LivingWith App Review: Features, Pros, Cons, Pricing, Alternatives, and What Users Really Think

Like all cancer stories, Tony’s narrative starts with a diagnosis that shocked him to his core.

“I walk in, I’m sitting there, and she’s at her desk,” he remembers. “She said, ‘The bad news is you have cancer.'”

Though he never wanted it to be part of his vocabulary, Tony understood the cancer terminology that most patients are unfamiliar with, having worked in the medical field in the military. But he knew others wouldn’t be as fluent in “doctor speak,” so he took to the road and started talking about the ‘c’ word to anyone who’d listen. He spoke at summits. He became a voice for the voiceless. He shared his experiences of fear and frustration and faith. He says he wanted to “inspire” before he “expired.”

Tony is one of thousands of incredible survivors on LivingWith, the app designed for the 16.9 million Americans currently living with cancer. He’s part of a digital support network, an inner private circle of support, where a close community helps, inspires, and encourages each other as they navigate a disease that affects so many lives.

In this guide, discover the LivingWith app, why it exists, and who it’s meant for. Then learn about its benefits and drawbacks, how much it costs, and what users really think about it.

 

What is the LivingWith App?

LivingWith is a cancer support app created by Pfizer Oncology, part of Pfizer, Inc., which researches cancer biology and develops potentially life-saving treatments for those affected by cancer in all of its forms — bladder, blood, breast, or, in Tony’s case, prostate. It’s available to download for free on iOS and Android.

What Does LivingWith Do?

LivingWith describes itself as a one-stop portal for those living with cancer — “Everything you need, all in one place.” Its mission is as clear as crystal: “We believe it’s our responsibility to help support and inspire those who have been affected by cancer.”

The app bursts to the brim with features, which you can access from a personalized ‘news’ feed.

 

News Feed

Find daily positive affirmations that inspire and motivate.

 

Communication

Invite ‘real world’ friends and loved ones to support you in your treatment journey and make new connections with thousands of users from around the world. Send and receive messages and updates and build an inner circle of people going through the same thing as you. Provide support, exchange tips, and make new relationships.

 

Health and Mood

Monitor your mood and pain levels from a personalized dashboard and share updates with those in your network. Then share graphs and reports with your healthcare team (if they use the app).

 

Organization

Set reminders for upcoming doctor’s visits, hospital appointments, and more.

 

Sleep

Connect Fitbit, Google Fit, or Apple Health to the app and monitor your sleep patterns.

 

Resources

Watch inspirational cancer stories (like Tony’s) and read articles about nutrition and healthy living. Need additional resources? Search for advocacy groups online and in your area. Or enter your ZIP to find local community events, including those run by the American Cancer Society.

 

LivingWith Pros

One of the world’s most popular apps for people living with cancer.

Free to use.

No ads.

Available on iOS and Android.

 

LivingWith Cons

Some users have reported technical issues with the app and couldn’t use some features.

Created by biopharmaceutical company Pfizer, Inc., and not a non-profit or independent organization.

 

How Much Does the LivingWith App Cost?

LivingWith is a free app with no ads whatsoever. That’s better value than similar health tracking apps like iHealth MyVitals (iOS/Android), which costs $4.99, and medication reminder apps like Medisafe (iOS/Android), which charges users for premium features.

What Do Users Think About LivingWith?

LivingWith has an average user review score of 4.2/5 on the App Store based on 130 ratings (correct as of August 2021).

“I think it’s a solid and easy-to-use app. Oh! One thing I’d like to add is that I’m a huge fan of the section called ‘support’ where I’m able to request specific help from my family and friends. This makes it super easy for me.” — ChrixCo.

“The app is very easy to navigate. I love the idea of adding who is important to me to my account so that they can see exactly what is happening to me when I visit my doctors. This avoids the need for me to have to call everyone individually.” — Appiah’s Wife.

LivingWith currently has an average user review score of 4/5 on Google Play based on 117 ratings (correct as of August 2021).

“Any help that cancer patients can get is so much appreciated. More than most people realize. I love the app. It will save so much time calling people and receiving calls and special if you’re not up to receiving calls.” — Lorraine T.

“While the app is a good idea for getting information about individuals dealing with health issues, it doesn’t work very well. I often get notifications on my phone about new postings but when going to the app they do not come up.” — Monica M.

“Seriously, I’d give it 0 stars. Just downloaded the app, went through the tutorial, and none of the buttons do anything. Tried to add to my circle, kept hitting the prompt and nothing happened.” — Jack L.

 

LivingWith Alternatives

Cancer.Net Mobile (iOS/Android): Free app from the American Society of Clinical Oncology that provides high-quality resources for cancer patients. Features include a symptom tracker, medication log, and video guides that cover every aspect of living with cancer, from diagnosis through to discharge.

CareZone (iOS): Free app for organizing health information and accessing vital cancer services and resources. Features include a pill bottle scanner, automated medication reminders, and the opportunity to connect with others living with cancer worldwide.

Create To Heal (iOS): Mindfulness app that reduces stress for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Users get four guided meditations, ten music tracks, 36 pieces of art, and over 60 inspirational messages for free.

 

Final Verdict

Cancer can be a lonely experience and one that brings feelings of fear and isolation. The LivingWith app solves these problems, providing access to a community of people struggling with the same emotions. While some people have reported technical issues with the app, reviews are positive. Users can track their health and mood, organize treatments, access wellness resources, and share their stories with people who want to listen to them.

LivingWith is available for free on iOS and Android.

Read more healthcare app reviews at Intech Media.