Best Period Tracker App 2026: Clue vs Flo vs Ovia — Honest Comparison

There's no single "best" period tracker—only the best one for YOUR specific needs. Are you trying to conceive? Planning to get pregnant someday? Need hormone-free birth control? Want to understand PMS patterns? Each answer points to different app features.

This guide will help you identify your priorities and match them to the right period tracking app—whether that's Go Go Gaia, Clue, Flo, or another option. Let's find your perfect fit.

Step 1: Identify What Matters Most to You

Before diving into specific apps, ask yourself these questions to clarify your priorities:

Your Current Health Goals

• Are you trying to conceive? → You'll need fertility tracking features (BBT, cervical mucus, OPK logging)
• Are you pregnant or planning pregnancy soon? → Pregnancy mode is essential
• Are you using fertility awareness for birth control? → You need highly accurate algorithms and rigorous tracking
• Do you just want to predict your period? → Basic tracking may be enough
• Are you tracking symptoms to discuss with a doctor? → Look for export features and comprehensive symptom logging

Your Privacy Priorities

• How important is data privacy to you? (1-10 scale)
• Are you comfortable with targeted ads based on your cycle data?
• Do you want data stored locally on your device vs. cloud?
• Do you need to use the app anonymously without an account?

Your Budget

• Do you want an app that's completely free?
• Are you willing to pay for premium features? (Most apps: $50-100/year)
• Do you want a generous free tier with option to upgrade later?

Your Usage Style

• Do you want quick 1-click logging or detailed daily journaling?
• Do you want to learn about women's health through articles?
• Do you prefer science-focused or lifestyle-focused approaches?
• Do you want habit tracking integrated with cycle tracking?

Step 2: Understanding Your Options

Now that you know your priorities, let's explore the main period tracker apps available in 2026 and who they're best for. We're comparing these apps across the board—not just cycle tracking, but also mood, sleep, fitness, nutrition, wearable integration, AI features, and privacy. We've organized them by use case rather than ranking, because the "best" app depends on YOUR specific needs.

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For All-in-One Tracking: Go Go Gaia

Best if you want: Period, fertility, pregnancy, PCOS, and perimenopause tracking + habit tracking + health correlations in one app

Key Features

• Automatic cycle phase detection (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal)
• Fertility tracking with ovulation predictions and fertile window
• Seamless pregnancy mode with trimester-specific tracking
• PCOS and IVF tracking support
• Perimenopause symptom tracking
• Habit tracking that adjusts to your cycle phase (cycle syncing)
• Mood, sleep, fitness, and nutrition tracking — all in one app
• Ask Gaia AI health assistant for personalized insights (premium)
• Syncs with Apple Watch, Oura Ring, and Garmin (learn more about using wearables for cycle tracking)
• Correlation insights (see how sleep, exercise, mood affect your cycle)
• 1-click logging for quick symptom entry
• Web app available in 16 languages
• Generous free tier with most features available
• Privacy-focused (data stays on device with optional cloud backup)
• No ads

Strengths

• Most comprehensive free feature set — mood, sleep, fitness, nutrition, habits, and cycle tracking without paying
• Unique habit tracking integration tied to your cycle phase
• Great for women planning pregnancy or already pregnant
• Powerful data correlations without premium subscription
• One app for everything — no switching between separate apps for different life stages
• Clean interface with no ads or upsell prompts

Limitations

• Currently iOS only — Android users will need to use the web app or wait for the Android release
• Newer app, so you'll find fewer online reviews and a smaller community compared to Flo or Clue
• Full AI features (Ask Gaia) require premium ($9.99/month)
• Smaller team means support response times may be longer than larger competitors

Who Should Choose This

Go Go Gaia is ideal if you:

• Want period, fertility, pregnancy, PCOS, IVF, or perimenopause tracking in one seamless app
• Are interested in cycle syncing (adjusting habits by cycle phase)
• Value comprehensive features on a free tier
• Want to see patterns and correlations in your health data
• Prefer ad-free experience
• Have an iPhone (iOS requirement)

Pricing: Free with most features; Premium ($9.99/month or $49.99/year) unlocks full AI insights and advanced analytics

Download: Available on iOS App Store

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For Science-Focused Tracking: Clue

Best if you want: Evidence-based, no-nonsense tracking without stereotypical feminine branding

Key Features

• Developed with input from research scientists
• Gender-neutral, clinical interface design
• Transparent algorithms (explains how predictions work)
• Comprehensive symptom and mood tracking with customization
• Birth control tracking and reminders
• Wearable sync with Oura, Fitbit, WHOOP, and others (Clue Plus only)
• Strong GDPR privacy protections (European-based)
• Available in 23 languages

Strengths

• Highly accurate predictions backed by science
• Excellent privacy practices and GDPR compliance
• Clean, non-gendered design
• Transparent about data usage and algorithms
• Well-established with large user base
• Broadest wearable support (premium) — Oura, Fitbit, WHOOP, Polar, Withings, and more

