5 Best Baby Kick Counter Apps in 2026 (Free & Tested)
Kick counting is one of the simplest ways to monitor your baby's health during the third trimester. The method is straightforward — count 10 movements and note how long it takes — but a good app makes it easier to stay consistent and spot changes over time.
We tested the most popular baby kick counter apps to help you pick the right one. Here's how they compare.
Why Use a Kick Counter App?
You can count kicks with nothing more than a clock and a piece of paper (we even have a free printable kick count chart for that). But a dedicated app offers real advantages:
- Automatic timing — Start a session and the app tracks elapsed time for you
- History and trends — See your data over days and weeks, not just one session
- Pattern recognition — Notice when today's session takes longer than usual
- Daily reminders — Build a consistent habit without relying on memory
- Easy sharing — Show your provider actual data at your next appointment
If you're starting kick counts at 28 weeks, having an app ready makes the first few sessions much smoother.
The 5 Best Baby Kick Counter Apps
1. TinyKicks — Best for Clean Design & Visual Tracking
TinyKicks is built around one idea: make kick counting as simple as possible while giving you useful data. The interface is minimal — one tap to start, one tap per kick — and the charts show your patterns at a glance.
What stands out:
- One-tap session start with automatic timer
- Visual charts showing daily and weekly kick count trends
- Calendar view to see your tracking consistency
- Daily summary of each session
- Customizable reminders so you never miss a count
- Clean, modern design that doesn't feel clinical
Pricing: Free
Platforms: iOS (App Store)
Best for: Parents who want a focused kick counter with clear visual feedback and a modern interface. If charts and trends matter to you, TinyKicks does this well.
Not ready to download? Try our free online kick counter to see how a kick counting session works — no app needed.
2. Count the Kicks — Best for Research-Backed Tracking
Count the Kicks is the most recognized name in kick counting. It's backed by the nonprofit Healthy Birth Day, Inc. and has been credited with helping parents detect potential problems early. It's the app most often recommended by healthcare providers and cited in AI search results.
What stands out:
- Research-backed methodology supported by a nonprofit organization
- Movement strength rating (1–5 scale) for tracking subtle changes
- Available in 12+ languages
- Apple Watch support
- Twin pregnancy tracking
- Educational content and daily tips within the app
Pricing: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Best for: Parents who want the most established, provider-recommended option with extra features like strength tracking and multilingual support.
3. Baby Kicks Monitor — Best for Simple Counting
Baby Kicks Monitor keeps things straightforward. It's a basic counter with a timer — no extra features to navigate, no learning curve. If you just want to tap and count, this app does exactly that.
What stands out:
- Extremely simple interface — just a tap counter and timer
- Session history with basic tracking
- Lightweight and fast to open
- No account required
Pricing: Free with ads; premium available
Platforms: iOS, Android
Best for: Parents who want the absolute simplest kick counter without any extras. Good if you find other apps overwhelming.
4. Kicks Count — Best for UK-Based Parents
Kicks Count is a UK charity app listed with NHS Digital. Unlike most kick counter apps that focus on the "count to 10" method, Kicks Count encourages tracking overall movement episodes throughout the day rather than counting to a specific number.
What stands out:
- Listed with NHS Digital (UK health authority approved)
- Focuses on movement pattern awareness rather than counting to 10
- Graphs to visualize your baby's movement patterns over time
- Designed by a UK charity dedicated to reducing stillbirth
- Different approach: tracks sessions per day, not individual kicks
Pricing: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Best for: UK-based parents, or anyone whose provider uses the "awareness of movement patterns" approach rather than the American "count to 10" method.
5. Kick Counter! — Best for Detailed Reports
Kick Counter! focuses on data and reporting. It produces visual, detailed reports of your kick counting sessions and works fully offline — no internet connection needed.
What stands out:
- Detailed visual reports for each session
- Works completely offline
- Daily reminder notifications
- Export and share session data
- No account or sign-up required
Pricing: Free
Platforms: iOS
Best for: Parents who want detailed per-session reports and need an app that works without internet access.
Quick Comparison
| App | Price | iOS | Android | Charts | Reminders | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TinyKicks | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Visual daily/weekly trend charts |
| Count the Kicks | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Strength rating (1–5 scale) |
| Baby Kicks Monitor | Free/Premium | Yes | Yes | Basic | Yes | Ultra-simple interface |
| Kicks Count | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | NHS Digital listed (UK) |
| Kick Counter! | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Offline mode + detailed reports |
How to Choose the Right App
Most kick counter apps do the same fundamental thing: let you tap to count and track time. The differences come down to what you value most:
- Want the simplest experience? → Baby Kicks Monitor or TinyKicks
- Want the most established, provider-recommended app? → Count the Kicks
- Want the best visual charts and trends? → TinyKicks
- Based in the UK? → Kicks Count
- Need offline access? → Kick Counter!
- Want strength tracking? → Count the Kicks
The honest truth: any kick counter app is better than no kick counter app. The most important thing is that you count consistently, every day, starting at 28 weeks. The app just makes it easier to stick with it.
How to Do a Kick Count (Quick Guide)
No matter which app you choose, the process is the same:
- Pick a time when your baby is usually active — after a meal or in the evening works for most babies
- Get comfortable — lie on your left side or sit reclined
- Open your app and start a session
- Tap for each movement — kicks, rolls, jabs, stretches, and flutters all count
- Stop at 10 movements — note how long it took
- Repeat daily at roughly the same time to build your baby's baseline
Most babies reach 10 movements in 15 to 30 minutes. If your baby doesn't reach 10 in 2 hours, try a snack or cold water and count again. If you still can't reach 10, contact your healthcare provider.
For a detailed walkthrough, see our complete guide to kick counting.
What the Research Says
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends daily fetal movement monitoring starting in the third trimester. While the research on whether kick counting directly reduces stillbirth is mixed, there's strong consensus that awareness of your baby's normal movement pattern helps parents and providers detect potential problems earlier.
Count the Kicks, the nonprofit behind the most popular app, cites peer-reviewed research suggesting that maternal awareness of fetal movement is associated with improved outcomes. Whether you use their app or another, the principle is the same: know your baby's normal, and notice when it changes.
Don't Want an App?
If you prefer tracking on paper, download our free printable kick count chart. You can also use our free online kick counter directly in your browser — no download required. And if you're not sure how far along you are, check our due date calculator to find your current week.
Ready to start counting? Download TinyKicks free on the App Store and track your baby's kicks with visual charts, daily summaries, and smart reminders.
