The Best Period Tracking Apps for Data Privacy in 2026

Period tracking apps have a complicated history of sharing your data, but there are some options that may be safer than others.
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Period tracking apps collect some of the most sensitive data you generate: when you're fertile, when you miss a period, when you might be pregnant, and if you've had a miscarriage or abortion. Because these are "lifestyle" apps, that data isn't protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 the way your medical records are.

So it can be collected, stored, and shared with third parties like data brokers — and, in some cases, handed over to law enforcement.

That's a bigger deal than it sounds. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, more than 20 states have banned or heavily restricted abortion.[1] In states where abortion is a crime, prosecutors have already used digital data — text messages, search history, and app data — to build cases against people over pregnancy loss or abortion.[2] Privacy experts warn period-tracking data is a logical next target: it can show exactly when a pregnancy started and whether it continued to term.

No matter where you stand on abortion, you have the right to know how the apps you use collect and share your personal information. You can start by using more responsible services, as well as data protection software to keep yourself private.

We dig into popular period tracking apps here to determine which are better at protecting your data.

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In this article
Safer period tracking apps
Why some are deleting period apps altogether
Recent developments in period app privacy
What to look for in a safer period tracking app
Are free period apps safe?
Bottom line: Are any period tracker apps safe?
FAQs

Best period tracking apps for privacy

Through our testing and research, three period tracking apps stood out as best for privacy: Drip, Euki, and Periodical. Each stores data locally, eliminating the need to request data deletion. Since the data is only on your device, when you delete the app, your data goes too. Here's how they compare to other less privacy-sensitive period apps.

App name Device Local storage Third-party data sharing Data deletion Location tracking App headquarters GDPR compliant
Drip Android, iOS N/A, doesn't store data Berlin, Germany Yes, except for U.S. data storage
Euki Android, iOS N/A, doesn't store data California, U.S. Unspecified
Periodical Android N/A, doesn't store data N/A Unspecified
Apple HealthKit iOS Yes, but only with apps and services you choose California, U.S.
Flo Android, iOS Yes, with consent London, U.K.
Clue Android, iOS Yes, with consent Berlin, Germany

Why some are deleting period apps altogether

Many security specialists have advised the deletion of period tracking apps entirely. Because of the ever-changing data privacy laws in the United States, there’s always the potential that someone could get ahold of personally identifiable information (PII) that even the most altruistic app has on you.

Every day, hundreds of data brokers aggregate our data from public records, social media, and more. After you delete your app, consider using data removal services to hunt down and delete your personal information that may have been shared with third parties across the internet.

Law enforcement could get a warrant to seize your phone if proven to a judge that there’s a reason to search it. Deleting the app should delete any data held on your phone that the app was tracking. But deleting the app won't remove your data from the internet. 

Privacy concerns with period tracking apps

  • Period apps can store sensitive health data.
  • In states where abortion is illegal, period-tracking data could be used as evidence in a criminal prosecution.
  • Apps can sell your personally identifiable information to data brokers.
  • Apps can share your reproductive data with law enforcement.
  • Data breaches or leaks could compromise data protection.
  • Apps track your location and store your location history.
  • An app’s lack of transparency about how data is stored, shared, and protected.
  • Phones and their data can be seized by law enforcement.
  • Phones can be hacked and data stolen.
  • Phones can be physically stolen, and data can be shared by the thief.

Flo period and ovulation tracking app was under FTC investigation for allegations of sharing data with third parties. The app claimed the data shared between 2016 and 2019 was to measure app performance and did not include any sensitive user data. Even still, Flo ended the minimal data sharing practice and settled with the FTC in 2021, leaving many to wonder if the period tracking app is safe to use.

Recent developments in period app privacy

Concerns about period apps have grown since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in its 2022 Dobbs decision. Because these apps usually fall outside HIPAA, the data they hold can be shared, sold, or requested by others more easily than your medical records. Regulators, courts, and state lawmakers have all started to respond.

The reproductive-rights nonprofit Pregnancy Justice has documented at least 412 pregnancy-related criminal prosecutions in the two years after Dobbs alone, in which someone faced criminal charges tied to a pregnancy, abortion, or pregnancy loss, several relying on digital evidence like text messages and search history rather than app data specifically, but the same legal exposure applies to period trackers.

Flo’s troubles didn’t end with its 2021 FTC settlement. In August 2025, a federal jury in California found Meta liable for collecting reproductive health data from Flo users through tracking tools built into the app between 2016 and 2019, in violation of a California privacy law (the California Invasion of Privacy Act). Flo reached its own settlement with the plaintiffs before the verdict and did not admit wrongdoing. The case is a clear reminder that an app promising not to “sell” your data can still let third parties get it.

Lawmakers and regulators are moving on the wider ecosystem too:

  • State health data laws: Washington’s My Health My Data Act took effect in 2024 as the first U.S. law written specifically to protect consumer health data that HIPAA doesn’t cover, including reproductive health data. It requires your consent before a company can collect or share that data, and separate written authorization before anyone can sell it.
  • FTC data broker enforcement: In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission took action against data brokers, including X-Mode and its successor Outlogic, as well as Gravy Analytics and its subsidiary Venntel, over the sale of sensitive location data that could reveal visits to places like reproductive health clinics.
  • Law enforcement access: In states that restrict abortion, privacy advocates continue to warn that app data and location history could be requested during an investigation. Deleting an app does not undo data that was already collected or shared.

