10 Best Period Tracker Apps for 2018

Periods usually come every month (about every 28 days), but the exact date and intensity are tough to time. Sometimes, symptoms like sore breasts, cramps, back pains, bloating, mood swings and more may start to occur weeks before your period even starts. And, for some women, the menstrual cycle may last longer or shorter than the average of five days, according to Healthline.

That's why period tracking can be helpful for a lot of women to better gauge what to expect — and when to expect it. Using period tracker apps can help you to identify any changes in your menstrual cycle that may indicate potential causes for concern, as well. And, likewise, many of them can help you predict when you're most fertile, so you can become better aware of your risks and chances of pregnancy.

Ultimately, a menstruation tracker will help you anticipate your period, better understand your ovulation cycle and become more aware of your own body. There are tons of options for a period app out there. But here are 10 of the most resourceful ones.

Features: Ovulation calendar, cycle and symptoms tracker, sex/flow/product log

Why We Like It: Clue was named the top free period tracker app by the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal, a publication of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which certainly holds merit. The app uses a unique algorithm to help women identify patterns in their menstrual cycles via data it pulls from its period log, mood log, health log, exercise log and more. 

Of course, you'll also find an ovulation calendar, get upcoming period alerts and receive other health alerts related to your sexual and reproductive health. The app has a 4.8-star rating in the App Store, and users seem to find it resourceful.

"I got my period almost a month ago, and so far Clue has been soooo helpful estimating just about anything that I would need to know," one reviewer wrote. "When my next period is going to start which is coming up, according to Clue and I think that is pretty accurate because I have been having cramps. This app is pretty accurate and so far it has not been wrong and has helped me learn about my period which was needed and hopefully will assist me in the future."

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Features:  Cycle and symptoms tracker, trends and patterns identifier, sex log, sex quizzes, articles

Why We Like It: Eve is a period tracker that predicts both your upcoming periods and your risks or chances of pregnancy. it also discovers trends in your cycle by logging all of your moods and symptoms and charting them to be easily digested. The app can be synced with the Health App, as well, for tracking sleep, steps, weight, exercise, etc. And there's a supportive, shame-free community of users with whom you can engage.

Eve earned a 4.7-star rating in the App Store, and users seem to be having pleasant experiences with the app, calling it reliable and informative. In fact, many tend to upgrade to the premium version of the app, which includes added perks like comparative insights, private messaging, a custom profile and premium content and support.

As the app's own description puts it: "Own your cycle and feel good in bed. Get it, girl."

Price: Free (With Upgrade: $7.99 per month, $47.99 per year, $59.99 for a lifetime)

Features: Ovulation calculator and calendar, customizable period and health tracker, 2,000+ articles and tips on fertility and sexual health, health assessments

Why We Like It:  Ovia is one of the most reliable apps for those trying to get pregnant, as it uses your cycle information to give you a daily "fertility score." You can also track your nutrition information on top of tracking your ovulation window information, all of which can be exported into Excel for easy viewing. But even if you're not trying to conceive, the app is still an informative period tracker.

The tools and features span beyond data-driven prediction of ovulation and fertility. You can just use the customizable period and health tracker if that's all you're interested in using. And you can personalize your app with colorful theme options to make it even more aesthetically appealing. 

It scored a 4.8-star rating in the App Store, with users calling it "the best out there." 

"I switched to Ovia after my previous phone had to be restored, and ever since then I have loved Ovia," one reviewer wrote. "Overall I think it’s the neatest and easiest way to track anything your body is going through."

Price: Free

Features: Ovulation calendar, cycle and symptoms log, period tracker

Why We Like It: The Period Calendar can help you track and predict your period, as well as learn more about your fertility window and potential ovulation date. The app can be used to record sex, cervical mucus, weight, mood and more. It'll also remind you to take your birth control.

It's got four main elements: period prediction, pregnancy risk/chance prediction, symptom tracking and cycle history tracking. And for that reason, it's earned itself 4.9 stars in the App Store.

"I love having this app," commented one reviewer. "I had tried a few others when I first decided to track, but liked this one best. The longer you track, the more accurate the predictions are, which is great if you are tracking for Aunt Flo or ovulation. The layout is pretty simple and relatively easy to use."

Price: Free

Features: Ovulation calendar, period tracker, cycle and symptoms log

Why We Like It: The period diary is simple to use and as specific as possible when it comes to period predictions. It offers more than 30 PMS symptoms and 20 moods from which to choose, so you can track what you're experiencing in real time. It also syncs with the calendar app so you can see what's going on when — and it has passcode protection so you can keep your privacy. 

This flower-filled, powder pink, fully animated app earned 4.6 stars in the App Store, and users have said that they use it for reasons beyond their sexual and reproductive health.

"I’ve been using this app for over two years and have grown from just logging my periods," one user commented. "I would log my intimate dates and end up using this as a legitimate diary to log about my days."

Price: Free

Features: Ovulationcalendar, period tracker, cycle and symptoms log

Why We Like It: My Calendar allows you to track both regular and irregular periods, temperature, weight, moods, symptoms and even blood flow. It also sends you discreet reminders to prepare you for your impending periods, as well as notices about your ovulation and fertile days.

