Managing Diabetes? Discover the Most Downloaded Apps to Help You

Aug 08, 2024

Building positive health behaviors and maintaining psychological well-being are key to managing diabetes and maximizing quality of life.

To achieve these goals, it's essential to incorporate:

Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES)
Medical nutrition therapy (MNT)
Routine physical activity
Counseling and treatment for tobacco and vaping cessation
Health behavior counseling and psychosocial care (1)

Mobile apps offer a variety of features to help people with diabetes adopt these positive health behaviors.

These apps enable users to:

Enhance Glucose Data: Integrate glucose data with information from diet, activity, sleep, and more to gain insights into how behaviours impact glucose levels
Monitor Diet: Record meals, monitor calorie and nutrient intake, receive custom food recipes, and follow personalized meal plans.
Track Physical Activity: Track exercise and heart rate, access tailored workout plans and recorded training sessions, and compete with peers online.
Build Healthy Habits: Reduce stress with meditation and breathing techniques, and connect with community and peer support.
Improve Sleep: Track your sleep, use sounds and stories to improve sleep quality.
Quit Smoking: Utilize cognitive behavioral techniques for smoking cessation.

Raising Awareness of Mobile App Benefits

This blog aims to highlight the potential benefits of mobile apps for individuals with diabetes, focusing on

Diet/Carb Counting Apps,
Fitness Apps,
Mental Health Apps,
Sleep Apps
and Smoking Cessation Apps.

As we explore the most downloaded apps worldwide (2, 3), it's important to note some limitations:

With over 350,000 health-related apps available globally (4), this list is not exhaustive.
We have not tested these apps ourselves and cannot guarantee their safety and effectiveness. While some apps have demonstrated effectiveness through randomized controlled trials, most are not rigorously tested due to frequent updates, whereas clinical trials take years to complete and publish. (5)
Most of these apps are in English, and we recognize the importance of using apps in one's native language.

While these popular apps may not be the perfect fit for everyone,

the primary goal of this blog post is to inform you about the wide range of app options available to help people with diabetes adhere to their lifestyle goals.

Many of these apps are free and accessible to both iOS and Android users,

so there’s nothing to lose by giving them a try!

Most Downloaded Diet/Carb Counting Apps

1. MyFitnessPal

900K (iOS) + 600K (Android) Downloads last month
200 million registered users
A popular calorie tracker with a vast database of food products. Recently shifted many features to premium only.
Cost: Has free trial, $19.99 / month or $79.99 / year for yearly plan
Languages: Currently available in English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Dutch, Russian, Korean, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

2. BetterMe

500K (iOS) + 500K (Android) Downloads last month
120 million registered users
An all-in-one health, fitness, and wellness app acting as a virtual health coach.
Costs: 7-day free trial, subscription between $9.99 to $38.95 per month
Languages: Afrikaans, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

3. Yazio

500K (iOS) + 500K (Android) Downloads last month
50 million users (according to Yazio)
A calorie counting app offering goal setting, recipes, and a fasting tracker.
Costs: 7-days free, $3.99 per month billed annually
Languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish

4. FatSecret

400K (iOS) + 400K (Android) Downloads last month
Free app for tracking food and exercise, with the largest verified database of food and nutrition information worldwide.
Costs: 100% free
Languages: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian

5. Fastic

200K (iOS) + 300K (Android) Downloads last month
28 million registered users
Promotes weight loss through intermittent fasting, mindfulness, improved nutrition, and sleep.
Costs: monthly at $4.60/week or annually at $1.92/week
Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish

6. Lose It!

200K (iOS) + 70K (Android) Downloads last month
34 million registered users
Tracks food and water intake to help users meet diet goals and lose weight.
Costs: Free version and a premium subscription at $39.99 per year
Languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, and Korean

7. Lifesum

100K (iOS) + 80K (Android) Downloads last month
Offers calorie counting, goal setting, meal plans, recipes, and more.
Costs: has free version, paid ranges from $4.17 per month to $49.99 annually
Languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian Bokmål, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Swedish

8. Noom

80K (iOS) + 30K (Android) Downloads last month
50 million registered users
Extends into behavior change programs for chronic and non-chronic health conditions.
Costs: $70 per month or $209 per year
Languages: English and Spanish

