Our favorite things about Clue: It asks you what your cycle tracking goals are as soon as you open the app.
- Transparency
Clue explains many of its design decisions through science-backed research.
- Efficacy
Clue is the first to admit that its app is not to be used as birth control and that its predictions are only estimates.
- Accessibility
Clue is highly dedicated to be as useful to as many people as possible, which shows in its gender-neutral language and inclusive design.
- Privacy
Clue's privacy policy is super transparent and any data they use cannot be traced backed to you.
Clue set somewhat of a gold standard for menstrual tracking apps — it's science-obsessed and privacy-focused. The app is fairly customizable based on your goals, whether that's wanting to know when your period is coming, avoiding pregnancy, planning a pregnancy, or learning about your cycle patterns. It sets itself apart from other apps in that you can turn off the predictive nature of the app, which is helpful for those with irregular periods, those who can't get pregnant, and/or those who don't want their tracking to be focused on fertility.
Pros
You can pause Clue during pregnancy to turn off predictions
Clue is gender-neutral in its language and design
The app doesn't require an email or account to use
You can tell the app your birth control method for more accurate predictions
It's backed by a ton of scientific research
Clue is available in 15 different languages
The app has an optional PIN or Touch ID if you want to protect your menstrual data
You can track data such as energy levels, amount of sleep, mood, cervical mucus consistency, cramps, skin, emotions, hair, pain, moods, basal body temperature and even fecal consistency
You can track medical info (such as if you took a pill) and activities like partying or sex
You can turn off all features centered around procreating
It's free
Cons
To access recommended educational articles from Clue's science team, you have to pay for a premium version of the app called "Clue Plus"
This an app makes predictions based on the information you enter around bleeding and symptoms, so this might not be the best app if you are trying to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy
Tips
Since Clue predicts your next period and your fertile window from your past data, an unusually long cycle (like a pregnancy or simply forgetting to log your period for a few months) can throw off the predictions. To avoid this messing with your predictions, you can go to the analysis screen, tap the extra-long cycle, and tap “Exclude this cycle data from Clue’s calculations."
Clue's blog is packed with health articles and showcases the company's obsession with science-backed education
What does the company do with your data?
Contributor Notes
Pros: App was super easy to use. Great UX. Cons: had some issues with signing in/maintaining an account.
Pros: I can track when my period occurs as well as all sorts of other metrics. It's free. It can remind me when my next period is likely starting and can remind me about birth control ring timing. The developers seem to keep growing and improving the app. Cons: it occasionally notifies me about things I don't care about
- Transparency
Clue explains many of its design decisions through science-backed research.
- Efficacy
Clue is the first to admit that its app is not to be used as birth control and that its predictions are only estimates.
- Accessibility
Clue is highly dedicated to be as useful to as many people as possible, which shows in its gender-neutral language and inclusive design.
- Privacy
Clue's privacy policy is super transparent and any data they use cannot be traced backed to you.