Comparison

Histology vs USMLE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Histology

This study aid offers self-testing with micrographs of basic human body tissues. It covers cell biology, epithelia, glands, connective tissue, muscle, and the peripheral nervous system.

Highlights
  • Micrograph self-testing
  • Six sets of basic tissue coverage
  • Cell Biology for Histologists
  • Epithelia and Glands
  • Connective Tissue and Muscle
  • Peripheral Nervous System
Features
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The BT Histology SecondLook™ application is a study aid that provides a series of micrographs for users to self-test their level of knowledge and ability to recognize histological structures. It contains six sets covering the basic tissues of the human body, including Cell Biology for the Histologist, Epithelia, Glands, Connective Tissue, Muscle, and the Peripheral Nervous System.

About

USMLE

Master medical school and the USMLE with a comprehensive resource app. Access board-style questions, interactive learning modules, flashcards, and videos. Study anytime, anywhere with cloud syncing and personalized study tools.

Highlights
  • Thousands of USMLE board-style questions
  • Nearly 800 eLearning modules
  • Over 14,000 flashcards
  • Over 80 hours of high-yield videos
  • Cloud syncing across devices
  • Spaced repetition study tool
Currently charting
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USMLE-Rx (by ScholarRx) Ready to own the USMLE and master medical school? Now you can access any high-yield USMLE-Rx tool in one great app!* Get on-the-go access to USMLE board-style questions, Rx Bricks, flash cards, and videos. Qmax: Study anytime, anywhere with your USMLE-Rx Qmax Subscription: · Thousands of high-yield Step 1 questions, images, and explanations · All your tests sync to the cloud for immediate access on any device · Quiz yourself in multiple test modes with different question types · Get detailed performance stats Rx Bricks · Nearly 800 high-yield, patient-centered eLearning modules · “Need-to-know” topics succinctly explained with simple "clear language" explanations, often in under 20 minutes · Clinical correlations, real-world stories, memorable mnemonics, and more · Assess your understanding with measurable objectives, interactive flashcards, and practice questions built into each module Flash Facts Learning is literally at your fingertips with Step 1 Flash Facts: · Over 14,000 flash cards help you nail USMLE Step 1 content quickly and efficiently · Case-based flash cards put basic science concepts in a clinical context · Study Stream uses spaced repetition to give you flash cards based on your own study schedule as well as your strengths and weaknesses · Daily reporting helps you track your progress · All your cards and progress sync to the cloud for immediate access on any connected device · Searchable by organ system, discipline, and topic Express Videos · Over 80 hours of high-yield videos, over 1,300 videos in all · 600+ images, helpful diagrams, and multimedia clips · Integrations across multiple topics form strong, lasting connections to help you in class and on test day *Requires a valid subscription to Rx360+, USMLE-Rx Step 1 Qmax or Step 2CK Qmax, Rx Bricks, Step 1 Flash Facts, and/or Express Videos. Terms and Conditions: https://www.usmle-rx.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://www.usmle-rx.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Histology4 screens
USMLE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: USMLE at 4.7 against Histology's 3.7. USMLE also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (5K vs 3). Histology's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. USMLE sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per month. Histology asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

USMLE holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: USMLE has 5K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Histology's written reviews are positive against 49% of USMLE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Histology ships an update every 10 months, USMLE every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Histology versus USMLE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHistologyUSMLE
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.7 (5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews48.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings35K — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#154 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB40 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperThe University of MichiganMedIQ Learning, LLC

Customer experience

Histology

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

USMLE

All ratings5,005 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral17.0%
Negative34.1%

In-app purchases

None

Histology

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

USMLE

Subscriptions1
  • RX360+$49.991 Month

Questions

Is Histology free?
Histology is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is USMLE free?
USMLE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Histology or USMLE?
USMLE is rated higher. Histology averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while USMLE averages 4.7 from 5K ratings.
Do Histology or USMLE have ads?
Neither Histology nor USMLE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Histology or USMLE?
Histology ships an update every 10 months, and USMLE every 6 weeks. Most recently, Histology was updated on September 10, 2026 and USMLE on September 25, 2026.

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