Best Digital Mood Tracking Apps: Features and Comparison Guide

Quick Overview

Digital mood tracking apps offer convenience, analytics, and smart features that can enhance your mental health journey. This comprehensive guide reviews popular mood tracking apps, compares their features, and helps you choose the best option for your specific needs and preferences.

Why Choose Digital Mood Tracking?

Advantages of App-Based Tracking

Convenience benefits:

• Always available - your phone is usually with you
• Automatic reminders to track consistently
• Quick entry with pre-set options and templates
• Instant analysis and pattern visualization
• Backup and sync across devices
• Privacy protection with passwords and encryption

Advanced features:

• Visual charts and graphs showing trends
• Correlation analysis between mood and factors
• Predictive insights based on patterns
• Integration with other health apps
• Export capabilities for sharing with providers
• Community features for support and motivation

When Apps Work Best

Ideal for people who:

• Prefer technology-based solutions
• Want detailed analytics and insights
• Like visual representations of data
• Appreciate reminders and notifications
• Travel frequently or have busy schedules
• Want to share data with healthcare providers
• Enjoy gamification and progress tracking

Top Mood Tracking Apps Reviewed

1. Daylio - Micro Mood Diary

Overview: Simple, icon-based mood tracking with customizable activities

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.8/5) Price: Free with premium options ($2.99/month) Platforms: iOS, Android

Key Features

Core functionality:

• 5-point mood scale with customizable colors
• Activity tracking with 100+ pre-set options
• Quick entry - under 30 seconds
• Beautiful charts and statistics
• Export data to CSV, PDF
• Goal setting and habit tracking

Premium features:

• Unlimited mood entries per day
• Advanced statistics and correlations
• Data backup to cloud
• Custom tags and activities
• Detailed charts with multiple timeframes

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Extremely user-friendly interface
• ✅ Fast entry process encourages consistency
• ✅ Excellent visualizations of mood patterns
• ✅ Highly customizable activities and mood descriptions
• ✅ Strong free version with useful features
• ✅ No mandatory registration or personal information

Cons:

• ❌ Limited emotional granularity (5 mood levels)
• ❌ No journaling or text entry features
• ❌ Basic correlation analysis compared to research apps
• ❌ Some features require premium subscription

Best For

• Beginners to mood tracking
• People who want quick, simple tracking
• Visual learners who prefer charts over text
• Users who like customization options

2. Mood Meter - Research-Based Tracking

Overview: Yale-developed app based on emotional intelligence research

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.2/5) Price: Free Platforms: iOS, Android

Key Features

Core functionality:

• RULER approach: Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, Regulate emotions
• Mood meter grid: Energy vs. pleasantness dimensions
• Extensive emotion vocabulary (100+ emotions)
• Check-in strategies for emotional regulation
• Progress tracking over time
• Educational content about emotions

Unique features:

• Research-based approach to emotional intelligence
• Regulation strategies tailored to specific emotions
• Learning modules about emotional awareness
• School/workplace versions available

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Scientifically validated approach
• ✅ Comprehensive emotion vocabulary
• ✅ Educational component builds emotional intelligence
• ✅ Free with no premium tiers
• ✅ Regulation strategies included
• ✅ Research backing from Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

Cons:

• ❌ More complex than simple mood trackers
• ❌ Less visual data representation
• ❌ No activity tracking integration
• ❌ Limited customization options
• ❌ Can feel academic rather than personal

Best For

• Students and educators
• People interested in emotional intelligence
• Users who want research-based approaches
• Those seeking emotional regulation strategies

3. Sanvello - Comprehensive Mental Health

Overview: Mood tracking integrated with CBT tools and anxiety/depression support

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.1/5) Price: Free with premium ($8.99/month) Platforms: iOS, Android

Key Features

Core functionality:

• Mood and anxiety tracking
• CBT-based thought challenging tools
• Guided meditations and relaxation exercises
• Goal setting and progress tracking
• Anonymous community support
• Crisis support resources

Premium features:

• Unlimited tracking and tool access
• Advanced insights and analytics
• Therapy sessions with licensed providers
• Personalized coping plans
• Export tracking data

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Comprehensive mental health platform
• ✅ CBT tools integrated with tracking
• ✅ Professional support options available
• ✅ Crisis resources readily accessible
• ✅ Anonymous community for peer support
• ✅ Evidence-based therapeutic approaches

Cons:

• ❌ Premium required for full features
• ❌ Can feel overwhelming for simple mood tracking
• ❌ Less focused on pure mood tracking
• ❌ Subscription cost relatively high
• ❌ Many features may be unnecessary for some users

