# InPen Smart Pen vs Bionic Circle

The clearest difference is rating: Bionic Circle at 4.8 against InPen Smart Pen's 3.9. Bionic Circle also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 40%) and ads (none vs shown). InPen Smart Pen's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Bionic Circle holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 184 and 70 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of InPen Smart Pen's written reviews are positive against 77% of Bionic Circle's.

InPen Smart Pen ships an update every 2 months, Bionic Circle every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and August 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | InPen Smart Pen | Bionic Circle |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (184 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inpen-smart-pen/id1236236656/reviews) | **[4.8 (70 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionic-circle/id6477549955/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **184** | 70 |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | **76.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 140 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Companion Medical Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1236236655) | [Beta Bionics Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1395643778) |

## What reviewers say

### InPen Smart Pen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inpen-smart-pen/id1236236656)

This app automatically tracks insulin doses and provides personalized recommendations based on glucose levels, meals, and active insulin. It helps prevent over- or under-dosing and integrates with CGM data and Apple Health for a comprehensive view of your diabetes management.

**Highlights:** Automatic dose recording, Personalized insulin recommendations, CGM data synchronization, Active insulin tracking, Carb counting and meal estimation, Missed dose reminders, Therapy reports for healthcare providers

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💉 Accurate insulin dose calculations
- 📊 Automatic dose tracking and logging
- ⏱️ Insulin on-board (IOB) monitoring prevents stacking
- 🎯 Half-unit dosing precision
- 📈 Improved A1C and blood sugar control

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- ⏳ Slow app loading times
- 🔌 iOS 18 widget compatibility broken
- 🔗 Dexcom G7 integration not working
- 📵 Notification popup glitch (greyed-out settings)

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch or during use
- App freezes when entering doses or settings
- Notification popup asking to enable background notifications (setting greyed out)
- Therapy settings changes not saving properly
- Doses not recording or recording incorrect amounts

**Requested features**

- Apple Watch companion app with complications
- Lock Screen widget for iOS 18+
- Support for 3+ daily long-acting insulin doses
- Dexcom G7 real-time glucose integration
- Notification confirmation when dose is recorded


### Bionic Circle

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bionic-circle/id6477549955)

This app allows designated individuals to remotely monitor the diabetes management of an iLet user. It provides real-time access to crucial data like glucose levels, insulin status, and alerts, offering peace of mind for caregivers and family members.

**Highlights:** View CGM values, Monitor pump battery and insulin levels, See meal announcements, Track insulin doses, Receive critical alerts (low, high, no data), Remote monitoring from anywhere

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 First app of its kind
- 👍 Ease of use
- 👍 Helpful for families and caregivers
- 👍 Customizable alerts
- 👍 Provides peace of mind

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔋 Lack of battery level and insulin unit information


## Frequently asked questions

### Is InPen Smart Pen free?

InPen Smart Pen is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bionic Circle free?

Bionic Circle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, InPen Smart Pen or Bionic Circle?

Bionic Circle is rated higher. InPen Smart Pen averages 3.9 out of 5 from 184 ratings, while Bionic Circle averages 4.8 from 70 ratings.

### Do InPen Smart Pen or Bionic Circle have ads?

InPen Smart Pen shows ads; Bionic Circle does not.

### Which is updated more often, InPen Smart Pen or Bionic Circle?

InPen Smart Pen ships an update every 2 months, and Bionic Circle every 3 months. Most recently, InPen Smart Pen was updated on September 12, 2026 and Bionic Circle on August 5, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*