# Malama vs Plainstride

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Plainstride at none against Malama's 3. Plainstride also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly). Malama's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Malama sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Plainstride asks for nothing beyond the download.

Malama ships an update monthly, Plainstride every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Malama | Plainstride |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (231 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malama-gestational-diabetes/id1626320933/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **231** | — |
| Positive reviews | 93.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 35 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MALAMA HEALTH, INC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1626315885) | [Plainstride Labs Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/6800191457) |

## What reviewers say

### Malama

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/malama-gestational-diabetes/id1626320933)

Easily track blood sugar levels by syncing with a Bluetooth glucose meter or manually logging. Integrate health and fitness data, tag meals with photos and notes, and receive AI-powered insights into food triggers for high glucose. Connect with specialized prenatal nutritionists.

**Highlights:** Bluetooth glucose meter sync, Manual glucose logging, HealthKit integration, Meal tagging with photos and notes, AI-powered food trigger identification, Connect with prenatal nutritionists

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Donation | $0.99 | one-time |
| Donation | $4.99 | one-time |
| Donation | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📸 Photo-based food logging with AI recognition
- 📱 User-friendly and intuitive interface
- 🔔 Helpful text reminders for glucose testing
- 📊 Clear charts and visual data tracking
- 💾 Easy report export for healthcare providers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes and fails to load
- 💾 Data not saving properly
- 🔐 Login and verification code issues
- ⏳ Slow syncing and upload times
- 🌐 Network error messages

**Reported bugs**

- App won't load or becomes unresponsive
- Data entries fail to save
- Verification code screen freezes during login
- White screen prevents adding logs
- App stuck on analyzing screen

**Requested features**

- Water intake tracker
- Fitness and workout logging
- Integration with MyFitnessPal or similar apps
- More detailed macro tracking (carbs, fiber, fat, protein breakdown)
- Support for additional glucose monitors (Freestyle Libre)


### Plainstride

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plainstride/id6800191455)

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Malama free?

Malama is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Plainstride free?

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

### Do Malama or Plainstride have ads?

Neither Malama nor Plainstride shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Malama or Plainstride?

Malama ships an update monthly, and Plainstride every 3 days. Most recently, Malama was updated on October 22, 2026 and Plainstride on October 15, 2026.

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