How to choose a migraine app

Pick the migraine app you will actually keep using, and check eight things before you commit: what its privacy label says, whether it needs an account, how it exports a report for your doctor, whether it speaks your language, what is free and what is paid, whether you can log without a connection, which platforms it runs on and how recently it was updated. All of them can be checked on the App Store, Google Play and the app's own website.

Facts checked on · Written by Alfonso Matos, the developer of MyGrain.

1. Privacy: read the store label, not the slogan

A headache diary holds health data. Both stores make developers declare what they collect: on the App Store, the App Privacy section separates Data Used to Track You, Data Linked to You and Data Not Linked to You; on Google Play, the Data safety section says whether data is shared with third parties, whether it is encrypted in transit and whether you can ask for it to be deleted. Compare those sections between apps rather than the marketing text. Both are self-declared by the developer.

2. Account: can you start without signing up?

Some apps ask for an email and password before your first entry; others let you start straight away and offer an account later for backup or a new phone. If you only want to try a diary for a few weeks before an appointment, starting without an account removes friction. If you change phones often, check how the app lets you move your diary.

3. A report your doctor can read

The diary is most useful when it reaches your consultation. Check whether the app exports a PDF or a summary you can print or send, what it includes (days with headache, intensity, medication and how many days you took it) and whether that export is free or paid. A raw data export (CSV) is also worth having so that your diary is never locked into one app.

4. Your language

You log faster, and more accurately, in your own language — including the names of symptoms and medicines. The App Store lists the languages of each app on its page; Google Play does not show a list in the same way, so check the app's website or try it.

5. What is free and what is paid

Most migraine apps are free to download with in-app purchases. Look at what stays free (logging, calendar, export) and what needs a subscription, and whether the app shows ads — Google Play marks those apps with a Contains ads label. Prices can differ by country and are shown in the store before you pay.

6. Logging without a connection

Attacks do not wait for good coverage. Check whether the app lets you save an entry offline and syncs it later. Few listings say so explicitly; the app's FAQ or a quick test in flight mode is the reliable way to find out.

7. Platforms

If you switch between iPhone and Android, or want to log on a tablet, check the compatibility section of each listing. Some apps run on iPhone only, others also on iPad, Mac or Apple Vision.

8. Is it still maintained?

Both stores show the date of the latest update. An app that has not been updated for a long time may still work, but it is less likely to keep up with new phone versions.

What no app should promise

A diary records what you log. It cannot diagnose a headache disorder, tell you for certain what causes your attacks, or replace your doctor. Be careful with any app that promises to prevent, treat or cure migraine; that is a conversation for you and your neurologist.

How MyGrain answers these eight points

  • Account: not needed to start; you can create one later to get your diary back on a new phone.
  • Doctor report: PDF export of the month (Premium); CSV export of the whole diary (free).
  • Languages: 25 listed on the App Store.
  • Cost: free with in-app purchases; on the US App Store, $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year. No ads.
  • Offline: entries saved without a connection are queued and synced when you are back online.
  • Platforms: iPhone and Android.
  • Privacy: the App Store label lists data linked to you and no tracking; Google Play says no data is shared with third parties.

For side-by-side facts, see the comparisons with Migraine Buddy, Bearable and Migraine Monitor below.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free migraine app that does not need an account?

Yes. MyGrain, for example, lets you start logging without signing up, and its logging, calendar and CSV export are free. Check each app's listing and FAQ, because sign-up requirements vary.

What should a migraine app export for my doctor?

At least the days with headache, their intensity and duration, the medication you took and on how many days, and the symptoms you noticed. A PDF is easy to share; a CSV keeps your data portable.

Can a migraine app tell me what causes my migraines?

No. An app can count what you logged and show it back to you, but it cannot establish causes or make a diagnosis. Take the record to your doctor.

Sources

Store listings and official websites, all checked on .

Medical disclaimer. MyGrain is a self-tracking diary, not a medical device. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or another qualified health professional with any question about a medical condition.
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