Glow- App Review

Key Takeaways

• Period & Ovulation Tracking: Glow provides cycle tracking, fertility predictions, and community support. It uses a data-driven algorithm to forecast ovulation and period dates but lacks transparency on the medical sources behind its predictions.

• Data Privacy: The app has faced multiple controversies regarding user privacy and data handling, including user concerns raised by privacy watchdogs in 2020.

• User Experience: The interface is engaging and social, with a large user base and forum feature. However, the heavy focus on community and upselling may feel overwhelming or triggering for some users.

• Verdict: While Glow offers robust tracking and community, its data practices and lack of transparency in content verification bring it below a doctor-approved threshold.

Medical Integrity

• Score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
  Glow provides fertility insights and symptom tracking but does not clearly cite medical sources or partner with verifiable medical professionals in the development of its core algorithm.

Doctor’s Note: Apps in the women’s health space must go beyond surface-level symptom checkers. Glow does not sufficiently disclose whether its predictions are clinically reviewed or medically supervised.

Ethical Standards

• Score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
  The app’s aggressive upselling, in-app ads, and emotionally manipulative language in parts of the user journey raise ethical concerns. It’s not always transparent in separating science from community opinion.

Doctor’s Note: Emotional triggers and persuasive design tactics in health apps erode user trust—especially when they relate to fertility and health decisions. Glow blurs the line between support and pressure.

Data Privacy & Protection

• Score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
  Glow’s past issues include a major data privacy investigation in 2020. Though policies have since been updated, transparency is still lacking around third-party sharing and data usage for advertising.

Doctor’s Note: A woman’s reproductive data is not a commodity. Glow needs to radically improve transparency and place greater control in the hands of the user.

UX & Accessibility

• Score: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
  The app is vibrant and engaging, with lots of visual customization. But this can be overwhelming. Accessibility features are minimal, and the app is less suitable for users who prefer a calmer, more clinical UX.

Doctor’s Note: Community is powerful—but UX should prioritize emotional safety and clarity over social virality.

Behavioral Impact

• Score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
  Glow leans heavily on community features and tracking streaks, which may gamify health behaviors. This can lead to anxiety, particularly in users trying to conceive.

Doctor’s Note: Fertility pressure is real, and Glow doesn’t do enough to buffer emotional distress caused by constant engagement loops and pregnancy-focused messaging.

Final Score: ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2 out of 5)

Verdict

Glow delivers on community and tracking features, but it falls short on medical oversight, ethical practices, and data responsibility. It does not meet SheRanked’s criteria for a Doctor’s Approval Badge.

Review Notes

This review is based on the app’s performance as of 14/04/2025. If the app undergoes significant updates or improvements, the developers are welcome to reach out for a re-evaluation, which may lead to a higher score and potentially a SheRanked Doctor’s Approval Badge.

Reviewed by: Dr Christina Davies, SheRanked Doctor-led Review
Review Date: 14/04/2025

Medical Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Official Website: https://glowing.com