Precision and peace of mind for insulin dosing.
An advanced, smart mealtime insulin dosing aid for children and adolescents.
The web version is in closed testing: access requires test credentials. Request credentials by email. Native mobile apps launch in the App Store and Google Play in the coming months.
Want to know when the mobile app launches? Send us a message and we will tell you on launch day.
How does Insulin Buddy work?
A structured four-step flow designed to make mealtime insulin dosing straightforward and safe.
Enter meal details
Select the meal (e.g. breakfast, lunch, or dinner), enter your current blood glucose and estimated carbohydrates. Your custom profiles pre-fill common carbohydrate amounts automatically.
Factor in CGM trends and daily life
Select the trend arrow shown by your glucose sensor. The app projects the glucose rise or fall over the next 30 minutes. Account for sports or illness with a single tap.
Precise and safe recommendation
The app computes the suggested mealtime insulin dose, incorporating active insulin (IOB). If active insulin exceeds the requirement, it recommends fast carbs instead of insulin units.
Custom therapy settings and helpers
Set up your carb ratios, insulin sensitivity factor (ISF), and active insulin time (AIT) as prescribed by your diabetes clinic. Built-in quick calculators make adjustments effortless.
Peace of mind without clinical compromises
A clean interface is honed for fast everyday situations and accounts for the key medical variables that affect insulin needs.
Custom meal profiles
Save your own glucose targets and carb ratios for each meal of the day. By setting a "Typical carb amount", the app pre-fills the carbohydrates based on the time of day.
CGM trend arrows
In addition to the glucose value, you can enter the trend arrow shown by your sensor. The app automatically factors the predicted rise or fall of glucose into the dose correction.
Exercise and illness
Exercise and illness can also be taken into account. When accounting for exercise, the app adjusts the calculation and safely raises the target glucose above 7.0 mmol/l.
Built-in helper calculators
Don't remember your settings or how they're worked out? The app's built-in quick calculators help you determine the total daily dose (TDD), insulin sensitivity factor (ISF), and carb ratio.
Medical basis and safety
The app doesn't just make insulin dosing easier — it actively works to prevent human estimation errors.
Exponential Insulin On Board (IOB) model
Simple linear calculators assume insulin leaves the body at a steady rate, which can lead to dangerous "insulin stacking".
Insulin Buddy uses the exponential model known from the open-source LoopKit project. Exponential models are, among other things, a standard feature of today's insulin pumps. The model understands insulin's real pharmacodynamics better than a linear one.
- Accounts for the absorption onset delay, the peak, and the tapering tail.
- Active insulin time (AIT) is freely adjustable (1–4 h).
- IOB is safely subtracted from the total insulin only once.
Differences between the exponential and linear action curves
Active hypoglycemia awareness
Safety means anticipating problems. If, for example, there is more active insulin (IOB) in the body than the new meal and any glucose correction require, the app does NOT suggest an insulin dose.
In such a situation the app's dose box turns red and suggests taking glucose-correcting carbohydrates instead of administering insulin units. The suggestion is calculated taking into account the user's carb ratio and insulin sensitivity.
- Prevents dangerous overlapping doses.
- A separate warning for single doses over 30 units.
Built on trust and peace of mind
Insulin Buddy was built to solve the real daily struggles faced by families living with type 1 diabetes.
100% Private
Your health data never leaves your device. No cloud storage, no accounts, no tracking.
LoopKit IOB Model
The exponential pharmacodynamic model used by modern insulin pumps prevents dangerous insulin stacking.
Completely Free
No ads, no subscriptions. Created to support people with diabetes and their families.
"Estimating active insulin after multiple afternoon snacks was always stressful mental math. Insulin Buddy took out the guesswork and brought peace to our evenings."Parent of a child with type 1 diabetes · Helsinki
"Combining the sensor's trend arrow and sports into a single dose recommendation has been a game-changer on active days. Fewer hypos, more confidence."Father and beta tester · Tampere
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Insulin Buddy's safety, privacy, and functionality.
Is Insulin Buddy free to use?
Yes, Insulin Buddy is completely free. There are no advertisements, paid add-ons, or recurring subscription fees.
How are my personal and health data handled?
Insulin Buddy operates on strict privacy-by-design principles. The application does not collect, store, or transmit personal data, blood glucose values, or therapy settings to any server. All information stays exclusively on your own browser or device.
How does exponential IOB differ from traditional linear calculators?
Linear calculators assume insulin is consumed at a constant rate from injection to finish. In reality, rapid-acting insulin has an absorption delay, reaches a peak, and gradually tapers off. The exponential LoopKit model reflects this true pharmacodynamics, preventing dangerous insulin stacking from corrective doses taken close together.
Does the app work offline without internet access?
Yes. All calculation logic runs locally in your device's browser. Once loaded or installed to your home screen (PWA), you can use it even in airplane mode or in areas with no reception.
Does this app replace medical advice from a physician?
No. Insulin Buddy is intended solely for illustration and educational purposes, and is not a medical device under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745). All dosing decisions and individual therapy settings must always be confirmed against the instructions of your medical team.