Clue Period App Review
OVERVIEW:
Clue Period Tracker is a comprehensive AI app designed to empower individuals to live in sync with their menstrual cycles.
AWARDS: Explore the different categories of Inclusive AI awards to ensure you’re making the most informed purchasing choices
ALL YEAR AWARDS:
REVIEWS & RATINGS
Operational Efficiency:
Sign-up Process:
Seamless and user-friendly sign-up process, intuitive and efficient.
Spam and Unsolicited Emails:
Occasional unsolicited emails, not very intrusive
Sign-up Process: If you already have a Clue account, you have various sign-in options: sign-in with your email address, Apple ID, Google account, or Facebook account. If not, you can easily sign-up for a new account. To create a new account, you’ll have to enter your date of birth and then select your purpose of using the app. Then you’ll be asked a few follow-up questions that will help the system to make accurate predictions. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go!
Spam and Unsolicited Emails: While there is no option to unsubscribe from receiving emails in the app, there is an option in gmail (shown in the screenshot). I have only received one email from Clue so far. It was sent to me when I created an account:
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Product Purpose and Value:
App Purpose and Target Audience:
Exceptionally clear and focused purpose, perfectly tailored to the target audience.
Product Description Clarity:
Adequately clear description, covers basic features and uses.
Pricing vs Value:
Reasonably priced, fair value for the cost.
App Purpose and Target Audience: The app is exceptionally well-designed for women across various life stages, from adolescents experiencing their first periods to those approaching menopause. Its primary features, including period tracking, fertility assistance, pregnancy support, and menopause education, are both clear in purpose and directly address the needs of its audience. Beyond mere tracking, the app offers valuable health advice and informative articles on topics such as menstrual health, sexual well-being, and reproductive issues, all backed by medical expertise (more articles can be found on their website). This thoughtful alignment of features with the user’s needs underscores the app’s clear and focused intent, making it a perfect fit for its intended audience.
Product Description Clarity: The app’s description is provided in its website but it only tells us the 3 main functions of the application (screenshot below). It doesn’t describe how it achieves its functions nor does it state any more purposes that can be achieved using the app. A new user may not know most of the app’s features before actually trying it themselves as the website doesn’t mention that specifically. It only states “Use 30+ different tracking options to find out how your cycle affects things like mood, skin, energy levels and much more.
Pricing vs Value : The pricing of Clue Period Tracker is set to match its comprehensive features and services, making it a fair investment. Users benefit from AI-driven cycle tracking, ovulation, and PMS predictions, which become more accurate over time. The app also offers valuable insights into how one’s cycle affects mood, energy, and more. With a strong commitment to data security and the provision of expert health advice, the price reflects the significant value users receive in understanding and managing their health effectively.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Ease Of Use:
Device Compatibility (laptop, phone, tablet):
Exceptionally clear and focused purpose, perfectly tailored to the target audience.
Empowerment and Control:
Fair amount of control over app functions.
Accuracy and Responsiveness:
Bug-free, instant response.
Integration and Extensions (Google, Chrome, Firefox):
No integration or extension capabilities.
Feature Access:
All features are highly accessible and intuitively laid out.
Enjoyability of Features:
Features are engaging and enhance user experience.
User Guide Dependency:
Completely intuitive, no need for a user guide to understand functionalities.
Device Compatibility: The application operates smoothly and I have not experienced any issues thus far. However, the reason I didn’t rate it 10 is because the app isn’t compatible with some softwares. It only works with Android and iOS and isn’t available for laptops or macbooks.
Accuracy and Responsiveness:
I’ve found the software to be exceptionally smooth and responsive, with no lagging or glitching to speak of. The app operates swiftly, enhancing the user experience by ensuring that interactions are seamless. Impressively, I haven’t come across any bugs during my use, which speaks volumes about its stability. Additionally, one of the standout features is the app’s ad-free environment, providing an uninterrupted and clean user experience.
