A headache diary that doesn't ask anything of you mid-attack
Migraine tracking has an obvious problem: the moment worth recording is the moment you cannot look at a screen. Apps that want an entry during the attack, or guilt you with streaks when you disappear for two days, end up abandoned.
Ebb works the other way. Log nothing during the attack. When you surface, tap the day you missed in History and fill it in: severity 1 to 5, a short note if you want ("aura, took sumatriptan, slept it off"), done in 30 seconds. The record stays complete without ever competing with the migraine itself.
Download Ebb free on iPhoneWhy keep a headache diary at all
- It is the first thing a neurologist asks for. Headache days per month, and how bad they were, drive nearly every treatment decision, from trying a preventive to qualifying for newer medications. Ebb records exactly that and exports it as a PDF you can hand over.
- Preventives take months to judge. Whether a new medication is actually reducing your attack frequency is hard to feel and easy to see on a chart.
- Patterns hide in ordinary days. Sleep, stress, and neck pain logged alongside headaches is how suspected triggers become visible instead of guessed.
What makes tracking sustainable
The diary you'll still be keeping in six months is the one that costs the least energy. Ebb keeps the cost low on purpose:
- One screen, minimal taps. Usable with a light-sensitivity hangover.
- Your words, not a fixed template. Track headache, aura, nausea, light sensitivity, neck pain, sleep — or anything you name yourself.
- Missed days are the design, not a failure. No streaks, no guilt. Fill in attack days whenever you resurface.
- A gentle daily reminder at whatever time works for you.
- Private by default. Your health data stays on your device.
Free tier: track up to 5 symptoms with full logging, history, and 7-day trends.
Premium: unlimited symptoms, full trend charts, and PDF/CSV export for appointments.
An honest note about dedicated migraine apps
Apps built only for migraine can capture more per attack: exact duration, medication doses, weather. If you want that level of detail and will keep up with it, one of those may serve you better. Ebb is for the other case: you want a complete, doctor-ready record of your headache days that survives real life, including the weeks when migraine is not the only thing you are tracking. Ebb is a diary, not a medical device; it doesn't diagnose or give advice.
Get Ebb on the App StoreCommon questions
What can I track for migraine?
Anything you name — commonly headache severity, aura, nausea, light sensitivity, neck pain, fatigue, and sleep quality. You rate each one 1 to 5 and can add one short note for the day, like a suspected trigger or which medication you took.
What if I can't log during an attack?
You won't, and Ebb expects that. There are no streaks and nothing breaks. When you surface, tap the missed day in History and fill it in. The record stays complete without asking anything of you mid-attack.
Is this the headache diary my neurologist wants?
The core of one, yes. Neurologists usually ask for headache days per month and how bad they were. Ebb records exactly that, and Premium exports a PDF of the period you choose — 30 or 90 days, 6 months, or your full history — with a trend chart plus your daily ratings and notes (see a real sample). Free exports your full history as CSV.
Is Ebb free?
Yes. The free tier lets you track up to 5 symptoms with full daily logging, complete history, 7-day trends, a daily reminder, and CSV export. Premium ($4.99/month or $29.99/year) adds unlimited symptoms, full trend ranges, and doctor-ready PDF reports.