None of this makes any single app automatically safe, but it shows why the app you choose, and how it handles your data, still matters.

What to look for in a safer period tracking app

There are some period tracking apps that employ safe data practices, like storing data on your phone instead of in their own servers. This is called “storing data locally.” You should also make sure that the apps don’t share with third parties unless you grant consent. Two other key factors are verifying that your data is deleted at your request (if the data is stored on their servers) and that location services aren’t enabled.

If a period tracking app says it doesn’t “sell” your data, make sure it doesn’t share your data with partners or third parties either.

Here's how you can analyze the privacy of your own period app:

  • Select a privacy-focused app: An app with a privacy policy that outlines how it protects your data.
  • Read the privacy policy thoroughly: Use the search function on the page to look for keywords like “storage,” “location,” “third parties,” and other keywords to make sure you don’t miss anything.
  • Minimize data sharing: The app should either share no data or require your express consent for all data sharing.
  • Strong password protection: Apps that use two-factor authentication (2FA) are best.
  • Local data storage: This means it stores data on your phone and not on a company server.
  • Check for third-party sharing: Even if the app claims not to “sell” your data, it may still share it with its third-party partners and affiliates.
  • Consider anonymous usage: If an app offers anonymity, enter as little information as possible to use it.
  • Regular updates: Apps can be hacked if they aren’t updated regularly to protect against new and emerging threats.
  • Be aware of location services: If your app requires location services, delete it.
  • Review app permissions: Make sure the app doesn’t request access to other data on your phone.
  • Pseudonymous accounts: It’s not a bad idea to make up a name for your account that isn’t your own. If your app requires proof of identity, delete it.
  • Data deletion rights: Check if the app will delete your data upon request, how long it takes to delete the data, and if it retains any rights to your data even after deletion.

Are free period apps safe?

Free apps of any kind are only as safe as the privacy policy attached to them, so it depends on your period app's privacy policy. This is one time it really pays to read the entire privacy policy. We also suggest using page search to look through the policy for keywords that are important to you.

You should also check the security measures in the app. Does it offer 2FA? Can you use it anonymously? Is location tracking required?

Free apps that offer significant privacy are safer than paid apps with privacy red flags. Ultimately, though, you should use security software like data broker removal and a virtual private network. A VPN can encrypt the data being shared from your phone, while data broker removal can help find personally identifiable information that your period tracking app may have shared with third-party data brokers and remove it from the internet.

Bottom line: Are any period tracker apps safe?

While no app is 100% safe, some period tracker apps are more secure than others. We like Drip, Euki, and Periodical as the safest possible period tracking apps.

If you want to delete your apps and are worried about leaked personal information, consider a data removal service. The best data removal services hunt down your personal information from across the web and get it deleted.

By using more secure period tracker apps, or none at all, coupled with data protection software like data removal services and VPNs, you can help safeguard yourself. Your private health information should be shared only between you and your medical provider, and you deserve to keep it that way.

FAQs

Are period tracking apps protected by HIPAA?

No. Most period tracking apps are considered lifestyle apps, so the data they collect is not covered by HIPAA. Some states have started to close that gap. Washington's My Health My Data Act, which took effect in 2024, protects consumer health data, including reproductive health data, that HIPAA doesn't cover.

Can law enforcement access my period tracking data?

Yes, it's possible. Data held by an app or shared with third parties could be requested during an investigation, which is a bigger concern in states that restrict abortion after the 2022 Dobbs decision. Apps that store data only on your device, like Drip, Euki, and Periodical, lower this risk, though deleting an app doesn't remove data that was already collected or shared.

What is the most private period tracking app?

Drip, Euki, and Periodical all have solid privacy policies and practices. These apps store data locally, don’t share your data with third parties, and don’t use location tracking. While no app is 100% secure, these seem to respect the privacy of the person using them as much as an app can.

Is the Flo app safe?

Flo is vocal about privacy and now offers an Anonymous Mode, but we still suggest proceeding with caution. Flo settled with the FTC in 2021 over claims it shared user data with third parties. Then, in August 2025, a federal jury found Meta liable for collecting reproductive health data from Flo users through tracking tools built into the app between 2016 and 2019. Flo settled with the plaintiffs in that case before the verdict without admitting wrongdoing. If privacy is your top priority, Drip, Euki, and Periodical are safer choices.

Is Flo or Clue better?

According to data available across the web, Clue is generally considered to be more private than Flo. It should be noted that both of these are less secure than Drip, Euki, and Periodical, which are some of the most secure period tracking apps available. However, both Flo and Clue are located in the European Union and are openly GDPR compliant, meaning they adhere to strict data privacy laws.

What period tracker doesn’t sell your info?

Many apps claim not to “sell” your info, but they still share it with third parties. Apps that do neither are Drip, Euki, and Periodical. While there are others, these tend to be the safest.


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Author Details
Mary James is a cybersecurity writer and hands-on product tester at All About Cookies, specializing in VPNs, antivirus software, password managers, and ad blockers. She has written over 340 articles and has personally tested more than 75 products. Before writing about consumer security, she worked at PC Matic, a U.S. antivirus company, giving her firsthand insight into how security software is built, marketed, and tested. Her work has been featured in MSN and CNBC.

Citations

[1] The State Of Abortion Access In 2026

[2] All Eyes on my Period? Period tracking apps and the future of privacy in a post-Roe world