The privacy spectrum · 24 apps
Where does your period tracker really send your data?
We installed and used the most popular period trackers, then read every privacy policy. Here's where each one sits — from the apps that sell or leak your data to the few that store it on your phone. Every claim is sourced; the “we tested it” notes are first-hand.
Flo
Flo paid $8M of a $56M class-action settlement (2025) over sharing cycle data with Google/Meta; a CA jury found Meta liable for wiretapping Flo users. Flo admits no wrongdoing.
We tested it: We counted 45+ onboarding screens and a five-step paywall gauntlet before any value.
Source: Frasco v. Flo Health, No. 3:21-cv-00757 (N.D. Cal.), settlements announced Sept 2025; CA jury verdict against Meta, Aug 1, 2025; FTC File No. 192-3133 (2021), which carried no monetary penalty.
Stardust
Its 2022 end-to-end-encryption claim was debunked (keys on Stardust's servers); shared phone numbers with Mixpanel.
We tested it: Gorgeous cosmic/astrology brand — but an account is required and ad-SDK tracking is opt-in via a prompt.
Source: Defcon/security-researcher analysis of Stardust's E2EE claim (2022); Stardust privacy policy + observed Mixpanel SDK; PinkyBloom hands-on review.
Glow
Security flaws exposed the data of ~25M users; settled with the California AG.
Source: California AG settlement with Glow, Inc. (2020); Consumer Reports security disclosure (2016).
Ovia
Owned by Labcorp; has marketed cycle data to employers and health plans.
Source: Washington Post reporting on Ovia employer/health-plan data programs (2019); Labcorp acquisition of Ovia Health (2021).
Period Calendar
~300M users; cycle data is local by default, but Google ads still collect your advertising ID + IP.
We tested it: Fastest onboarding in the category (4 steps, no account) — then persistent banner ads in the free tier.
Source: Period Calendar (Simple Design Ltd.) Play Store data-safety disclosure + privacy policy; PinkyBloom hands-on review.
Period Tracker
Free, ad-supported tracker; the ad layer is the business model.
Source: Period Tracker (GP Apps) privacy policy + app-store ad disclosure.
Clue
EU/GDPR-hosted, explicitly doesn't sell to advertisers — but uses Braze + Firebase you can't opt out of.
We tested it: Clean, ethical UX and a single closeable paywall — but an account is required from minute one.
Source: Clue (BioWink GmbH) privacy policy; observed Braze + Firebase SDKs in PinkyBloom hands-on review.
Natural Cycles
FDA-cleared, subscription-funded (no ads), 'NC° Secure' anonymization — still cloud, ~$100/yr + hardware.
We tested it: The most privacy-credible cloud app we tested; proves a respectful business model is possible.
Source: FDA De Novo clearance DEN170052 (2018); Natural Cycles privacy policy + 'NC° Secure' documentation; pricing as listed in-app.
PinkyBloom
Cycle log stored on your phone, no account, no ads, never sold, free — and partner sharing is end-to-end encrypted (we hold only ciphertext).
Source: PinkyBloom Outbound-Connection Audit (code-level egress audit, 2026). See The Receipt.
Euki
Nonprofit, open-source, local-only — a Mozilla/Consumer Reports privacy gold standard. Predictions are basic; no AI.
We tested it: Lovely privacy-first onboarding; no account, ever — but no smart insights.
Source: Euki (Women Help Women) open-source repository + privacy policy; Mozilla *Privacy Not Included* listing.
drip
GPL open-source, donation-funded, fully on-device with transparent algorithms. Built for fertility-awareness experts.
We tested it: Honest 'predictions after 3 cycles' — utilitarian, deliberately not cute, sparse on modern features.
Source: drip (bloodyhealth) GPL source repository + project documentation; PinkyBloom hands-on review.
Periodical
Open-source, local-only, no account or ads. Calendar-method predictions only — maximal data minimization.
We tested it: Opens straight to a calendar — dead simple, but feature-sparse with no AI.
Source: Periodical (arnowelzel) open-source repository + F-Droid listing (no network permissions); PinkyBloom hands-on review.
How we placed each app: Privacy claims are sourced to the cited settlement, regulator action, privacy policy, or app-store data-safety disclosure. “We tested it” notes are first-hand observations from installing and using each app for our competitive reviews. What PinkyBloom sends, and to whom, is set out in our privacy policy.