9. WeightWatchers

60K (iOS) + 40K (Android) Downloads last month
38 million registered users
Converts nutritional information into a points system for tracking calorie intake, with virtual and in-person workshops.
Costs: Basic plan costs around $10 per month if you commit to 10 months, For shorter commitments, the price can go up to $23 per month, plus a $20 starter fee. Premium plan starts around $25 per month for a 10-month commitment. Shorter commitments cost around $45 per month, also with a $20 starter fee
Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Portuguese, Swedish

Most Downloaded Fitness Apps

1. Google Fit

1M (Android) downloads last month
375 million registered users
Offers customized coaching and actionable tips based on health and activity history.
Costs: Free
Languages: Multiple languages, making it accessible to a global audience

2. Apple Health

325 million registered users
Collects health information from iPhones, Apple Watches, and other devices, and sets medication reminders.
Costs: Free
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Portuguese, Russian, Dutch, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian

3. Samsung Health

50K (iOS) + 300K (Android) Downloads last month
280 million registered users
Syncs data from Samsung devices, allowing competition with other users and stress level measurement.
Costs: Free, Premium: around $9.99 per month or $59.99 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Dutch, Polish, Swedish

4. Strava

1M (iOS) + 1M (Android) Downloads last month
120 million registered users
Popular with the cycling community, featuring a competitive King of the Hill mode.
Costs: Free, premium: $11.99 per month or $79.99 per year
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Dutch, and Japanese

5. Sweatcoin

600K (iOS) + 3M (Android) Downloads last month
110 million registered users
Earn cryptocurrency for walking.
Costs: Free version, Premium version costs $4.99 per month or $24.99 annually
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese

6. Freeletics

60K (iOS) + 200K (Android) Downloads last month
45 million registered users
Harnesses the power of AI and the expertise of human scientists to generate the best workout plan for you.
Costs: Free version, Training Plan Only: $34.99 / month or $139.99 / year. Training & Nutrition Bundle: $44.99 / month or $179.99 / year
Languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Turkish

7. Sweat

40K (iOS) Downloads last month
30 million registered users
A fitness app built for women, with a large library of female trainers and workouts.
Costs: approximately $19.99 per month, or $119.94 annually
Languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese (Brazil), and Simplified Chinese

8. Peloton

70K (iOS) + 10K (Android) Downloads last month
23 million registered users
Sells cardio equipment and offers exercise livestreams that can be followed at home.
Costs: $12.99 to $44 / month
Languages: English, German, Spanish, French

9. Fitbit

200K (iOS) + 300K (Android) Downloads last month
Recently acquired by Google, includes sensors to track heart rate, Electrodermal Activity, temperature, sleep, and menstrual cycles.
Costs: Free version, around $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, Russian, Swedish, Portuguese

10. AllTrails

800K (iOS) + 800K (Android) Downloads last month
GPS Hiking & Biking Trail Maps. Detailed reviews and inspiration from a community of trail-goers. Helps plan and share outdoor adventures.
Costs: Free version, $29.99 to $39.99 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese

11. FitOn

40K (iOS) + 30K (Android) Downloads last month
Offers cardio, yoga, and Pilates classes, with access to free workouts and meditations.
Costs: Free version, FitOn Pro: around $29.99 per year or $99.99 for a lifetime membership
Languages: English

12. Zwift

30K (iOS) + 20K (Android) Downloads last month
An indoor cycling game that lets you explore virtual worlds at home.
Costs: 7-day free trial, around $14.99 per month
Languages: English

13. Leap Fitness

Home Workout - No Equipment: 400K (iOS) + 2M (Android) Downloads last month
Lose Weight at Home in 30 Days: 100K (iOS) + 1M (Android) Downloads last month
Lose Weight for Women: 70K (iOS) + 900K (Android) Downloads last month
Lose Weight for Men: 40K (iOS) + 1M (Android) Downloads last month

Consists of multiple free fitness and health apps:
Costs: Free version, premium version: around $10 to $50 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Chinese

14. Pokémon Go

1M (iOS) + 2M (Android) Downloads last month
Increases steps per day by 1,446 steps (Meta-analysis 2019).
Costs: free-to-play app, but it does offer in-app purchases
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese

Most Downloaded Mental Health Apps

1. Calm

300K (iOS) + 600K (Android) Downloads last month
115 million registered users
The #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, featuring guided meditations and Sleep Stories.
Costs: Free plan, premium plan: $14.99 per month or $69.99 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean

