If you’ve landed here, chances are you’re a fellow T1D warrior—or the parent of one—looking for a reliable way to view and share blood glucose data. A few years ago, I wrote a popular guide on how to set up Nightscout using Heroku. It helped a lot of people, but times have changed: Heroku has deprecated its free services, and for many of us, keeping a custom setup running smoothly has become a pain.
That’s why I’ve moved on to something better (for my perspective) —and way easier: Managed Nightscout Services.
Let me walk you through why it’s worth considering this switch and which services are out there right now.
Why I Stopped Using Heroku
Heroku was great… until it wasn’t. Here’s what changed:
- They shut down free hosting.
- Frequent platform updates broke Nightscout installs.
- It required regular manual maintenance.
- Backups and uptime weren’t guaranteed.
- Too technical for many parents and caregivers.
Sound familiar?
Managing all this while caring for a T1D child is just too much. That’s why I recommend letting someone else handle it.
Why Go with a Managed Nightscout Service?
If you’re looking for a plug-and-play solution to view CGM data remotely (Dexcom, Libre, etc.), a managed service is the way to go. Here’s what you get:
Zero Tech Knowledge Needed
You don’t need to be a developer or learn GitHub. Just sign up, configure your settings, and you’re good to go.
No Maintenance Headaches
Forget about Heroku crashing overnight or debugging MongoDB issues. It’s all managed behind the scenes.
Minimal Downtime
These services are hosted on reliable platforms with proper monitoring and backups. Your data stays online and accessible when you need it most.
Fast Setup
You can have Nightscout up and running in minutes—not hours.
All the Features You Love
You still get alarms, integrations with xDrip, Dexcom, Tidepool, and more.
Which Managed Nightscout Services Can You Use?
Here are two great options I’ve personally tried or heard good feedback about:
1. 10be.de – My Current Pick
This is the service I currently use for my son. It’s simple and reliable. I use it more than 2 years I cannot recall any downtime except some maintenance windows.
- Fair price for what you get
- Great support
- Super quick to set up
2. Nightscout.pro
Another solid option with more advanced plans for families and clinics.
- Paid plans with discount based on renewal period
- Easy to setup in a few minutes
Bonus Perks
- Safe for school use: Teachers or caregivers can access real-time data without hassle.
- Peace of mind: You can focus on your child—not on keeping a server alive.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still trying to resurrect your old Heroku Nightscout or feeling overwhelmed with tech setup, stop wasting your time. Managed Nightscout services are the future—simple, secure, and made for real-life T1D families like ours.
Give it a try and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with not being your own system admin anymore.