Best For

• People with anxiety or depression
• Users wanting integrated therapy tools
• Those considering professional support
• People who like comprehensive platforms

4. eMoods - Bipolar-Specific Tracking

Overview: Specialized mood tracking for bipolar disorder management

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.0/5) Price: Free Platforms: iOS, Android

Key Features

Core functionality:

• Bipolar-specific mood scales (depressed, elevated, mixed, irritable)
• Medication tracking with dose and timing
• Sleep pattern monitoring
• Symptom tracking (anxiety, psychotic symptoms)
• Trigger identification
• Data export for healthcare providers

Specialized features:

• Episode prediction based on patterns
• Medication adherence reminders
• Crisis planning tools
• Provider sharing capabilities

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Specialized for bipolar disorder
• ✅ Medication tracking integration
• ✅ Free with no premium limitations
• ✅ Healthcare provider friendly
• ✅ Episode detection capabilities
• ✅ Crisis planning features

Cons:

• ❌ Limited use for non-bipolar conditions
• ❌ Less visually appealing interface
• ❌ Fewer general mood tracking features
• ❌ No community or social features
• ❌ Basic analytics compared to general apps

Best For

• People with bipolar disorder
• Users taking mood-stabilizing medications
• Those working closely with psychiatrists
• People needing episode tracking

5. Reflectly - AI-Powered Journaling

Overview: Mood tracking combined with AI-guided journaling

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.3/5) Price: Free with premium ($7.99/month) Platforms: iOS, Android

Key Features

Core functionality:

• Daily mood check-ins
• AI-powered journaling prompts
• Gratitude practice integration
• Goal setting and habit tracking
• Beautiful design with personalization
• Mindfulness exercises

Premium features:

• Unlimited journal entries
• Advanced AI insights
• Export capabilities
• Detailed mood analytics
• Custom goals and habits

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Beautiful and intuitive design
• ✅ AI guidance for journaling
• ✅ Gratitude and positivity focus
• ✅ Habit tracking integration
• ✅ Personalized experience
• ✅ Mindfulness component

Cons:

• ❌ Premium required for full functionality
• ❌ AI can feel impersonal at times
• ❌ Limited analytical depth
• ❌ No community features
• ❌ Subscription cost for advanced features

Best For

• People who like journaling
• Users interested in AI guidance
• Those focusing on gratitude and positivity
• People who appreciate beautiful design

6. MyTherapy - Medication and Mood

Overview: Medication reminder app with mood tracking capabilities

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.1/5) Price: Free Platforms: iOS, Android

Key Features

Core functionality:

• Medication reminders with dose tracking
• Simple mood and symptom tracking
• Activity tracking (exercise, sleep)
• Health report generation
• Data export for healthcare providers
• Family sharing features

Healthcare focus:

• Provider-friendly reports
• Medication adherence statistics
• Symptom correlation with medications
• Appointment reminders

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Free with no premium tiers
• ✅ Medication focus for those taking psychiatric meds
• ✅ Healthcare provider integration
• ✅ Family sharing capabilities
• ✅ Simple and straightforward
• ✅ No ads or distracting features

Cons:

• ❌ Basic mood tracking features
• ❌ Limited analytics and insights
• ❌ No community or social features
• ❌ Primarily medication-focused
• ❌ Simple interface may lack engagement

Best For

• People taking psychiatric medications
• Users wanting simple, medical-focused tracking
• Those sharing data with healthcare providers
• People who prefer basic, functional apps

Feature Comparison Matrix

Feature	Daylio	Mood Meter	Sanvello	eMoods	Reflectly	MyTherapy
Quick Entry	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Analytics	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Customization	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Scientific Basis	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Free Features	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Design/UX	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Healthcare Integration	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Specialized Apps for Specific Needs

For Anxiety-Specific Tracking

MindShift:

• Free app by Anxiety Canada
• CBT-based approach to anxiety
• Exposure tracking and planning
• Anxiety cycles education

Worry Watch:

• Worry-specific tracking
• Outcome monitoring for anxious predictions
• Pattern recognition for worry types
• Simple and focused design

For Depression Support

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Wellness Tracker:

• Free from DBSA organization
• Mood, medication, and trigger tracking
• Crisis planning features
• Peer support integration

Moodpath:

• Depression screening integration
• Daily mood and symptom tracking
• Professional assessment recommendations
• Evidence-based questionnaires

For Eating Disorder Recovery

Recovery Record:

• Meal and mood tracking
• Provider sharing capabilities
• Recovery-focused features
• Crisis support integration

Security and Privacy Considerations

Data Protection

What to look for:

• Encryption of stored data
• Secure transmission (HTTPS)
• Privacy policy transparency
• No selling of user data
• Local storage options
• Account deletion capabilities

Questions to ask:

• Who has access to my data?
• Where is data stored?
• Can I export or delete my data?
• How is data used for app improvement?
• Are there third-party integrations?

