Irakli Kurtanidze, a software developer and Type 1 diabetic of more than 12 years, spends a significant portion of his working day seated at a computer terminal managing both code and his blood glucose levels. That personal balancing act drove him to establish Sugar Sense, a companion monitoring software designed to transform continuous glucose monitors into real-time operational feeds.
Real-Time Tracking and Alert Architecture
The application integrates directly with hardware and platforms including FreeStyle Libre via LibreLinkUp, Dexcom via Dexcom Share, Nightscout, Apple Health, and manual data entry options. According to App Store documentation, the software supplies live glucose readings, graphical trend analyses, and statistical summaries directly to user interfaces on the iPhone, Apple Watch, Lock Screen, and Dynamic Island.
Users can configure custom thresholds and alert sounds for high readings, low readings, and rapid-rise or rapid-fall trends. A predictive heading-low alert warns users approximately 20 minutes prior to a projected glycemic drop. Additional features include an AI food-photo carbohydrate estimator, a LogBook for recording meals, insulin, activity, and medication, as well as Morning Report recaps and Time in Range tracking.
Monetization and Feature Tiers
Sugar Sense operates on a freemium model. Core functionality—including live glucose feeds, graphs, statistics, the LogBook, all core alerts such as the predictive heading-low feature, Apple Health integration, and Care Circle following—is provided free of charge. According to the developer’s public statements on the platform, keeping core monitoring and safety alerts free was a deliberate choice from inception.
A paid subscription unlocks advanced capabilities, which include the AI food scanner and AI Insights, the native Apple Watch application, Live Activity and Dynamic Island persistence, emergency phone calling for urgent lows, calendar synchronization, CarPlay support, medication reminders, and PDF report exports. Solo subscriptions are priced at $39.99 per year, while Family plans cost $59.99 annually and cover up to six users within a shared Care Circle.
Family Monitoring and Safety Disclaimers
The Care Circle feature allows designated family members and trusted contacts to follow a user’s glucose levels in real time, receiving mirror alerts for highs and lows alongside optional emergency phone calls during urgent incidents. Despite these connectivity features, the application explicitly carries software disclaimers stating it is a companion tool rather than a medical device. It does not replace dedicated continuous glucose monitor applications, physical blood glucose meters, or professional medical guidance, and it does not calculate or administer insulin doses.
