker app.
- Tracks ovulation and menstruation.
Cons:
- Users note the app directs you too often to purchase the premium level.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $11.49.
3
Ovia Fertility
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. 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.
Covered by some health plans and employers, the premium Ovia app provides personalized health support. Not eligible? Don’t worry, you can still access the free version, with the same trackers and content.
Pros:
- Especially useful for those trying to conceive.
- Covered by some health plans and employers.
Cons:
- Users note this app isn't ideal for those dealing with infertility or with irregular cycles.
Cost: Free to download.
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4
Spot On
As mentioned, this app is powered by Planned Parenthood. In addition to tracking your period and fertility, it can track methods that effect your cycle such as the pill or an IUD.
Pros:
- Backed by Planned Parenthood.
Cons:
2. Users note the app could benefit from additional features.
Cost: Free to download.
5
MagicGirl
If you’re new to getting your monthly flow (or know someone who is), the thought of tracking your period in an app might be kinda intimidating.
Luckily, the MagicGirl Period Tracker was designed with teens in mind, so it makes learning the digital ins and outs of your cycle pretty easy. The app also helps you learn about hygiene product options, chat with other girls and get period advice, and remember to take your birth control pill (something we could all use some help with).
The bright interface will be instantly attractive to most teens, but it’s a fully functioning period tracker, so there’s no minimum or maximum age required for use. Another perk? It's free.
Pros:
- Great for teenagers.
- Provides birth control reminders.
Cons:
- May not be suited for adult women.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $0.99
6
Cycles
Cycles is ultra-customizable but also just looks good. With simple graphics and soothing colors, this is the period-tracking app you want to download if you don’t want anyone to know you’ve downloaded a period-tracking app (so you can semi-discreetly update it in public when you need to).
It also stands out from the crowd for the fact that it gets your partner in on the tracking action: You can invite him to sync up with the app on his device.
Cycles is free for download, with multiple levels of premium access. The extra functions will allow you to connect with your partners through partner connect, get tailored predictions on upcoming changes to your body, and set up customized reminders for birth control, fertile days, or periods.
Pros:
- Super customizable.
- Option to share with your partner.
Cons:
- Not available for Android.
- Users note they wish there was an option to write in additional symptoms unique to them.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $2.99.
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7
28.co
In addition to tracking your period, 28.co also provides recommendations for working out around your period to optimize your hormones and energy.
The app also provides nutriton info and emotional insights for each of four phases of your cycle.
Pros:
- Provides fitness insight.
- Takes a holistic approach.
Cons:
- Some users wish there were more "symptoms" options to track.
- Users note recipe content is behind the paywall.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $37.99.
8
Glow
Before the aforementioned Eve, there was Glow—a tried-and-true period app backed by experts like Sheeva Talebian, MD, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at CCRM in New York and a Women’s Health advisory board member, who considers it to be one of the most useful period apps on the market because of all of the data points it collects. Glow allows you to track 40 different health signals including but not limited to sexual activity and body basal temperature, all through its easy daily log.
Not only can it help you avoid or attempt pregnancy, but it can also help those who are undergoing fertility treatments through their online communities and accessible resources, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, an ob-gyn in Westchester County, New York.
This app is free, but you will need to upgrade to unlock access to premium content, comparative insights, a custom profile, premium support, and private messaging options.
Pros:
- Allows users to track 40 different health signals.
- Offers access to online communities and resources, especially for those undergoing fertility treatments.
Cons:
- Need to upgrade to a paid premium level to access more app features.
- Ratings on App Store aren't as high as those on Google Play.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $1.99.
9
Apple Cycle Tracking
These days it seems like you can do just about anything and everything from your wrist. That includes tracking your menstruation, thanks to the Cycle Tracking app for the Apple Watch.
Available through the iPhone Health app that's already built into your iPhone, Cycle Tracking gives you the ability to log info related to your cycle, including flow level, symptoms like cramps and mood changes, and basal body temp.
“Its unique ability [is] to log data through the Apple Watch, which improves the accuracy of data input,” notes Dr. Shah. Plus, you can opt in for notifications on your watch screen that alert you to when your next predicated period is on its way and when you're in your fertile window (a big win for those trying to conceive).
Pros:
- Can access it through the iPhone Health app that is already built into your iPhone.
- Users can opt in to notifications to get reminders when their cycle is about to begin.
Cons:
- Need an Apple Watch.
- Users say not the most accurate birth control option.
Cost: Free for Apple Watch users.
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10
Natural Cycles
While not exactly a period-tracking app, Jessica Shepherd, MD, a gynecologist and the director of minimally invasive gynecology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, recommends Natural Cycles for the positive reviews she's heard from her patients. It's actually a fertility app that doubles as a period tracker. You can also log your PMS symptoms and it sends you notification to tell you your period is coming soon.
The app was created to determine the most fertile point in a woman's cycle, which obviously relates to the ovulation period as well.
Pros:
- FDA-cleared as a birth control app.
