Understand your reflux. Find your patterns.

Log meals and symptoms, scan food before you eat, and explore patterns in your reflux. GERDBuddy brings your notes and guided flare support together in one app.

Free to download. GERDBuddy Pro is $14.99 per month or $59.99 per year after a 3-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Download on iOS

Tools for tracking meals, symptoms, and reflux patterns

Scan meals for possible triggers

Take a meal photo for an estimated reflux risk and possible trigger ingredients. A scan can guide your questions, but cannot predict exactly how you will feel.

  • Estimated reflux risk
  • Highlights possible trigger ingredients
  • Plain-language analysis

Explore patterns in your logs

Review symptom trends and suspected triggers alongside your logged meals. These associations can help you prepare questions for your clinician.

  • 7-day severity trends
  • Triggers ranked by confidence
  • Patterns from your own logs

Answers grounded in your own data

Ask questions about your logged meals and symptoms, with context from your own history. AI answers may be inaccurate and are not a substitute for medical advice.

  • Personalized to your history
  • Uses relevant logged context
  • There whenever a craving hits

Guided flare support

Guided breathing and practical comfort steps to use during a flare.

Reflux-conscious recipes

Low-acid, low-fat meal ideas, sorted by meal. Individual tolerance varies.

Doctor-ready reports

A PDF of your logged symptoms, suspected triggers, and patterns for your next appointment.

Meds and reminders

Track PPIs and antacids, set reminders, and log every dose in seconds.

GERD articles

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Community forum

Ask questions, share what works, and connect with people who actually understand life with reflux.

Join the conversation

Frequently asked questions

How much does GERDBuddy cost?

Free to download. GERDBuddy Pro is $14.99 per month or $59.99 per year after a 3-day free trial. Cancel anytime. An active subscription is required after the trial; free to download does not mean an ongoing free logging plan.

Is GERDBuddy free?

GERDBuddy is free to download, with a 3-day trial for eligible subscribers. Continued access requires a subscription: $14.99 per month or $59.99 per year. Manage or cancel it in your Apple account.

What devices does GERDBuddy work on?

GERDBuddy supports iPhone and iPad, with iOS 15.1 or later on iPhone and the corresponding iPadOS version on iPad. The tracking app is not available on Android or in a web browser.

How is GERDBuddy rated on the App Store?

GERDBuddy is rated 4.43 out of 5 from 30 ratings on the US App Store, checked 2026-09-30. Ratings can change.

What makes GERDBuddy different from a generic food diary?

GERDBuddy combines meal and symptom logging with food and restaurant menu scans, personal pattern insights, and guided flare support. Risk estimates and trigger associations are suggestions, not proof that a food is safe or causes symptoms.

Can GERDBuddy tell me if a specific food will trigger my reflux?

It can estimate reflux risk from a meal photo and highlight associations in your logged meals and symptoms. It cannot reliably predict an individual reaction, confirm a trigger, or guarantee that a food is safe.

Does GERDBuddy replace seeing a doctor?

No. GERDBuddy is a tracking and information tool. It does not diagnose or treat disease and does not replace medical advice. Symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, unintended weight loss, vomiting blood, or black stools need a doctor, not an app.

Is GERDBuddy a medical app?

No. GERDBuddy is for informational and tracking purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

Is my data shared or sold?

GERDBuddy does not sell meal, symptom, photo, or chat content. Connected AI features, analytics, accounts, and subscriptions involve service providers; see our Privacy Policy for what is processed and your choices.

How do I cancel my subscription?

Manage or cancel your GERDBuddy subscription in your Apple account subscriptions. Deleting the app does not cancel a subscription.

What foods trigger GERD?

Common GERD trigger foods include spicy foods, fatty or fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, mint, coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks. However, triggers vary from person to person — tracking your meals and symptoms is the best way to identify your personal triggers.

How do I track my GERD triggers?

Record meals, timing, symptoms, and severity, along with other relevant context. GERDBuddy helps organize these entries and surface possible patterns. A food diary can support a discussion with your clinician, but does not establish that a food caused a symptom.

What is the difference between GERD and heartburn?

Heartburn is a symptom — a burning feeling in your chest caused by stomach acid reaching the esophagus. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a chronic condition where acid reflux happens frequently, typically twice a week or more. Occasional heartburn is normal, but persistent heartburn may indicate GERD and should be discussed with a doctor.

Can GERD be managed without medication?

Many people manage mild GERD symptoms through lifestyle changes such as elevating the head of the bed, eating smaller meals, avoiding trigger foods, not eating 2-3 hours before bed, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress. However, moderate to severe GERD may require medication. Always consult your doctor for personalized advice.

What foods help with acid reflux?

Foods that can help soothe acid reflux include oatmeal, bananas, ginger, melons, green vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and non-citrus fruits. These foods are low in acid, high in fiber, and easy to digest. However, individual tolerances vary, so tracking your personal response to different foods is important.

Is acid reflux common during pregnancy?

Yes, up to 80% of pregnant women experience acid reflux. It's caused by hormonal changes (progesterone relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter) and physical pressure from the growing uterus. Most pregnancy-related reflux resolves after delivery.

Can exercise make GERD worse?

Some exercises can trigger acid reflux, especially high-impact activities, heavy weightlifting, and exercises that increase abdominal pressure. However, regular moderate exercise actually helps GERD long-term through weight management and stress reduction. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are generally well-tolerated.

What is the best app for tracking GERD triggers?

The best fit depends on your device, budget, and preferred workflow. GERDBuddy combines meal and symptom logs with estimated reflux-risk scans and pattern insights. An app cannot confirm a trigger or replace clinical assessment.

How long does it take to identify GERD triggers?

There is no guaranteed timeline. The usefulness of a diary depends on how often symptoms occur, what you record, and other factors affecting them. Review possible patterns with your clinician rather than treating an app association as proof.

Can a hiatal hernia cause GERD?

Yes, a hiatal hernia can contribute to GERD by weakening the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. However, many people with small hiatal hernias have no reflux symptoms at all.

Can acid reflux cause breathing problems or asthma?

Yes, GERD can trigger or worsen asthma and breathing problems through two mechanisms: microaspiration (tiny amounts of acid reaching the airways) and vagal nerve reflexes that cause airway tightening. Up to 80% of asthma sufferers also have GERD.

What should I do during a GERD flare-up?

During a GERD flare-up, take an antacid for quick relief, stay upright, sip water, and stick to bland foods like oatmeal, bananas, plain rice, and steamed vegetables. Avoid all known triggers, eat small portions, and keep your head elevated while sleeping.

Do children get GERD?

Yes, GERD can affect children of all ages. Infant reflux (spitting up) is very common and usually resolves by 12-18 months. Older children may experience heartburn, chronic cough, sore throat, or food refusal.

How do eating habits affect GERD?

How you eat is just as important as what you eat for GERD management. Eating too fast, large portions, eating late at night, slouching while eating, and lying down after meals can all trigger acid reflux. Helpful habits include eating smaller meals, chewing thoroughly, sitting upright during and after meals, and waiting 2-3 hours before lying down.

Why GERDBuddy?

I built GERDBuddy because I know how frustrating it is to manage GERD without clear answers. It started as a simple tracking app and has grown into a relief-first companion — and a community resource — for everyone dealing with acid reflux. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing symptoms for years, you deserve better tools and a supportive community to help you figure out what works for your body.

Get to know your reflux patterns

Free to download. GERDBuddy Pro is $14.99 per month or $59.99 per year after a 3-day free trial. Cancel anytime.

Download on the App Store