Limitations

• Free users now see frequent full-screen upsell prompts after nearly every action — the earlier "no ads" reputation no longer applies
• You'll need Clue Plus (~$40/year) to unlock full pregnancy tracking, wearable sync, and deeper cycle insights
• No habit tracking, nutrition logging, or AI assistant — it's focused on cycle tracking only
• No Apple Watch or Garmin integration, even on premium
• Interface is intentionally clinical, which some users find less engaging for daily use

Who Should Choose This

Clue is ideal if you:

• Appreciate science-backed, evidence-based approaches
• Prefer gender-neutral design without flowers/pink themes
• Prioritize data privacy and GDPR compliance
• Want straightforward cycle tracking without lifestyle extras
• Own an Oura Ring, Fitbit, or WHOOP and want to sync data (with Clue Plus)

Pricing: Free with basic tracking; Clue Plus (~$39.99/year) for pregnancy mode, wearable sync, and advanced features

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For Health Education: Flo

Best if you want: Extensive health articles and educational content alongside period tracking

Key Features

• Thousands of articles on women's health topics
• AI-powered health assistant for personalized insights
• Secret chats for anonymous community discussions
• Detailed symptom tracking options
• Pregnancy and postpartum modes
• Apple Health integration

Strengths

• Best-in-class health education library
• Active user community
• Comprehensive symptom tracking
• Well-established app with millions of users
• Good for learning about reproductive health

Limitations

• On the free tier, you'll see ads between screens and many features are locked — personalized insights, symptom checker, and the AI Health Assistant all require Flo Premium ($50/year)
• Flo settled with the FTC in 2021 for sharing period and pregnancy data with Facebook and Google without user consent. In 2025, a $56 million class action settlement followed over the same data-sharing practices
• No habit tracking or nutrition logging — if you want to track fitness routines, water intake, or eating patterns alongside your cycle, you'll need a separate app
• Limited wearable support — Apple Watch companion app exists, but no direct Oura Ring, Garmin, or WHOOP integration
• The volume of articles, notifications, and prompts can feel overwhelming when you just want to log quickly and move on

Who Should Choose This

Flo is ideal if you:

• Love reading health articles and learning about reproductive health
• Want AI-powered recommendations and are willing to pay for premium
• Enjoy community features and discussions
• Don't mind ads on the free tier
• Value extensive educational content over all-in-one tracking

Pricing: Free with basic tracking and ads; Flo Premium (~$49.99/year) for full features, AI assistant, and ad-free experience. FSA/HSA eligible.

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For Simple, Free Tracking: Period Tracker by Simple Design

Best if you want: Basic period tracking without bells and whistles—completely free

Key Features

• Extremely simple interface
• Calendar view of your cycle
• Ovulation and fertility tracking
• Basic symptoms and mood logging
• Password protection
• Backup and restore data
• 100% free (with ads)

Strengths

• Very easy to use for beginners
• No premium subscription required
• Straightforward calendar visualization
• Quick to learn

Limitations

• You'll see ads throughout the free experience — and Privacy International has published research raising concerns about this app's data practices
• You get data in but limited insights out — no health correlations, no AI assistant, and no way to see how sleep, mood, or fitness relate to your cycle
• No Oura Ring, Garmin, or Fitbit integration — wearable sync is limited to Apple Health
• No nutrition tracking or habit tracking — you'll need separate apps for those
• Premium pricing has increased to $40-50/year for features like cycle trends and fertility insights that other apps offer free

Who Should Choose This

Period Tracker is ideal if you:

• Want the simplest possible tracker for basic logging
• Don't want to pay for an app and don't mind ads
• Are just starting to track your cycle
• Don't need cross-metric insights or wearable integration

Pricing: Free (with ads); Premium plans range from $2.99 one-time (ad removal) to ~$40-50/year for full features

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For Trying to Conceive: Ovia Fertility

Best if you're: Actively trying to get pregnant

Key Features

• Advanced fertility tracking (BBT, cervical mucus, LH tests)
• Daily fertility score showing conception chances
• Separate apps for fertility, pregnancy, and parenting stages
• Health assessments with personalized recommendations
• Often free through employer partnerships

Strengths

• Purpose-built for conception
• Detailed fertility tracking features
• Free through many employer health programs
• Good educational content for TTC

Limitations

• You still need two separate apps — Ovia for tracking and Ovia Parenting for after birth — to cover your full journey from TTC through parenting
• Only available in English and Spanish — if you speak another language, this isn't an option
• Owned by Labcorp since 2021. Employer-sponsored versions can access de-identified employee health data, and the app acknowledges it may comply with government data requests for user information
• No AI assistant, no habit tracking, and no direct Oura, Garmin, or WHOOP integration
• Narrowly focused on fertility and pregnancy — if you want holistic health tracking (mood, sleep, fitness, nutrition), you'll need additional apps

Who Should Choose This

Ovia is ideal if you:

