# NIH Toolbox vs MeSA

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MeSA at none against NIH Toolbox's 5. MeSA also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NIH Toolbox sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. MeSA asks for nothing beyond the download.

NIH Toolbox ships an update every 3 months, MeSA every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NIH Toolbox | MeSA |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nih-toolbox/id1002228307/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 714 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Glinberg & Associates, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/981361720) | [BrainTrain Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/584469134) |

## What reviewers say

### NIH Toolbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nih-toolbox/id1002228307)

This legacy app provides a comprehensive set of measures for cognitive, emotional, motor, and sensory function in individuals aged 3-85. Designed for research and clinical use, it offers streamlined workflows for over 50 tests. Note: this version will be retired in June 2028.

**Highlights:** Cognitive, emotional, motor, sensory function assessment, Ages 3-85, Research and clinical use, Streamlined workflows, Over 50 tests, Crosswalk among measures

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $499.99 | per year |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $499.99 | per year |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $499.99 | per year |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $1299.99 | per year |


### MeSA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mesa-ae-assist/id1168004505)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NIH Toolbox free?

NIH Toolbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MeSA free?

MeSA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do NIH Toolbox or MeSA have ads?

Neither NIH Toolbox nor MeSA shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NIH Toolbox or MeSA?

NIH Toolbox ships an update every 3 months, and MeSA every 3 weeks. Most recently, NIH Toolbox was updated on July 18, 2026 and MeSA on September 8, 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.*