# ClinicalKey vs Micromedex

The clearest difference is monetization model: Micromedex at free against ClinicalKey's subscription. Micromedex also leads on review sentiment (24% vs 9%). ClinicalKey's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ClinicalKey ships an update every 5 weeks, Micromedex every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClinicalKey | Micromedex |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.4 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/micromedex/id6471286555/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **35** |
| Positive reviews | 8.8% of reviews | **23.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Size | 55 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Elsevier Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/367031326) | [Merative](https://appshunter.io/developer/1643925283) |

## 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


### Micromedex

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/micromedex/id6471286555)

Access evidence-based clinical insights at the point of care with this comprehensive medical reference app. It provides daily updated drug information, pediatric and neonatal references, IV compatibility, and drug interaction checks, along with clinical calculators.

**Highlights:** Drug Reference Summary, NeoFax and Pediatric Reference, IV Compatibility, Drug Interactions, Clinical Calculators, Automated Content Updates

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ClinicalKey free?

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

### Is Micromedex free?

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

### Do ClinicalKey or Micromedex have ads?

Neither ClinicalKey nor Micromedex shows ads.

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

ClinicalKey ships an update every 5 weeks, and Micromedex every 2 months. Most recently, ClinicalKey was updated on October 20, 2026 and Micromedex on October 24, 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.*