Natural Cycles Pricing: Is $12.99/mo Worth It?
TLDR
Natural Cycles is the most expensive major period and fertility tracker at $12.99/mo or $99.99/yr. The FDA cleared it for contraception, not privacy — your data still lives on Natural Cycles' servers. Floriva costs $2.99/mo with no server-side storage.
Natural Cycles
$12.99/moper month
Floriva
From $2.99/monthper month, no data sold
Natural Cycles Pricing Tiers
| Plan | Price/mo | Thermometer Needed? | FDA Cleared? | Data Location | Subpoenable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Cycles Monthly | $12.99 | Yes (extra cost) | Contraception only | NC servers | Yes |
| Natural Cycles Annual | ~$8.33 | Yes (extra cost) | Contraception only | NC servers | Yes |
| NC Bundle (annual + thermometer) | ~$15/mo effective | Included | Contraception only | NC servers | Yes |
| Floriva | $2.99 | No | N/A | Your device | No |
Hidden Costs You Won't See on the Pricing Page
- ⚠ A compatible basal thermometer adds $19.99–$59.99 to the cost if not buying the bundle
- ⚠ FDA clearance is specifically for contraception use — not a privacy guarantee or general health diagnostic tool
- ⚠ Requires daily morning temperature input before getting out of bed to maintain algorithm accuracy
- ⚠ Account and email required — data stored server-side
- ⚠ Annual plan has no prorated refund if you discontinue
The Real Cost of Natural Cycles
Natural Cycles is the only FDA-cleared contraceptive app, and it prices itself accordingly. At $12.99/mo, it is the most expensive period tracker in wide use. The annual plan at $99.99/yr cuts the effective monthly rate to $8.33 but requires paying a year in advance.
For new users, add the thermometer. The app’s temperature-based method requires a basal body thermometer capable of reading to two decimal places. If you do not own one, the cost is $19.99–$59.99 for a standalone thermometer or $179.99 for the bundled starter kit that includes an annual subscription.
The total first-year cost: $100–$180 depending on the thermometer path. That is four to seven times the annual cost of Floriva.
What FDA Clearance Does and Does Not Mean
The FDA De Novo clearance granted in 2018 applies specifically to Natural Cycles as a contraceptive method. It reflects clinical evidence for effectiveness as birth control for women aged 18 and older. It does not address:
- How Natural Cycles handles user health data
- Whether data can be subpoenaed
- Whether data is shared with third parties
FDA clearance is a medical claim. It is not a privacy guarantee. Natural Cycles stores user data on its servers, and server-based storage is accessible to law enforcement via subpoena regardless of FDA clearance status.
Floriva for Cycle Tracking Without the Hardware Cost
Floriva at $2.99/mo does not require a thermometer, does not require an account, and does not store data on external servers. If you are using a period tracker for cycle awareness rather than FDA-cleared contraception, the $10/mo premium Natural Cycles charges for FDA clearance and server-side predictions has no benefit for your use case.
If you need an FDA-cleared contraceptive method, Natural Cycles is a legitimate option. If you need private cycle tracking, the architecture works against you.
Source: Natural Cycles pricing page
Source: Natural Cycles pricing page
What does FDA clearance mean for Natural Cycles?
The FDA granted Natural Cycles De Novo clearance in 2018 as a contraceptive method for women aged 18 and older. The clearance applies specifically to its use for birth control, not as a general medical diagnostic tool. FDA clearance says nothing about data privacy or how Natural Cycles handles your health information.
Do I need a thermometer to use Natural Cycles?
Natural Cycles is built around basal body temperature (BBT) tracking. Without a BBT thermometer — measured before getting out of bed each morning — the algorithm cannot make accurate fertility predictions. The app can incorporate LH test strip data as a supplement, but daily temperature readings are the core input.
How does Natural Cycles pricing compare to Floriva?
Natural Cycles costs $12.99/mo or $99.99/yr, plus thermometer hardware if you do not already own one. Floriva costs $2.99/mo or $24.99/yr with no hardware required. Floriva stores data on-device; Natural Cycles stores data on its servers.
Tired of paying for an app that sells your data?
Floriva starts at $2.99/month. No data sold, no account required.
| Natural Cycles | Floriva | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | $12.99/mo | From $2.99/month |
| Data sold | Documented | Never |
| Free trial | Limited free tier | 14-day full trial |
Floriva is From $2.99/month — and stores your data on-device, not on a server.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Natural Cycles effective as birth control?
Is Natural Cycles private?
Can I use Natural Cycles without a paid subscription?
What is included in the Natural Cycles thermometer bundle?
Ready to track with real privacy?
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