Sexual & Reproductive Health Products Best Birth Control Delivery Services Natural Cycles is our pick for best birth control delivery service By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC LinkedIn Twitter Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 14, 2023 Medically reviewed by Kiarra King, MD Medically reviewed by Kiarra King, MD LinkedIn Kiarra King, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN, speaker, and digital content creator in the wellness, lifestyle & fashion spaces. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by James Lacy Fact checked by James Lacy LinkedIn James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Birth control apps are useful tools you can use to help prevent or achieve pregnancy. Easily accessible, helpful, and often free or low-cost, many do more than act as a calendar to remind you when to expect your period. Some birth control apps send you reminders to use or refill your chosen hormonal birth control method, some pair with devices that track biometric fertility data and report whether or not you are fertile each day, and others serve as a place for you to track and chart data about your body or menstrual cycle that you gather independently. As you investigate different birth control apps, it’s important to consider whether you’ll be using additional birth control methods. Once you choose an app, take the time to learn how to use it effectively. Best Birth Control Delivery Services Best Overall: Natural Cycles Best Fertility: Tracker Tempdrop Best Community: Kindara Best for Period Tracking: Clue Best Free: Ovia Health Best for Hormonal Birth Control: Nurx Please note: Birth control apps are not meant to replace your healthcare provider or fertility specialist or act as a substitute for sound medical advice. Best Birth Control Delivery Services View All Best Birth Control Delivery Services Our Top Picks Natural Cycles Tracker Tempdrop Kindara Clue Ovia Health Nurx Bedsider Birth Control Reminders See More (4) Final Verdict Guide for Choosing the Best Birth Control App Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Best Overall : Natural Cycles Natural Cycles Learn More Key Specs Pricing: $100 per year or $13 per month, + $15 thermometer Platforms: Android and iOS HSA/FSA eligible: Yes Why We Chose It Natural Cycles has been approved by the FDA as birth control and has been shown to be as effective as many hormonal methods. Pros & Cons Pros Highly effective Nonhormonal Simple to learn FSA/HSA eligible Cons Requires daily management Must take temperature before getting out of bed Must use a barrier or avoid sex during your fertile window Overview Natural Cycles is the first birth control app approved for use by the FDA. Developed for people looking for a natural form of birth control, the app uses an algorithm that calculates the days of the month you are most likely to be fertile based on basal body temperature readings and inputted menstrual cycle data. For $15, a thermometer is included with your annual subscription, and you can record and enter your daily readings via the app.Natural Cycles is effective. A clinical study from Elina Berglund Scherwitzl, PhD, Natural Cycles founder and CEO, showed the Natural Cycles app was 93% effective in preventing pregnancy in 15,570 women of reproductive age. That statistic is comparable to that of combination birth control pills (93% effective with typical use), but not as good as an intrauterine device (IUD), which is more than 99% effective. As such, Natural Cycles is a suitable option for women who can't or don't want to use an IUD or take oral contraception. Best Fertility : Tracker Tempdrop Amazon Learn More Key Specs Pricing: $36 per year or $4 per month, + $199 for device Platforms: Android and iOSHSA/FSA eligible: Yes Why We Chose It Tempdrop helps you get to know your body, predicts fertile and infertile windows, and uses biometric data to predict when you’re ovulating. Pros & Cons Pros Nonhormonal Highly effective No need to take your temperature before getting up in the morning Can help identify abnormal menstrual cycle patterns Cons Device is expensive Must use a barrier or avoid sex during your fertile window Overview If you prefer to avoid hormonal birth control, the sympto-thermal method—which observes changes in cervical mucus, basal body temperature, and the cervical os to identify peak fertility days—is an excellent choice. This method, while highly effective, relies on accurate temperature readings that can generally only be self-taken first thing in the morning (before even getting out of bed) after several hours of uninterrupted sleep. The Tempdrop band eliminates the need for you to take your own temperature or to sleep in regular cycles in order to get an accurate reading. Tempdrop users put on the armband when they go to bed and can expect an accurate reading in the morning, no matter whether they were up and down to feeding a baby, wake up frequently for other reasons, or only get a few hours of sleep per night. The app charts your temperatures and identifies when your temperature