Every app, side by side
Price, data location, and the single biggest documented issue.
| App | Price | Data Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PinkyBloom | Free | On your phone | |
| Flo | ~$49.99/yr (varies by region, A/B tested) | Cloud | Compare |
| Clue | $39.99/yr for Clue Plus | Cloud | Compare |
| Natural Cycles | $21.99/mo or ~$149.99/yr (raised from $14.99/mo in June 2025) | Cloud | Compare |
| Ovia | Free consumer app / employer-paid premium (Ovia+) | Cloud | Compare |
| Stardust | Free | Cloud | Compare |
| Glow | Quarterly/yearly premium (price varies) | Cloud | Compare |
| Period Tracker | Free + paid Deluxe version | Cloud | Compare |
| Premom | Free + Premium (~$49.99/yr) | Cloud | Compare |
| Period Calendar | Free with ads + in-app purchases | Cloud | Compare |
| Clover | Free with ads + in-app purchases | Cloud | Compare |
| MeetYou | Free with in-app purchases | Cloud | Compare |
| Maya | Free with ads + in-app purchases | Cloud | Compare |
| LunaLuna | Free + Premium subscription (courses, advanced features) | Cloud | Compare |
| LaLoon | Free + premium features (freemium) | Cloud | Compare |
| PairCare | Free (with possible in-app purchases) | Cloud | Compare |
| PinkDiary | Free (likely freemium with in-app purchases) | Cloud | Compare |
| TheDay | Free (likely ad-supported with in-app purchases) | Cloud | Compare |
| Bom Calendar | Free (freemium with in-app purchases) | Cloud | Compare |
| Ovy | Freemium + subscription/IAP | Cloud | Compare |
| myNFP | 30-day trial, then paid subscription | Cloud | Compare |
| Paula | Free (with IAP) | Cloud | Compare |
| Elika | Free with ads + IAP | Cloud | Compare |
PinkyBloom
- No ads, never sold
- Free
- Every life stage, from first period to menopause
- Voice logging — just talk, no menus
- End-to-end encrypted partner sharing
Other apps
- Cloud servers hold your cycle data
- Paywalls on core tracking features
- Built around fertility — little else
- Tap through endless symptom menus
- Data shared, sold, or leaked
Head-to-head comparisons
See how the most popular period trackers compare against each other — and why PinkyBloom beats them both.
Flo vs Clue
Flo is the most popular period tracker with 440M+ users but paid $8M in a class action for sharing data with Google and Meta. Clue is science-backed with strong GDPR compliance but still stores data in the cloud and charges $39.99/yr.
Flo vs Natural Cycles
Flo is the world's most popular period tracker with a documented history of sharing data with advertisers. Natural Cycles is the only FDA-cleared contraceptive app but costs up to $149.99/yr and requires daily temperature readings. PinkyBloom offers smarter AI — without a thermometer.
Clue vs Natural Cycles
Clue is a science-backed period tracker with strong GDPR compliance at $39.99/yr. Natural Cycles is the only FDA-cleared contraceptive app at up to $149.99/yr plus hardware. Both store data in the cloud and charge subscriptions. PinkyBloom offers a built-in AI assistant, no account, and no ads.
Flo vs Ovia
Flo paid $8M in a class action for sharing data with Google and Meta. Ovia is owned by Labcorp and shares health data with employers through enterprise partnerships. Both prioritize their business models over your privacy. PinkyBloom has no ads, no employer partnerships, and never sells your data.
Flo vs Period Tracker
Flo is the most feature-rich period tracker but paid $8M in a data-sharing class action. Period Tracker by GP Apps has 250M+ downloads but is a basic logging tool from a different era. PinkyBloom combines modern AI with no ads and no account.
Clue vs Ovia
Clue is a GDPR-compliant science-backed tracker at $39.99/yr. Ovia is a Labcorp subsidiary that shares data with employers. One respects your privacy more than most; the other monetizes it by design.
Flo vs Premom
Flo paid $8M in a data-sharing class action. Premom was charged by the FTC for sharing fertility data with China-based firms. Both apps have been caught betraying user trust with reproductive health data. PinkyBloom never sells your data — no account, no ads.
Natural Cycles vs Ovia
Natural Cycles is FDA-cleared but costs up to $149.99/yr plus hardware. Ovia is free but owned by Labcorp, which shares data with employers. One charges a premium for clinical validity; the other charges your privacy. PinkyBloom offers AI with no ads and no employer data sharing.
Flo vs Maya
Flo was accused of sharing menstrual data with Google and Meta, and settled a class action in 2025. Maya was caught by Privacy International sharing diary entries and health data with Facebook. Both apps have documented histories of sending your most intimate data to advertising companies.
