Do Mood-Tracking Apps Work?

Mood trackers serve as tools to help you practice habits and take active steps toward improving your overall mental health. They do this by allowing you to monitor your moods, identify the activities or situations that impact them, and give you insight into avoiding triggers. They can be valuable tools for learning effective ways of thinking, relaxing, and coping, but are not a substitute for treatment from a mental health professional.

Do Mood Trackers Help With Disorders Such as Bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is marked by episodes of depression and elevated mood. These changes can be disruptive and affect quality of life. While treatment of bipolar disorder requires medication and therapy, lifestyle changes can also help, and this is an area where mood trackers can have an impact. Tracking, understanding, and managing your moods and bipolar disorder symptoms can help you lead a better, healthier, more balanced life. Combined with professional care, mood trackers can offer healthy habits, coping strategies, positive affirmations, and online support.

Is There Any App to Check for Depression?

Mood tracking apps can help identify patterns in moods and thought patterns, including depression. An app like MoodTools helps users recognize negative thoughts and uses a research-backed test to determine multiple signs of depression. Users can retake the exam on a regular basis to understand symptoms over time. But none of these apps can substitute for diagnosis and treatment from a mental health professional.

Best Mood Tracker Apps of 2023

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Moodfit

Key Specs

Platform: iOS and Android
Moods Tracked: Stress, anxiety, depression
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases

Why We Chose It

Available on Android and iOS, Moodfit offers customizable tools and insights to help with better overall mental health.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Customizable goals and activity tracking
Mood and gratitude journals
Meditation and breathing exercises
Also tracks sleep, nutrition, and medications

Cons

Premium features are an additional cost
Lacking some accessibility features

Overview

If you’re looking for a good, well-rounded app to help with a wide range of mood-related needs, Moodfit is a solid pick. It’s a free app (a premium subscription with advanced features is available), but it’s packed with customizable insights and self-care tools designed to help track your moods; reduce anxiety, depression, and high levels of stress; and improve overall mental health.

Available on iOS and Android, Moodfit allows you to create and track daily personal goals, which provide the basis for getting yourself into mental shape. Some features of the app include:

Mood and gratitude journal: Checking in with yourself helps you gain awareness about low moods and other symptoms and encourages you to see life’s positives.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Moodfit uses the foundations of cognitive behavioral therapy to help you focus on how your thoughts affect your feelings and behavior and teaches you coping skills.
Mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises: These self-care tools help you effectively deal with stress and encourage relaxation.
Sleep and lifestyle tracking: These tools allow you to learn more about how key lifestyle factors such as sleep, nutrition, and exercise can affect moods.
Sharing with therapist: Moodfit lets you easily share mood charts and other insights with your therapist or coach, so they’ll know how you’re doing between appointments.
Medication alerts: Track and learn which medications may affect or help your moods. You can also share your medication log with your healthcare provider.

Moodfit also provides themed reminders for calm, gratitude, and motivation; custom activity tracking; and other helpful data and summary reports that let you monitor and identify patterns. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Best for Anxiety: Worry Watch

Key Specs

Platform: iOS
Moods Tracked: Stress, anxiety, mood
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases

Why We Chose It

Worry Watch is a data-driven anxiety management and coping tool that offers detailed insights into your thought patterns.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Has anxiety tracker and journal
Provides detailed visual charts and statistics
Offers positive affirmations and reminders

Cons

Not available on Android
Interface can be tricky to navigate

Overview

Designed for anxiety self-care, the Worry Watch app puts a unique, data-driven spin on mood tracking and self-monitoring. It lets you record your anxious thought patterns, then set a reminder to revisit those worries and note whether the outcome was as bad as you initially anticipated. It does so with the help of a detailed statistics dashboard that can generate helpful reports. The result? You may realize that your worries and anxious feelings may be mostly unfounded.

Worry Watch features include:

Anxiety journal: The Worry Watch journal captures your anxious thoughts with a great level of detail. For example, you can record the context, scenario, and intensity of the anxious thoughts.
Anxiety tracker: Worry Watch offers tools that let you challenge irrational thoughts and behavior with visual charts and statistics that can show you that some worries may have been unwarranted.
Positive affirmations: You can set daily or weekly reminders that affirm optimism.
Personalized settings: The app allows you to set a password to restrict access to your journal and offers options for exporting or downloading data and reports.

