Short answer: Migraine Buddy looks the most feature-rich, Headache Calendar comes from a Norwegian company and is developed with neurologists, N1-Headache is built around trigger maps after about 90 days, and Bearable is a broader symptom diary. None of them gives treatment.
What a migraine diary can and cannot do
A diary helps you remember. You note when an attack started, how strong it was, what you took, and what happened in the hours before. Over time that can give you and your doctor something to discuss. A diary cannot diagnose, prove what triggers attacks, or treat anything.
The four we compare
- Migraine Buddy – made for migraine. According to the listing you record attacks, symptoms, medication and relief, can export for your doctor, and there is a large user community. Premium adds more. 4.6 of 5 (324 ratings) in the Norwegian App Store. Not available in Norwegian.
- Headache Calendar – from KBB Medic AS in Norway, developed with neurologists at Haukeland University Hospital. Trend charts and sharing with a clinician. 4.6 of 5 (1,509 ratings). Supports Norwegian.
- N1-Headache – about five minutes a day, a PDF report, and premium maps that aim to show possible triggers after roughly 90 days. Only 1 rating in Norway and last updated in the App Store in January 2023.
- Bearable – not only migraine: a flexible diary for symptoms, mood, sleep and habits. Free basic version.
Other simple headache diaries from small developers also exist in the Norwegian App Store, often with few or no ratings. We have not compared them.
How to choose
- Language. If Norwegian matters, Headache Calendar is the only one of these that supports it.
- Features. Medication log, weather and community: Migraine Buddy lists the most.
- Commitment. If you can log daily for months, N1-Headache suits that style.
- Breadth. Several conditions to track? Bearable is more flexible.
- Doctor report. Check that the app can export or show the data in a way your doctor can use.
Using a diary well
- Log at the same time every day, including headache-free days.
- Note date, duration, pain 0–10, and what you took.
- Track a few things, not everything.
- Bring the overview to your doctor after a few weeks.
Common mistakes
- Logging only attack days. You cannot see what is different.
- Logging too much. If it is tiring, you stop.
- Treating patterns as proof. A link between sleep and attacks can be chance.
- Using the app instead of a doctor. Migraine needs follow-up from a health professional.
When to see a doctor
Seek emergency help (113 in Norway) for a sudden, severe headache that is brand new or the worst you have had, headache with weakness, speech problems, vision changes that do not pass, confusion, fever with a stiff neck, or after a head injury. See your GP if headaches change, become more frequent, or you use painkillers on more than a few days a month. If you take warfarin (Marevan), have lymph cancer or severe pain with no known cause, talk to a doctor before trying self-treatment.
Our own product
PFU Pocket is a self-help app, not a migraine diary. It is our own product and we earn money if you use it. See PFU Pocket. See also Migraine and neck pain on PainFreeU.
Frequently asked questions
What is a migraine diary?
A log where you note attacks, how long they last, pain level, medication and possible triggers. The goal is to spot patterns over time and give your clinician a clearer picture.
Can an app tell me what triggers my migraine?
No. A diary can show patterns, but a pattern is not proof. Discuss what you see with your doctor.
How long should I keep a diary?
Most people need a few weeks, often a few months, before patterns show. Some apps mention around 90 days.
Are these apps free?
All of them are free to download, but some features sit behind a subscription. Check in the app what you get without paying.
Is PFU Pocket a migraine diary?
No. PFU Pocket is a self-help tool where you rate pain before and after one guided step. It is our own product, so we do not present it as a choice among the diaries.
Which is best?
We do not crown a winner. They do different things, and we have compared them from store listings and the makers' pages, not hands-on.
Sources
Rune Åbø – PT and therapist, has treated 26,000+ people with lymph treatment.
Professional behind PainFreeU. This guide is an editorial overview and gives no diagnosis or treatment.
Last updated: September 30, 2026
Apps in the comparison
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