PregnancyBest Contraction Timer Apps in 2026
This guide compares contraction timer apps for labor. Some are simple one-tap timers. Others include hypnobirthing tools with breathing guidance.
When contractions start, the last thing you want is to fumble with a complicated app. Look, you want a timer that works with one tap. It should track contraction duration automatically. It should track contraction frequency automatically. It should also tell you when it might be time to head to the hospital. That’s really it.
Some contraction timers do just that. Some apps also add breathing guidance. Some add calming music. Some add hypnobirthing features. A few pregnancy apps include contraction timers as part of a larger toolkit. And some major apps — including Flo, the most popular pregnancy app in the world — don't include a contraction timer at all.
I've tested these during actual labor (not all of them, obviously, but enough to know what matters when you're in pain at 3am). Here's what works.
Disclosure: Contraction Timer and ZenPregnancy are both our apps. They're listed first because we know them best.
Quick summary: Contraction Timer is the best free standalone timer with AI pattern analysis. ZenPregnancy is the best pick if you want a contraction timer plus meditation and hypnobirthing in one app. Freya is best for hypnobirthing breathing guidance during contractions. GentleBirth includes a timer as part of its birth prep program. Flo does not have a contraction timer.
Contraction timer app reviews
Contraction Timer is a free, dedicated contraction tracking app built for one purpose: timing contractions during labor. One tap starts the timer. One tap stops it. The app automatically logs duration, frequency, and rest time between contractions. No setup, no accounts, no learning curve.
ZenPregnancy’s standout feature is AI-powered pattern analysis. The app monitors your contraction data in real time and alerts you when your pattern matches the 5-1-1 rule — contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute each, for 1 hour. It takes the guesswork out of "should we go to the hospital now?" You can share your full contraction log with your nurse on arrival.
There's also calming background music that plays during timing sessions. It sounds like a minor feature, but during labor at 3am, ambient calm makes a real difference. The app collects no personal data and works completely offline. It's free with no premium tier — everything is included.
What's good
- Completely free, no premium upsells
- One-tap simplicity — critical during labor
- AI pattern analysis with 5-1-1 hospital alert
- Calming music during timing
- Shareable contraction log for hospital staff
- No data collection, works offline
What's not
- No breathing guidance or hypnobirthing content
- No pregnancy tracking or meditation
- Smaller review base than established competitors
ZenPregnancy includes a built-in contraction timer alongside its full hypnobirthing and meditation library. If you’ve been using ZenPregnancy throughout pregnancy for daily meditations and birth prep, it’s nice having the contraction timer in the same app. It means one less thing to set up when labor starts.
The timer itself tracks duration, frequency, and rest periods. It's integrated with the app's breathing exercises, so you can switch between timing contractions and following a guided breathing session without leaving the app. The kick counter and due date calculator are also included.
The contraction timer in ZenPregnancy is simpler than the standalone Contraction Timer app — it doesn't include AI pattern analysis or calming music during timing. If all you need is a contraction timer, the standalone app is more purpose-built. ZenPregnancy's timer makes more sense if you want everything in one place.
What's good
- Contraction timer + meditation + hypnobirthing in one app
- Breathing exercises alongside timing
- Kick counter and due date calculator included
- ORCHA certified, offline capable
What's not
- Timer is simpler than the standalone Contraction Timer
- No AI pattern analysis in the timer
- Full hypnobirthing content requires premium
Freya redefines what a contraction timer can be. Freya doesn’t just count seconds. Freya guides you through each contraction. Freya calls contractions “surges.” Freya uses on-screen breathing visualizations and calming audio. You follow a visual breathing pattern during each surge: slow inhale, slow exhale. Between contractions, relaxation audio plays automatically.
This approach is rooted in hypnobirthing philosophy. The idea is that combining timing with active relaxation reduces tension during labor. In my experience, if you’ve practiced hypnobirthing techniques during pregnancy, Freya tends to feel familiar in labor. It feels more like a continuation of your prep than a clinical stopwatch.
Freya tracks duration and frequency like any timer, but it doesn't include AI analysis or hospital-readiness alerts. The app is focused on the labor experience rather than the medical data. No pregnancy tracking, meditation library, or kick counting is included.
What's good
- Real-time breathing guidance during surges
- Visual breathing cues reduce labor anxiety
- Calming audio between contractions
- Hypnobirthing philosophy integrated into timing
What's not
- No AI pattern analysis or 5-1-1 alert
- No pregnancy features beyond the timer
- May feel overwhelming if you haven't practiced hypnobirthing
GentleBirth includes a contraction timer as part of its comprehensive birth preparation program. The timer logs duration and frequency and is designed to work alongside the app's meditation and breathing content. If you've been using GentleBirth's 30-day program, the contraction timer is a natural extension into labor day.
The timer itself is functional but not its main selling point. GentleBirth's strength is the months of preparation leading up to labor — the contraction timer is a bonus feature within a larger ecosystem. The app also includes partner-focused content so your birth companion can support you effectively during labor.
The downside is that GentleBirth requires a paid subscription. You can't access just the contraction timer without subscribing to the full program. If you only need a timer, this isn't the right choice.
What's good
- Timer integrated with full birth prep program
- Meditation and breathing alongside timing
- Partner support content for labor
- Evidence-based approach
What's not
- Requires paid subscription for timer access
- Timer is a secondary feature, not the focus
- Overkill if you just need contraction timing
Flo is worth mentioning here precisely because it doesn't include a contraction timer. As the most popular pregnancy app with over 420 million downloads, many women assume Flo handles everything. It handles a lot — cycle tracking, week-by-week pregnancy updates, symptom logging, medically-reviewed content — but labor tools aren't part of the package.
This is a notable gap. If you're using Flo for pregnancy tracking, you'll need a separate contraction timer app when labor begins. Contraction Timer or Freya pair well with Flo since they focus specifically on the labor phase that Flo doesn't cover.
Flo's pregnancy mode is excellent for the months of tracking leading up to labor. It's just not built for labor day itself.
What's good
- Best-in-class pregnancy tracking
- Massive content library
- Covers cycle through pregnancy
What's not
- No contraction timer at all
- No labor-specific tools
- Need a separate app for labor day
What to look for in a contraction timer
A contraction timer needs to be simple above everything else. During labor, fine motor control decreases, patience evaporates, and your ability to navigate menus drops to zero. One-tap operation isn't a luxury feature — it's a requirement.
Automatic tracking matters. The app should log start time, duration, frequency, and rest period without you doing math. Good contraction timers calculate averages. Good contraction timers show trends. These features help you see whether contractions are getting closer together and longer.
The 5-1-1 rule — contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour — is the standard guideline for when to head to the hospital. Apps that automatically detect this pattern save you from checking the clock while managing pain. Not all timers include this.
Shareability helps at the hospital. When you arrive, your nurse will ask about contraction patterns. Being able to show or share a clear log speeds up assessment. Contraction Timer includes a shareable history specifically for this purpose.
Offline capability is non-negotiable. Hospital WiFi fails at the worst moments. Every contraction timer on this list works offline, but verify this for any app you choose.
Limitations & disclosure
Contraction Timer and ZenPregnancy are both our apps. They're listed first because we built them, not because they're the only good options.
Contraction timer apps are tools to help you track patterns. They are not medical devices and do not diagnose labor stages. The 5-1-1 guideline is general advice — your doctor or midwife may give you different instructions based on your specific situation. But always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance over any app.
If you have signs of preterm labor, bleeding, or other complications, call your healthcare provider right away, even if the app says everything looks fine.
Ratings referenced are from Apple App Store and Google Play as of early 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best contraction timer app?
Contraction Timer is the best free contraction timer for 2026. It features one-tap timing, AI-powered pattern analysis, the 5-1-1 hospital alert, and calming background music. For breathing guidance during contractions, Freya is the best alternative.
When should I start timing contractions?
Start timing when contractions become regular and noticeable. Time from the start of one contraction to the start of the next. Most providers recommend going to the hospital when contractions follow the 5-1-1 pattern: every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for at least 1 hour.
What is the 5-1-1 rule for contractions?
The 5-1-1 rule is a guideline for when to go to the hospital: contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute each, continuing for at least 1 hour. Apps like Contraction Timer detect this pattern automatically and alert you.
Do contraction timer apps work offline?
Most contraction timer apps work offline since timing is handled locally on your device. Both Contraction Timer and ZenPregnancy work fully offline. This is important since hospital WiFi can be unreliable during labor.
Can I share my contraction history with my doctor?
Yes. Contraction Timer lets you share your contraction log with your nurse or doctor at the hospital. An accurate record of timing, duration, and frequency helps staff assess your labor stage quickly.
Does Flo have a contraction timer?
No. Flo Health is an excellent pregnancy tracking app with over 420 million downloads, but it does not include a contraction timer. You'll need a separate app like Contraction Timer or Freya for timing contractions during labor.