# AHA ACLS — user reviews > 80 indexed App Store user reviews of AHA ACLS by Massachusetts General Hospital, rated 4.90/5 from 243 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 232 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 1 ## What do users think of AHA ACLS? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - ✅ Accurate, up-to-date AHA ACLS algorithms - ⏱️ Built-in timers and counters for code management - 👍 User-friendly, intuitive interface - 🏥 Trusted by Harvard/MGH and American Heart Association - 📋 Helpful for documentation and PCR completion - 🎓 Excellent educational tool for residents and medical students - 💾 Reliable alternative to physical ACLS cards **Cons** - 💰 Subscription paywall on previously free app - 🚨 Dangerous surprise paywall during active codes - ⚠️ No warning before transition to paid model - 🔐 Requires payment even for basic ACLS information - 😤 Perceived greed from wealthy organizations (MGH/AHA) - ❌ No family sharing option despite subscription model - 📱 App locked users mid-code without access - 🔄 Recurring subscription model instead of one-time purchase - 🌍 Removes critical resource from low-resource settings **Commonly reported bugs** - App fails to load information despite subscription payment - Users locked out of app mid-code - Unexpected app crashes during critical moments **Most requested features** - Multiple log storage with dates - More detailed code logging with event documentation (IO access, medications, rhythms) - End code button and pause compressions feature - Real-time log tracking for back-charting - LVAD algorithm inclusion - Additional medication counters (bicarbonate, calcium) - One-time purchase option instead of subscription - Free basic version with premium features behind paywall - Voluntary donation model instead of mandatory subscription - Actual time reflection in logs for accurate timekeeping ## Newest reviews (16 of 80) ### 4/5 — Worth the few bucks *2026-02-18, version 2.7.0* Used this during a code as a paramedic intern with 4 other paramedics present and they appreciated the fact that it made tracking times and time stamping drugs easier than messing with the sub-menus of the LP35. The summary report made it easy to complete my PCR afterwards without having to guess what happened at what time into the code. Improvement suggestion: be able to store multiple logs with dates. ### 2/5 — MD *2025-11-24, version 2.6.0* Just downloaded this. But I do not see the LVAD algorithm on this. Why was that not included? ### 3/5 — Good but could be better *2025-10-30, version 2.6.0* Good interface and appreciate it being the most up to date. Overall worth the money, if only because you aren’t as likely to lose your phone as the ACLS paper cards. That said, the code “log” could be more detailed. Other similar apps include “events” where IO/central line access, insulin, PEA, VT, VF, asystole etc can be documented. Codes are chaotic as is - this log should help debriefing and documentation. ### 2/5 — It’s a great app, but… *2024-03-30* I used this app some time ago when it was free. Great app, very useful. Is very unfortunate that it is no longer free. I can appreciate the need to now charge a nominal fee, however I have several issues with the implementation. 1) A basic version should be free. As it stands the app is completely unusable outside the 3 day trial without a subscription. At least make the ACLS cards free in the app without nagging prompts for subscriptions. This is an invaluable resource in low resource settings, and charging a fee to access the basic information removes a critical resource. 2) A subscription service is just tacky. When I pay for something, I expect to own it - not the case with a software subscription. I realize SAAS is all the rage right now, but it’s really better to stick with a purchase model. I happily bought the ASCCP app and the subsequently updated version for $9.99 each, but I would never consider a yearly subscription to the same app. Just charge a one-time fee (or a nominal purchase fee and then charge for an upgrade) just like any good software for the last 40 years. 3) You went the subscription route and didn’t enable family sharing. This is the real insult here. Not only did you start charging for a free app. Not only did you decide to charge a subscription rather than let me purchase it. You INTENTIONALLY decided to not let members of the same household share the subscription. Absolutely ridiculous, and a great example of the greed present in corporate medicine today (even in orgs that claim to be nonprofit). ### 1/5 — ?? *2023-09-14, version 2.2.3* Of all the ways to make a buck in medicine you’re really going to charge money for a simple app that tracks codes? Was advised to download this when I started residency and recently pulled it out on the way to a code, and got prompted to put in my credit card info. Sick. ### 1/5 — Not worth it. *2023-08-23, version 2.2.0* Garbage to have to pay money for this. This stuff is online. ### 1/5 — If you pay for ACLS, AHA should provide this for free *2023-06-12* All hospital physicians must be ACLS certified through AHA and the training $$ received from mandatory trainings should go towards funding and maintaining the app. Especially since AHA celebrates $1 billion in revenue in 2021 (largely from donations) and CEO takes home $2.5 million/year. I think an AHA sponsored ACLS app doesn’t seem that big of a stretch… **Developer response:** Dear Brite222, Thank you for using and supporting our MGH ACLS app over the last couple