Comparison

DSM vs BrainExplain

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

Head to head
About

DSM

This app assists clinicians in making accurate psychiatric diagnoses using the latest DSM-5-TR® classifications. It features interactive decision trees and algorithms to guide users through a 6-step diagnostic process, offering differential diagnoses and detailed condition entries.

Highlights
  • Interactive decision trees for diagnosis
  • Review selected diagnostic paths
  • Algorithms for enhanced assessment
  • Latest DSM-5-TR classifications
  • Differential diagnosis tables
  • Detailed psychiatric condition entries
  • Advanced search and favorites
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

** Fully updated to reflect the recently published DSM-5-TR®** ** Diagnose with Confidence Using The Interactive Decision Trees On All Devices Including The Apple Watch®** ABOUT DSM-5-TR® DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS HANDBOOK All clinicians are trained to make accurate diagnoses. Beginning with the patient’s presenting symptoms, they ultimately narrow down multiple options to one condition. The DSM-5-TR Differential Diagnosis Handbook can play a critical role in this process by improving the diagnostic process of psychiatric conditions. Leveraging latest DSM-5-TR classifications from the American Psychiatric Association, users are able to use a trusted 6-step process when dealing with, sometimes unfamiliar, psych conditions. Exclusive, integrated interactive decision trees provide a step-by-step process of asking yes or no questions to find a tentative diagnosis. When the initial diagnosis is reached, tables of differential diagnoses are presented to help confirm or present new options. FEATURES • Interactive decision trees for narrowing down psychiatric diagnoses • New feature allows for the review of your selected path through the decision tree • Algorithms for enhanced assessment • The latest DSM-5-TR classifications and ICD-10 codes • Helpful tables of differential diagnoses • Detailed entries featuring definitions for each psychiatric condition • Expansive guidance on all 6 steps of the differential diagnosis process • Advanced Search to help find topics quickly • “Favorites” for bookmarking important entries Author: Michael B. First, MD Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing Powered by: Unbound Medicine Unbound Privacy Policy: www.unboundmedicine.com/privacy Unbound Terms of Use: https://www.unboundmedicine.com/end_user_license_agreement

About

BrainExplain

Explore a 3D model of the human brain, highlighting specific regions and their functions. Gain insights into emotions, mental health, and treatment by viewing the brain from multiple perspectives.

Highlights
  • 3D human brain model
  • Highlighting of specific brain regions
  • Descriptions of region functions
  • Multiple viewing perspectives
  • Understanding emotions and mental health
Features
Read full description

This app is designed to highlight specific regions of the human brain in three dimensions. It includes brief descriptions of the functions associated with those regions. Users are able to 'enter' the brain and see it from multiple perspectives. This provides a basis for understanding emotions, mental health issues, and their treatment.

Screenshots

DSM4 screens
BrainExplain2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: DSM at 4.6 against BrainExplain's 3.0. DSM also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 2) and chart position (#112 vs unranked). BrainExplain's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months). On price and ads 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. DSM sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. BrainExplain asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DSM holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DSM has 1.6K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DSM ships an update every 5 months, BrainExplain weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
DSM versus BrainExplain: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDSMBrainExplain
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (1.6K ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews33.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.6K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#112 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.06.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB289 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperUnbound Medicine, Inc.Cheryl Montgomery

Customer experience

DSM

All ratings1,563 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral3.5%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive33.9%
Neutral9.7%
Negative56.5%

BrainExplain

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

DSM

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Login issues
  • Subscription confusion
  • Compatibility problems

Requested features

4 requests
  • Update to latest DSM edition
  • Include DSM-5 codes
  • Add dark mode
  • Expand content coverage

BrainExplain

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

DSM

One-time2
  • DSM-5™ Differential Dx HB$69.99
  • DSM-5-TR$79.99
None

BrainExplain

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DSM free?
DSM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BrainExplain free?
BrainExplain is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DSM or BrainExplain?
DSM is rated higher. DSM averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while BrainExplain averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do DSM or BrainExplain have ads?
Neither DSM nor BrainExplain shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DSM or BrainExplain?
DSM ships an update every 5 months, and BrainExplain weekly. Most recently, DSM was updated on November 10, 2026 and BrainExplain on November 2, 2026.

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