HIPAA Compliance

Apps with healthcare focus:

• Sanvello - HIPAA compliant for therapy features
• eMoods - Designed for healthcare sharing
• MyTherapy - Healthcare provider integration

Important note: Most consumer apps are NOT HIPAA compliant, meaning they don't meet medical privacy standards.

Choosing the Right App for You

Assessment Questions

Your tracking style:

• Do you prefer quick check-ins or detailed entries?
• Are you interested in journaling or just ratings?
• Do you want to track activities alongside mood?
• How important are visual charts and analytics?

Your mental health needs:

• Do you have a specific diagnosis requiring specialized tracking?
• Are you working with mental health professionals?
• Do you take psychiatric medications?
• Are you interested in therapy tools beyond tracking?

Your technology preferences:

• Do you prefer free apps or don't mind paying?
• How important is a beautiful, modern design?
• Do you want community features or prefer privacy?
• Do you need data export capabilities?

Decision Framework

Step 1: Define your primary goal

• Simple mood monitoring: Daylio
• Emotional intelligence building: Mood Meter
• Comprehensive mental health support: Sanvello
• Bipolar disorder management: eMoods
• Journaling with mood tracking: Reflectly
• Medication adherence with mood: MyTherapy

Step 2: Consider your commitment level

• Beginner/casual: Start with free apps like Daylio or Mood Meter
• Serious about improvement: Consider premium features or specialized apps
• Working with providers: Choose apps with export/sharing features

Step 3: Try before committing

• Download 2-3 apps that match your criteria
• Test for 1-2 weeks each
• Notice which you actually use consistently
• Choose based on actual usage, not intended usage

Getting Started with Your Chosen App

Setup Best Practices

Initial configuration:

• Customize mood scales and activities for your life
• Set up reminder notifications for consistent tracking
• Enable privacy settings like passcode protection
• Connect with other health apps if desired
• Explore all features to understand capabilities

First week goals:

• Focus on consistency rather than perfection
• Track daily even if briefly
• Don't over-analyze patterns too early
• Get comfortable with the interface
• Note what you like and dislike about the app

Maximizing App Benefits

Advanced usage tips:

• Use export features to create offline backups
• Share insights with healthcare providers if appropriate
• Set goals based on patterns you discover
• Use reminder features strategically
• Explore correlation features once you have enough data

Integration strategies:

• Combine with paper journaling if desired
• Use alongside therapy or counseling
• Include family or friends in your tracking journey if comfortable
• Connect with fitness or sleep tracking for broader insights

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"I Keep Forgetting to Use the App"

Solutions:

• Set multiple gentle reminders throughout the day
• Link tracking to existing habits (after meals, before bed)
• Start with once-daily tracking rather than multiple times
• Use widget features to make tracking more visible
• Lower the bar - even opening the app counts as progress

"The App Doesn't Have What I Need"

Options:

• Check if premium features address your needs
• Look for customization options you might have missed
• Contact app developers with feature requests
• Try different apps until you find the right fit
• Combine apps if necessary (one for tracking, one for analysis)

"I'm Not Seeing Useful Patterns"

Troubleshooting:

• Ensure you're tracking consistently for at least 2-3 weeks
• Include context in notes about events, activities, sleep
• Try different timeframe views (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Look for subtle patterns, not just obvious ones
• Consider sharing data with a counselor for professional insight

Key Takeaways

• No single app is perfect for everyone - choice depends on your specific needs
• Free apps can be highly effective - premium isn't always necessary
• Consistency matters more than which app you choose
• Privacy and security should be considered, especially for sensitive data
• Try multiple apps before settling on one
• Apps work best when integrated into a broader mental health strategy
• Regular review of app effectiveness helps ensure it continues meeting your needs

Digital mood tracking apps can be powerful tools for understanding and improving mental health. The key is finding one that matches your preferences, needs, and lifestyle, then using it consistently to gain valuable insights about your emotional patterns.

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This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. If you're experiencing persistent mental health symptoms, please consult with a qualified mental health professional.