# ClinicalKey vs AnSo

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ClinicalKey at none against AnSo's 4. AnSo's advantage is review sentiment (39% vs 9%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AnSo sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. ClinicalKey asks for nothing beyond the download.

ClinicalKey ships an update every 5 weeks, AnSo fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClinicalKey | AnSo |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.5 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anso/id1627451047/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **30** |
| Positive reviews | 8.8% of reviews | **39.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#82** |
| Size | 55 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Elsevier Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/367031326) | [Sumo Enterprises Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1202779263) |

## What reviewers say

### ClinicalKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clinicalkey/id1041998175)

This app provides medical professionals with instant access to a vast library of clinical knowledge, including synoptic content and in-depth reference materials. It helps users stay updated on medical advancements, confirm diagnoses, and advance their research skills, all while offering CME/MOC/CE credits.

**Highlights:** Access to 30+ medical specialties, Synoptic content for quick answers, Full-text reference books and journals, Mobile-optimized medical calculators, Earn CME/MOC/CE credits, Intuitive search functionality

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 High-quality, evidence-based clinical content
- 🎯 Intuitive interface and quick reference format
- 🔍 Similar functionality to website version
- 👍 Browse feature restoration appreciated by users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔓 Constant forced logout issues
- 🔐 Institutional login authentication failures
- ⏳ App freezes and perpetual loading screens
- 🚫 Missing textbook access in app vs website
- 📵 Frequent crashes and force closures

**Reported bugs**

- App stuck on loading screen after initial login
- Forced logout when closing or minimizing app
- Institutional login not working despite web access
- App crashes during search queries
- OpenAthens authentication failures

**Requested features**

- PDF download capability within the app
- Favorite/bookmark textbooks and articles
- Landscape mode support for iPad
- Find-on-page text search function
- Automatic session persistence and page memory


### AnSo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/anso/id1627451047)

**Currently charting:** #82 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app helps anesthesiologists quickly identify sonoanatomy for various procedures. It offers detailed images, landmark sketches, and innervation data for nerve blocks, along with tips from experienced clinicians. It covers regional anesthesia and other perioperative ultrasound uses.

**Highlights:** Sonoanatomy identification, Landmark sketches, Nerve block innervation, Ergonomic positioning guides, Perioperative ultrasound uses, Clinical tips and notes

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AnSo one month subscription | $0.49 | per month |
| AnSo Pro one year subscription | $5.99 | per year |
| AnSo Pro subscription | $5.99 | per year |
| AnSo one year subscription | $5.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ClinicalKey free?

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

### Is AnSo free?

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

### Do ClinicalKey or AnSo have ads?

Neither ClinicalKey nor AnSo shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ClinicalKey or AnSo?

ClinicalKey ships an update every 5 weeks, and AnSo fortnightly. Most recently, ClinicalKey was updated on September 14, 2026 and AnSo on September 23, 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.*