What users complain about in period tracker apps

The complaints that repeat

Each heading sums up what reviewers wrote; the quotes under it are their own words.

1. 01

   Aggressive paywalls and moving basic tracking features behind expensive subscriptions

   Many users

   “Every other feature besides a quick check in to when my period is probably going to start and end is locked behind a paywall.”

   “Subscription popups are aggressive & constant.Free version should have access to most of the other features, even if limited to use, instead of forced to do a free trial.”

2. 02

   Intrusive, inappropriate, or unskippable advertisements disrupting app use

   Many users

   “This app has ads that takes up the entire screen and forces you to watch a video that can lasts anywhere from 10 seconds to a few minutes.”

   “Now I can't even look through one cycle without MULTIPLE ads that last a minute each.”

3. 03

   Inability to properly handle irregular cycles or late periods without forcing inaccurate data

   Several users

   “It predicts when your next period will be and when that date comes, it automatically starts your period whether your period has actually started or not.”

   “The app will not allow for you to be late. If you are more than a few days late it puts a period in on your calendar and does not allow you to delete that false information for edit it.”

4. 04

   Critical data loss, broken syncing, or account reset bugs

   Several users

   “Now, every time I open it I have to recreate my account each time. Old data, gone. Name, gone. Symptoms and everything i input previously? GONE.”

   “Yesterday when I opened it, the entire year of 2024 is missing except December. Lost data button doesn't work.”

5. 05

   Deceptive billing practices and difficulties canceling recurring charges

   Several users

   “I was charged $200 for 5 months. It was charging me for 2 premium subscription that I couldn’t cancel.”

   “Be aware: this company won’t allow refunds even when canceling in 3 weeks with a remaining 49 weeks to go in the one year subscription.”

6. 06

   Unwanted sexually explicit content or condescending insights

   Several users

   “AND I don’t have to see sexually explicit articles in my face when I open the app either.”

   “I turned off the ‘sex details’ setting, and it still shoved ‘how to max out your orgasms’ in my face and showed me all these crazy weird sex toys, and more.”

What users ask for

• Audible alarm specifically for birth control reminders

  Asked for once or twice

  “Only thing I'd like them to add is an alarm function for birth control reminders. The simple notification doesn't catch my attention when dealing with 2 kids lol.”

• Enhanced interactive partner synchronization with customizable permissions

  Asked for a few times

  “My oooonly little suggestion if a team is reading this: I have the partner feature and it's super sweet and fun...but I do wish there were more options for personalization on how and what information is shared.”

• Customizable logging layout and specific supplement tracking

  Asked for once or twice

  “supplement options beyond the few listed would be great (ex. NAC). I also wish the “log a symptom” widgets were movable”

What these apps get right

What users praise, and would expect from anything new.

• Accurate prediction of cycle start dates and ovulation timing
• Holistic cycle-phase guidance for lifestyle, diet, and movement
• Detailed historical symptom and mood logging for personal and medical reference

Apps we read

• Flo Ovulation & Period TrackerGoogle Play
• Period Calendar Period TrackerGoogle Play
• Flo Cycle & Period TrackerApp Store
• Period Tracker Period CalendarApp Store
• Period Tracker by GP AppsApp Store
• Stardust Period TrackerApp Store
• Period Tracker and CalendarGoogle Play
• Lively - Period Tracker, CycleApp Store
• Ovulation & Period TrackerGoogle Play

App names belong to their owners. Quotes are from public store reviews, and the summaries describe what those reviewers experienced; they are not claims we have verified.