Comparison

NIH Toolbox vs TabCAT

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

Head to head
About

NIH Toolbox

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
Read full description

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS IS A LEGACY VERSION OF THE NIH TOOLBOX SYSTEM AND WILL BE RETIRED IN JUNE 2028. New users are strongly encouraged to download the NIH Toolbox V3 app instead of this legacy version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nih-toolbox-v3/id1627119550. Users whose studies end after June 2028 must plan to transition to the NIH Toolbox V3 app before then. The annual subscription cost of this app will increase each year through its retirement. *** Important Hardware Note: iPads (2018 and newer models) with 9.7- to 11-inch screens are recommended. Data collected on iPads with 12.9" screens has not yet been validated. *** NIH Toolbox® is a multidimensional set of performance and person-report measures that assess cognitive, emotional, motor, and sensory function in people ages 3-85, designed for research and clinical use. The original NIH Toolbox was developed by more than 250 scientists over 6 years, and sponsored by the 15 institutes of the National Institutes for Health that make up the NIH Neuroscience Blueprint. This update to the NIH Toolbox includes streamlined workflows and user interface for 50+ tests, for stand-alone use or as part of a complete assessment battery. With the NIH Toolbox app, researchers can assess function using a common metric and can “crosswalk” among measures, essential to the process of pooling data and often necessary when a large and diverse sample is needed. NIH Toolbox does not require a subscription for many features; however, a subscription is required to record assessment responses and to view and export results. Subscriptions are offered for purchase within the app for use on up to 10 iPads. Purchased subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Cancellation of the current (paid) subscription is subject to Apple’s discretion. Users can enjoy a free trial period to explore the NIH Toolbox app, but data will not be saved and results will not be generated during the free trial. The free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Manage your subscription by going to your Apple Account Settings after purchase. All content needed to administer NIH Toolbox tests is available in the app, though some tests require additional hardware or materials. Please create a free account at www.NIHToolbox.org to access the Administration and Technical Manuals, supplemental materials, and list of publications. With the purchase of this app, you will immediately have access to tests in the Emotion, Motor, and Sensation domains. Tests in the Cognition domain require the successful completion of a separate approval on www.NIHToolbox.org. This approval process is included in the cost of the subscription; no additional purchase is necessary. Generally, approval will be granted to researchers and clinicians with the knowledge and training to use neuropsychological tests. Contact help@nihtoolbox.org for more details. Important information about the intended use and data security: * NIH Toolbox is not intended for use outside of research or clinical application. * Users control how data is managed. Data export via iCloud, email, and File Sharing can be enabled/disabled in the app. * If iCloud is enabled on your device, you may choose to upload data exports to a folder in iCloud Drive upon generation. Please refer to Apple for iCloud security and privacy details. * Data exports (.csv format) and assessment reports (.PDF format) may be emailed from NIH Toolbox. Secured email systems must be used to protect privacy. Help us make this product the best it can be. If you have suggestions for changes, please share them with us: help@nihtoolbox.org. To learn more about NIH Toolbox, visit www.NIHToolbox.org. NIH Toolbox Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions: https://nihtoolbox.org/privacy-policy/ https://nihtoolbox.org/terms-of-use/

About

TabCAT

This medical tool offers a suite of cognitive tests for assessing executive function, memory, language, motor skills, and visuospatial abilities. It also includes multidimensional questionnaires for subjects, informants, and examiners, designed for standardized measurement in clinical and research settings.

Highlights
  • Cognitive tests
  • Executive function assessment
  • Memory assessment
  • Language assessment
  • Motor skills assessment
  • Visuospatial skills assessment
  • Multidimensional questionnaires
Read full description

The Tablet-based Cognitive Assessment Tool (TabCAT) is an application developed at University of California San Francisco for the administration of clinical and research tools. The variety of tools available on TabCAT includes cognitive tests of executive function, memory, language, motor skills, and visuospatial skills. It also includes a set of multidimensional questionnaires that are subject-facing, informant-facing, or examiner-facing. TabCAT tools are designed for use in diverse settings, and automated administration and scoring ensure high precision and standardization of measurement. The tests can be used for assessment and longitudinal monitoring of cognitive and behavioral abilities in adults.

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: TabCAT at 5.0 against NIH Toolbox's 1.0. TabCAT also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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. NIH Toolbox sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. TabCAT asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TabCAT holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIH Toolbox ships an update every 3 months, TabCAT every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NIH Toolbox versus TabCAT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIH ToolboxTabCAT
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size714 MB205 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperGlinberg & Associates, Inc.University of California at San Francisco

Customer experience

NIH Toolbox

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

TabCAT

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

NIH Toolbox

Subscriptions5
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments2 Months trial$499.991 Year
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments$499.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments1 Year trial$499.991 Year
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments$1299.991 Year
None

TabCAT

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NIH Toolbox free?
NIH Toolbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TabCAT free?
TabCAT is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NIH Toolbox or TabCAT?
TabCAT is rated higher. NIH Toolbox averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while TabCAT averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do NIH Toolbox or TabCAT have ads?
Neither NIH Toolbox nor TabCAT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIH Toolbox or TabCAT?
NIH Toolbox ships an update every 3 months, and TabCAT every 4 months. Most recently, NIH Toolbox was updated on July 18, 2026 and TabCAT on August 29, 2026.

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