Ruva vs BabyCenter
Ruva gives you free pregnancy tracking without ads or an account to create. Keep your symptoms, notes and care contacts together, with support for your cycle, pregnancy and life after a birth.
BabyCenter covers conception through your baby’s infancy years, with birth clubs and parenting resources. It relies on advertising revenue. Ruva gives you a place to track your own health without ads.1,2,3
Open Ruva in any browser today, or get it on Google Play for Android. Every feature is free, from cycle tracking and trying to conceive to pregnancy, after a birth and perimenopause. Your entries stay on your device unless you choose a cloud backup, partner sharing or a Community post. Apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch are on the way.
At a glance
- BabyCenter’s app is free.4,5
- BabyCenter relies on paid advertising, and its Google Play listing says it contains ads.1,3
- You need a BabyCenter account to use the app.5
- Its health information is reviewed and approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.4
- Its privacy policy says it may sell or transfer online data to third parties such as advertisers. You can opt out through its privacy portal.2
Side by side
| Feature | Ruva | BabyCenter |
|---|---|---|
| Price and free tier | Every feature free You get every Ruva feature for free, with no paywall or premium tier. That includes every mode, the doctor summary and the library of guides. | Free BabyCenter’s app FAQ and US App Store listing say the app is free. 4,5 |
| Ads | No ads No ads anywhere in Ruva, and no advertising ID. Ruva uses Google Analytics for Firebase with advertising switched off to see how the app is used, and counts health-related screens itself so they never reach Google. You can switch it off in Settings › Privacy settings. | Contains ads BabyCenter relies on paid advertising and says it maintains editorial independence. Its Google Play listing confirms the app contains ads. 3,4,1 |
| Account needed | No account needed Start tracking without an account. Linking Google, Apple or an email account is optional, needed only to join the Community or restore a cloud backup on a new device. | Required BabyCenter’s app FAQ says you need an account to access the app. 5 |
| Where your data is kept | On your device Your entries stay on your device, in your browser when you use Ruva on the web. They leave only if you make a cloud backup, share with a partner or post in the Community. | App and web account sync BabyCenter keeps your app and web experience in sync. Its FAQ says app photos are not saved to the cloud for viewing on its website. 5 |
| Selling and sharing data, per their policy | No data sales Ruva doesn’t sell your data, and your cycle data isn’t shared with Google or Apple if you link an account. You choose whether to make a cloud backup, share with a partner or post in the Community. | May sell online data BabyCenter’s policy says it may sell or transfer online data to advertisers and includes a Texas notice about selling sensitive personal data. Its privacy portal lets you opt out of the sale of personal information. 2 |
| Export your data | Download everything Download everything as one file you can restore into Ruva on another device without an account. You can also get a CSV copy for spreadsheets. | Request a copy You can request a copy of your data through BabyCenter’s privacy portal. Its app FAQ also describes emailing contraction summaries and generating a PDF to email. 2,5 |
| Delete your data | Delete inside the app You can delete everything from inside Ruva. | Request deletion You can use BabyCenter’s privacy portal to request deletion of all the information it has collected about you. 2 |
| Languages | Eight languages Use Ruva in English, Spanish, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, Simplified Chinese or Hindi. Arabic has a right-to-left layout. | 4 languages The US App Store lists English, German, Portuguese and Spanish. 4 |
| Platforms | Browser and Android Use Ruva in any browser, or get the Android and Wear OS apps on Google Play. Apps for iPhone and iPad are on the way, along with Mac (as the iPad app) and Apple Watch. | iOS, Android and web BabyCenter has App Store and Google Play listings, plus a website. Its App Store listing says it is designed for iPad. 4,3,1 |
| Pregnancy, after a birth, perimenopause | Yes, each has its own mode Choose cycle tracking, trying to conceive, pregnancy, after a birth or perimenopause. You can switch modes without losing what you’ve logged. | Conception to infancy BabyCenter covers conception through your baby’s infancy years. Its App Store listing also describes postpartum symptom tracking. 3,4 |
| Contraception | Not contraception Ruva helps you track your cycle, with dates that are estimates based on what you’ve logged. It isn’t contraception or a medical device. | Information only BabyCenter’s terms describe its site as informational and say it does not provide medical advice. Ruva helps you record your health, with dates shown as estimates, and is neither contraception nor a medical device. 6,1 |
| Offline use | Log offline Your entries save on your device, so you can log without a connection once Ruva has loaded in your browser. | Due date changes need web BabyCenter’s app FAQ says you need an internet connection to change your due date. 5 |
Use Ruva free in your browser or in the Android and Wear OS apps from Google Play, with no account needed. Apps for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch are on the way. The feature availability table shows which features come with the phone apps, and the privacy policy explains your data choices.
