Pillo is the better medication reminder app for most people in 2026. It's free with unlimited medications and persistent alarms that keep going until you respond. Medisafe now requires a $4.99/month subscription for full access and limits free users to 2 medications.
If you've been using Medisafe for years, you probably noticed the change in early 2026. The app that millions relied on for free medication reminders rolled out a premium paywall. Features that were always free, like managing more than two medications, now require a paid subscription. That left a lot of people looking for a real alternative.
Here's how Pillo and Medisafe actually stack up, feature by feature.
Medisafe's 2026 pricing change
In January 2026, Medisafe introduced a mandatory premium subscription for most core features. The free tier now limits users to 2 medications. If you take more than two daily meds (and most people managing chronic conditions do), you need Medisafe Premium at $4.99/month or $39.99/year.
That's roughly $60 per year for an app that used to be free. For many users on fixed incomes or tight budgets, that's a dealbreaker. It's why so many people are looking at alternatives like Pillo, which remains completely free with no medication limits.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Medication reminders
Both apps remind you when it's time to take your meds, but they handle missed reminders differently.
Medisafe sends standard push notifications. If you're busy, distracted, or your phone is on silent, you might miss it. The notification sits in your shade until you happen to check.
Pillo uses a persistent alarm system that keeps ringing until you acknowledge it. You can configure how aggressive the reminders get, from gentle nudges to full alarms that won't quit. If you've ever slept through a medication reminder or swiped one away without thinking, that difference matters.
Winner: Pillo. A reminder you can easily ignore isn't much of a reminder.
Medication limits
This is the biggest gap between the two apps right now.
Medisafe's free tier caps you at 2 medications. If you take blood pressure medication, a statin, and a daily vitamin, that's already three. You'd need to pay $4.99/month to add that third med.
Pillo has no medication limit. Add 2 or 20, it's free either way, and there's no premium tier waiting to lock you out.
Winner: Pillo. Unlimited medications, zero cost.
Smart features
Medisafe's premium plan includes a drug interaction checker that flags potential conflicts between your medications. That's useful if you see multiple doctors who might not coordinate prescriptions.
Pillo doesn't have a drug interaction checker yet (it's coming soon), but it has smart features Medisafe lacks. Pillo's smart snooze pauses your alarm when you're on a phone call and re-alerts you when you hang up. It can also detect when you've arrived home and remind you about medications you missed while out. These context-aware features solve real everyday problems that standard notification apps don't address.
Winner: Tie. Medisafe has drug interactions (paid). Pillo has smarter, context-aware reminders (free).
Health tracking
Medisafe offers basic health tracking, mostly focused on medication adherence metrics.
Pillo includes 9 built-in health trackers at no cost: blood pressure, blood sugar, HbA1c, weight, water intake, mood, heart rate, SpO2, sleep, and body temperature. If your doctor asks you to track blood pressure alongside your medication schedule, Pillo handles both in one app.
Winner: Pillo. Nine trackers versus basic tracking, all free.
Refill and stock management
Running out of medication is a common problem. Both apps offer refill reminders and stock tracking.
The difference: on Medisafe, refill reminders are part of the premium package. On Pillo, they're free. You can track your pill count and get alerts before you run out, no subscription required.
Winner: Pillo. Same feature, but free.
Family and dependents
Both Pillo and Medisafe let you manage medications for family members, like an aging parent or a child with a daily prescription. This works similarly on both platforms.
Adherence reports
Tracking whether you actually took your medications over time matters, especially when your doctor asks. Both apps offer adherence tracking, but Medisafe limits reporting on its free tier. Pillo gives you full adherence history and visualization at no cost.
Winner: Pillo. Full reporting, no paywall.
Full comparison table
| Feature | Pillo (Free) | Medisafe Free | Medisafe Premium ($5/mo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Free (limited) | $4.99/mo or $39.99/yr |
| Medication limit | Unlimited | 2 medications | Unlimited |
| Persistent alarm | Yes | No | No |
| Smart snooze | Yes | No | No |
| Drug interaction checker | Coming soon | No | Yes |
| Health trackers | 9 types | Basic | Basic |
| Refill reminders | Yes | No | Yes |
| Adherence reports | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Widgets | Yes | No | Yes |
| Platform | Android | Android + iOS | Android + iOS |
Who should pick Pillo
Pillo makes more sense if you take 3 or more medications daily (Medisafe's free tier won't cover you), if you need reminders that actually break through distractions, if you want a free app without surprise paywalls, if you track health metrics like blood pressure or blood sugar, or if you use an Android phone.
If that sounds like your situation, download Pillo from Google Play and set up your first medication in under two minutes.
When Medisafe still makes sense
Medisafe is still a solid choice for some users. If you need a drug interaction checker right now, Medisafe Premium includes one (Pillo's is coming soon but isn't live yet). If you use an iPhone, Pillo is Android only, so Medisafe remains an option, though you'll likely need the paid tier. And if you only take 1 or 2 medications, Medisafe's free tier still covers the basics.
For everyone else, especially anyone managing multiple medications on a budget, Pillo delivers more for less.
How to switch from Medisafe to Pillo
- Download Pillo from the Google Play Store and create your account.
- Add your medications. Enter each medication with its dosage and schedule. You can check your Medisafe medication list as a reference while you set things up.
- Set your alarm preferences. Choose how persistent you want your reminders, from gentle nudges to alarms that won't stop until you respond.
The whole process takes about 5 minutes. For a more detailed walkthrough, check our guide on how to transfer your Medisafe data to Pillo.
Bottom line
Medisafe was a great app when it was free. But paying $60 a year for features that Pillo offers at no cost is a hard sell. Pillo gives you unlimited medications, persistent alarms, 9 health trackers, refill reminders, adherence reports, and widgets, all without spending a dime.
If you're comparing medication reminder apps or looking for the best pill reminder apps for Android, Pillo is the strongest free option in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pillo really free forever?
Yes. Pillo has no premium tier, no subscription plans, and no medication limits. Every feature, including persistent alarms, health trackers, refill reminders, and adherence reports, is free. There are no hidden costs or surprise paywalls.
Can I transfer my Medisafe data to Pillo?
There's no automatic data transfer between the two apps, but setting up Pillo is quick. Check our step-by-step transfer guide for the easiest way to make the switch.
Does Pillo have a drug interaction checker?
Not yet, but it's coming soon. Pillo is developing a drug-drug interaction checker along with drug-food and drug-condition interaction tools. In the meantime, check with your pharmacist or doctor about potential interactions between your medications.
Is Medisafe worth $5 per month?
It depends on your needs. If you specifically need the drug interaction checker and use an iPhone, Medisafe Premium might make sense. But if you're on Android and mainly need reliable reminders with health tracking, Pillo offers nearly everything Medisafe charges for, at no cost.
Does Pillo work on iPhone?
No. Pillo is available on Android only through the Google Play Store. There is no iOS version at this time.
Related Articles
- Medisafe Is Not Free Anymore: What to Do Now
- Medisafe Is No Longer Free — 5 Best Free Alternatives
- Best Free Medication Reminder App in 2026
- Best Medication Reminder Apps in 2026
- How to Transfer Your Medisafe Data to Pillo
This article is for informational purposes only. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice specific to your medications.