years. The initial MGH ACLS version was free thanks to funding from a generous philanthropic donation. Unfortunately, this funding has expired, and, in order to cover the expenses for maintaining and upgrading the app for clinicians around the world, we had to make the difficult decision of charging a small, annual subscription fee of $2.99. We sincerely apologize for the abrupt change to a paid subscription model. We do not collect personal contact information, so there was no way to notify our users in advance of this transition. We hoped that a 3-day free trial could help alleviate this issue to some degree. Ultimately, we hope we can continue supporting clinicians around the world in delivering the highest quality ACLS care through our AHA ACLS app. Sincerely, The AHA ACLS Team ### 2/5 — Subscription based model is a bad option *2023-03-25* It’s a very useful app that I used for multiple codes, but now that it’s a subscription based model I am no longer using it. I’ve seen the developers responses that they no longer have funding from their generous philanthropist, which is unfortunate, but it is also unfortunate to be monetizing off sick coding patients who would benefit from their doctors having a useful clinical tool like this. It is only 2.99 a year and I’d probably be more willing to pay for it after I’m no longer a resident - but I’d also suggest that they consider making it a one time payment of $10 or something rather than an endless recurring subscription based fee. For some reason that feels like it would be an easier pill to swallow than a never ending fee that is continually extracting money without you knowing (seems kind of like a parasitic relationship when it could instead be a one time, one and done transaction). **Developer response:** Dear Conaanaa, Thank you for this feedback. We are continually re-evaluating different subscription options to maximize the value we offer our users. We will take your perspective into consideration. Sincerely, The AHA ACLS Team ### 1/5 — MONEY MONEY MONEY!!! *2023-03-09* So I get it! You go from a free app to PAYWALL????? No simulators for me UNFORTUNATELY!!! I have been desperate to find a defibrillator app to use where I can simulate rhythms, and have a realistic monitor defibrillator interface. NOT HAPPENING!! This is a surprise cost, you will not see until you dig into the apps. What a COMPLETE SHAME! I wish I would have known about these simulators BEFORE THEY DID THIS!! It’s been said in another rating that the five star ratings are FAKE!! I get it! You scam The living daylights out of us and make these apps look wonderful and FREE, only for us to find the REAL TRUTH! You’re not getting a DIME, from me! **Developer response:** Dear Ventilator74, Thank you for using and supporting our MGH ACLS app over the last couple years. The initial MGH ACLS version was free thanks to funding from a generous philanthropic donation. Unfortunately, this funding has expired, and, in order to cover the expenses for maintaining and upgrading the app for clinicians around the world, we had to make the difficult decision of charging a small, annual subscription fee of $2.99. We sincerely apologize for the abrupt change to a paid subscription model. We do not collect personal contact information, so there was no way to notify our users in advance of this transition. We hoped that a 3-day free trial could help alleviate this issue to some degree. Ultimately, we hope we can continue supporting clinicians around the world in delivering the highest quality ACLS care through our AHA ACLS app. Sincerely, The AHA ACLS Team ### 4/5 — Very helpful *2023-02-05, version 2.1.7* Walked in to work today, someone coded, ran the code with this app. Very helpful! Everyone was asking me by the end of it where to download! Recommendations: ADD supplemental counters for bicarbonate, calcium, other medications that might be pushed more than once. ### 1/5 — greedy, dystopian *2023-01-29, version 2.1.7* why would you put something so simple and life-saving behind a subscription pay wall? it’s an absolute embarrassment. shame on you. ### 1/5 — Update now behind a paywall *2023-01-28, version 2.1.7* App silently updated and now is absolutely useless behind a paywall. To do so and completely lock down and app overnight is poor form. ### 1/5 — Pay for help *2023-01-27, version 2.1.7* This used to be a great free resource to reference the ACLS algorithms. Now you pay monthly for it. I’d rather buy the cards, at least I don’t have to buy them every month ### 1/5 — Wonder how many people are going to be physically hurt by this change *2023-01-25* Pretty sad that such a crucial resource is now paywalled. $2.99 a year isn’t much but now think about how many people are now losing access to this extremely helpful app. Sad change. **Developer response:** Dear Gasman_12345, Thank you for using and supporting our MGH ACLS app over the last couple years. The initial MGH ACLS version was free thanks to funding from a generous philanthropic donation. Unfortunately, this funding has expired, and, in order to cover the expenses for maintaining and upgrading the app for clinicians around the world, we had to make the difficult decision of charging a small, annual subscription fee of $2.99. We sincerely apologize for the abrupt change to a paid subscription model. We do not collect personal contact information, so there was no way to notify our users in advance of this transition. We hoped that a 3-day free trial could help alleviate this issue to some degree. Ultimately, we hope