# MedCalX vs BiliBuddy

The clearest difference is rating: BiliBuddy at 4.9 against MedCalX's 3.8. BiliBuddy also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 46%) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months). MedCalX's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MedCalX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and BiliBuddy sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

BiliBuddy holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BiliBuddy has 258 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of MedCalX's written reviews are positive against 85% of BiliBuddy's.

MedCalX ships an update every 5 months, BiliBuddy every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MedCalX | BiliBuddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/medcalx/id1041464932/reviews) | **[4.9 (258 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bilibuddy/id1173376805/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **258** |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews | **84.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 45 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Ossus GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/286022405) | [Covenant Data Systems, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1393847632) |

## What reviewers say

### MedCalX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/medcalx/id1041464932)

This medical calculator app provides healthcare professionals with a comprehensive tool for complex medical formulas, scores, and classifications. It offers an extensive library of over 300 medical calculations, patient management features, and sharing capabilities.

**Highlights:** Extensive medical formula library (300+), Patient management and data saving, Customizable workflows, Multiple result sharing options, Detailed information and references, US and SI unit support, iCloud synchronization for favorites

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MedCalX Unlock | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 📱 Comprehensive collection of medical formulas and scores
- 🚀 Fast calculations and quick access
- 📚 Includes PubMed links and background information
- 🌍 Multi-language support

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywalls for previously free calculators
- 🔄 Forced paid upgrades for existing users
- ❌ Missing many important medical scores
- ⏱️ Infrequent updates and maintenance
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup
- App crashes when taking patient photos
- App fails to open or becomes unresponsive
- Unable to restore previous purchases
- Doximity unlock feature not working

**Requested features**

- SCORE2 and other modern cardiovascular risk scores
- TRiP(cast) score
- Valve disease calculations
- Pediatric medication dosing calculators
- Electrolyte and fluid replacement calculations


### BiliBuddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bilibuddy/id1173376805)

This app helps healthcare professionals determine the need for phototherapy or exchange therapy in newborns based on their age, bilirubin levels, and risk factors. It utilizes the latest American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines and displays results on interactive nomograms. The app also tracks infant data and provides links to relevant research.

**Highlights:** Calculates phototherapy threshold, Displays on nomograms, Calculates infant age, Views risk factors, Supports US and SI units, Tracks bilirubin measures

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful and easy to use
- 📈 Graphs and trends Bili levels
- ⏱️ Figures out baby's age in hours
- ✅ Spot on accuracy
- 📰 Updates Bili guidelines

**What reviewers complain about**

-  intrusive video/audio ads
- ❌ No display of risk zones
- 💥 App keeps crashing
- 🖱️ UI not the best
- 🔗 Link to further information doesn't work

**Reported bugs**

- Video/audio ads won't shut off
- App crashes
- Text boxes sometimes don't respond
- Link to further information doesn't work

**Requested features**

- Add or manage hours of phototherapy treatment
- Make scrolling between risk levels more obvious (e.g., more dots)
- Display low, intermediate, and high intermediate risk zones


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MedCalX free?

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

### Is BiliBuddy free?

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

### Which has better reviews, MedCalX or BiliBuddy?

BiliBuddy is rated higher. MedCalX averages 3.8 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while BiliBuddy averages 4.9 from 258 ratings.

### Do MedCalX or BiliBuddy have ads?

BiliBuddy shows ads; MedCalX does not.

### Which is updated more often, MedCalX or BiliBuddy?

MedCalX ships an update every 5 months, and BiliBuddy every 4 weeks. Most recently, MedCalX was updated on November 6, 2026 and BiliBuddy on November 2, 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.*