Comparison

NIH Toolbox vs NIH Toolbox V3

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

NIH Toolbox V3

This app provides a comprehensive set of measures to assess cognitive, emotional, motor, and sensory functions in individuals aged 3-85. Designed for research and clinical use, it offers streamlined workflows and a user interface for over 50 measures, enabling data pooling and crosswalk analysis.

Highlights
  • Cognitive, emotional, motor, sensory function assessment
  • Ages 3-85
  • Streamlined workflows and UI
  • Over 50 measures
  • Crosswalk among measures
  • Includes PROMIS tests
Read full description

*** Important Hardware Note: iPads (2018 and newer models) with 9.7- to 11-inch screens are recommended. Data collected on iPads PRO with 12.9" or iPads Mini with 8.3” screens has not yet been validated. *** NIH Toolbox® V3 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 over 50 measures, for stand-alone use or as part of a complete assessment battery. With the NIH Toolbox® V3 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. With the purchase of this app, you will also have access to select Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) tests. 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. To use all available features of NIH Toolbox®, users must subscribe to a 1-year subscription. 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. Users can enjoy a free trial period to explore the NIH Toolbox V3 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. You may manage your subscription by going to your Apple Account Settings after purchase. Cancellation of the current (paid) subscription is subject to Apple’s discretion. 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 NIH Toolbox® V3 Administration Manual, 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 or corrections, please share them with us at: help@nihtoolbox.org. To learn more about NIH Toolbox, visit www.NIHToolbox.org. NIH Toolbox Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions are located here: https://nihtoolbox.org/privacy-policy/ https://nihtoolbox.org/terms-of-use/

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NIH Toolbox V3 at 4.7 against NIH Toolbox's 1.0. NIH Toolbox V3 also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). NIH Toolbox's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and NIH Toolbox V3 sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $599.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NIH Toolbox V3 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIH Toolbox ships an update every 4 months, NIH Toolbox V3 every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NIH Toolbox versus NIH Toolbox V3: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIH ToolboxNIH Toolbox V3
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size715 MB938 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGlinberg & Associates, IncToolbox Assessments, Inc.

Customer experience

NIH Toolbox

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

NIH Toolbox V3

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
3 purchases

NIH Toolbox V3

Subscriptions3
  • Access on 2 iPads1 Month trial$599.991 Year
  • Access on 6 iPads$1499.991 Year
  • Access on 10 iPads$2499.991 Year

Questions

Is NIH Toolbox free?
NIH Toolbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NIH Toolbox V3 free?
NIH Toolbox V3 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NIH Toolbox or NIH Toolbox V3?
NIH Toolbox V3 is rated higher. NIH Toolbox averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while NIH Toolbox V3 averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do NIH Toolbox or NIH Toolbox V3 have ads?
Neither NIH Toolbox nor NIH Toolbox V3 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIH Toolbox or NIH Toolbox V3?
NIH Toolbox ships an update every 4 months, and NIH Toolbox V3 every 2 months. Most recently, NIH Toolbox was updated on October 7, 2026 and NIH Toolbox V3 on October 6, 2026.

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