we can continue supporting clinicians around the world in delivering the highest quality ACLS care through our AHA ACLS app. Sincerely, The AHA ACLS Team ### 1/5 — Unethical *2023-01-08, version 2.1.7* This used to be an excellent free app. Now it’s put behind a pay wall for no reason. Very unethical decision and will literally cost lives. Shame coming from prestigious organizations like MGH/Harvard and the AHA ### 4/5 — It’s good, just missing one thing *2022-12-14, version 2.1.6* For starters, the countless reviews from people complaining that the app cost money are absolutely ridiculous. It’s a few dollars, it’s not breaking any bank. I’m a nurse/house supervisor and it’s my job to respond to all codes and assist while charting. I love the click button timers! However, if this app had an “end code” button, a “pause compressions (pulse check),” and tracked in real time with a log at the end (similar to other apps) it would be perfection. I love the algorithms being readily available, but I would LOVE a time log for when I back chart ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Monetization *2026-07-02* Money grab for a resource that should be available for free ### 1/5 — Pay wall *2026-02-04, version 2.7.0* Why is a life saving app blocked by a subscription cost? ### 1/5 — Locked out middle of code *2025-12-25, version 2.7.0* I PAY for the subscription and I was locked out of the app mid-code. Fix this ASAP this is so dangerous! ### 1/5 — Subscription for an app that doesn’t load *2025-08-10* Having to pay a subscription fee for the app is already rough, but for one that doesn’t load the info into is insane. ### 1/5 — Paywall life saving algorithms *2025-07-21, version 2.4.0* Should be illegal to paywall this ### 1/5 — Sad *2025-07-09, version 2.4.0* It’s sad that a company as rich as MGB would lock such a simple and life-saving app behind a subscription based paywall. It’s honestly bad PR if anything. ### 1/5 — Former MassGen Employee *2025-06-23, version 2.3.0* As someone who worked at MGH and is familiar with the AHA I’m not surprised these blood-sucking leeches are trying to monetize a literal emergency resuscitation and code guidance app. These massive, behemoth entities, the absolute gold standard and leaders in healthcare, have this behavior. How could this be? The greed is incredible. Why not give back to society such a minor inexpensively developed thing? Probably funded with donations too. Turns the stomach to consider as an indicator for the state of society. ### 1/5 — Greedy app developers *2024-07-12, version 2.2.9* Greedy app devs want to be paid for algo that is free on AHA website, marks app as “free” but after you download there’s a monthly fee. Deceptive and very bad form considering the purpose of the content. ### 1/5 — 🛑 NOT FREE ANYMORE 🛑 *2023-12-16, version 2.2.9* Make it a one time fee instead of taking a “SMALL” amount from millions of people! ### 1/5 — Fantastic when it was free *2023-10-05, version 2.2.5* It was great…before they started charging. Takes some of our ACLS/BLS course fees to keep the app free. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Digital Standard of Care for ACLS *2026-04-18* The 5 Star AHA ACLS app is outstanding and has become my go-to resource during cardiac arrests and other cardiac emergencies. My colleagues and I rely on it regularly because it is practical, intuitive, and clearly designed with real clinical workflows in mind. It is evident that this app was built by physicians who understand the needs of doctors in high-stakes situations. For any physician involved in acute care, this is an exceptionally valuable tool and one I would strongly recommend. ### 5/5 — Excellent new features *2026-03-17* Been using this for sometime and really like all the new features to make it that much easier to run codes ### 5/5 — Essential tool for ER Nurses *2025-12-04, version 2.6.0* Its $2.99/year subscription fee is worth $$$ to support this app. As a new grad nurse, I was the recorder when a code came in to our ER. It had been some time since I was on the code team, and I had also bought a new phone, so my previous apps were no longer available. I stumbled across this app during the prep and immediately felt reassured. The most updated algorithms were in the palm of my hands. My only suggestion for improvement is that the log reflect the actual time for timekeeping. ### 5/5 — Trusted and improves care *2023-09-11, version 2.2.3* A small price to pay for excellence in healthcare delivery. ### 5/5 — This app is awesome. *2022-12-05* As someone learning about ACLS protocols, I love this app. If you’re a Med student or work on a floor with codes, this app will help you a ton. Definitely worth the subscription! Thanks AHA! ### 5/5 — Fantastic *2022-11-22* This is a fantastic app that is handy when saving a patient. ### 5/5 — Love this app *2022-10-17, version 2.1.0* I love this app. $3 is nothing for what this does for me. ### 5/5 — The best *2021-09-23, version 1.0.4* Unquestionably and by far the best app for running in-hospital codes / ACLS. ### 5/5 — Awesome aid *2020-09-23* Superb App! As a practicing cardiologist I found it thoughtful, thorough, vetted, and easy to use. The information presented covers algorithms to drug doses in a modular way that is easy to follow and absorb. Such a well designed app for ACLS is overdue. ### 5/5 — Best ACLS app *2020-09-17, version 1.0.2* Written by doctors for doctors. Easy to follow. Love the timer! Best app out there! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-28.*