• Are actively trying to get pregnant now
• Want a daily fertility score and detailed charting
• Have employer-sponsored access (many do!)
• Don't need lifestyle tracking beyond fertility and pregnancy

Pricing: Free with ads; Often free premium through employer partnerships

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For Birth Control: Natural Cycles

Best if you're: Using fertility awareness methods for hormone-free birth control

Key Features

• FDA-cleared as a contraceptive method
• Temperature-based algorithm for fertility detection
• Daily status: green (safe) or red (use protection) days
• Basal thermometer included with subscription
• 93% typical use effectiveness

Strengths

• Only FDA-cleared birth control app
• Hormone-free contraception method
• Clear daily guidance
• Good for regular cycles

Limitations

• No free tier at all — pricing has increased to approximately $150/year (or $22/month), making it the most expensive option on this list
• You must take your temperature every morning before getting out of bed, or wear a compatible device overnight — missing days reduces accuracy
• If you have PCOS or irregular cycles, the algorithm may mark most days as "red" (use protection), making it impractical for everyday use
• No habit tracking, nutrition logging, or health correlation features — it's purely a contraception tool, not a holistic health app
• Only available in 4 languages (English, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish)

Who Should Choose This

Natural Cycles is ideal if you:

• Want hormone-free birth control and are willing to invest in it
• Are committed to daily temperature tracking or own an Oura Ring / Apple Watch Series 8+
• Have regular cycles (21-35 days)
• Are okay with 93% typical-use effectiveness (vs. 99%+ for IUDs)

Pricing: ~$149.99/year (includes basal thermometer) or ~$21.99/month; No free version. 28-day free trial available. FSA/HSA eligible.

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Feature Comparison Table

Here's a quick side-by-side comparison to help you decide:

Step 3: Making Your Decision

Now that you understand your options, here's how to choose based on your situation:

Privacy Considerations

Given the sensitive nature of period tracking data, privacy should be a major factor in your decision:

What to Look For

• Data encryption - End-to-end encryption protects your data
• Local storage - Data stored on your device vs. cloud servers
• No third-party sales - Your data shouldn't be sold to advertisers
• Anonymous use option - Ability to use without creating account
• Clear privacy policy - Transparent about data usage
• GDPR compliance - Even if you're not in Europe, this indicates strong privacy practices

Privacy Leaders

Go Go Gaia and Clue have the strongest privacy commitments, with data staying on your device and no third-party data sales. If privacy is your #1 priority, start with these two.

Privacy Concerns

Flo settled with the FTC in 2021 for sharing period and pregnancy data with Facebook and Google, and faced a $56M class action settlement in 2025. Ovia (owned by Labcorp) has faced scrutiny over employer-sponsored versions that can access de-identified employee health data. Period Tracker by Simple Design was flagged by Privacy International for its data practices. Always read the privacy policy before entering sensitive health data.

Tips for Getting Started

Once you've chosen an app:

1. Track consistently for 3 cycles - Patterns emerge over time
2. Log more than just your period - Symptoms provide valuable context
3. Set daily reminders - Consistency improves accuracy
4. Start with basics, add details later - Don't get overwhelmed
5. Review your data monthly - Look for patterns
6. Be patient - Predictions improve as the app learns your patterns
7. You can always switch - Try an app for 2-3 months and switch if it's not working

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a paid period tracker?

Not necessarily! Many apps offer robust free versions. Go Go Gaia, Clue, and Period Tracker all provide strong free tiers. Whether you need premium depends on which specific features matter to you—pregnancy mode, advanced analytics, ad removal, etc.

Can I switch apps without losing data?

Yes! Most apps allow you to manually enter past cycle data. Some also offer export features. You won't lose your history when switching.

How accurate are period predictions?

After 3-6 cycles of consistent tracking, most apps can predict periods within 1-2 days for regular cycles. Irregular cycles are harder to predict regardless of app.

What if I have irregular cycles?

Apps can still help you track patterns, but predictions will be less accurate. Focus on symptom tracking and identifying triggers. Consult your doctor if cycles are consistently irregular.

Should I track every day?

For basic period predictions, tracking period start/end dates is enough. For fertility awareness and detailed insights, daily logging provides more accurate results.

Final Thoughts

The "best" period tracker is the one that fits YOUR needs, priorities, and lifestyle. Consider:

• Your health goals - Trying to conceive? Pregnant? Just tracking?
• Your privacy comfort level - How important is data security?
• Your budget - Free vs. paid features
• Your usage style - Simple or comprehensive tracking?

You can't make a wrong choice—try an app for 2-3 months and see if it works for you. If not, switch! The important thing is to start tracking and understand your body better.

Related Articles

• Complete Guide to Period Tracking: What to Track and Why
• What is the Luteal Phase? Symptoms, Length, and Can You Get Pregnant?
• How to Tell If You're Ovulating: Signs and Tracking Methods
• Cycle Syncing Made Easy: Why Apps Beat Spreadsheets
• Complete Guide to Cycle Syncing