ClinicalKey vs MedCalc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ClinicalKey
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.
- 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
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INSTITUTIONAL SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED. Access the latest advances in clinical knowledge anytime, anywhere with ClinicalKey®- the essential resource for medical professionals. ClinicalKey combines the speed of synoptic content with the depth of a comprehensive clinical reference tool in one intuitive solution to provide clinicians trusted information in the moments that matter most. With ClinicalKey, you can: • Stay abreast of rapidly expanding clinical knowledge • Quickly confirm diagnosis and treatment information • Advance critical thinking skills and research Please note: To access our extensive content library, ensure you have a subscription to ClinicalKey from your organization. To get started: 1. Download the free ClinicalKey app for iOS on your iPad® or iPhone®. 2. Follow the prompts to connect to your organization’s account.The app will ask questions to get you to the right content. 3. Choose the method of access that is right for you: 4. Select Access via Network if you need a quick answer and your device is connected to your organization's network. 5. Select Access via Institution for other ways to connect. 6. Once you have gained access, create or sign- in to your Elsevier ClinicalKey user account to save favorites and earn CME/MOC/CE/MOC/CE. ClinicalKey® Because you want to find a better way to help your patients ClinicalKey combines the speed of synoptic content with the depth of a comprehensive clinical reference tool in one intuitive solution to give clinicians trusted information in the moments that matter. With the ClinicalKey, clinicians will be able to: • Enhance patient care with trusted resources and deep insights across 30+ specialties • Combine efficiency and confidence in your practice with access to quick answers and information that is continuously updated • Excel in your field by building foundational knowledge and keeping up with the latest trends through full-text reference books and journals, while earning free CME/MOC/CE credit • Stay abreast of rapidly expanding clinical knowledge • Quickly confirm diagnosis and treatment information • Advance critical thinking skills and research ClinicalKey App for iOS Features: • Trusted Comprehensive content covering more than 30 medical and surgical specialties • Easy-to-scan, clinically focused medical topic synopses • Intuitive search with auto-suggest/ • Easy search with auto-completion • Direct navigation to your favorite books and journals • Mobile-optimized medical calculators • Access to full-text books, full-text journals, guidelines, multimedia and more • Access via Institutional IP; individuals will not be able to earn CME/MOC/CE, save, or share content when using IP authentication. Please register for remote access via your institutional web version of ClinicalKey. ClinicalKey Registrants (non-IP) customers will enjoy: • Opportunity to earn CME and fulfill MOC requirements with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) • Ability to favorite and save content • Option to print and email topics, videos or graphics • Earn and track free CME/MOC/CE credit Ability to favorite and save content Print and email topics, videos or graphics to patients and colleagues iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries.
MedCalc
This app offers a comprehensive collection of essential medical calculators across various specialties. It features smart search, offline access, and a favorites function for quick access to frequently used tools. Optimized for low-light environments with dark mode and bilingual support.
- Comprehensive medical calculator library
- Favorites for quick access
- Smart search functionality
- Offline access
- Dark mode support
- Bilingual (English/Chinese)
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* Comprehensive Library: Covers major specialties including Cardiology, Neurology, Respiratory, Intensive Care, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nephrology, and Psychiatry. * Essential Tools: Includes industry-standard calculators like CHA₂DS₂-VASc, Wells Criteria (DVT/PE), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), NIHSS, eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021), NEWS-2, Child-Pugh, and MELD. * Favorites: Pin your most frequently used calculators to the top for quick access during rounds or consultations. * Smart Search: Instantly find what you need with a powerful search bar that supports both calculator names and descriptions. * Offline Access: Fully functional without an internet connection—perfect for hospitals with poor signal. * Dark Mode: Optimized for low-light environments to reduce eye strain during night shifts. * Bilingual Support: Seamlessly switch between English and Chinese. Included Calculators: * Cardiology: HEART Score, ASCVD Risk, Framingham, HAS-BLED, GRACE * Neurology: ABCD² Score, ICH Score, ASRS-v1.1, IQCODE * Respiratory: CURB-65, BODE Index, STOP-BANG * Intensive Care: qSOFA, SIRS, SOFA 2.0 * Gastroenterology: Forrest Classification, FIB-4 Index * General: BMI, Body Surface Area (BSA) * ...and many more! Disclaimer: This app is intended for educational and reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical judgment. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions. Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BoZtIn4_znD4dlR_uvF_JtKkco9ygaw-ziiEXYD6PL8 Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/189TpeMSzWfzfg1Ov55Huq-EI1oKV3NShIOJUuSZi7Qg
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: MedCalc at 100% against ClinicalKey's 9%. MedCalc also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 weeks). ClinicalKey's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.6). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. MedCalc sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ClinicalKey asks for nothing beyond the download.
ClinicalKey ships an update every 5 weeks, MedCalc every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ClinicalKey | MedCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 8.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 20 MB |
| Age rating | +12 | 4+ |
| Developer | Elsevier Inc. | 亭 邓 |
Customer experience
ClinicalKey
MedCalc
Bugs and requests
ClinicalKey
Reported bugs
14 issues- 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
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- Network change warnings appearing incorrectly
- Search results returning unrelated content
- Textbook search not finding available books
- App won't load after recent updates
- Blank search results for valid queries
- Scrolling in table of contents sidebar not functioning
- Landscape orientation not supported
- App doesn't remember page position when reopened
- Restricted access to books after updates
Requested features
10 requests- 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
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- Text size and screen color customization
- Fingerprint/passcode login option
- Browse feature with category filtering
- Offline access to downloaded materials
- Feature parity with website version
MedCalc
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
ClinicalKey
No in-app purchases
MedCalc
- Lifetime Plan$5.99