drops (right before ovulation) and when it begins to rise again (signaling that ovulation has passed). This gives you the information you need to understand your fertile window. While other apps can provide fertility estimates, only those that rely on basal body temperature can confirm that ovulation has passed. As a bonus, the simple charts this app produces can help you identify potentially troublesome cycle abnormalities like early ovulation or a short luteal phase, which can make getting pregnant when you want to more difficult. Purchasing the Tempdrop band is expensive, but it is HSA/FSA eligible and tends to last at least several years, according to users. Best Community : Kindara Kindara Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Free (basic); $5/month or $50 per year (premium)Platforms: Android and iOSHSA/FSA eligible: No Why We Chose It Kindara has an active community of users who enjoy helping one another interpret charts and answering questions about different aspects of fertility. Pros & Cons Pros Nonhormonal method Effective when used properly Active community that enjoys chatting about fertility and charting Cons Must remember to check and chart all symptoms Must use a barrier or avoid sex during your fertile window Overview Kindara is a fertility tracking app that allows you to chart indicators of fertility—including basal body temperature, cervical mucus, cervix position, and PMS symptoms—to predict fertile days. While clearly useful if you're trying to get pregnant, you can also use this information to help prevent pregnancy by avoiding sex on your most fertile days as well. Kindara has a large and active community of cyclers that regularly compare charts, offer tips and insight, and support one another as they work to avoid or achieve pregnancy. This community can be found directly in the app and supports both new and more experienced users. You can view sample charts or ask for help interpreting your data. The charts produced by many tracking apps include a wealth of information, but if you don’t know what it means or what action it should prompt, such information is not helpful. With Kindara, you’ll have a ready-made community to help you make sense of your personal data. Kindara works with Apple products like Apple Watch and fertility data can be synced with the Apple Health app. While the basic version of Kindara is free, you’ll likely want to upgrade to premium if you’re more than a casual charter. If you plan to use the sympto-thermal method as your primary method of birth control, you’ll want the features and custom charts offered by the premium subscription. While you can’t use an FSA or HSA to pay for access to Kindara premium, its overall cost is lower than many other similar options and you don’t need to purchase an expensive device. Best for Period Tracking : Clue Courtesy of Merchant Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Free ($40 paid version available)Platforms: Android and iOSHSA/FSA eligible: No Why We Chose It Clue allows you to track your period and find out how your cycle impacts things like your energy levels, mood, skin, and more. Pros & Cons Pros Nonhormonal No extra devices necessary Simple to use Cons Takes time to get better at predicting your fertile window Full birth control option not available until late 2022 Overview Clue is a popular period-tracking app that offers fertility insights based on the length of your cycle and the symptoms of fertility you track. The free version of this app gives you all of the info you need to effectively track your period, but the paid version ($40 per year) allows you to track a pregnancy if you become pregnant. Clue is not birth control, but it does help you track lots of other fertility indicators that are not often available on other apps, such as mood, skin, and hair changes. This data may be helpful to some users as they notice patterns within their cycle, but users are responsible for identifying these patterns and drawing conclusions from them. Clue is set to introduce a birth control option in late 2022, though the exact date is not known. This option is expected to include basal body temperature as a metric, and interested users can submit their email to be notified when the option is available Best Free : Ovia Health Ovia Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Free Platforms: Android and iOSHSA/ FSA eligible: No Why We Chose It Ovia fertility allows you to track your cycle and predicts your fertile days using the date you enter. Its free platform is a great choice for anyone who wants to track their cycle with confidence without paying a fee. Pros & Cons Pros Free Also offers a pregnancy-tracking app Simple, user-friendly design Cons Does not track as many variables as some apps Must use a barrier or avoid sex during your fertile window Overview Ovia Health offers a suite of apps for those in their reproductive years, including period and fertility tracking, pregnancy tracking, and parenting. Users will appreciate its simple, intuitive design and the option to track your period, cervical