Features compared
| Feature | Ruva | BabyCenter |
|---|---|---|
| Hormone chart | Typical hormone curves See how FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone typically change across a cycle, drawn to your cycle length with today marked. It’s a typical cycle, not your own levels. | Not stated |
| Patterns from your logs | From your own logs Recorded patterns count what you log before and during your periods. They show patterns, not causes, and there are no scores. | Not stated |
| Temperature and LH chart by cycle | One cycle at a time Your basal temperature by cycle day, with your LH test results and period days. It never marks fertile days. | Not stated |
| Report for your doctor | Free PDF A summary of your cycle lengths, periods, symptoms and patterns for your doctor, saved as a PDF. | Birth preferences PDF BabyCenter’s birth preferences tool makes a PDF you can email to your healthcare providers. A wider health report isn’t described. 5,3 |
| Partner sharing | Free Share a view of your cycle with a partner and choose what they see. | Not stated |
| Community | Anonymous communities Join topic communities without showing your name. Joining needs a linked Google, Apple or email account; tracking never does. | Free BabyCenter’s free app includes an online community and Birth Clubs for people due in the same month. 7,4 |
| Choose what you log | Hide and reorder Choose which sections and trackers appear when you log, and put them in your own order. | Not stated |
| Your own tags | Your own tags Add tags for what matters to you, like a supplement or a trigger, and see them counted in your patterns. | Not stated |
| Automatic deletion | By section and age Choose sections and an age, and older entries in them are deleted automatically. Period days stay, because your estimates need them. | Not stated |
| New-phase reminder | Opt-in reminder A reminder on the first day of each new phase, with discreet wording if you prefer. In a browser, reminders arrive while Ruva is open in a tab. | Not stated |
| Import from other apps | From Flo, Clue and more Import a data export from Flo, Clue, Natural Cycles, Apple Health, drip. or Mensinator, or a CSV file. Ruva reads it on your device and shows a preview first. | Not stated |
What BabyCenter offers
- Expert-written health information reviewed and approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.4,1
- More than 9 million community members, with birth clubs for people due in the same month.1,4
- A kick counter, contraction timer, birth plan template and hospital bag checklist.4
- A baby growth tracker, sleep log and feeding schedules.4,3
- A stated policy of separating editorial and advertising content.1
- Free childbirth and baby safety classes.4
Where Ruva goes further
- Every Ruva feature is free, with no paywall or premium tier. You get tracking and guides without ads or data sales.
- Start tracking in Ruva without an account. Your entries stay on your device, in your browser when you use the web app. They leave only if you make a cloud backup, share with a partner or post in the optional Community.
- Keep using Ruva as your needs change. Cycle tracking, trying to conceive, pregnancy, after a birth and perimenopause are all in one app. Switching modes keeps what you’ve logged.
- Download everything from Ruva whenever you want, including entries, notes, medicines and settings. Restore that file on another device without an account, or use the CSV copy in a spreadsheet.
- Keep pregnancy and after-birth guidance close to your daily record. Ruva’s When to get help guidance includes numbers for where you get care, with your own care contacts one tap away in pregnancy.
Choose Ruva for everyday tracking
If you want community alongside your own record
BabyCenter’s birth clubs connect people due in the same month. Ruva gives you an optional Community where posts show only your display name, alongside free personal tracking. Joining the Community needs a linked account, while tracking does not.4
If you want guidance you can use day to day
BabyCenter offers health content reviewed by its Medical Advisory Board and free childbirth classes. Ruva brings a week-by-week pregnancy guide, a searchable food and drink guide and a library in eight languages into the same app as your daily record, all free.4,1
If you want a private, ad-free record
Choose Ruva for free tracking without ads or an account to create. Your entries stay on your device unless you make a cloud backup, share with a partner or post in the Community.