Best for Depression: MoodTools

Key Specs

Platform: iOS and Android
Moods Tracked: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases

Why We Chose It

MoodTools, available on iOS and Android, offers research-supported tools designed to help combat depression.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Simple, intuitive interface
Provides a lot of information
Tracks symptoms over time
Has a safety plan for suicide prevention

Cons

Lacks visual and interactive elements
Some information lacks sourcing and attribution

Overview

Based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, MoodTools offers features aimed at people with depression (although it can also help with anxiety, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder). It is designed to help users track, identify, and challenge negative thought patterns to help improve mood.

To take advantage of the app’s research-supported tools, users take the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), a self-administered test used for screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and measuring the severity of depression. MoodTools reminds you to retake the questionnaire every two weeks so you can track the severity of your symptoms over time.

MoodTools’ features include:

Thought diary: MoodTools lets you create thought diaries to record and analyze the situations and scenarios that can cause negative thought patterns.
Activities: The app recommends and provides activities such as mindfulness meditation and therapeutic videos and lets you record your mood before and after to discover which activities help improve your moods.
Self-help and information: The app is packed with self-help literature, guidelines, and resources to continuously improve your mental health.
Safety plan: MoodTools also lets you develop a suicide safety plan to help keep you safe and access emergency resources during a crisis. It allows you to add warning signs, coping strategies, positive affirmations, and emergency contacts.

MoodTools is available for free (it offers in-app purchases) from the App Store and Google Play.

Best for PTSD: PTSD Coach

Key Specs

Platform: iOS and Android
Moods Tracked: PTSD
Pricing: Free

Why We Chose It

PTSD Coach was specially designed for veterans and military service members who have symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, but is available for free for everyone.

Pros & Cons

Pros

All features are free, no in-app purchases
Safety plan for suicide prevention
Customizable tools
Also available in Spanish

Cons

Content is geared toward military service members

Overview

Developed by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for PTSD and the Department of Defense National Center for Telehealth and Technology, PTSD Coach is a completely free app designed to educate users about posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), provide information about professional care, and offer self-assessment, personalized feedback, and support tools to help them manage their PTSD symptoms.

Although tailored to the needs of veterans and military service members, friends and family members may also find PTSD Coach a valuable resource for education, and anyone dealing with PTSD is welcome to use it.

Some of the tools include:

Symptom tracking: Users can enter details about any distress they are experiencing and receive a coping technique based on the information provided.
Relaxation techniques: The app features visualization and breathing exercises, tips for better sleeping habits, and muscle relaxation techniques.
Self-help strategies: PTSD Coach offers positive self-talk and anger management strategies, among other tools.
Support and safety plan: The app also features a Support function that provides information about emergency and crisis support services and lets users create and connect to a support network. A self-guided safety plan for suicide prevention is also available.
Customizable tools: PTSD Coach lets you customize the app and integrate personal photos and music.

PTSD Coach is available from the App Store and Google Play.

Best for Bipolar Disorder: eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker

Key Specs

Platform: iOS and Android, web browser
Moods tracked: Bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases

Why We Chose It

eMoods is a free, user-friendly app created to help you chart symptoms related to bipolar and other mood disorders.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy interface
Medication reminders and change indicators
Safety plan for warning signs, triggers, and support
Shareable summary reports

Cons

Full version requires a subscription

Overview

While it could also help with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders, the eMoods app was developed for journaling, graphing, reporting, and managing symptoms related to bipolar disorder. It’s a free app, available for iOS and Android, and it offers privacy features for extra peace of mind. All data is stored locally—the app doesn’t store data in the cloud and doesn’t connect to any application programming interfaces (APIs), which are software tools that share information across applications. So no data ever leaves your device without your explicit action.

One of the app's main features—the CBT-based charting journal—lets you track and capture daily highs and lows, symptoms, irritability, and sleep. But it offers additional features that make it more than just an effective mood tracker.

Medication tracker: eMoods lets you record medication responses so you can make changes with the help of your healthcare provider and learn about what works and what doesn’t.
Downloadable reports: You can create, share, and review reports of your tracking data with your doctor or therapist, either in print or electronically.
Charts and visualizations: A monthly, color-coded calendar provides a snapshot of mood changes to show patterns and how different symptoms relate to one another. Charts and insights let you track trends and monitor triggers between appointments with your doctor.
Safety plan: The safety plan for suicide prevention lists warning signs and triggers and offers a support network and coping strategies.

The app, available on the App Store and Google Play, has also improved its interface design, adding a dark mode and a colorblind-friendly color scheme.

Best for Self-Help Tools and Resources: MindShift CBT

Key Specs

Platform: iOS and Android
Moods tracked: Anxiety, stress, panic
Pricing: Free

Why We Chose It

MindShift CBT equips users with CBT-based strategies and self-help tools to develop more effective ways of thinking and relaxing and encourages active steps to take charge of anxiety.

