Never Miss a Dose: Top Pill Reminder Apps for 2024

A smartphone displaying a pill reminder app.

Pill reminder apps are a game-changer when it comes to managing medications. They can simplify the process of taking your pills on time, every time. You can customize the reminders based on your specific medication schedule, whether you need a daily reminder for your morning vitamins or an alert for a prescription refill. You can also track your medication usage over time by keeping tabs on when you’ve taken your pills, and you can ensure that you’re following your prescribed regimen accurately.

Many options are available when picking a pill reminder app, so consider a few things. Do you need free basic reminders or paid extras like tracking refills? Do you need it to sync with your health tracker or other health apps to get a holistic view of your health? It is also important to check the reviews to see if the app is reliable and if your information is handled well.

This article will explore the most reliable and popular pill reminder apps to help you find the perfect match for your needs.



MyTherapy  (iPhone & Android)

Three screens of the MyTherapy pill reminder app from Apple's App Store.

With MyTherapy, you can set up reminders for multiple medications, vitamins, or supplements, track your intake history, and see upcoming refills. It also has a health diary where you can log symptoms, weight, blood pressure, and other health measurements to monitor your progress and identify patterns. It can remind you to refill prescriptions, check vitals, or take other health actions. You also can export your data and generate reports for your doctor’s appointments to improve communication about your treatment plan. However, the advanced tracking options or medication interaction checks might require a paid subscription, if you need basic reminders and tracking, the free version offers a solid solution.

Medisafe Pill & Med Reminder (iPhone & Android)

Three screens of the Medisafe Pill & Med Reminder App from Apple's App store.

Medisafe offers the basic functionalities for free, making it a budget-friendly option. It has an easy-to-use medication database and offers medication reminders, medication history tracking, and refill reminders. It has a unique Family Sharing feature, which means you can add a “Medfriend” (one family member or caregiver) for free, and they will notify you if you miss a dose, providing extra support. A nice feature is that Medisafe can warn you of harmful interactions between your medications. More advanced features like tracking additional health measurements or having multiple “Medfriends” might require a paid subscription (Medisafe Premium).

Pill Reminder – All in one (iPhone)

Three screens of the Pill Reminder - All in one App from Apple's App store.

This iPhone app offers a range of reminder features. You can set recurring reminders with flexible options (daily, weekly, by interval, or specific days of the week), receive refill reminders for medications, and manage medical appointments. The built-in FDA drug database simplifies medication tracking. You can search them by name and potentially auto-populate dosage information (US-based FDA data) For advanced features like unlimited reminders and doctor reports, consider upgrading to the paid version.

Pillboxie (iPhone)

Three screens of the Pillboxie pill reminder App from Apple's App store.

Pillboxie costs $1.99, unlike other reminder apps offering free basic features. It uses a unique visual approach, a virtual pillbox metaphor, to manage medications. Adding medications is straightforward with Pillboxie. You choose the pill image, set the dosage and schedule, and drop it into the virtual pillbox. Then, it will send you reminders of the times you need to take your medications, even if your phone is asleep and you don’t have an Internet connection. You can also customize your medications with tons of combinations of med types and colors.

Pillboxie is a good option if you are looking for a simple and easy-to-use medication reminder app. However, it is important to note that Pillboxie does not offer some of the more advanced features that are available in other apps, such as the ability to track your medication history or connect with your doctor.

Google Assistant (Android)

Adding medication reminders can be a good option if you already use Google Assistant for other tasks. Just use voice commands like “Hey Google, remind me to take my medication at 8 am every day.” There is also no additional cost to use this feature of Google Assistant. However, it doesn’t offer functionalities like medication tracking, refill alerts, medication history, or integration with health data, which many dedicated apps have.

Also, if you take medications at different times, you’ll need to set separate reminders for each dose. It is important to note that these reminders rely on your phone being nearby and charged, so you might miss a notification if your phone is on silent mode or you’re not actively using it.

Google Calendar (iPhone & Android)

Similar to Google Assistant, Google Calendar can be a convenient option for basic pill reminders, especially if you already manage your schedule there. Google Calendar might work for simple schedules, but a dedicated app might be better for complex ones.

Good to Know: Drugs.com Medication Guide & Pill Identifier

If you are looking for information on medications, you can use Drugs.com. It is a well-established online resource of pharmaceutical information, primarily in the United States. It offers information on prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and natural products, explaining uses, side effects, warnings, and interactions. The site also has tools like a drug interaction checker, pill identification by imprint, and access to FDA consumer updates on medications.

Drugs.com claims to be an independent source of information, not affiliated with any pharmaceutical companies. The information is reportedly compiled from authoritative sources like medical journals, textbooks, and FDA resources. Drugs.com has certifications from organizations promoting trustworthy health information online (TRUSTe and HONcode). However, using the information responsibly and in conjunction with consulting your doctor is important.

FAQs

How can I choose the best pill reminder app for me?

Consider your specific needs and preferences about customization, notifications, medication database, privacy, and health integration.

Is it safe to store my medication data on pill reminder apps?

Reputable pill reminder apps prioritize privacy and use encryption to protect your data.

Can I track multiple medications using pill reminder apps?

Yes, most pill reminder apps allow you to manage multiple medications simultaneously.

How do I ensure I receive my pill reminders on time?

Check your notification settings and give the necessary permissions to ensure you receive timely alerts.

Can I share my medication information with my healthcare provider on pill reminder apps?

Some apps offer the ability to generate reports or share your medication history with your doctor.