The calendar is password-protected, so you don't have to worry about privacy issues. And the entire app is customizable, so you can shift beginning and ending days of the week and even change the colors of the app to personalize it even more.

It's got a 4.7-star rating in the App Store, with reviewers calling it "beautiful."

"I love the look and feel of this app — I have downloaded a lot of apps trying to replace one I have been using for several years but is no longer supported by my phone," one user wrote.

Price: Free

Features: Ovulation calendar, period and health tracker, cycle and symptoms log, articles

Why We Like It: Flo Period & Ovulation tracker does exactly what it says in a simple way. The app uses machine learning to accurately and reliably predict periods and ovulation. And you can also log how you're feeling with regards to symptoms, sex drive and your menstrual flow. To take it one step further, you can also track your sleep, water consumption and physical activity. For those trying to get pregnant, it tracks basal temperature, logs pregnancy test results and shows a fertility window, too.

Flo is also password-protected for privacy reasons, and it syncs with the Health App, as well. The more information you divulge, the better Flo can predict your periods and ovulation days — which seems to be rather accurate, since it's gained 4.8 stars in the App Store.

"I love being able to see roughly when my period will start as well as be able to scroll through the little mini articles (because honestly, my health class in high school taught me nothing about anything going on)," one user wrote about the app.

Price: Free

Features:  Ovulation calendar, cycle and symptoms tracker, sex/flow/product log, articles

Why We Like It: Glow will record your symptoms (from more than 40 different health signals), mood, sexual activity, medications and more using a data-driven menstrual and ovulation calculator to track trends. The app will forecast your periods and ovulation and become smarter over time as you log more and more data. You can also set birth control reminders and engage in the interactive community of other Glow users.

The app also links up with Apple's Health app, as well as other fitness apps like MyFitnessPal. If you choose to upgrade, you'll also get comparative insights, premium content, private messaging and support.

"I love how accurate it is... It’s been I’d say a few cycles now that it predicted the date I’d get my period and I got it the day the app said I would — amazing," one user wrote. " Also, I like how informative it is, love the community. I spend so many late nights when I can’t sleep lying in bed, reading the posts of the community until I fall asleep; it’s such a good distraction. I love it."

Price: Free  (With Upgrade: $7.99 per month, $47.99 per year, $59.99 for a lifetime)

Features: Ovulation  calendar, period and health tracker, cycle and symptoms log, articles

Why We Like It: Period Tracker Lite is a super easy-to-use app that keeps things simple: When you get your period, you press a button and, if you want, you can add notes and symptoms over the course of it. As you record data — like symptoms such as your flow, cramps, bloating, backaches, headaches, breast soreness and 30 different moods — it will log your period patterns. It'll also be able to predict your fertility days and ovulation in a simple month-view calendar format accompanied by comprehensive charts illustrating any changes to your weight, temperature, cycle and symptoms.

Users seem to love how customizable it is, which is perhaps why it's earned 4.8 stars in the App Store.

"I originally downloaded this app because I wanted to track certain behaviors with relation to my cycle — specifically, back pains and those days I just got so frustrated," one user wrote. "Sure enough, they were usually a few days before my cycle. What I love about this app is how customizable it is. It has a variety of little icons and pictures, and you can track anything you want from chocolate cravings to headaches. I used a little picture of a whale to track when I started feeling bloated. I just noticed they have a little corked wine bottle with incrementally more bubbles in it to represent constipation. How could you not love that?"

Price: Free

Features: Ovulation calculator and calendar, customizable period and health tracker, 2,000+ articles and tips on fertility and sexual health, health assessments

Why We Like It: Cycles Period & PMS Tracker keeps you and your partner in mind. You can actually invite your partner to join so that they can view your cycle and fertility information, too — though, rest assured, any notes and reminders you set are private. You need a password (or to use Touch ID) to open the app. 

With the Cycles app, all you have to do is turn the dial on the first day of your period, and the app will automatically adjust to your cycle lengths and forecasts as needed. You can record everything from your basal body temperature to your vaginal mucus and more. Your fertility days will be displayed in green and your ovulation day will be in blue, so it'll be easy to check at just a quick glance. You can also open the calendar to view your entire cycle, and scroll to see upcoming cycles (even two months at the same time, for comparison purposes). 

The app claims to operate with 95 percent accuracy, and that's why it's earned itself 4.5 stars in the App Store. 

Couples seem to enjoy it. One husband even commented: "This app has single-handedly reduced the amount of fighting in my marriage by over 90 percent! As an INTJ guy with the emotional range and empathic abilities of a belt sander, this app has been amazing! It pops up a warning 'Stormy days ahead,' and I know it's time to stop being purely analytical, and engage in a softer and gentler kind of interaction with my wife. And while this type of behavior is entirely unnatural to me, and perhaps even artificial, doing so has dramatically improved my quality of life!"

Price: Free (with in-app purchases)

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AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about women’s empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram @her_report, Twitter @herreport and Facebook.