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App unequal
What are the benefits of using apps to monitor your menstrual cycle?
Can we really trust apps to predict our cycle?
An overview of the most popular apps to track your menstrual cycle

The popularity of mobile apps, especially among younger people, is constantly growing. It is no surprise, therefore, that menstrual cycle tracking apps are also being eagerly used by women and that the marriage diary, which was popular in the old days and often unreliable, is being consigned to the past.

But should we trust such apps 100%? Let's take a closer look at them.

Not all apps are the same

Not all cycle tracking apps work the same way. We can divide them into two categories.

- Predictive apps - the so-called "pink calendars"

These are the most popular apps that predict ovulation and fertile days based on previous menstruations. They are based on the average length of the cycle and assume that ovulation occurs 14 days before the next period. However, we know that cycles can be irregular - they can change due to stress, illness, lifestyle... It is also important to bear in mind that these apps do not record such changes, so their predictions may be inaccurate. Examples of such apps include Flo and Clue.

- Symptom apps

These apps are based on daily monitoring of the real signs of fertility; so they collect data on body temperature, cervical mucus or ovulation tests. They do not predict ovulation, but help to recognise it, for which they use proven symptom-thermal methods. By analysing current, individual data, they are much more accurate than predictive apps. Of course, only if the user enters accurate data.

Menstrual cycle tracking apps, photo: panthermedia

Reliable fertility monitoring is therefore more feasible with apps that analyse the body's actual signals and not just statistics.

What are the benefits of using menstrual cycle monitoring apps?

Better understanding of your own body and cycle regularity
Assistance with planning or avoiding pregnancy
Monitoring health symptoms and cyclical changes in wellbeing
Facilitating discussions with doctors - data from the app can help with diagnosis.

Can we really trust apps to predict our cycle?

- Loss of privacy

In a 2025 report, Cambridge University highlighted the privacy risks posed by the use of these apps. This is because users provide a wide range of data: from exercise habits, sexual preferences and hormone levels to contraceptive methods used. Such data makes it possible to perfectly profile female consumers and influence purchasing patterns, but also, according to researchers, can be misused (employment discrimination, restriction of access to abortion, online harassment). These concerns are not unfounded - in fact, menstrual data has already been used against women in the United States.

- False sense of control

Users of cycle-tracking apps should remember that there is no foolproof app. Most are based on highly simplified and unreliable algorithms. One will fail when trying to get pregnant, another when trying to avoid pregnancy - as cycles can be irregular, data entered inaccurate, and the app works on predictability: it assumes a 'statistical' cycle - it doesn't work for people with PCOS, endometriosis, postpartum, perimenopause....

In both cases, there can be a real let-down, because trusting the prognosis as a contraceptive method will not always be effective. Where, then, does the real accuracy lie? In the method on which the app is based and in the data that the user herself provides. The app worth recommending, therefore, will be the one that allows the woman to know her own body accurately.

Menstrual cycle tracking apps a new form of contraception?, photo: panthermedia

An overview of the most popular menstrual cycle tracking apps

WomanLong

This is an app that allows you to monitor your menstrual cycles (both regular and irregular), fertility time and ovulation. It offers features such as forecasts, reminders, pregnancy mode and personalisation based on the user's data.

Benefits:

user-friendly,
feature-rich
RODO-compliant (does not share data).

Clue

This is an intuitive, science-based (AI) app for monitoring cycle, symptoms, mood, as well as reproductive health.

Benefits:

clear interface,
strict privacy policy,
ability to predict ovulation, PMS, fertility.

Flo

One of the most popular apps with a wide user base. Like Clue, it is used not only to monitor your menstrual cycle, but also to take care of your health.

Advantages:

tracking your cycle, ovulation, pregnancy and also its symptoms,
anonymous mode and good privacy options,
additional educational content,
large community.

Cycles

A minimalist app that includes the option to share a cycle with a partner or mate.

Menstrual cycle tracking apps: pros and cons, photo by panthermedia

Advantages:

cycle, ovulation and PMS prediction.

Natural Cycles

The only app that has been approved as a certified form of contraception (EU and FDA).

Advantages:

is based on the measurement of body temperature,
also works with wearable devices (e.g. Oura Ring).

Most of these apps are free, but you can also optionally subscribe to a premium version.

Fertility Friend

One of the oldest apps, whose algorithm for interpreting charts is considered the best on the market for this type of application. Unfortunately, its interface loses out to newer apps.

Advantages:

very precise and intelligent data analysis algorithm,
broad learning base,
active forum used for, among other things, consultation of results.

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Menstrual cycle tracking apps - opportunity or threat?

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