# Histology vs USMLE

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Histology | USMLE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/histology-basic-tissues/id1001607947/reviews) | **[4.7 (5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usmle-rx/id1222119266/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **5K** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **48.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#140** |
| Size | 32 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [The University of Michigan](https://appshunter.io/developer/380339599) | [MedIQ Learning, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/344457828) |

## What reviewers say

### Histology

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/histology-basic-tissues/id1001607947)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### USMLE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usmle-rx/id1222119266)

**Currently charting:** #140 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| RX360+ | $49.99 | per month |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*