Flo vs Glow
Flo paid $8M in a class action for sharing data with advertisers. Glow exposed 25 million users' data in a 2024 breach after years of documented security failures. Both apps store your data in the cloud; both have failed to protect it. PinkyBloom stores your cycle log on your phone, needs no account, and never sells your data.
Flo vs Stardust
Flo was caught sharing data with Google and Meta. Stardust marketed privacy after Roe v. Wade but was found by Privacy International to send data to servers and use third-party de-identification. Neither delivers the privacy it promises. PinkyBloom needs no account, has no ads, and never sells your data.
Clue vs Period Tracker
Clue is science-backed with strong GDPR compliance but charges $39.99/yr and stores data in the EU cloud. Period Tracker by GP Apps has 250M+ downloads but is a basic legacy tool with ads. PinkyBloom combines Clue's scientific rigor with Period Tracker's simplicity — adding AI, with no account and no ads.
Flo vs Period Calendar
Flo (440M+ users) was accused of sharing data with Google and Meta. Period Calendar (300M+ claimed users) claims no data collection while running Google Ads. The two most-downloaded period trackers both have privacy contradictions. PinkyBloom resolves the contradiction entirely — zero ads, never sold.
Clue vs Premom
Clue is a GDPR-compliant science-backed cycle tracker with no privacy scandals. Premom was charged by the FTC for sharing fertility data with China-based firms. The privacy gap is massive. But both store data in the cloud. PinkyBloom needs no account and never sells your data — free.
Natural Cycles vs Ovy
Natural Cycles is FDA-cleared but costs up to $149.99/yr. Ovy is a German NFP app that may share data with third parties. Both use temperature-based tracking with cloud storage. PinkyBloom offers AI-powered cycle intelligence — no thermometer required, free.
Flo vs MeetYou
Flo (440M+ users) paid $8M for sharing data with Google and Meta. MeetYou (250M+ claimed users) processes data under Chinese jurisdiction. The world's two largest period trackers by user count both store data in the cloud under different legal frameworks. PinkyBloom stores your cycle log on your phone, not in an account on our servers.
Maya vs Period Calendar
Maya was caught sharing diary entries with Facebook. Period Calendar claims no data collection while running Google Ads. Both are popular free ad-supported trackers across South Asia, the Middle East, and emerging markets — and both have privacy contradictions. PinkyBloom offers AI, 71 languages, and zero ads — and never sells your data.
Premom vs Ovia
Premom was charged by the FTC for sharing fertility data with China-based firms. Ovia is owned by Labcorp and shares data with employers. Both fertility trackers monetize your most sensitive reproductive health data — one through advertising, the other through enterprise partnerships. PinkyBloom never sells your data and has no ads or employer partnerships.
Flo vs Clover
Flo is the most popular period tracker but was accused of sharing data with Google and Meta. Clover by Wachanga claims privacy while running ads that require data collection. Both have privacy contradictions at different scales. PinkyBloom resolves both — no ads, never sold.
Natural Cycles vs Premom
Natural Cycles is FDA-cleared and privacy-respecting but costs up to $149.99/yr with a thermometer. Premom has an FTC enforcement for sharing fertility data with China-based firms. One charges a premium for clinical validity; the other betrayed user trust. PinkyBloom offers AI-powered fertility tracking — no ads, never sold.
PinkyBloom vs every competitor
PinkyBloom vs Flo
Flo is the world's most popular period tracker — and the subject of a $56M class action settlement for sharing menstrual data with advertisers. PinkyBloom gives you smarter AI insights with no ads, and it never sells your data.
PinkyBloom vs Clue
Clue is a well-designed, science-backed period tracker based in Berlin with strong GDPR compliance. But it still stores your data in the cloud and charges $39.99/yr for premium features. PinkyBloom needs no account and has more powerful AI.
PinkyBloom vs Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is an FDA-cleared contraceptive app that requires daily temperature readings and costs up to $149.99/yr. PinkyBloom delivers smarter cycle intelligence with no hardware requirements — free.
PinkyBloom vs Ovia
Ovia Health is owned by Labcorp and shares user data with employers and health plans. Mozilla gave it a 'Privacy Not Included' rating. PinkyBloom never sells or shares your reproductive health data — not with your employer, not with anyone.
PinkyBloom vs Stardust
Stardust surged in popularity after Roe v. Wade with privacy promises, but a Privacy International investigation found concerning data practices. PinkyBloom needs no account, never sells your data, and stores your cycle log on your phone rather than in an account on our servers.
