Comparison

As Needed. vs Pilly

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

As Needed.

This app helps you track as-needed medications, offering quick logging, safe dose spacing, and privacy-focused insights. It supports various unit types and provides visual usage patterns, all while keeping your health data securely on your device.

Highlights
  • Quick dose logging in seconds
  • Support for 29 unit types
  • Searchable medication database
  • Visual usage pattern charts
  • Privacy-conscious notifications
  • Siri Shortcuts integration
  • Local data storage only
Features
Read full description

Track As-Needed Medications with Privacy and Confidence AsNeeded is the privacy-first medication tracker designed specifically for PRN (as-needed) medications. Whether managing pain relief, anxiety medications, allergies, or any other as-needed prescriptions, AsNeeded helps you track doses safely—while keeping your health data completely private. Built for As-Needed Medications Unlike apps focused on daily medication schedules, AsNeeded understands the unique challenges of PRN medications. Quick logging, safe spacing between doses, and clear insights help you make informed decisions about when to take your next dose. Key Features Quick Dose Logging: - Log medications in seconds with one tap - Support for 29 unit types (tablets, mg, mL, puffs, drops, and more) - Smart defaults remember your typical doses - Backdate doses when you forget to log immediately - Add notes to track symptoms or side effects Medication Management: - Search 300,000+ medications via RxNorm integration - Use custom nicknames alongside clinical names - Track inventory and set refill reminders - Support for all dosage forms and strengths Powerful Insights: - Visual charts reveal usage patterns over time - Calendar heatmap shows daily medication habits - Statistics display average usage and trends - Searchable history of all medication events Reminders: - Flexible scheduling: one-time, daily, weekly, or custom - Privacy-conscious notifications (hide medication names) - Quick actions: "Mark as Taken" directly from notification - Gentle reminders that respect your preferences Siri Shortcuts: "Hey Siri, I took 2 ibuprofen" "How much acetaminophen have I taken today?" "List my medications in AsNeeded" True Privacy: - All data stored locally on your device only - No account required—start using immediately - No cloud sync, servers, or data collection - No ads, analytics, or tracking of any kind - Export your data anytime in JSON format - Open source code you can inspect (GPL-3.0) Perfect For: - Pain management (track intervals between doses) - Anxiety/panic medications (log as-needed usage) - Allergy medications (monitor seasonal patterns) - Migraine treatments (identify triggers) - Sleep aids (track effectiveness) - Any PRN or as-needed prescription Why Choose AsNeeded? - Privacy First: Your health data never leaves your device. No servers, no cloud, no company has access to your information. - Always Free: Every feature is free forever. No premium tiers, no subscriptions, no ads. Supported by optional tips only. - Open Source: Transparent development. Review our code on GitHub. Community-driven improvements. - Thoughtful Design: Clean, modern interface built with SwiftUI. Supports Dark Mode, Dynamic Type, and VoiceOver. - Reliable: Offline-first design means AsNeeded works anywhere, anytime. No internet required. Additional Features - Apple Watch companion app for quick logging - Data export/import for backups - Technical logs for troubleshooting - Comprehensive medication event history - Support for complex dosing scenarios AsNeeded respects both your health and your privacy. It's the medication tracker that works the way as-needed medications actually work—quick to log, clear about safety, and completely private. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Medical Disclaimer: This app is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this app. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.

About

Pilly

Read full description

Know what’s due. Keep moving. Pilly is a private medicine reminder and tracking app for iPhone. Start without creating an account and keep your everyday medicine routine clear. • Create flexible schedules for tablets, capsules, liquids, injections, drops, and inhalers • Receive private reminders without medicine names on your Lock Screen • Record taken or skipped doses and correct them when needed • Review your week, dose history, and supply estimate • See what’s next with small and medium Home Screen widgets • Personalize medicine forms and colors for easier recognition Pilly Plus adds optional private backup and recovery, medicine photos, and a profile photo. Monthly and annual auto-renewing subscription options are available. The current localized price, billing period, and any eligible introductory offer are shown before purchase. You can restore purchases or manage your subscription from Pilly. Pilly records information you enter. It does not identify medicines, recommend doses, diagnose conditions, or provide medical advice. Check with a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions. Privacy Policy: https://getpilly.app/privacy Terms: https://getpilly.app/terms

Screenshots

As Needed.4 screens
Pilly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Pilly at every 2 days against As Needed.'s every 2 months. Pilly also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). As Needed.'s advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. As Needed. sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Pilly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

As Needed. ships an update every 2 months, Pilly every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
As Needed. versus Pilly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAs Needed.Pilly
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB56 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperDaniel HartMatthew Enarle

In-app purchases

6 purchases

As Needed.

Subscriptions3
  • Supporter$1.991 Month
  • Advocate$4.991 Month
  • Champion$9.991 Month
One-time3
  • Tip: Thanks!$0.99
  • Tip: Cheers!$2.99
  • Tip: Ovation!$4.99
2 purchases

Pilly

Subscriptions2
  • Pilly Plus Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pilly Plus Annual7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is As Needed. free?
As Needed. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pilly free?
Pilly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do As Needed. or Pilly have ads?
Neither As Needed. nor Pilly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, As Needed. or Pilly?
As Needed. ships an update every 2 months, and Pilly every 2 days. Most recently, As Needed. was updated on October 24, 2026 and Pilly on October 25, 2026.

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