2. Headspace

75 million registered users
200K (iOS) + 100K (Android) Downloads last month
Offers expert-guided meditations and mental health coaching.
Costs: $12.99 / month or $69.99 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch

3. Fabulous

100K (iOS) + 40K (Android) Downloads last month
33 million registered users
Focuses on self-care, setting life goals, and personal growth.
Costs: free version and premium version
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, and others

Most Downloaded Sleep Apps

1. ShutEye

500K (iOS) + 400K (Android) Downloads last month
Offers sleep tracking and a variety of sleep sounds.
Costs: Free version, Premium Subscription: around $5 to $10 per month or around $40 to $60 per year
Languages: English (Primary language), Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean

2. BetterSleep

200K (iOS) + 200K (Android) Downloads last month
Uses scientifically optimized sounds to help users relax and fall asleep.
Costs: Free version, Premium Subscription ranges from $29.99 to $69.99 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch

3. Sleep Cycle

300K (iOS) + 200K (Android) Downloads last month
Analyzes sleep patterns and detects snoring and other sounds.
Costs: Free version, Premium Version: Costs around $29.99 per year, or $79.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish

4. Pokémon Sleep

200K (iOS) + 200K (Android) Downloads last month
Collect Pokémon through sleeping by matching your sleep type with Pokémon sleep styles.
Costs: It doesn't require any purchase to access its main features. However, there might be in-app purchases or premium features available that could involve costs.
Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Spanish, Italian

5. Pillow

100K (iOS) Downloads last month
Uses iPhone and Apple Watch to track sleep, providing data such as sleep quality score and sleep stage analysis.
Costs: Free Version: Includes basic features and some limited functionality. Premium Version: Usually requires a subscription, which can be billed monthly or annually. This version provides access to advanced tools, additional features, and an ad-free experience.
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese

6. Talkspace

20K (iOS) + 6K (Android) Downloads last month
Offers online therapy with licensed therapists, providing more than just helpful guides and videos.
Costs: around $260 per month to around $396 per month
Languages: Primarily operates in English. However, they have been working to expand their services to include other languages.

Most Downloaded Smoking Cessation Apps

1. QuitSure

10K (iOS) + 40K (Android) Downloads last month
Built using the latest innovations in psychology and behavioural science.
Costs: Free version and premium version which varies by region and may be available as a monthly or yearly subscription
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese

2. Kwit

20K (iOS) + 20K (Android) Downloads last month
WHO-approved app using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help quit smoking.
Costs: Free Version: Kwit offers a basic version that includes essential features to track and support your quitting journey. Premium Subscription: For more advanced features like personalized plans, additional resources, and ad-free experience, Kwit provides a premium subscription.
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian

3. QuitNow

10K (iOS) + 30K (Android) Downloads last month
Recommended by the WHO, engages users with a personalised dashboard and diary.
Costs: Free version and premium version which provides additional features, such as advanced statistics, customized plans, offline access, and an ad-free experience. The cost can vary based on the subscription plan you choose, but it generally includes monthly, yearly, or lifetime options.
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and others

4. Smoke Free

20K (iOS) + 10K (Android) Downloads last month
Uses over 40 evidence-based techniques to help users quit and stay smoke-free.
Costs: Free version, paid version ranges from $9.99 to $14.99 per month or around $59.99 to $99.99 annually
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese

5. Quit Tracker

30K (Android) Downloads last month
Helps users quit smoking and track money saved and time spent without cigarettes.
Costs: Free version, paid version around $10-$30 per year
Languages: English, Spanish, French, German, and other widely spoken languages.

Conclusion

With over 350,000 health apps available, many tools can support people with diabetes in making positive behavioral changes.

While we cannot make definitive medical claims about these apps due to the lack of rigorous scientific evidence, their widespread popularity suggests they offer potential benefits for individual users.

Most of these popular apps are free and easily accessible on mobile devices, making it important for healthcare providers to be aware of them.

Recommending apps that align with patients' interests and needs can inspire meaningful behavior changes.

By utilizing these tools, you can empower yourself and others to lead healthier lives.

Remember, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." — Lao Tzu.

Embrace these resources and take the first step toward better health today.

Kind regards,