Integration and Extensions:
Clue operates solely as a standalone application and does not support extension capabilities or integration with other platforms. As a stand-alone app, Clue prioritizes a seamless user experience, concentrating on its core functionalities without the complexities of external integrations.
Feature Access:
The app’s design is very organized and simplistic, avoiding any unnecessary complications, which makes it much easier for users to access and utilize its features. This straightforward approach ensures that users can smoothly navigate through the app, quickly locating and using the tools they need without any fuss. The user-friendly interface is designed with the everyday user in mind, making health tracking straightforward and less intimidating. By focusing on simplicity and ease of use, the app effectively breaks down barriers to health monitoring, making it accessible and manageable for a wide range of users.
Enjoyability of Features: The app’s engaging features and personalized insights make health tracking enjoyable and enrich the user experience. Interactive tools transform routine checks into a rewarding activity, fostering a deeper connection with personal health and making daily monitoring a positive habit. Here are some screenshots from Clue’s preview in Apple’s App Store (some of these features are available using the paid version only):
User Guide Dependency: The app is designed to be completely intuitive, eliminating any dependency on a user guide to understand its functionalities. Users can dive right in and start using the app without the need to sift through instructions or tutorials. This intuitive design means that the app’s features are self-explanatory, and users can naturally navigate through the various tools and options available. The simplicity and intuitiveness of the app ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, making it accessible and straightforward for everyone, regardless of their familiarity with health tracking apps.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Customer Interaction:
Reaching and Engaging Customer Service (Speed, Friendliness):
Slow response times and average friendliness. (1 day or 24 hours)
User Training and Educational Resources“
Limited resources available, not very comprehensive.
Reaching and Engaging Customer Service: If you use the paid version of the app and are subscribed to Clue Plus, an assigned member will look into your matter and provide personalized support. However, if you’re using the free version, you can contact customer service but there’s no knowing how soon you’ll receive a reply (typically within 2-5 days).
User Training and Educational Resources: The reason I gave a rating of 3-4 is because the app doesn’t have any user training resources but instead it provides some help to the user via their FAQs in the support section: https://support.helloclue.com/hc/en-us This same support feature is also available in the app (screenshot below). Apart from this, it does provide educational articles by medical experts to provide more insights.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Universal Access:
Universal Access:
High Universal Access: The app shows high compatibility with a wide range of devices, including some older models. It has good support for assistive technologies and adapts well to various internet conditions.
Ease of Access and Use with Interface and Navigation:
Exceptionally accessible, user-friendly interface, outstanding ease of navigation.
Universal Access:
The app runs smoothly on older iOS versions like iOS 15.0, making it accessible for users with various device generations. Plus, it performs well across different internet speeds, from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, ensuring a reliable experience regardless of your connection. This inclusivity extends its usability to a wider audience, accommodating diverse technological setups.
Ease of Access and Use with Interface and Navigation:
The app has an exceptionally accessible interface, characterized by its user-friendliness and a compact, simplistic design, which makes it easier to navigate. This streamlined approach ensures that users can effortlessly interact with the app using key features and functionalities. The simplicity of the design removes any potential for confusion, allowing users to quickly find what they’re looking for and making the overall experience more intuitive.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Fairness in Use:
Responsiveness to Keywords:
High Fairness in Use: The application demonstrates high fairness in handling universal keywords, with efforts to avoid bias and stereotypes across most categories. It promotes equitable treatment for users, though there are minor areas for improvement to achieve complete fairness.
Mechanism for Reporting Bias:
Inadequate Reporting Mechanism: The application lacks a clear or accessible mechanism for users to report instances of bias or unfair treatment. User reports are not effectively addressed, leading to ongoing issues of bias within the app.