If you want cycle and perimenopause tracking too
BabyCenter describes its coverage as conception through your baby’s infancy years. Ruva keeps cycle tracking, pregnancy and perimenopause together, so you can change modes without losing your record.3
Questions
Does BabyCenter sell my data?
BabyCenter’s policy says it may sell or transfer online data to third parties such as advertisers. It also includes a Texas notice that it may sell sensitive personal data. You can opt out of the sale of personal information through its privacy portal. Ruva does not sell data and gives you free tracking without ads.2
Is the BabyCenter app free?
Do I need an account for BabyCenter?
Yes. BabyCenter’s app FAQ says you need an account to access the app. With Ruva, you can start tracking in your browser without creating one.5
Can I use Ruva for pregnancy?
Yes. Ruva gives you a week-by-week guide from week 4, When to get help guidance and a place for your care contacts. After a birth, you can keep recovery notes and record feeds and nappies. It supports your own record and does not replace your midwife, doctor or maternity team. All of this is free in your browser today.
Sources
Every statement about BabyCenter on this page comes from the pages below, read on the date shown. We quote the wording we relied on.
- About BabyCenter (BabyCenter)
BabyCenter relies on revenue from paid advertisements, but maintains full editorial independence.
reaching millions of new and expectant parents monthly through our global websites, mobile apps, online communities, email, and social platforms.
BabyCenter is designed for educational purposes only. Consult with a medical professional if you have health concerns.
Their specialties include fertility, obstetrics, midwifery, pediatrics, child development, and emotional health.
With more than 9 million members worldwide and thousands of birth clubs and other groups
We adhere to a strict policy of separation between editorial and advertising content.
BabyCenter was founded in 1997.
In August 2019, BabyCenter LLC became a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZD).
- BabyCenter privacy policy (BabyCenter)
We may also sell or transfer Online Data to certain third parties such as advertisers
You may also opt-out of targeted advertising by submitting a request to opt-out of the sale of your personal information via https://dsar.babycenter.com/ .
NOTICE: We may sell your sensitive personal data, as defined under and in accordance with Texas law.
You can use this portal to request a copy of your data, corrections, delete your data, or other rights applicable to you.
You can request us to delete all the information we have collected about you.
BabyCenter.com and its related app are operated by Everyday Health.
- BabyCenter Pregnancy App & Baby Tracker, Google Play listing (US) (Google Play)
BabyCenter Contains ads
Pregnancy App & Baby Tracker
from conception, through your baby’s infancy years.
tools like the Baby Growth Tracker, baby sleep log, feeding schedules and guides
Birth Plan Template: Document your preferences for your birth experience
- BabyCenter Pregnancy Tracker, US App Store listing (Apple App Store)
Free · Designed for iPad
All health information is written by experts and reviewed and approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board.
Contains Advertising User-Generated Content Health or Wellness Topics Social Media
Languages English and 3 more English, German, Portuguese, Spanish
Requires iOS 17.0 or later.
Keep track of postpartum symptoms and notes about your baby
Join your Birth Club to meet people with due dates in the same month
Count your baby’s kicks during pregnancy
Time contractions during late pregnancy and labor!
printable hospital bag checklist and birth plan template
Use our Baby Growth Tracker to chart your baby’s size, development and big milestones
Take free Baby Safety and childbirth classes
- BabyCenter iPhone app FAQ (BabyCenter)
How much does it cost? It's free!
Why do I have to create a BabyCenter account to access the app?
Your app and web experience are integrated so you don't have to do extra work to keep things in sync.
BabyCenter does not save photos from the app to the cloud for you to view on the BabyCenter site.
You can then email a summary of all your recorded contractions.
A PDF will be generated that you can email to yourself or your healthcare providers.
Note: You must be connected to the Internet to change your due date.
- BabyCenter terms of use (BabyCenter)
This Site is for Informational Purposes Only and Does Not Provide Medical Advice.
- BabyCenter’s Pregnancy and Parenting App (BabyCenter)
Here are some of the features included in the BabyCenter app, all for free:
Online Community: Connect with moms, parents and parents-to-be
Birth Clubs: Meet people with due dates in the same month