PillBuddy vs Medisafe: which app should you use?

Which is better, PillBuddy or Medisafe?

Choose Medisafe if you need caregiver alerts, an Apple Watch app, refill reminders, PDF reports or Android; choose PillBuddy if you want a focused iPhone reminder that adds medications by scanning the box text on the device and keeps a simple taken/skipped history. Medisafe is the broader medication manager: its Medfriend feature notifies a chosen person when a dose is missed, and it shows U.S.-only drug interaction warnings. Its free tier limits the number of medications. PillBuddy covers reminders at the times and weekdays you pick, a today view, snooze and dose history; its core diary works without an account and stores data on your device. PillBuddy Pro is an optional subscription. Neither app tells you what dose to take; follow your prescriber.

PillBuddy and Medisafe side by side

	PillBuddy	Medisafe
Platforms	iOS	iOS, Android
Price to download	Free to download	Free to download
Store rating	—	4.7 (101,548 ratings, 2026-11-02)
Adding a medication	Catalog suggestions, manual entry, or scanning the text on the box with the camera or a photo, read on the device	Not covered in our sources
Dose history	Mark each dose taken or skipped and review the history	Dose tracking with shareable PDF reports [source]
Caregiver alerts	Not part of the feature list	Medfriend notifies a designated person when a dose is missed [source]
Apple Watch and refill reminders	Not part of the feature list	Apple Watch app and refill reminders [source]
Drug interaction warnings	No; PillBuddy does not give medical advice	Yes, U.S. only [source]
Pricing model	Free download; optional PillBuddy Pro at $4.99/month or $29.99/year (US App Store, Nov 2026)	Free download; free tier limits the number of medications, unlimited needs Premium [source]
Account and data storage	No account needed for the core diary; data stored on the device, optional manual backup	Privacy label lists data that may be used for third-party advertising [source]

Choose PillBuddy if

You want to add medicines by scanning the box text, read on your iPhone
You only need reminders, snooze, a today view and a taken/skipped history
You prefer not to create an account and want data kept on your device

Choose Medisafe if

A family member or caregiver should be alerted when you miss a dose
You want an Apple Watch app, refill reminders or PDF reports for your doctor
You use Android, or want U.S. drug interaction warnings
You prefer a long-established app with a large user base

Questions

Is PillBuddy a free alternative to Medisafe?

PillBuddy is free to download and its core diary works without an account; PillBuddy Pro is an optional subscription. Medisafe is also free to download, with Premium needed for unlimited medications.

Does PillBuddy have caregiver alerts like Medisafe's Medfriend?

No. Caregiver alerts are not part of PillBuddy's feature list. If someone else must be notified about missed doses, Medisafe is the better fit.

Can I move my medications from Medisafe to PillBuddy?

There is no import listed. You add each medication in PillBuddy from the catalog, by typing it, or by scanning the text on its box, then enter your prescribed dose and schedule.