Responsiveness to Keywords:
The app demonstrates commendable fairness in its response to a diverse range of keywords, striving to maintain neutrality and avoid bias across various categories. It makes a conscious effort to promote equitable treatment of all users by incorporating inclusive language and content, particularly in relation to gender, sexual orientation, age, and health status. The inclusion of articles that address LGBTQIA+ topics using keywords like “gay”, “lesbian”, “bisexual”, “transgender”, “non-binary”, “female”, and “male” reflects a commitment to diversity and representation.
Additionally, the app’s attention to different age groups, through terms such as “young”, “middle-aged”, and “elderly”, as well as its discussion of medical conditions using keywords like “healthy”, “disabled”, and “chronically ill”, further underscores its inclusivity. The results and analytics are even personalized based on any impactful medical condition you may have (settings’ screenshots attached below) Some articles even talk about People of Colour, namely Black women. Here are a few of them:
Mechanism for Reporting Bias : The app doesn’t have a direct way for users to flag bias or unfairness, which is a bit of a shortfall. If users feel something’s not right, their main option is to reach out to customer service. While it’s good that there’s a way to talk about these issues, not having a specific feature in the app for this purpose might make it harder for users to report their concerns effectively. This situation points out the need for a clearer, more straightforward process to help ensure everyone feels fairly treated and can easily voice their concerns.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Specific Needs:
Accessibility for Differently-Abled Users (Visual, Auditory, Motor, Cognitive Impairments):
Little to no consideration for differently-abled users.
Language Accessibility (Supported Languages, Translation Features):
Extremely limited language support or translation features.
Accessibility Accommodations (Request Process, Variety of Accommodations Offered)
No process for requesting accommodations, or very limited options.
Accessibility for Differently-Abled Users: The app currently lacks specific considerations for differently-abled users, which means it may not fully cater to the needs of individuals with disabilities. This oversight can limit the accessibility and usability of the app for those who might require adaptive technologies or specialized design features. Addressing this gap is essential to ensure that the app is inclusive and accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities. Enhancing the app to support features like screen readers, voice commands, or adjustable text sizes could significantly improve the experience for differently-abled users, making health tracking and information more accessible to everyone.
Language Accessibility: The app is listed in the Apple App Store as supporting many languages, suggesting it’s designed for users worldwide. However, once you’re in the app, there seems to be no clear way to switch languages. This situation might be a bit confusing for users who were expecting to use the app in their own language based on the App Store information. However in their YouTube channel, Clue has uploaded a couple of tutorial videos showing how to change the preferred language of the application. iOS: https://youtu.be/N1O7UAm0Ork?si=OAVZLMU6kxt0uCef Android: https://youtu.be/EO-p4mUChNU?si=mhw1WtwOHXQRS8Fh
Accessibility Accommodations: The app currently does not have a formal process in place for users to request specific accessibility accommodations. This means that while the app’s design is user-friendly and straightforward, there might be limitations for users with specific accessibility needs. Ensuring the app is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is crucial for inclusivity.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Education and Support
Accessible Training Materials (Availability, Comprehensibility, Language Diversity):
Training materials are scarce, hard to understand, or lack language diversity.
User Community and Support Systems:
Adequate user community support and engagement.
Community Engagement and Advocacy:
Moderate community engagement, some advocacy efforts.
Social Media Engagement:
Exceptional social media engagement, sets standards for interactive communication.
Feedback Integration (How is it Perceived, Acknowledged, Integrated):
Actively acknowledges and integrates feedback, noticeable improvements.
Accessible Training Materials: The app does not provide any training materials. It is designed for immediate use without the need for detailed instructions. The app’s straightforward setup and user-centric design principles mean that users can dive right in, exploring its features with ease. The absence of training materials could pose a challenge for some users, particularly those less familiar with digital tools or who prefer guided instructions. This gap might lead to initial uncertainties about utilizing all the app’s functionalities to their fullest, potentially slowing down the adoption process for a segment of the user base. It leads individuals to explore and learn through trial and error, which could be less efficient and more time-consuming for those who appreciate structured learning resources.
