Diabetes is a serious condition, and if left untreated it can lead to a host of issues, including heart disease and nerve damage.
The good news is that technology has advanced to the point where there are several apps on the market that can help you manage your diabetes and keep you informed about your health. These apps allow users to track their glucose levels, monitor their carbohydrate intake, and even predict when they might be at risk of having a hypoglycemic attack so they can prevent it before it happens.
We’ve rounded up some of the best apps for people with diabetes.
Best Apps For Diabetes Management
best apps for diabetes patients
Best Apps for Managing Diabetes
Use Your Smartphone for Glucose Control, Activity Tracking, and More
By Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN
and Lindsay Modglin Updated on March 07, 2022
Medically reviewed by Danielle Weiss, MD
Fact checked by James Lacy
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Smartphone apps have become increasingly important tools for managing certain health conditions, including diabetes, by assisting with everything from diet and exercise to glucose monitoring and symptom management. These five cleverly designed apps are useful for anyone with diabetes, from people who are newly diagnosed to those who have been living with the disease their entire lives.
The Top 5 Apps for Managing Diabetes of 2022
Best Overall: BlueStar Diabetes
Best for Emergencies: Medical ID
Best for Nutrition: Fooducate
Best for Tracking Blood Sugar: Glucose Buddy
Best for Food Tracking: MyFitnessPal
Best Apps for Managing Diabetes
BlueStar Diabetes
Medical ID
Fooducate
Glucose Buddy
MyFitnessPal
Final Verdict
Compare The Best Apps For Managing Diabetes
FAQs
Methodology
BEST OVERALL
BlueStar Diabetes
BlueStar Diabetes
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Key Specs
Price: Free
Platforms: iOS and Android
Features: Organize medications, real-time coaching, record blood glucose and carbs, view lab results, sync health data with Apple Health, and connect with your healthcare team
Why We Chose It
BlueStar is a free, award-winning app that offers a variety of helpful tools for people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It allows you to set reminders for medications, record your blood glucose levels, and plan meals for the day.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Tracks blood sugar results
Immediate feedback from real-time coaches
Provides recipes ideas/food barcode scanner
Set medication reminders
Syncs with fitness trackers
CONS
Requires access code from employer or health plan
Only intended for ages 17+
BlueStar is an FDA-approved, award-winning app that provides 24/7 real-time coaching from Certified Diabetes Educators. This comprehensive app is available only by prescription and offers an impressive range of tools tailored to the individual. Once registered, users can receive personalized guidance based on their blood glucose, medications, current health, and a review of lifestyle factors affecting diabetes.
In addition, BlueStar provides thousands of tailored coaching messages based on real-time glucose values and trends. While BlueStar is not intended to replace your doctor, it can greatly enhance your care, particularly if you’re having difficulty controlling your blood sugar or are in need of ongoing support.
BlueStar is intended for persons 18 and older with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Free for iPhone and Android. To activate the app, you will need an access code from an authorized healthcare provider.
BEST FOR EMERGENCIES
Medical ID
Medical ID
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Key Specs
Price: Free plan; premium lifetime option for $6
Platforms: iOS and Android
Features: Portable tool for storing emergency contacts, allergies, medications, blood type, organ donor status, and more; location services and displays medical information from the lock screen
Why We Chose It
In the event of an emergency, the Medical ID app makes sure first responders can access important details about your health conditions (like diabetes and any others) as well as send alerts to your emergency contacts. Note: This app is designed to keep you safe rather than help you manage your diabetes.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Access from lock screen during emergency situations
Shares location with emergency contacts
Provides information on nearby hospitals
Comes pre-installed on iPhones
CONS
Not specifically for diabetes management and care
Free version doesn’t include many features
Although not a diabetes-specific app per se, Medical ID comes preinstalled on an iPhone (as part of the Health app) and is free to download for Android. The app is visible on the lock screen of the phone, allowing first responders or others to access critical medical information such as chronic conditions, including diabetes, emergency contacts, and more. It won’t help you manage your diabetes, but it will alert others of your condition in the event you have a diabetes-related emergency—a severe hypoglycemic event, for example—that leaves you unable to speak for yourself.
Comes pre-installed on iPhone, free to download on Android
BEST FOR NUTRITION
Fooducate
Fooducate
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Key Specs
Price: Free plan; premium upgrades start at $3/month
Platforms: iOS and Android
Features: Track meals and exercise, scan barcodes, personalized health and diet tips based on the foods you scan, weight loss support, motivational insights, and tailored food-based education based on health conditions
Why We Chose It
With over 300,000 foods in its database, Fooducate provides insight on your nutrition quality so you can make smarter food choices as part of your diabetes management. Simply scan the barcode of your food packages to access helpful information on your daily eats.
Pros & Cons
PROS
In-app community with recipes and member support
Identifies foods’ nutritional value (carbs, sugars, etc.)
Suggests healthy alternatives for foods scanned
Premium version offers diabetes-specific tips
CONS
Free version doesn’t include diabetes support
Doesn’t track blood sugars
Fooducate is a nutrition-focused tracking app that assesses the quality of the foods you’re eating. The app uses a built-in database of hundreds of thousands of scannable barcodes so you can easily count macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats). It assigns a letter grade (A, B, C, or D) to a food’s nutrition quality. Fooducate then provides you with explanations and alternative recommendations, plus tips from nutrition professionals and community support so you can continue to make smart decisions for blood sugar management.
BEST FOR TRACKING BLOOD SUGAR
Glucose Buddy
Glucose Buddy
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Key Specs
Price: Free plan; in-app products range from $15 to $60 per item
Platforms: iOS and Android
Features: Track blood sugar readings, log meals, 12-week diabetes education plan, nutritional insights, track exercise data, and print out reports for your medical provider
Why We Chose It
Glucose Buddy’s intuitive interface simplifies the process of logging carbohydrate intake, medication, exercise, and blood glucose readings. Plus, its custom insights help you understand how your lifestyle impacts your diabetes management.
Pros & Cons
PROS
Straightforward and modern look
Settings for prediabetes and type 1 & 2 diabetes
Provides insights based on target blood glucose range
Content library with management tip
Can sync data from Apple Health app
CONS
More expensive than its competitors
Glucose Buddy is a must-have iPhone app for tracking blood glucose levels, insulin, medications, A1C results, and carb intake. The app syncs with Dexcom G5 and G6 glucose monitoring systems to maintain a thorough record of your glucose, but it doesn’t stop there. Glucose Buddy helps you track your physical activity and food intake, and also offers push notifications to remind you when to check your blood sugar next. Glucose Buddy’s chart display can help you spot patterns and gain greater insight into your blood sugar trends and you can even create printable reports to bring to your next doctor’s appointment.
Conclusion
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