Managing Diabetes? Discover the Most Downloaded Apps to Help You
Aug 08, 2024![](https://kajabi-storefronts-production.kajabi-cdn.com/kajabi-storefronts-production/file-uploads/blogs/34729/images/3dca18-4b4-de6-b4-0482786da3df_Mobile_Apps.png)
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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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,
Sources
1. Standards of Care in Diabetes - 2024. Diabetes Care 2024