Pros & Cons

Pros

User-friendly interface
CBT-based tools
Chill Zone offers audio for meditations

Cons

No recent app updates
Limited number of daily check-ins for journal entries and graphs

Overview

Developed by non-profit organization Anxiety Canada, the MindShift app is packed with resources and interactive cognitive-based tools to help track and manage anxiety symptoms and encourage overall healthier thinking. Initially, the app was designed for young adults, but most everyone will find the interface user-friendly and visually appealing.

Like many of the apps listed here, MindShift uses CBT-based strategies and techniques to help users relax and be more mindful and develop more effective ways of thinking to tackle everything from anxiety, worry, and panic to perfectionism and phobias. MindShift’s many self-help features include:

Thought journal: Note and identify low moods, negative feelings, and anxiety symptoms and transform them into balanced thoughts.
Coping cards: Positive affirmations and coping statements help ease your anxiety in any given situation.
Challenges and activities: The app provides belief experiments and comfort-zone challenges so you can learn to overcome your fears and build confidence.
Chill zone: You can listen to audio recordings for guided relaxation, breathing exercises, and mindful meditation.
Goal setting: The app lets you set goals to keep you motivated and inspired and keep anxiety in check.
Check-in feature: MindShift’s check-in feature allows you to record and view graphs and entries. You can easily export and share data with your therapist, counselor, or doctor.
Numerous extras: You also get guides and other tips for incorporating healthy habits into life.

MindShift is available for free on the App Store and Google Play.

Best for Customization: Daylio

Key Specs

Platform: iOS and Android
Moods tracked: Anxiety, mood, stress
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases

Why We Chose It

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for better mental health, but Daylio lets you customize mood-tracking tools and activities so that they’re tailored to you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Customizable tools, prompts and reminders
User-friendly interface
PIN protection

Cons

Premium features only available with a monthly subscription

Overview

Sure, a no-frills, straightforward journaling app is sometimes all you need. But customization features, such as the ability to add and change emojis and personalize prompts and reminders, can make mood-tracking more fun (and thus, more likely for you to use).

The Daylio app is a colorfully designed micro-diary app that lets you track and monitor your daily moods and activities, offers insights to determine any patterns, and suggests active steps to decrease your anxiety or avoid stressors and improve low moods.

Once or multiple times throughout the day, simply open up the app to choose or enter your current moods and activities, with the option of customizing emojis, color themes, and descriptions and adding notes to help record details of important events. You can then review entries with stats, charts, and calendars to measure the impact of certain activities on your moods and ultimately build habits, set goals, motivate yourself, and collect achievements.

Daylio’s many features include:

Customization: The app has a database of icons for personalized activities, and you can mix and match your moods with emojis and customize color themes,
Statistics and reports: Explore monthly or yearly statistics created from your entries and export them.
Reminders: Set reminders, so you never forget to create a memory or note an interesting observation.
Goal setting: Ceate daily, weekly, or monthly goals to motivate yourself and build healthy habits.

Daylio is free, but a premium subscription lets you enjoy more personalization, set an unlimited number of goals, remove ads, and access more features. The app is available from the App Store and Google Play.

Final Verdict

Overall, mood-tracking apps offer the benefits of convenience (you can travel anywhere with them!) and privacy (most of these apps use passwords and local storage for security). Moodfit is our pick for overall best mood tracker app because of its easy-to-use interface and ability to track and monitor multiple mood-related disorders.

Some of the best mood trackers also focus on a particular disorder. PTSD Coach, for example, was specially designed for veterans and military service members who have (or may have) post-traumatic stress disorder, and eMoods was developed for individuals who want a way to monitor bipolar disorder symptoms.

Compare the Best Mood Tracker Apps

Company	Pricing	Platforms	Moods Tracked	Generates Reports
Moodfit Best Overall	Free with in-app purchases	iOS, Android	Stress, anxiety, depression	Yes
Worry Watch Best for Anxiety		Free with in-app purchases	iOS	Stress, anxiety, panic disorder	Yes
MoodTools Best for Depression	Free with in-app purchases	iOS, Android	Depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD	No
PTSD Coach Best for PTSD	Free	iOS, Android	PTSD	No
eMoods Bipolar Mood Tracker Best for Bipolar Disorder	Free with in-app purchases	iOS, Android	Bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression	Yes
MindShift CBT Best for Self-Help Tools and Resources	Free	iOS, Android	Stress, anxiety, panic	Yes
Daylio Best for Customization	Free with in-app purchases	iOS, Android	Anxiety, stress, depression	Yes

Guide for Choosing the Best Mood Tracker Apps

Are Mood Tracker Apps Worth It?