User Community and Support Systems: The reason why I rated it as such is because the app has a number of engagement platforms and the Clue team is highly active, posting frequently. However, their followers rarely interact with their posts. They have followers in the tens of thousands but for most posts, only one or two comments are seen. Below, I have shown screenshots of the number of their followers and post interactions from their main platforms: X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest. X (formerly Twitter):
Community Engagement and Advocacy: The app demonstrates minimal community engagement, as evidenced by the low level of interaction on their social media posts, despite having a significant number of followers. Despite this, the app’s commitment to advocacy remains strong. Through all its platforms, it tirelessly works to educate users about various health aspects. This dedication to spreading knowledge highlights a different form of engagement, focusing on informing and empowering its audience rather than fostering interactive discussions. The app’s advocacy efforts underscore its mission to enhance awareness and understanding of health-related topics among its user base.
Social Media Engagement: The app’s engagement on social media is remarkably active, consistently posting multiple times a day to maintain a lively presence. This engagement isn’t just frequent; it’s also timely and relevant, tapping into current events to connect with the audience. For instance, on March 11th, coinciding with the Oscars Awards 2024, the app cleverly used imagery from the event to craft posts that brought attention to period awareness. Similarly, following the release of the “Dune: Part 2” movie trailer, they quickly jumped on the opportunity to create a meme related to unexpected period mood swings. These instances (screenshots shared below) highlight the app’s commitment to staying connected with its followers, using humor, relevance, and timeliness.
Feedback : The app actively acknowledges user feedback, demonstrating a commitment to engaging with its user base. While it responds to many of the comments and reviews on platforms like the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, it may not address every single piece of feedback. Moreover, the team typically responds within 2-3 days after the feedback was provided. Here are some of the reviews that have been responded to by the Clue Support Team:
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Ease of Quitting the Service:
Ease of Quitting the Service:
Moderate ease of cancellation, but could be more straightforward.
Ease of Quitting the Service: If you want to sign out of your account, it is pretty straightforward. To do that, just click on your name and you’ll see an option that says ‘Sign out’ (first picture shown below). However, if you are looking to delete your account permanently, the process is quite simple yet confusing. You won’t see the direct option to ‘Delete account’; you need to put in some effort to find it. To delete your account, go to the support section and choose the ‘Feedback & Suggestion’ option (screenshot below). There, you’ll find an option saying ‘How do I delete my account?’ Once you select that, you’ll be automatically redirected to the account deletion page (shown below).
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Post-Cancellation Support and Follow-Up:
Post-Cancellation Support and Follow-Up:
Adequate support and follow-up, but lacks promptness or thoroughness.
Post-Cancellation Support and Follow-Up: Following cancellation, users continue to receive support to ensure a smooth transition and resolution of any remaining queries. This post-cancellation assistance is primarily delivered through an extensive FAQ section available in the app’s support area, found at https://support.helloclue.com/hc/en-us.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Data Handling after Service Cancellation:
Data Handling after Service Cancellation:
Good data handling practices, clear and secure data policies.
Data Handling after Service Cancellation: Although there’s no clear statement in the app, the system deletes user data after the user has permanently deleted their account. This is clearly implied by the fact that it says the user won’t be able to retrieve their data later. That’s why it prompts them to download their data before deleting (as shown in the picture on the left). They do allow you to delete your data following a 30-day retention period (as shown in the picture on the right). As per their Privacy Policy, some data is anonymized and sent to third parties. Clue explicitly states that they will not share your data with the U.S. government. Clue’s data privacy policies are the most robust.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Competitor Comparison:
Competitor Comparison:
Superior to competitors in several key aspects.
Competitor Comparison: Clue distinguishes itself from competitors like Flo and Glow by offering more substantial, science-based insights into menstrual health. While the latter might be popular, they fall short in depth compared to Clue’s detailed approach to cycle tracking and overall wellness. Clue’s breadth of tracking options, from skin changes to temperature variations, provides users with a comprehensive health overview. However, maximizing Clue’s benefits requires a commitment to fully engage with its features, a small trade-off for the rich, personalized health data it offers.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Overall Experience:
Overall Satisfaction Rating: How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the AI application?