fluid, ovulation tests, basal body temperature, and moods. The app is free, which also sets it apart from many others.Ovia Health is best suited to those who are practicing natural family planning, which involves avoiding sex or using a barrier method during fertile times, rather than manipulating the body’s natural systems with hormonal birth control. To use Ovia Health, you’ll need to have your own basal body temperature thermometer or similar device. You’ll also need to be sure that you’re entering the data correctly and promptly, since any missing data can throw off the algorithm that predicts your fertile window. Ovia Health also offers an extensive library of expert articles that can help you learn about your cycle and your fertility and be confident that you’re interpreting what you track correctly. Best for Hormonal Birth Control : Nurx Learn More Key Specs Pricing: Free, though the cost of what you can order variesPlatforms: Android and iOSHSA/FSA eligible: Yes, for the birth control options you can order through the app Why We Chose It Nurx makes ordering birth control simple, finding emergency contraception easy, and locating family planning clinics a breeze. Pros & Cons Pros Several hormonal birth control options Free, fast, and discreet shipping Low cost options for those without insurance Cons No nonhormonal options available Ease of finding family planning support may differ depending on your location Overview Nurx is a one-stop shop for people who use hormonal birth control and want an easy way to order refills or to try new options. Since it was founded in 2015, Nurx has provided more than a million people with birth control. Whether you want the pill, the patch, the ring, the shot, or the morning-after pill, Nurx has you covered. Once you download the Nurx app, you’ll be asked to answer a few health questions, pay a $20 fee for the medical consult—which includes a year of unlimited messaging with the medical team if anything comes up—and share what type of birth control you’re interested in. After you order what you want, a three-month supply will arrive at your home, quickly and in a discreet package. Refills are automatically scheduled, though you’re free to cancel or change what you’re using at any time. Birth control is often free if you have insurance and costs $15 if you don’t, a fee lower than many other in-person options. Best for Forgetful Users : Bedsider Birth Control Reminders Contraception Reminders. Photo © Dawn Stacey Key Specs Pricing: FreePlatforms: Android and iOSHSA/ FSA Eligible: N/A Why We Chose It This app does exactly what it says it will: Remind users when to take their contraception. This can be very helpful for those who have difficulty remembering on their own. Pros & Cons Pros Funny and informal Sends accurate reminders Free Cons You must set the reminders accurately Does not offer additional tracking options Overview The Bedsider Birth Control Reminders app helps make remembering to take your contraception easier. One major advantage of this app is that your birth control reminders can be sent via text or to your email. What also sets this app apart is its encouraging messages, which will have you looking forward to the next day’s alert.Features include: Customizable message timing, including a snooze option Custom settings based on whether you use the pill, patch, NuvaRing, or Depo-Provera shots for birth control Healthcare provider appointment and prescription refill reminders An online locator to find emergency contraception or the family planning clinics nearest you While this app does not offer stand-alone fertility tracking or support those who practice natural family planning, it’s a good choice for people who use hormonal birth control. This app is particularly helpful for those who want to keep all their fertility reminders in the same place or would rather not have them pop up on their calendar or in their regular reminder apps. Final Verdict Overall, Natural Cycles is the best birth control app. It is FDA approved as birth control, simple to use, affordable in comparison to other birth control options, reliable, and effective. Users of Natural Cycles can count on the app to help them avoid pregnancy without hormonal birth control, and the cost is both FSA and HSA eligible. If you’re looking for a free birth control app, Ovia Health is a good choice. Users take their temperature using their own basal body thermometer and track those temperatures and other signs of fertility to determine their fertile and infertile days. The app does not require a subscription and is free. Those who are not interested in natural family planning will appreciate Nurx. The company makes it easy to order the hormonal birth control of your choice and have it shipped directly to your door. It is affordable and easy to use, and customers can expect quick and discreet shipping. Guide for Choosing the Best Birth Control App Is a Birth Control App Right for You? If you want to avoid pregnancy, using a birth control app can help. With a birth control app you can track your fertility, input signs