PinkyBloom vs Glow
Glow suffered a data breach that exposed 25 million users and stores data on AWS by default. Its opt-in 'Offline Data Protection' mode acknowledges the problem but doesn't solve it. PinkyBloom stores your cycle log on your phone by default and needs no account.
PinkyBloom vs Period Tracker
Period Tracker by GP Apps is one of the oldest and most downloaded period trackers with 250M+ downloads. But it's a basic logging tool from a different era. PinkyBloom brings an AI assistant, voice logging, and mood forecasts to replace simple calendar tracking.
PinkyBloom vs Premom
Premom was hit with an FTC action for sharing fertility data with Google, AppsFlyer, and two China-based firms — without telling users. PinkyBloom never sells or shares your fertility data, and has no third-party analytics SDKs.
PinkyBloom vs Period Calendar
Period Calendar by Simple Design claims 300 million users and boasts about not collecting your data — while running ads that require data to function. PinkyBloom is free with zero ads, and your data is never sold. If you want a period tracker that doesn't monetize your attention or your data, PinkyBloom is the upgrade.
PinkyBloom vs Clover
Clover by Wachanga claims "no account needed" and "no data sharing" — while running ads that require data collection to function. PinkyBloom has zero ads, no ad SDKs and no account, and it never sells your data.
PinkyBloom vs MeetYou
MeetYou claims 250 million users and positions itself as an advanced health analytics platform. But its data is processed in the cloud by a Hangzhou-based company subject to China's data access laws. PinkyBloom stores your cycle log on your phone, needs no account, and never sells your data.
PinkyBloom vs Maya
Privacy International's 2019 investigation caught Maya transmitting intimate health data — including diary entries and detailed app interactions — directly to Facebook. Maya is ad-supported and developed by Plackal Tech in Kerala. PinkyBloom has zero ads, no ad or Facebook SDKs, and never sells your data.
PinkyBloom vs LunaLuna
LunaLuna is Japan's most recognized period tracker with over 20 years of history and millions of users. But its cloud-based architecture and freemium pricing model belong to a previous era. PinkyBloom delivers an AI assistant — no account.
PinkyBloom vs LaLoon
LaLoon's own Google Play Data Safety disclosure reveals that user data is not encrypted and cannot be deleted. The app may also share personal, financial, health, and location data with third parties. PinkyBloom stores your cycle log on your phone, in your phone's encrypted storage.
PinkyBloom vs PairCare
PairCare pioneered couple-focused period tracking in Japan, but its partner sharing sends your intimate health data through Entale's servers. PinkyBloom's PinkyBond delivers the same partner experience with end-to-end encryption — what you share is encrypted on your phone, and our relay passes it to your partner's phone without being able to read it.
PinkyBloom vs PinkDiary
PinkDiary is one of South Korea's most recognized period trackers, backed by NHN — a major Korean tech conglomerate. But that corporate backing means your cycle data likely sits on NHN's servers. PinkyBloom offers more powerful AI with zero accounts.
PinkyBloom vs TheDay
TheDay is a popular Korean period tracker with a clean interface, but it's a basic logging tool from a small indie developer with unclear privacy practices. PinkyBloom offers an AI assistant, voice logging, and mood forecasts, with no ads.
PinkyBloom vs Bom Calendar
Bom Calendar explicitly stores your menstrual data on its servers after you log in with Google, Naver, or Kakao. That means your cycle, symptoms, and health records are linked to your social identity and sitting on someone else's computer. PinkyBloom stores your cycle log on your phone — no login, no account.
PinkyBloom vs Ovy
Ovy is a German-made cycle tracker popular in the NFP/symptothermal community. But it requires registration, may share app activity with third parties, and collects personal and health data. PinkyBloom needs no account and never sells your data — for free.
PinkyBloom vs myNFP
myNFP is a respected Sensiplan-based cycle tracker for the German-speaking NFP community. But it requires a paid account after a 30-day trial, stores your data on its servers, and ties your reproductive health to your identity. PinkyBloom gives you more features — no account needed.
PinkyBloom vs Paula
Paula is a popular Brazilian period tracker built by FAMIVITA — a company that sells fertility supplements and products. It collects personal and health data and may share app activity with third parties. PinkyBloom never sells your data and has no commercial interest in your fertility.
PinkyBloom vs Elika
Elika is a popular Turkish period tracker with ads and in-app purchases. Its privacy practices are not fully transparent, and ad-supported apps routinely share user data with advertising networks. PinkyBloom is free, has no ads, and never sells your data.
