GluWink vs GlucoDose
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
GluWink
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Make your iPhone and Apple Watch a tool for diabetes ā not a distraction from it. GluWink does three things, and nothing more: 1. Glucose and carbs visible everywhere. Home Screen, Lock Screen and StandBy widgets in every size. Complications on every Apple Watch face. An optional glucose number on the app icon badge. Turn carb features off in settings if you don't track carbs. 2. Clear status at a glance. Green: all clear. Orange: something needs attention ā glucose is high or low, sensor is stale, or (if carb tracking is on) no carbs logged yet. Red: critical high ā shield locked until glucose drops below your threshold. Every surface speaks the same three-color language. 3. Optional app blocking ā your call. Choose to block other apps at configurable intervals, either always or only when something needs your attention. While blocking is active and the face is orange, GluWink locks other apps until the check-in is done. When the face is red, the check-in is off the table entirely until glucose drops back below the critical threshold ā no passphrase override, no disarm. When everything is green ā or you've turned blocking off entirely ā your phone is just your phone. ā Built for two audiences ā For parents of children with Type 1: ⢠Set GluWink up once on the child's iPhone using Family Sharing. ⢠Pick which apps stay free to use (the CGM app, school apps, phone, messages). ⢠A passphrase only the parent knows protects the settings. ⢠The child cannot delete the app or skip the check-in. ⢠You can always glance at the home screen badge or a widget to see how things are going. For adults managing their own Type 1: ⢠Authorize GluWink for yourself ā no Family Sharing required. ⢠Have a partner, spouse, or friend set the passphrase. The friction is the point. ⢠You can always uninstall ā GluWink is honest about that. It nudges, it doesn't imprison. ā Where the data comes from ā GluWink reads glucose and carbs from Apple Health. Most CGM apps (Dexcom, Libre, CamAPS, xDrip, Loop, iAPS, and others) already write to Apple Health. If yours does, GluWink is a one-tap connection. Prefer Nightscout? Connect a Nightscout site instead ā handy when a parent is monitoring a child remotely, or when the diabetes system writes to Nightscout but not Apple Health. On Medtrum? Connect EasyView ā works for patients and caregivers. On FreeStyle Libre? Connect LibreLinkUp ā GluWink reads direct from Abbott's cloud. Any source can be on at once; the freshest reading wins. Want to try the app first? Demo mode shows realistic glucose and carb data without any sensor. ā What you get ā ⢠Friendly check-in shield with action items based on the current glucose and (optionally) last carbs. ⢠Three-way signal: green (all clear), orange (check-in needed), red (critical ā shield locked until glucose drops). Thresholds are yours to set. ⢠Home Screen, Lock Screen, and StandBy widgets in every size, tinted with the same three-color attention signal. ⢠Apple Watch app and complications ā glucose at a glance on every watch face, with optional carbs. ⢠Configurable thresholds, intervals, and (when carb tracking is on) a daily carb grace period. ⢠Block apps always, only when attention is needed, or not at all ā you decide. ⢠English and Dutch throughout. ā Honest about what GluWink is not ā GluWink is not a medical device. It does not replace your CGM, your pump, your endocrinologist, or your judgment. It does not make treatment decisions. It surfaces information that's already on the phone and asks one question: did you do the diabetes thing yet? ā Open source ā GluWink is open source. Your data stays on your device (with HealthKit), on the Nightscout site you control, or on the LibreLinkUp or EasyView service you connect. There are no accounts, no servers run by us, no analytics, no ads. Source code, build instructions, and the rules engine are all on GitHub. Type 1 diabetes is relentless. The phone doesn't have to be.
GlucoDose
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GlucoDose is a simple, focused companion for people managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Log your glucose readings, calculate insulin doses for meals and corrections, and see your trends at a glance - all in one app built around real daily routines. KEY FEATURES ⢠Dose Calculator: Enter your current blood glucose and the carbs you're about to eat, and GlucoDose calculates your suggested insulin dose using your personal carb ratio and correction factor. Supports meal doses, meal + correction, correction-only, and low blood sugar (hypo) treatment. ⢠Searchable Food Database: Look up common foods and their carb counts, or add your own custom foods, to build accurate meal totals fast. ⢠Daily Tracking: Log glucose readings, meals, and doses with one tap from the Home screen. See your active insulin and carbs on board at a glance. ⢠Trends & Time in Range: The Overview screen shows your 24-hour glucose trend, daily time-in-range breakdown, and streaks to help you stay consistent. ⢠Full History: Every reading, meal, and dose you log is saved and searchable, with filters for meals, doses, and glucose readings. ⢠PDF Reports for Your Doctor: Export a clean, detailed PDF summary of your glucose and dosing history to share with your care team. GlucoDose does not replace medical advice. Always follow your doctor's guidance for your personal insulin ratios and treatment plan.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GluWink at none against GlucoDose's 1. GluWink also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks). GlucoDose's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.3.1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. GlucoDose sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GluWink asks for nothing beyond the download.
GluWink ships an update every 4 days, GlucoDose every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | GluWink | GlucoDose |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days ā better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No ā better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 26.3.1 | 15.0 ā better |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Fokke Zandbergen | Heba Farid |
In-app purchases
GluWink
No in-app purchases
GlucoDose
- GlucoDose Premium$5.99








