Softwr

Healthcare · head to head

Clue vs Headspace

Clue logo

Clue

Healthcare

Period and cycle tracking app owned by German company Biowink, positioned around science based tracking and a published stance against sharing data with law enforcement

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Headspace logo

Headspace

Healthcare

Meditation and mindfulness made simple

From
$12.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Clue has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Clue clues stated policy on not sharing data with law enforcement without a valid legal process is the companys own published position and legal interpretation, not an independent guarantee, and it can still be compelled to comply with a legally binding request under EU or other applicable law.; Headspace paid subscription required for unlimited access; free tier is limited
  • They diverge on capability: Clue covers Cycle and symptom tracking, Headspace covers Guided meditations.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Clue and Headspace actually diverge.

Attributes where Clue and Headspace differ
AttributeClueHeadspace
Starting priceFree$12.99/month
Pricing modelFree with a Plus subscriptionUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Healthcare).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Clue

  • Cycle and symptom tracking
  • Cycle insights and patterns
  • Research partnerships
  • EU-based data hosting
  • Fertility and conception mode
  • Perimenopause and other life stage tracking

Only in Headspace

  • Guided meditations
  • Sleep stories
  • Focus playlists
  • Breathing exercises
  • SOS sessions
  • Apple Health
  • Google Fit
  • Apple Watch

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Clue

  • Someone specifically weighing data jurisdiction and legal exposure when choosing a period tracking app, given Clues EU basis and published stance on law enforcement requestsnot Headspace
  • A user who wants cycle tracking positioned around scientific research partnerships rather than lifestyle or community contentnot Headspace
  • A buyer comparing Clue directly against Flo on current published privacy policy language before choosing which app to trustnot Headspace
  • Someone tracking perimenopause or other non-standard cycle stages that some period apps do not support wellnot Headspace

Headspace

  • Workout trackingnot Clue
  • Nutrition managementnot Clue
  • Health monitoringnot Clue
  • Fitness coachingnot Clue
  • Wellness improvementnot Clue

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Clue

  • Clues stated policy on not sharing data with law enforcement without a valid legal process is the companys own published position and legal interpretation, not an independent guarantee, and it can still be compelled to comply with a legally binding request under EU or other applicable law.
  • Deeper cycle insights and predictions, the features most likely to justify tracking in the first place, are gated behind the Clue Plus subscription rather than fully free.
  • Being a smaller company than some competitors, Clue has less capital and legal resource to contest large-scale legal requests than a larger, better-funded rival might, despite its stated intent to do so.
  • Research partnerships using anonymised user data, while opt-in, still mean user-derived data can be used in ways beyond direct app functionality, and users should check current consent settings.
  • Cycle predictions rely on self-reported data and general population models, so accuracy for irregular cycles or specific medical conditions remains limited regardless of which app is used.

Headspace

  • Paid subscription required for unlimited access; free tier is limited
  • Mobile-first design means web experience is less feature-complete than mobile apps
  • Limited integration with other health and fitness apps compared to some competitors
  • Coaching services available only at higher tiers or additional cost

Pricing, plan by plan

Clue

Free
  • Clue Plus$9.99/month
    • Free tier covers core cycle tracking, logging and basic predictions
    • Clue Plus adds deeper cycle insights, extended predictions and personalised content
    • Annual Plus plans typically offered at a lower effective monthly rate

Headspace

$12.99/month
  • Monthly$12.99/month
    • Unlimited meditation access
    • Sleep content
    • Focus music
  • Annual$69.99/year
    • Same as monthly
    • 14-day free trial
  • Student$9.99/year
    • Full access with student verification

Which should you pick?

Choose Clue if

  • You need cycle and symptom tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want cycle insights and patterns.
Clue review

Choose Headspace if

  • You need guided meditations.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro.
  • You also want sleep stories.
Headspace review

Questions people ask

Is Clue or Headspace better?
Neither clearly leads. Clue starts at Free and Headspace at $12.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Clue or Headspace?
Clue has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Clue and $12.99/month for Headspace.
Does Clue or Headspace run on more platforms?
Clue runs on iOS, Android. Headspace runs on iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro.
Can I use Clue for free?
Yes. Clue has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Headspace starts at $12.99/month.
What is Clue best used for?
Clue is most often used for someone specifically weighing data jurisdiction and legal exposure when choosing a period tracking app, given clues eu basis and published stance on law enforcement requests, a user who wants cycle tracking positioned around scientific research partnerships rather than lifestyle or community content, a buyer comparing clue directly against flo on current published privacy policy language before choosing which app to trust, someone tracking perimenopause or other non-standard cycle stages that some period apps do not support well. Of those, someone specifically weighing data jurisdiction and legal exposure when choosing a period tracking app, given clues eu basis and published stance on law enforcement requests and a user who wants cycle tracking positioned around scientific research partnerships rather than lifestyle or community content are not what Headspace is typically brought in for.
What can Clue do that Headspace cannot?
Clue covers Cycle and symptom tracking, Cycle insights and patterns, Research partnerships, EU-based data hosting. Headspace covers Guided meditations, Sleep stories, Focus playlists, Breathing exercises.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Clue: Does Clue share data with law enforcement?

Clue publishes a policy stating it does not share health data with law enforcement or public authorities without a legally binding request and states it will challenge requests it considers improper. This is the companys stated position; verify the current policy directly for specifics.

Headspace: How much does Headspace cost?

Headspace offers a monthly plan at $12.99/month or annual plan at $69.99/year (approximately $5.83/month). Students can subscribe for $9.99/year. A 14-day free trial is available. HSA and FSA eligible options support pre-tax payments.

Source
Clue: Why does Clue emphasise being an EU company?

Clue operates under EU GDPR data protection rules and states this legal basis makes it harder for authorities outside the EU, including US authorities, to compel data disclosure than for a company based in the US.

Headspace: What content does Headspace include?

Headspace includes 1,000+ expert-led exercises covering meditation, stress relief, sleep resources including sleepcasts and soundscapes, anxiety management tools, and optional mental health coaching services with trained mindfulness experts.

Source
Clue: Is Clue free?

Core cycle tracking, logging and basic predictions are free. Deeper insights and extended predictions require Clue Plus.

Headspace: On which platforms can I use Headspace?

Headspace is available on iOS, Android, web browsers, Mac, Apple Watch Series 6+, and Apple Vision Pro. Smart home integration with Google Assistant and Alexa allows hands-free access on compatible devices.

Source
Headspace: Does Headspace offer therapy or coaching?

Headspace includes meditation and mindfulness training led by trained experts. Mental health coaching is available as an add-on service. For therapy, users seeking clinical counseling should explore Headspace's mental health services or other dedicated therapy platforms.

Source
Headspace: Is Headspace research-backed?

Yes. Headspace describes itself as the most research-backed meditation app on the market with 500+ hours of guided content, peer-reviewed studies demonstrating efficacy, and Ebb AI personalization that adapts sessions to user mood.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Clue

More on Headspace

Keep looking

Other head to heads