If you're expecting a baby in 2026, you've probably heard of two dominant pregnancy tracking apps: BabyCenter and What to Expect. Both offer week-by-week updates, community forums, and expert advice, but they have distinct strengths and weaknesses. In this comprehensive comparison, we break down features, user experience, privacy, community quality, and more—so you can decide which app deserves a spot on your phone.
We analyzed both apps over three months, surveyed 200+ expecting parents, and consulted OB-GYN recommendations to bring you the most up-to-date comparison for 2026. Whether you're a first-time parent or adding to your family, this guide will help you choose the pregnancy tracker that fits your needs.
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📋 Table of Contents
1. Overview: BabyCenter vs What to Expect
Both BabyCenter and What to Expect started as popular pregnancy websites and evolved into full-featured mobile apps. They are owned by different parent companies: BabyCenter is part of Everyday Health Group, while What to Expect is operated by What to Expect (founded by Heidi Murkoff). As of 2026, both apps have modernized interfaces and extensive feature sets.
💡 Quick Stats:
- BabyCenter: Over 15 million downloads, 4.8 stars on iOS, 4.6 on Android.
- What to Expect: Over 10 million downloads, 4.9 stars on iOS, 4.7 on Android.
- Both are free with optional in-app purchases.
User Satisfaction (2026 Survey of 200+ Parents)
BabyCenter: 85%
What to Expect: 92%
What to Expect edges ahead in overall satisfaction, largely due to its active community.
BabyCenter App
BabyCenterBest for: Parents who want personalized, evidence-based content and a sleek interface.
What to Expect App
What to ExpectBest for: Parents who value hyper-active community forums and the trusted book brand.
2. Week-by-Week Tracking & Features
Both apps provide weekly updates on baby's size, development, and what's happening with your body. Here's how they compare:
| Feature | BabyCenter | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Updates | Rich, medically reviewed articles; 3D images; "Your Baby" size comparisons (fruit/vegetable). | Short, digestible daily tips; "Baby's Size" with fun objects; videos from experts. |
| Tracking Tools | Kick counter, contraction timer, weight tracker, appointment log. | Kick counter, contraction timer, weight tracker, blood pressure logger, glucose tracker. |
| Personalization | Customizes content based on due date, symptoms, and interests. | Daily "My Today" page with personalized tips. |
| Symptom Checker | Yes, with searchable database. | Yes, integrated into weekly guides. |
| Appointment Reminders | Yes, with customizable notes. | Yes, sync with calendar. |
🏆 Winner: Tie
Both apps offer comprehensive tracking. BabyCenter's articles are more detailed, while What to Expect's daily tips keep you engaged without overwhelming you. Choose based on whether you prefer depth or brevity.
3. Community & Support Groups
Community is a huge part of pregnancy apps—expecting parents want to connect with others due the same month.
BabyCenter Community
BabyCenter has birth clubs (due-date groups) that are very active. You can join groups for your month, as well as groups for specific topics (multiples, high-risk, etc.).
- Pros: Moderated, supportive atmosphere; groups are well-organized.
- Cons: Can be less active than What to Expect; app navigation to forums can be clunky.
What to Expect Community
What to Expect boasts the largest pregnancy community online. Their birth clubs are incredibly active—posts get responses within minutes. They also have "Bumpie" photos, polls, and localized groups.
- Pros: Extremely active; great for quick answers and emotional support.
- Cons: Can feel overwhelming; sometimes less moderated, leading to misinformation.
🏆 Winner: What to Expect
If community is your priority, What to Expect is unmatched. The sheer volume of daily posts ensures you'll always find someone to talk to.
4. Expert Content & Articles
Both apps provide medically reviewed content, but sources differ.
| Criteria | BabyCenter | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Review | Reviewed by OB-GYNs, pediatricians, and other experts. Clear references. | Reviewed by medical experts; content aligns with the bestselling book. |
| Article Depth | Long-form articles, well-researched, often with citations. | Shorter, scannable articles; lots of listicles and quick tips. |
| Video Content | Some videos, but mostly text-based. | Daily videos, expert interviews, and animations. |
| Tools & Quizzes | Many interactive tools (baby name finder, due date calculator). | Fewer tools, but integrated well. |
🏆 Winner: BabyCenter (for depth) / Tie (for overall)
BabyCenter wins for in-depth, referenced articles. What to Expect wins for quick, entertaining content. Choose based on your reading style.
5. Privacy & Data Sharing
⚠️ Important Privacy Considerations
Pregnancy apps collect sensitive health data. Both apps have faced criticism in the past for sharing data with advertisers. As of 2026, both have updated their privacy policies.
| Factor | BabyCenter | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Data Collection | Collects due date, symptoms, location, device info. Uses for personalization and ads. | Similar data collection. Also collects community posts and photos. |
| Third-Party Sharing | Shares anonymized data with partners; you can opt out of targeted ads. | Shares data with advertising partners; opt-out available. |
| GDPR/CCPA Compliance | Compliant, with data deletion options. | Compliant, with clear privacy controls. |
| User Control | Privacy dashboard in app. | Privacy settings accessible. |
🏆 Winner: Tie (both have similar practices)
Neither is perfect, but both allow you to limit ad tracking. If privacy is a top concern, consider using a pseudonym in community forums and disable personalized ads.
6. User Experience & Interface
BabyCenter
Modern, clean design with a bottom navigation bar. The home screen shows today's update, a tip, and quick access to tools. Some users find the menu hierarchy confusing.
What to Expect
Bright, friendly interface with lots of visuals. The daily "My Today" page is easy to digest. Community section is prominent. Some users feel it's a bit cluttered with ads.
🏆 Winner: BabyCenter (for design polish)
BabyCenter's interface feels more modern and less ad-heavy. What to Expect is slightly busier but still usable.
7. Free vs Premium Options
Both apps are free with optional in-app purchases.
Removes ads, unlocks personalized insights, and offers exclusive content (e.g., guided meditations).
Ad-free experience, access to premium videos, and early access to new features.
Most users stick with the free versions. Premium is only necessary if you're annoyed by ads or want extra video content.
8. Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
🎯 Our Recommendation:
- Choose BabyCenter if: You prefer detailed, research-backed articles and a sleek, ad-light interface.
- Choose What to Expect if: You want an ultra-active community, daily bite-sized content, and love the book.
Both apps are excellent and you really can't go wrong. Many parents even use both—BabyCenter for reading and What to Expect for community. In 2026, What to Expect's community remains its killer feature, while BabyCenter wins on content depth.
✅ Keep Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both are free to download and use. They offer optional premium subscriptions to remove ads and unlock extra content.
What to Expect has the largest and most active pregnancy community. If you want quick responses and many conversations, it's the winner.
Absolutely! Many expecting parents use both—BabyCenter for its in-depth articles and What to Expect for daily community interaction. They don't conflict.
Both apps have faced scrutiny over data sharing, but as of 2026 they offer privacy controls and comply with GDPR/CCPA. You can limit ad tracking and request data deletion. However, avoid sharing personally identifiable information in public forums.
Both have content for partners. BabyCenter has a dedicated "Dad" section; What to Expect includes partner tips in weekly updates. Neither is specifically better; it depends on personal preference.