Since January 2026, Medisafe limits free users to 2 medications and charges $5/month for full access. The fastest way to switch is downloading Pilloa free app with unlimited medications that takes about 3 minutes to set up.
If you've used Medisafe for years and just hit the paywall, you're not alone. Thousands of daily users are now looking for alternatives. It's frustrating when you've built your whole routine around an app and it changes the rules. Here are your options.
What Changed with Medisafe
In January 2026, Medisafe moved to a subscription model. Free users are now limited to 2 medications. Everything beyond that, including additional meds, detailed reports, family sharing, and most reminder customizations, requires Medisafe Premium at $4.99/month ($59.88/year).
If you take 3 or more medications, the free version no longer works for you. That's a problem when the average person with a chronic condition takes 4–5 daily medications.
| Feature | Medisafe Free (2026) | Medisafe Premium | Pillo (Free) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medication limit | 2 medications | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Price | $0 | $4.99/month | $0, always |
| Persistent alarm | No | No | Yes — configurable |
| Health trackers | Basic | Full | 9 types included |
| Refill reminders | Limited | Yes | Yes + stock tracking |
| Smart snooze | No | No | Yes (calls, location) |
| Dependents | No | Yes | Yes |
| Drug interactions | Basic | Yes | Coming soon |
| Platform | Android + iOS | Android + iOS | Android only |
Your 3 Options Right Now
Option 1: Pay for Medisafe ($60/year)
If you like Medisafe and the subscription fits your budget, there's nothing wrong with staying. It's still a solid app with a familiar interface. But $60/year for a reminder app is steep when free alternatives do the same job.
Option 2: Stay on Free Medisafe (2 meds only)
This only works if you take 1 or 2 medications. If that's you, the free tier still covers the basics. The moment you add a third prescription, you'll hit the limit.
Option 3: Switch to a Free Alternative
For most people managing multiple medications, switching to a free app is the practical move. You keep your money and get the features you need.
| Your Situation | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Take 1–2 medications | Stay on Medisafe free | No need to switch if the free tier covers you |
| Take 3+ meds, budget is fine | Medisafe Premium or switch | $60/year is worth it if you prefer the familiar UI |
| Take 3+ meds, want free | Switch to Pillo | Unlimited meds, persistent alarms, no cost |
| Need persistent alarms | Switch to Pillo | Only app with true persistent alarms (free or paid) |
| Track health metrics daily | Switch to Pillo | 9 health trackers included free vs Medisafe premium |
| Manage meds for family | Switch to Pillo | Dependents feature free vs Medisafe premium-only |
How to Switch to Pillo in 3 Minutes
- Download Pillo from Google Play. Tap here to install Pillo. It's free, no account required to start.
- Add your medications. Enter each medication name, dose, and schedule. Pillo handles complex regimens, different doses on different days, multiple times per day, whatever you need.
- Set your alarm preferences. Pick between standard notifications or Pillo's persistent alarm that keeps going until you respond. You can set different persistence levels for different meds.
Your new reminders start working right away. For a step-by-step walkthrough, check our guide on how to transfer your Medisafe data to Pillo.
Real Stories: Why People Are Switching
"I take 6 medications, the free tier is useless"
Managing a statin, blood thinner, beta-blocker, diabetes med, thyroid pill, and a supplement means 6 entries minimum. On Medisafe's free tier, 4 of those won't have reminders. That's not a minor inconvenience, it's a safety issue. On Pillo, all 6 go in with individual schedules and persistent alarms.
"I kept sleeping through Medisafe's notification"
A single notification at 7 AM is easy to swipe away half-asleep. Pillo's persistent alarm keeps sounding until you actively respond. Several users switching from Medisafe cite this as the biggest upgrade — a feature that Medisafe doesn't offer even on its premium plan.
"I was tracking blood pressure in a separate app"
Medisafe's free tier has limited health tracking. Many users ended up using a second app for blood pressure or blood sugar logs. Pillo's 9 built-in trackers (BP, blood sugar, HbA1c, weight, water intake, mood, heart rate, SpO2, body temperature) consolidate everything in one place.
What You Gain and What You Lose
What you gain with Pillo:
- Unlimited medications, no cap, ever
- Persistent alarms that won't stop until you respond
- 9 health trackers included free
- Smart snooze (pauses during calls, reminds when you get home)
- Stock management + refill alerts
- Home screen widgets (medication cabinet + daily schedule)
- Dependent management for family members
What Medisafe has that Pillo doesn't (yet):
- Drug interaction checker (Pillo's version is coming soon)
- iOS support (Pillo is Android only)
- Longer track record and larger community
For interaction checks in the meantime, your pharmacist or a free tool like Drugs.com works well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my Medisafe data to Pillo?
There's no automatic import, but re-entering your medications takes just a few minutes. Check our guide on transferring your data from Medisafe for step-by-step instructions.
Is Pillo actually free?
Yes. Unlimited medications, all features, no paywall. There's no premium tier that locks anything away.
Will Medisafe go back to being free?
Unlikely. Once an app moves to subscriptions, the business model rarely reverses. Companies build revenue projections around recurring payments, so a return to fully free access is improbable.
Does Pillo work on iPhone?
No. Pillo is Android only, available through the Google Play Store.
What if I only take 2 medications?
If you take 2 or fewer meds, Medisafe's free tier still works. But if you want persistent alarms or health tracking, Pillo offers more even for a simple medication schedule.
Is my Medisafe data secure if I delete the app?
Medisafe syncs to your account, so your data stays on their servers even after uninstalling. You can always reinstall and log back in if you change your mind.
Losing your go-to medication app is frustrating, but it doesn't have to throw off your routine. Download Pillo from Google Playspend 3 minutes setting up your meds, and get back to what matters, actually taking them on time.
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- Best Pill Reminder Apps for Android
- How to Transfer Your Medisafe Data to Pillo
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice specific to your medications.





