Private Alternatives to Bearable: Health Trackers That Respect Your Data

Bearable is one of the most popular symptom tracking apps, and for good reason—it's comprehensive, customizable, and genuinely useful for managing chronic conditions. But there's a significant problem: privacy.

The Privacy Problem with Bearable

The Mozilla Foundation's "Privacy Not Included" project analyzed Bearable and raised serious concerns:

• Facebook trackers detected in the app
• Vague consent processes for data sharing
• Cloud-based processing means your data leaves your device
• Account required links your health data to your identity

For an app handling your most sensitive health information—symptoms, medications, mental health, chronic conditions—this is concerning.

Why People Use Bearable

Before exploring alternatives, let's acknowledge what Bearable does well:

• Highly customizable factors and symptoms
• Correlation insights between tracked data
• Comprehensive wellness tracking
• Active community and development
• Detailed visualizations

Any alternative needs to match these strengths while improving privacy.

Private Alternatives Compared

Sifa

Best for: Users who want Bearable's insights without cloud processing

How it compares to Bearable:

Key differences:

• AI runs entirely on your iPhone—data never touches a server
• No account creation means no data linkage
• No third-party trackers or analytics
• iCloud sync only (your iCloud, not company servers)

Trade-offs:

• iOS only (no Android)
• Newer app with smaller community

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Apple Health

Best for: Users wanting maximum privacy with basic tracking

Strengths:

• Pre-installed, no download needed
• Excellent privacy (fully on-device)
• Deep iOS integration

Limitations:

• Only 39 predefined symptoms—can't create custom ones
• No AI-powered pattern detection
• No correlation insights
• No community features

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Daylio

Best for: Mood-focused tracking

Strengths:

• Simple, quick daily logging
• Good visualizations
• Optional cloud backup

Limitations:

• Mood-centric, not comprehensive health tracking
• Basic correlation features
• Requires account for backup

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CareClinic

Best for: Medication-focused tracking

Strengths:

• Strong medication management
• Symptom tracking included
• Report generation

Limitations:

• Complex interface
• Cloud-based
• Account required
• Less intuitive than Bearable

What to Look for in a Private Health Tracker

When switching from Bearable, prioritize:

1. On-Device AI

Pattern detection and correlation insights should run locally. If the app needs internet for AI features, your data is being processed in the cloud.

2. No Account Required

Email or social login links your health data to your real identity. The best private apps work without any account.

3. Transparent Data Practices

Look for clear statements about:

• What data is collected (ideally none)
• Where data is processed (ideally on-device only)
• What third-party services are used (ideally none)

4. iCloud-Only Sync

If sync exists, it should use your personal iCloud—not company servers. This keeps you in control of your data.

Migrating from Bearable

Switching apps means starting fresh with data. Here's how to make it easier:

Export Your Bearable Data

1. Use Bearable's export feature
2. Download your historical data
3. Keep it as a reference

Start Fresh Strategically

1. Don't try to recreate everything immediately
2. Start with your 5 most important symptoms
3. Add complexity gradually
4. Let patterns emerge naturally

Give It Time

Your most valuable insights will come from new data. Within 4-6 weeks of consistent tracking, on-device AI can surface meaningful patterns.

The Privacy-Functionality Trade-off

A common concern: "Will I lose features by choosing privacy?"

The honest answer: some features work differently, but you don't sacrifice insights.

What you keep:

• Comprehensive symptom tracking
• Correlation detection
• Pattern insights
• Visualizations and reports
• Multi-device sync

What changes:

• AI processes locally (same results, different location)
• No cloud community features
• No cross-platform (iOS only for Sifa)

What you gain:

• Zero data collection
• No third-party trackers
• No data broker sales
• True ownership of your health information

Making the Switch

If you're ready to prioritize privacy:

1. Download a private alternative (like Sifa)
2. Start tracking today — don't wait
3. Keep Bearable temporarily if needed for reference
4. Commit to 30 days of consistent tracking
5. Evaluate the insights you receive

Your health data is too sensitive for "good enough" privacy. Choose an app that treats it with the protection it deserves.