and symptoms, order hormonal birth control, or be reminded to take your birth control. A birth control app may be a good choice for you if you: Want to avoid pregnancyAre investigating hormonal and nonhormonal options Feel comfortable tracking your data or sharing information via your phoneWould prefer not to see a doctor to obtain birth control To use a birth control app successfully, you’ll need to download the app, spend some time learning how to use it, and regularly input accurate information into the app. How to Choose a Birth Control App When considering which birth control app is the best fit for you, be sure to consider the following: Nonhormonal or hormonal birth control: Many people are not comfortable with the range of risks and side effects associated with hormonal birth control. Consider whether you want to use hormonal or nonhormonal birth control, and choose an app that aligns with your preference. Budget: Birth control apps range in cost from free to over $300 per year for those that include a device such as a wearable thermometer and a monthly or yearly subscription. Consider your budget and think about whether you’re most comfortable paying a lump sum or spreading payments out across a monthly plan before you make a choice. Reminder capabilities: Birth control apps are only effective when used properly. Think about whether you’ve needed reminders in the past and choose an app that has the capability to set reminders accordingly. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Do Birth Control Apps Cost? Birth control apps range in cost from free to around $300 per year. Most birth control apps that are not free require subscription plans that can be purchased monthly, or, for a slightly lower price, annually. Some birth control apps rely on data collected by specialized devices that must also be purchased. How Do Birth Control Apps Work? Birth control apps tend to work in one of three ways. Some birth control apps serve as a reminder to take birth control, order birth control, or go to birth control-related appointments. Other apps allow you to chat with professionals and order hormonal birth control for home delivery. The final type of birth control app relies on manual or automatic entry of different data points—such as the dates of your menstrual period, your daily basal body temperature, and the quality and quantity of your cervical fluid—to create a monthly chart that lets you know when you are and are not fertile. Can Birth Control Apps Help Plan or Prevent Pregnancy? Birth control apps can help you plan and prevent pregnancy. If you are hoping to plan a pregnancy you should use a birth control app that tracks your fertility and lets you know when you’re most likely to conceive. If you are aiming to prevent pregnancy, you can use an app to order your hormonal birth control options, one that tracks fertility so that you know when not to have unprotected sex, or one that reminds you to take or order your hormonal birth control. Are Birth Control Apps Accurate? Most birth control apps are more or less accurate. As you research which birth control app is right for you, be sure to look for the accuracy that app advertises as well as how simple or difficult it is for users to make mistakes that could impact accuracy. Methodology To find the best birth control apps, we researched and tested over a dozen services and compared them according to a long list of criteria. We rated each on accuracy, ease of use, what was tracked, and if the app tracked multiple data points, the platforms the apps were available on, cost, and user reviews. We then took this data and compared each app against the next to find the list of the best apps. From there, we then found where each of our top picks excelled (fertility tracking, period tracking, reminders, community interaction) and listed them accordingly in this roundup. VERYWELL Health / Design by Amelia Manley Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA allows marketing of first direct-to-consumer app for contraceptive use to prevent pregnancy. Berglund Scherwitzl E, Lundberg O, Kopp Kallner H, Gemzell Danielsson K, Trussell J, Scherwitzl R. Perfect-use and typical-use Pearl Index of a contraceptive mobile app. Contraception. 2017;96(6):420-425. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2017.08.014 By Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC Dawn Stacey, PhD, LMHC, is a published author, college professor, and mental health consultant with over 15 years of counseling experience. Updated by Julia Pelly Julia Pelly Julia is an expert in maternal and child health who has written for NatGeo.com, TIME.com, NYT.com, and more. She also consults with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations in addition to her writing. Learn about our editorial process Edited by Ally Hirschlag Ally Hirschlag Ally is a senior editor for Verywell, who covers topics in the health, wellness, and lifestyle spaces. She has written for The Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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