Satisfied; the application met most expectations and was generally pleasing.
Recommendation Likelihood: How likely are you to recommend this AI application to others?
Likely; would recommend with minor hesitations.
User Expectation Fulfillment: Did the AI application meet, exceed, or fall short of your expectations?
Far exceeded expectations in almost all areas.
Ease of Incorporating: How easily were you able to integrate the AI application into your daily personal or professional workflow?
Easily integrated with minimal adjustment needed.
Long-Term Engagement Potential: How likely are you to continue using this AI application in the long term
Likely; plan to use it regularly.
Overall Satisfaction Rating:
My overall satisfaction rating with the app is positive. It met most of my expectations and provided a generally pleasing experience. The app’s features and performance aligned well with what I was looking for, making it a useful tool in my daily routine. While there may be areas for improvement or additional features I’d like to see in the future like more personalized settings, community features, accessibility features, and offline functionality, the app has successfully addressed my core needs and has been a reliable resource. This level of satisfaction reflects the app’s ability to deliver on its promises and contribute positively to my personal health management.
Recommendation Likelihood:
I’m likely to recommend the app, albeit with minor reservations. While it offers many valuable features for health tracking and education, I would hesitate to suggest it to everyone, particularly due to its lack of accessibility features for individuals with disabilities. For example, those with visual impairments or mobility challenges might find the app difficult to navigate and use effectively. This oversight in design inclusivity could limit the app’s usability for a segment of potential users who require more tailored accessibility options. Therefore, while I see the app’s significant benefits for many users, I believe it’s important to consider these accessibility limitations before recommending it universally and that is why I didn’t give it a rating of 10.
User Expectation Fulfillment:
The app’s performance significantly surpassed what I had anticipated, going beyond the basic functionality I expected. Initially, I thought it would solely focus on tracking menstrual cycles, perhaps with minor inaccuracies typical of such apps. However, the reality was a pleasant surprise. The app not only provided accurate tracking without any errors but also offered a variety of additional features that set it apart from conventional options in the market like personalized insights explaining the whys and hows. What made it distinctly valuable was its collection of expert-written articles, which provided deep insights into a range of topics related to menstrual and reproductive health. This educational component enriched the user experience, offering more than just tracking capabilities. The app distinguished itself by serving as an informative guide, contributing to a better understanding of my health in a way that I hadn’t anticipated from a standard period tracker.
Ease of Incorporating:
Incorporating the AI application into my daily routine, both personal and professional, has been remarkably smooth, requiring minimal adjustments on my part. The key to harnessing the full potential of the app lies in the simple habit of making daily entries, which in turn, significantly enhances the accuracy and usefulness of the app’s results. This easy integration means that I can seamlessly blend the app’s use into my daily activities without disrupting my existing schedule or workflow.
Long-Term Engagement Potential:
The app’s potential to keep me engaged over the long term is significant. Its well-organized interface and the depth of insights it offers into health metrics make it an indispensable tool that I envision incorporating into my daily regimen. The ease with which I can access its features motivates me to delve deeper into my health analytics, making the app not just a utility but a vital part of my everyday health awareness.
This is the pros section.
This is the cons section.
Links:
Company History:
(Scroll down to “Milestones”)
Executive Team:
(Scroll down to “Proudly female founded and led”)
Ethical AI Statement:
- Link: Not available. Only the phrase “Ethics driven” is shown on the homepage:
Data Diversity and/or Mitigating Bias Statement:
Legal and Regulatory Compliance Statement:
- Link: No statement available. Only this: https://helloclue.com/imprint
For terms of service: https://helloclue.com/terms
Environmental Impact and Sustainability Statement:
- Link: Not available.
Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives:
- Link: None available.
User Privacy and Data Protection Policy:
Employee Reviews:
