Proper hydration isn’t just about keeping thirst at bay. There are all kinds of important health benefits that come from downing enough water — from temperature regulation to fewer headaches.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to know for sure that you’re getting the right amount every single day. That’s where hydration apps come in.
We looked for the year’s best, based on user ratings, quality content, and general reliability, so you can track your daily water intake for better health.
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.7 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Set your daily water intake goal and then log every ounce (or milliliter) with just a tap. View a detailed stats update after every glass to see how close you’re getting to your daily goal, or review 7- and 30-day charts for an idea of your overall progress.
Android rating: 4.6 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Need regular reminders to drink water? The Hydro Coach app allows you to set your target intake, or use the app’s calculator to determine an appropriate daily goal. The app will remind you when it’s time to drink up and it can be customized if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.4 stars
Price: $4.99 on iPhone; free with in-app purchases on Android
This easy, intuitive app calculates appropriate hydration amounts based on your body weight or personal goal. Then, it sends reminders all day long, making it easy to hit your target intake. Create custom cups for fast, simple logging, and browse your hydration history to see your progress.
Android rating: 4.6 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Develop better hydration habits with this app. It will calculate how much water your body needs every day, log your intake, and remind you to stay on track. Set start and end times every day and browse graphs and logs of your hydration schedule.
iPhone rating: 4.4 stars
Price: $2.99 with in-app purchases
iHydrate is designed to track and improve your daily water intake. Plug in different beverages — like milk, juice, coffee, tea, even beer — for an actual water percentage, and get reminders to help you meet your goals. The app features breakdowns of total beverages consumed, total water intake, and visual representations of your daily progress.
iPhone rating: 4.4 stars
Android rating: 4.6 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Aqualert notifies you throughout the day to keep you properly hydrated. Plus, it uses your activity level to calculate your daily water requirements so you’re getting what you need. A handy bedtime mode keeps the app from reminding you during the night and a graphic display of your hydration level and daily consumption keeps you on track.
Android rating: 4.4 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Build better hydration habits with this smart app, which calculates accurate daily water intake based on your weight and sends regular reminders to keep you on track. Features include a graph report and achievement table, personalized start, stop, and nap times, and daily reports.
iPhone rating: 4.6 stars
Android rating: 4.5 stars
Price: Free with in-app purchases
Make meeting those daily water goals more fun with the Plant Nanny app. This app gamifies your water consumption. Keep your cute little plant happy and thriving by ‘watering’ it regularly — just log your water consumption to watch your plant grow.
If you want to nominate an app for this list, email us at nominations@healthline.com.
Jessica Timmons has been a freelance writer since 2007. She writes, edits, and consults for a great group of steady accounts and the occasional one-off project, all while juggling the busy lives of her four kids with her ever-accommodating husband. She loves weightlifting, really great lattes, and family time.
