TLDR
Balance is the best free perimenopause app and worth recommending to anyone with budget constraints. Horiva costs $9/month and adds two things Balance lacks: a PDF doctor report and on-device data storage. The right choice depends on whether those two features matter to you.
| Feature | Balance | Horiva | Horiva |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free + GBP 2.99/mo | $9/mo | $9/mo |
| Privacy model | Varies by app | Varies by app | On-device only |
| Perimenopause focus | General | General | Perimenopause-first |
| Doctor reports | Varies by app | Varies by app | Yes - PDF export |
| Feature | Balance | Horiva | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (premium) | ~$3.80/mo (GBP 2.99) | $9/mo | Balance is cheaper for premium |
| Free tier | Yes (functional) | 1-month free trial only | Balance has ongoing free access |
| Doctor reports | No | Yes - PDF export | Horiva generates clinical export |
| Data storage | Server | On-device | Horiva data never sent to servers |
| Perimenopause focus | Yes | Yes | Both built for this transition |
| Health context | UK-centric | US-focused | Relevant if using US healthcare |
| Community features | Yes | No | Balance has community; Horiva does not |
What These Two Apps Have in Common
Balance and Horiva are both designed for perimenopause and menopause specifically. Neither was retrofitted onto a fertility tracker. Both have symptom libraries built for the perimenopause experience, not general health logging.
That shared foundation makes the comparison meaningful. You are not choosing between a general app and a specialized one - you are choosing between two apps with the same focus and different trade-offs.
The Feature That Separates Them
The most practical difference is the doctor report.
Balance does not produce a report. Your logs stay in the app. They are useful for your own reference, but if you need something to bring to a gynecologist appointment, you are manually transcribing from the app.
Horiva generates a structured PDF export. It is formatted for medical appointments with symptom frequency, intensity patterns, and a timeline that a provider can review quickly.
For women who are tracking precisely because their doctors have not taken their symptoms seriously, this difference is not minor.
The Privacy Difference
Balance stores data on its servers. It operates under GDPR, which provides regulatory accountability.
Horiva stores data on your device. It never reaches Horiva’s servers. The privacy guarantee is structural - not a policy commitment, but a technical constraint.
For highly sensitive data (mood changes, sexual health symptoms, irregular bleeding), where that data lives matters.
Making the Choice
If cost is the primary factor: Balance is the right choice. The free tier is functional, and the premium tier is under $4/month.
If you are actively trying to build documentation for a medical provider who has been dismissive, or if you want your data on your device rather than a server: Horiva is built for those priorities.
Switch to a tracker built for this stage
Private by design. No ads. No data selling.
If you switch, you will have a cleaner record ready to review or export later.
Switch to Horiva freeVerdict
Balance if you want a free or low-cost option with genuine perimenopause focus. Horiva if you need a doctor report or want your data on your device rather than a server. Both are credible choices for perimenopause tracking.
PROS & CONS
Balance
Pros
- Free tier is functional for basic perimenopause tracking
- Designed menopause-first with genuine clinical input
- GDPR compliance provides regulatory accountability
- Affordable premium tier makes quality tracking accessible
Cons
- No doctor report - everything stays in the app
- Server-based storage - data held on Balance's infrastructure
- UK healthcare references do not map to US medical context
PROS & CONS
Horiva
Pros
- PDF export formatted for gynecology and endocrinology appointments
- On-device storage - Horiva cannot access or sell your data
- 40+ symptoms covering unusual perimenopause presentations
- US healthcare context built into content and report format
Cons
- Paid only after 1-month free trial
- Higher monthly cost than Balance premium
- No community features or peer support
Q&A
Is Balance or Horiva better for perimenopause?
Both are designed for perimenopause. Balance is better if budget is the primary constraint - the free tier is functional and the premium tier is around $3.80/month. Horiva is better if you need a doctor report, want on-device privacy, or are navigating US healthcare where provider dismissal is common.
Q&A
Does Balance have a doctor report feature?
No. Balance does not generate a report formatted for medical appointments. Symptom data stays inside the app. Horiva generates a structured PDF export designed for gynecology appointments.
Q&A
Is Horiva worth paying for if Balance is free?
It depends on what you need. If you are tracking primarily for self-awareness, Balance is a reasonable free option. If you are trying to build an evidence base for a doctor who has dismissed your symptoms, the doctor report in Horiva is the feature that serves that goal.
Frequently asked