Cons:
- Need to invest in a Natural Cycles thermometer to use app.
- Must take temperature every morning.
Cost: Free to download. In-app purchases from $14.99.
11
Ōura Period Prediction
If you're a fan of the Ōura ring, you may be pleased to hear that along with its many other monitoring functions, the ring can also predict your cycles. Because the monitor is worn around your finger, it tracks the ups and downs in your body temperature over the course of your cycle. The only downside: The app requires at least two months' worth of consistent data recorded to make an accurate prediction.
Ōura does not sell your data and only shares it with trusted service providers when they have your permission to do so: "Whenever we share data with third-party service providers, such as with a research partner, we require that they use your information only for purposes you’ve authorized. We also require these service providers to protect your personal information to at least the same standards that we do."
Pros:
- Comes with your Ōura ring.
- Leverages hardware to keep tabs on body temp.
Cons:
- The app requires at least two months' worth of consistent data recorded to make an accurate prediction of upcoming cycles.
- Must purchase the ring.
Cost: Free for Ōura ring users.
How do period-tracking apps work?
So, how do period-tracker apps work? You just have to plug in some basic info like your basal body temperature (BBT), cervical fluid, heart rate, past periods, and sleep patterns, to name a few. (Your basal body temperature is the temperature of your body when it’s fully at rest. Ovulation can raise your body temperature ever so slightly.) The app then makes predictions about your next period and ovulation.
“In an ideal situation, menstrual cycles function like clockwork and this helps guide the user on their understanding of their fertile period,” Dr. Shah says. “This can then be used to either avoid or try to conceive. However, several apps go beyond this to predict various medical problems like PCOS and abnormal uterine bleeding.”
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How accurate are period-tracking apps?
It really depends on three factors—the accuracy of the data you enter, the relevance of the info you’re tracking, and the technology itself. “The more compliant the user is with input, the more accurate the predictions. The more objective the variable, the better the results,” Dr. Shah explains. For example, numerical values for hormones or BBT can contribute to a more exact read than a subjective assessment of cervical mucus. Also, a more up-to-date and robust algorithm is more reliable.
How long you’ve been tracking your cycle matters too. If you’ve been doing it for a long time, you’re giving the app more to work with, and it is more likely to be correct with its predictions.
Yes, period-tracker apps can sometimes be wrong, especially if you have an irregular cycle, Dr. Kudesia says. "For example, if your cycle ranges from 28 to 32 days in length, the ovulatory window shifts three to four days each month. Though the app should not miss the entire fertile window, it may be unable to pinpoint the exact day of ovulation," she explains.
Similarly, if you have a cycle that's longer than 35 days, there is a strong likelihood that you're not regularly ovulating, which the app may not flag as a possibility.
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Is it safe to use period-tracking apps?
In terms of data privacy and safety, it’s too early to tell how the political climate on abortion may affect these apps, says Dr. Shepherd. But she makes clear that this discussion revolves around what type of information a company sells and what type of information the government has access to.
Various social media users have advised people to delete these apps because they’re concerned that the information within the apps could support a case that a woman had an illegal abortion, given missing period data and location settings, MIT Technology Review reported.
A tracking app should not ask much about demographics, Dr. Shepherd says. “Do they collect information like have you had kids before? Have you had an abortion before? Those are factors of information that if it were leaked, then that’s very private."
However, requests for an email or a name are pretty safe, and if you're skeptical, you may want to use a fake name. The general consensus on period-tracking apps is, as long as your information is not being sold to a third-party source, you should be safe.
It is the company’s responsibility “to be very open with what they do with their information,” but, “it’s also the responsibility of the consumer now to ask those questions or look for those types of answers when they sign up for an app,” says Dr. Shepherd.
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How Our Team Chose The Best Period Tracker Apps
Women’s Health editors and writers, including writer Ashley Martens, vetted the most popular and top-rated period tracker apps. Our team consulted four doctors, and then evaluated user reviews and ratings to narrow down the best period tracker apps for a wide range of preferences and needs.
Sarah Bradley
Sarah Bradley is a freelancer writer from Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and three sons. Her reported features and personal essays on parenting and women's health have appeared at On Parenting from The Washington Post, Real Simple, Women's Health, The Writer, Today's Parent, and Romper, among others. In her so-called "free time," Sarah is an amateur baker, homeschooler, and aspiring novelist.
Elizabeth Bacharach
Elizabeth Bacharach is the Assistant Editor at Women’s Health where she writes and edits content about mental and physical health, food and nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle trends across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, lives in New York City, and dreams of becoming best friends with Ina Garten, who is, undeniably, an absolute queen.
Ashley Martens
Journalist
Ashley Martens is a wellness writer based in Chicago. With a lifelong passion for all things health and wellness, Ashley enjoys writing about topics to help people live happier and healthier lives. With a foundation in fitness, food, and nutrition, Ashley covers it all including sexual health and travel topics. Ashley is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor.