Hundreds of mood-tracking and mental health apps are available for download, but they do not replace in-person therapy. Mood trackers, however, provide resources, symptom tracking and management tools, and online support that can help individuals better understand their moods and the situations and activities that impact them.

Mood trackers are helpful for daily journaling or recording of moods and observations. The statistics and insights they provide can help you learn to avoid specific stressors and triggers. Other tools available on mood-tracking apps, such as journals, thought trackers, and goals, can also help motivate you to take active steps to boost your mood. Features such as therapeutic videos, mindful meditations, and breathing and relaxation exercises can also help when you can’t easily connect with professional care.

Again, mood-tracking apps are not a substitute for therapy or medication, but they can complement the professional care that you are getting. Most of the apps generate easy reports and allow for exports so that you can share the highs and lows with your provider, which can supplement diagnosis or inform treatment decisions.

Comparing Mood Tracker Apps

Before downloading or purchasing a mood-tracking app, it’s essential to consider a few factors so you can get the most out of the tools.

Pricing: Many apps offer robust features and functionality for the cost of a one-time fee or a monthly subscription. But there are also apps that provide useful features for free (and some with in-app purchases). Browse the App Store or Google Play page reviews and check out if the features are right for you.
Platforms: Do you have an iPhone or an Android phone? Many apps are available on both platforms, but others are only available for iOS. Check out the app’s specs to see if it’s available for your device and if your device meets the tech requirements.
Moods tracked: Do you want to focus on a specific mood disorder, such as anxiety or panic disorder, or are you looking for general stress-management tools? The specialized apps may offer more targeted care for your needs, but many apps also cover several moods.
Reports: If you’re seeing a therapist, reports that you can download or share with them may be helpful. The insights generated can help your provider with diagnosis and treatment.
Interactive features and resources: Do you prefer an app that does more than track moods? Many mood trackers also offer resources, such as exercises, videos, positive affirmations, coping cards, safety plans, and an online community for support.
Research base: It’s important to use a well-studied app, but since most apps are untested and do not have peer-reviewed research to support claims, look for ones that offer science-based activities and resources. Many of the apps listed here use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and incorporate proven techniques in addressing anxiety, stress, depression, and mood disorders.

How to Use Mood Tracker Apps

Once you have decided on a mood-tracking app, make sure to complete any initial sign-up requirements for personalization. Many apps provide a questionnaire or short quiz that asks for information on your moods or symptoms. Completing this right away will help the app tailor information, activities, and tips to your needs.

Almost all mood-tracking apps also offer a daily journaling tool that helps you track and monitor your moods' highs and lows. It's a good idea to check in or write an entry at least once a day so you can generate insights, stats, and patterns that will help you identify your triggers or stressors.

Make sure to update your app when the developer upgrades to a new version, so you can be sure you're getting all the latest features and bug fixes.

Most apps listed here are free to download but offer premium features for an added cost or a subscription fee. We recommend you try the free version first and use the app for a few weeks or months before deciding whether you want access to the app's premium version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Mood-Tracking Apps Work?

Mood trackers serve as tools to help you practice habits and take active steps toward improving your overall mental health. They do this by allowing you to monitor your moods, identify the activities or situations that impact them, and give you insight into avoiding triggers. They can be valuable tools for learning effective ways of thinking, relaxing, and coping, but are not a substitute for treatment from a mental health professional.
Do Mood Trackers Help With Disorders Such as Bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is marked by episodes of depression and elevated mood. These changes can be disruptive and affect quality of life. While treatment of bipolar disorder requires medication and therapy, lifestyle changes can also help, and this is an area where mood trackers can have an impact.
Tracking, understanding, and managing your moods and bipolar disorder symptoms can help you lead a better, healthier, more balanced life. Combined with professional care, mood trackers can offer healthy habits, coping strategies, positive affirmations, and online support.
Is There Any App to Check for Depression?

Mood tracking apps can help identify patterns in moods and thought patterns, including depression. An app like MoodTools helps users recognize negative thoughts and uses a research-backed test to determine multiple signs of depression. Users can retake the exam on a regular basis to understand symptoms over time. But none of these apps can substitute for diagnosis and treatment from a mental health professional.

Methodology

Mental health is one of the most popular categories in the App Store. To choose the best mood tracker apps, we looked at options that offer robust tracking, charting, and journaling features. We considered affordable apps, either offering free versions with premium paid features or a download for a minimal fee (less than $10). We also considered mobile apps that provide research- or evidence-based tools. Each app included also features user-friendly interfaces.

1 Source

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